The Osceola times., 1885-05-30


They needn't lie to conceal the
shameful TRUTH murmured Daisy in
florrys ear. How true that one sin
leads to anotherr'
Daisy DORIS aunt, Mrs. Wodely.
lived directly in the track of her affec-
tionate niece as she went to and from
school. She was rich, childless and
loved gossip. Daisy dropped in to
lunch with her that day. Things drift
ed to Mrs. Wodely by the like law of
attraction that drew them to Daisy.
Elective affinity" accounted for it in
both cases Mr.. Wodely was not at
home. Hostess and visitor enioyed
their dainty '1ea-dinner" the more for
his absence.
Il lear there is no room for reasona-
BILE doubt as to Harry Jayne's habits. I"
SAID Mrs. Wodely, unctuously regretful
over her fourth cup of tea. His two
years in Germany must have taught
him the use of lager beer and Ii ght
wines. need not warn you, Daisy, to
be careful where and to whom YOU re-
peat this story. OF course it Is quite
safe with mer'
Daisy only told her mother and elder
sister, both the pink of prudence. Mrs.
Wodely impaired her version Of the
scandal under the rose of sacred conf
dence to two very particular friends,
than whom none could be more trust
worthy. Yet by Saturday night-Mrs.
Jaynes left town on Wednesday morn
ing-the only persons in the "best
circles" OF the beautiful inland town OF
Eastwood who had not caught some
whisper of the tragedy enacted in the
Jaynes' house, we're DR.. Sargent, Harry
and Amy Jaynes.
Explain and question as we may, it
is indisputable that enlightenment on
such matters comes last to those most
nearly concerned.
i. was glorious June weather. Blue
birds and thrushes sang in the elms.
Robins ran smoothly and swiftly over
the shaven lawns Of which Eastwood
was justly proud, and captured fat
slugs and squirming earth-worms for
the home larder. Eastwood could not
but be social under such skies. Dow
ayers and maidens tripped along the
streets and around corners, and popped
in at open doors.
Fat slugs and unctious lumbrici were
dry and insipid fare compared with the
tid-bits rolled over and under busy
tongues. Old residents remembered,
with loud reluctance, that Harry
Jayne's great-grandfather's wine-cellar
was noted for the excellence of its
A II
been "high liver" Harry's father
had temper of his own, although he
had died in the odor Of sanctity Of ty-
phoid fever
With regard to the nature and extent
of the injuries sustained by the mother,
opinions varied. and widely. Accord
ing to some the scalp was laid open
across the forehead down TO the bone.
But the latter was not injured. The at
testants to this fact had the support of
eye-witnesscs Of the transaction in its
latter stages.
The naked truth was hideous enough.
Young Jaynes had returned home from
the city at two O'Clock p. m. Respect
able citizens recalled how they had
heard with their own ears" the
"owl train He was partially intoxi-
Gated, and brought liquor home with
him A policeman had met him near
the station carrying heavy valise, and
could swear to his identity. In point
of fact, words were exchanged between
them. The policeman said, Good
evening, Mr.. Jaynesr' and the rep
rebate responded, thickly, Good
morning. Mr.. Johnsonr'
He admitted himself with his latch
key. and found his devoted land wild
owed) parent sitting up for him. She
always spoiled him from boy. She
had hot coffee ready. They do say
oysters, also, but on this head evidence
was not strong. Let us be accurate, at
the loss Of dramatic effect. He said
that he preferred brandy and water,
and ate nothing. reeling Off to his room
without thanking her for her goodness.
Left to himself, he smoked and
guzzled until daylight. BY this time
he was crazy with drink tsken on an
empty stomach. His mothers room
adjoined his. When he crept stealthily
into her apartment, she was sleeping
heavily, having wept for hours poor
thing! He picked up full brandy
bottle as he staggered in, and beat her
over the head with it.
Amy was sleeping with her mother,
and alarmed the house. DR. Sargent
was sent for. Amy ran for him herself,
putting on her dress as she went He
sewed up the gashes. and packed Mrs.
Jaynes off to country relative, and
Mrs. Deane went along to take care of
her. Although still in critical condi-
ton. Inflammation having supervened
upon conclusion OF the brain, the un-
happy lady would probably rally in
time.
This simple, ungarbled statement
covered the whole ground. Christian
charity dictates that we should turn
deaf ear to exaggerations and intem-
pcrate charges where character is at
stake.
Harry Jayncs attended the choir-re-
hearsal in the Second Church on Satur-
day evening. He was sober, undoubt-
ediy. and sang well-on Sunday, ad-
mirably-a full, sweet tenor that
brought the tears to the eyes Of three
old ladies and thirteen young ones.
The elderly women averrcd that they
thought of his poor dear mother. The
girls were moved with dsinterested pity
for the misguided youth whose hand
some face harmonized so well with his
angel-voice, and not at all with his de-
praved nature.
HAS it struck you that our esteemed
townspeople stare more than usual to-
dayP" asked Harry, as he Joined his
sister in the church-porch. What is
amiss in my appearances"