Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-09-23

of doing her favor, and entreating me to
get her place, ever SO humble, it did not
| matter.
| Her letter distressed me. 1t was writ
ten in such evident sorrow-not q word of
Kenneth or his wife, and of Mrs. Grant,
only that she was much the same.
Perplexed by her letter, still had it be.
| fore me when heard hustle in the little
hall, and my friend Mr.. Macrae, the min.
lister of the beautiful parish where / had
spent those well remembered summer
months, stood before me, his coat sprinkled
with snow, his color raised by the frosty
air, and look OF quiet happiness that told
me at once his long engagement was draw
ing to an end. He had come to try to per-
suade me to take his duty for one fortnight,
and was delight to find small persuasion
needed.
Two days more saw me on my way. Not
long after started a most violent snow
storm act in. So long as we were in the
railway our progress was pretty good but
with something like forty miles of coaching,
through the widest scenery, and over
road that divided tremendous hills, it be-
came a work of the greatest difficulty.
Gangs of men had to accompany US, and
every now and then we were obliged to get
out and allow the coach to be cut out of the
drifts. When night came we had to spend
| it in miserable little inn, where the peat
smoke, having no proper outlet, made the
air of the room nearly intolerable and the
only provisions were oatcake, very hard
cheese and whisky. As this last was
thing l never touched, was delighted to
| find that spring of clear water rose near
the house, and that, though surrounded by
icicles, it was obtainable.
Next morning we pushed on, to find, as
| is often the case near the sea, that the
snow had given place to rain, which was
pouring down pitilsssly and never did |
rejoice over a welcome as on that weary
day when 1 found myself greeted by a
splendid fire, a cloth that rivaied the snow,
| and most excellent tea. with bannocks
and all sorts of home comforts before me,
from kippsred salmon to homemade mar.
malade.
The next morning was one of unceasipg
rain. Early in the afternoon the old serv-
ant, with evident reluctance, brought me
a message man wished to see me. TWAS
Kenneth. As is usually the case, he was
completely different from the idea | had in
my own mind conceived of him-tall and
fair, with sunburnt face, and the manner
and appearance of man who had seen a
good deal of the world-one of natures
gentlemen, in outward semblance at any
rate. He came to see me, and to tell me
of Mrs, Grants evidently approaching end.
Then, with lowered voice, he spoke of
Jean, and with frankness said that the
position at home was intolerable to her.
Without casting blame on his wife, he
showed me that Jean could find no home
with her if old Mrs. Grant died, and asked
me what could be done.
had often seen the sore need that ex-
listed in the children's hospital near me for
Just such person as Jean, and spoke to
him of it. He bent his head little, and
saw that the idea of any service so far
from BIN gave an acute pang, and that he
put force on himself, and was trying to
think il was for the best.
Something that | said brought out the
fact that his wife's people down in Austria.
liza were not very respectable, and flash
showed that certain remembrauces were
not pleasing. All at once he flung back
his hair, and standing up, said to me,
You are very kind, sir, ard the truth is
best. My wife's father is ticket-of leave.
man. She was very young and does not
know the shame"
grasped his hand and, as he was leav-
ing he said, "Do you know, sir, why Jean
held out-why Jean would not marry me
Her father IS living ne is shut up for a
crime, but they could not punish him, for
he has not his wits. He Is criminal lu-
natlc."
could not speak for a moment then
said, "Does Jean know? / mean about
your wife"
An angry look cleaned in his eyes, aud
he said: "She told Jean when she was
angry the other day. She is very young"
he said in her defense, and went out.
So this was the story-the higher nature
felt the disgrace, and gave up her happ;.
mes and sacrificed herself, and then had to
stand by and see that the sacrifice had been
in vain; and | thought of her murmured
words, "a day will come when we will
know the reason of all" Poor Jean
1t wasinearly dusk when the faithful old
servant came into my little sitting-room.
Though yon man had the sense to leave
you in peace" she began, there's an urg-
emit message for you. Mrs. Grants dying,
and would fain see you and such night"
she said, looking out at the never.ceasing
rain.
Wrapping myself well up, hurried off,
contrasting tie wet and dreary walk with
my first walk there. Nothing could be
more miserable than this one-in places
almost ankle-deep in Doggy mud, the heavy
rain blotted out the hills, aud the wind sent
it in slaps against my face and counter
manded the use of an umbrella. Kenneth
met me close to the burn, with the intelli.
gence that the poor old woman had passed
away peacefully and we were talking to-
gether, looking at the torrent of water
pouring down, when we saw the bank IN
derneath the little plank bridge below the
house suddenly give way. The plank re-
manned treacherously in its place, sup
ported by a sod of earth only few inches
thick. "This is terrible" said Kenneth,
as he started off and ran up towards it.
He was still on his way Ut all passed in a
| few minutes) when the door of the cottage
opened, and his wife, girlish. looking
creature with lint-white hair, ran down
and stepped on the plank just as her hus-
band reached it. He was too late to save
her, and with shrill scream l shall never
forget she fell with the plank into the
foaming stream.
| can give no clear or connected account
of that dreadful night. remember seeing
Jean, with resolute face, wade in from
below and catch her and the memory still
haunts me of the two figures struggling in
the water, and Kenneths face, as he tried
to breast the torrent and go to their assist
ance. hurried for help, and help came,
l saw Kenneth carrying oae figure home,
and others tended one lying on the bank,
and in the still, white, upturned face l re.
cognized Jean.
Though l was shivering from head TO
| foot, partly with excitement and partly
with cold, did not leave until / saw that
her eyes Enclosed and l knew that Jean
lived.
paid the penalty of having been so long
exposed to the damp, and was in bed for
several weeks with rheumatic fever. When
| recovered heard that Jean was with a
] =. / L i IL Il L