Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-06-20

that sounded like the blare of a war
trumpet. Then he laughed, in bitter,
tragic way that would have done credit
to the Mephistopheles himself.
"Do tell me what it is all abouti"
cried, feeling more bewildered than ever
"There's never any use in explana-
tions," returned Phil, loftily. IL am
very sorry to appear rude; l can only
trust to your goodness to excuse it."
| sat dazed, as he left me, wondering
what it all meant. Maybe | dropped
into doze. Anyway, felt as if l had
had the nightmare; reused myself
enough at last to think that I must ioin
the others, when l heard Judith's step
in the hall.
Jack! Where are you, Jackr she
cried.
Here I am," l groaned, rising to
meet her.
did ever mortal hear the like of
thisPn she cried, waving an open letter
over her head. Never, never! I am
fifty years old, but if was five hundred
| could not expect such a thing to
happen twice."
"Wh-what is itP" I asked. "Is
Philip"
1--we not seen him-one of the men
met him in the road"
"Then he has gone, after alp"
"GoneP" echoed Judith. | can find
no comparison that would do justice to
her tone.
" suppose he tells you all about it in
his letter.. l suggested, hoping at least
to be relieved from explanation, since
had none to offer.
"What does he sayP"
are all as mad as hatters. I'll turn the
house into an asylum and shut you all
up in it, if there is no other way"
but the letter.
Don't l tell you it's from Jeanie!"
cried Judith, fairly dancing at me in her
anger and astonishment. "Jeanie has
gone away"
"Jeanie gone, too," muttered, and
sat helpless.
"Gone, tooP" demanded Judith. "Do
you mean that Philip has left the
housep"
nodded. I was past speech for the
moment.
Tell me this instant what it all
meansP" shrieked Judith. "I'll not wait
a secondm
Philip went into great state-said
he would not stay night in the house
with that girl. / tried to get him to see
you before he started; Thought he was
with you"
Judith sat down in a chair and glared
at me.
"What does Jeanie sayp" l ventured
to ask.
Myquestion agitated my sister so much
that | really thought she would fly in
pieces. Then, with her usual brusque
changeableness, she suddenly began to
read the note aloud:
Dear Aunt Judith-You must for
give me-some time | will explain-I
cannot now. | am leaving the house-I
shall take the train to New York-mam-
ma is there. Try not to be very angry
with me, and invent some reason to give
Uncle Jack-I can think of none in my
confusion-but l must go. 1t breaks
my heart to behave so ill toward YOU
do please try to pardon it, and believe
me, always, your loving Jeanie."
Heavens and earth!" cried L.
Gomez"
"Gone Ordered the carriage, and
drove away while | was busy about the
gardener, who is ILL.,"
"Gone to town." said. "Why, good
gracious, Philip has gone there, too"
There was brief silence between us.
The room grew rapidly darker; for twi-
light was coming on, so that | could not
well see Judith's face. Suddenly she
startled me by bursting into fit of
Srht oh oh nl
like a maniac, and the more / begged to
know if she had the Mysteries the more
she laughed.
"Oh, don't you understand" she man.
aged at length to articulate. ''These two
idiots were trying to run away from
each other, and have run together"
did understand. | laughed more in
sanely than Judith had done. | laughed
till l set myself coughing so hard that
she was obliged to loosen my neckcloth
and pound me on the back.
A minute more we heard Jeanie's
voice in the hall.
Good heavens she has come back r'
whispered Judith. Stop where you
are. She may as well think you know
nothing about her going. I'll find out
what it means"
NV sister went away. | sat there alone
in the gloom. The dining-room was al
the back of the house and had glass
doors opening upon the strawberries, and
these doors now stood open, for it was d
warm May evening.
Suddenly | heard step on the veranda
and saw Philips head appear in the door
way. He could not see me, but | had lii
another cigar, and it made a bright spot
in the darkness-he could see that.
"Uncle Jack!" he said, softly.
"Yes, my boy" said There was ne
further emotion possible to mel was
calm from utter stupefaction.
Il have come back" said he, rather
sheepishly.
$50 perceive" said I.
"You needn't say anything to Aun
Judith" says he, in q coaxing voice
Then he went on: "You see, just as
was taking my ticket at the station
saw Miss-I saw your lady friend. Al
she had chosen to leave the house, ther
was no reason why / should not COM
back"
"Not the slightest" said l, though
did not in the least know what meant.
"What reason did she give for leav
ingP"
"I didn't see her," said I.
but to Aunt Judith-you have seel
Aunt JUDITH"
"0h, yes,n l replied; "but | don
think she knew any more about Jeanie'
reasons for going than did of yours"
Il suppose / had better tell you,
said Phil. II feel rather more sane q
present. know | acted like fool-bu
you see, meeting her here so unexpec
edly quite upset me-"
~ should say there had been prett
general upsetting," / muttered, but ha