Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-17


going on. His stuck-up airs and his talk
about strophes and symphonies and outand-
ish heatbenisms boded no good. But 30
long as | have roof, you shall share it,"
But Jenny was independent, and soon got
situation far above the one In which she
first saw her husband As luck would have
1t, the old rooms were Just vacated Mrs.
MShane had most Of the old furniture 80
before the month was out Jenny was back
in her nest, but sick at heart, and sometimes
ready to die.
In the mean while we must run back
month to the scene of festivity where we
left Mac with his head high in the air, and
the skirts of the musical prodigy trailing
full yard behind her. Neither of them
missed Jenny till the splendid repast was
ready, and the guests were not disconsolate
for the society Of their hostess But now,
indeed, it was time for Jenny to take her
rightful place. and with many an inward
prayer that she would be as little unequal
to the occasion as could be expected Of her,
and resolve TO caution her only 10 speak
when necessary, and certainty in his heart
that she would at least be pleasant TO look
upon, Mr.. Mac Neil awaited his wife. |
needn't say he waited in vain and two or
three of the servants not being able 10 find
her, Mr.. Mac Neil, in high dispeasure, sent
Shiel off with an immediate order for her
peremptory appearance before him. Shiel
hunted high and low, and came back to his
partner with wild look of alarm in his
face, and his now scanty locks almost on end.
She's clean gone NOT sign Of herW
he said.
Mac Neil was more mad than grieved, for
he knew she'd come in, he said, at the fag-
end of the feast, and spoil everything.
ashes run out somewhere for something"
said poor Mac, little thinking of the nature
OF her errand. He made an apt excuse to
his daughter, and the supper went on sue
cessfully. Poor Shiel ate never mouthful,
and his face was as white and blank as if
he had seen a ghost; but nobody minded
Shiel In truth, Macs own appetite was a
little frustrated, aud as the night wore away
he was heartily glad to see the people troop
ing out to their carriages When all were
gone, a little upstairs maid, who had al
ways been civil to poor Jenny, put little
note into Macs hand, saying that her mis-
tress told her not to give it to him till the
festivity was over. Mac opened it with
trembling hand, and read poor Jenny's
scrawl;
"Tm gone for good and ALL dearie For long
time I've seen that you and my darling child were
beyond me in everything. can never get up to
you; please forgive me II stop by the way
God bless and prosper you is the prayer of youf
faithful JENNY"
Mac handed it over to Shiel and dropped
into chair as If struck by an unseen hand.
The air was little heavy with the breath
of his artistic guests who had just departed,
and the scent of the exotics sckened his
nostris; the big blaze of light grew dim
about him, and all he could see for that
weary minute was the sweet face OF
| H., ligb civil ha baI
loved almost beyond his strength a long
time ago.
Shiel had read the note for the sixth time,
his face growing more and more distracted
and imbecile, and had begun to read it over
again, when Mac cried out in a broken
voice, Could any villain be at the bottom
of this, Shiel ? could any one have tamp-
cred with her loyalty ?"
"Neverl" !" cried Shiel, Indignantly. "Tll
answer for that with my life. | know how
foolishly faithful she was-never an eye or
an ear for any body else. know that by
experience. Many's the time I've tried to
console her myself for your indifference"
"My what p roared poor Mac.
"Your indifference and neglect, Sirl'
cried Shiel, now aroused to the pitch Of
recklessness. ." She was pearl of purity and
sweet simplicity, but she was cast before
swine, SIR
Shiel, you are always more or less Of
fool" groaned Mac, "and now you're clean
daft" But he listened to Shel as he went
on to give him piece of his mind, and took
heart as he gathered in the evidence OF Jen-
ny's wounded love. "She'll be back before
twenty-four hours" said Mac, &c and we'll all
be the happier for this little bout"
A whole week passed away, and no
Jenny came to lift the weight from Macs
heart Shiel advised him to secretly con-
suit the police, at which Mac first revolted,
then succumbed; but with no success. A
fortnight went by, and even Shiel forgave
every fault of Macs, so deep and sincere
were his sorrow aud penitence. The mu-
steal abstraction of Miss Jean served in
measure to mitigate her grief, and an emi-
nent professor had offered her the warmest
sympathy and consolation man can offer
but poor Mac hated the thought or sound of
music now, and would have no commisera-
tion save that of Shiel, which, indeed, par
took of so unwearied nature that Mac
clung to it as drowning man will to
straw.
At the end of month Shiel declared
that journalism was the only thing left to
them. He had held it, he said, as dernier
resort, not wanting to set the tongues of the
world that Jenny so hated wagging in her
behalf but her cruel obstinacy had left
them no alternative.
al see," said Mac" the personal column
in the Herald. Make it as agonizing as you
! can Shie. God knows it can't hold misery
enough. Tell her to come back and rule
everything-manage the money and the
business, smash the piano, and forbid Jeans
marriage to the professor; and tell her,
| Shiel, the house is cauld without her, and
| oair I'M a
tears rolled out of his eyes, and lump in
his throat stopped his speech.
"Nonsense, man." said Shiel "Call you
that journalism Listen here, Sir, to the
cunning touch of genius, the lever that
moves the world" Aud he read forth to
the desponding partner little paragraph
from a prominent newspaper, stating the
deep regret with which they learned that
the recent domestic troubles of the eminent
musical critic, Mr.. Mac Neil, had not only
Frustrated him upon bed Of illness, where
he was now lying in critical condition,
but that his business affairs had become
hopelessly entangled, and there was proba-
bility of an early sale of his household effects
for the benefit of his creditors. Among
| these articles were some musical curlosities,
inform alton of which could be obtained OF
Mr.. Shiel, Printiug-house Square, No. blank.
once" said Shiel "for if Pm not mistaken,
this well fetch her within the hour"
Shiel had no sooner got seated at his desk
than there was timid knock at the door
that sent his heart humping in unison
Upon the threshold he presently saw ia
miliar little figure, aud heard a broken voice
which the thickness of no veil could dis
guise. She began to inquire about the
musical curiosities, while Shiel looked at
her eagerly. He said not word, but there
was something in his face so sad aud yearn-
ing that Jenny began to sob.
ais he so very sick, Shiel dear 7" she
cried. "Oh, take me to him, wicked woman
that am | have killed. have killed him
for whom would lay down my life !"
She threw back her veil and put out both
her little hands, and Shiel, on the spur Of
the moment, caught her in his arms and
held her TO his heart, excusing the warmth
of this embrace by the plea that he thought
she was fainting.
They found Mac walking about the room,
somewhat worn and thin, TO be sure, aud
big greedy, cavernous hollows of grief in
his face; but as he took Jenny in his arms,
these holows filed up with joy, and his
whole being seemed TO dilate with strength
and padness