The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-26
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XXiIL
,,ps MEAD RETURNS TO GREYsToNE
~ know I'm doin' right Niver could.
hold up my head if they got saying it were
Judith Mead as helped Michaels girl to room
away and leave her character behind her,
said Mrs. Mead to herself as the wagon
drove off and upon lcosened truss of hay she
sat, right in the center of the vehicle, staring
out of the shadow at the pretty little inn
that was dropping behind
1t was eleven o'clock when they arrived at
the top of the High street Of Greystone.
"This1l do, mister" exclaimed Mrs Mead,
who had no opinion Of Johnny as driver,
and was weary of the jolting inflicted on
her, and the miserably slow way they made;
"ye needn't 80 no further.
Johnny, however, refused to take any
notice Of her request There was all a:e
house some distance down the street, and not
until the wagon was abreast of it did he cry
"Whoa!n Then dropping from his perch'
with a trife of briskness In the action, no
came round to the back Of the cart. and
said, aye can get down here if ye loke"
The oil woman scrambled down as best
she could. and Johnny looked on with grim
at her boots Thel correcting his smile as
she faced round upon him, he said:
"This here's the Wheatshea' and the iiavey
in the liquor is as foine as though 'twar all
room stool"
"Ye're welcome to drink rs much as lver
they'll trust We with" replied Mrs. Mead
tartly. :,
aren't ye goin' to stand summat" cried
the man.
ayes, half pint o vinegar, if ye're good
to drink it," answered the old woman.
AGO along. or I'll get ye drownt for
WITCH" shouted the disappointed Johnny;
and off he went, chuckling audib!y.
Not ten yards, however, could she 80 with,
out meeting al acquaintance Who should
this be but old Mrs Bruff. going to her snuff
shop in George street, with her dinner in
paper parcel.
"Good mornin', Mrs Mead. How are
you? IT'S ar age sin seen yc my way"
"I'm middlin' we'll, thank zee, Mrs. Bruff.
As to comm your way, what hath snuff to
say to lone old cratur that counts her val
ley in fardenss The flies, they dc tickle,
truly. Them and the dogs knows what's
good" exclaimed Mrs. Mead, with glance
at tic paper parcel. "And doth not the par
son say that prosperity draws strange thingS
to it!"
"Ye're alters quizzins, Mrs. Mead. Pros
perity, indeed! Five and fourpence was my
airnings last week; scarce three loaves in it
thanks to them wagabone French, us It's
mussy for them l amt man,"
"Well, and ye give me no news? That two
gossips should roast i this heat with nothing
to say! But they're wonderful liars i Grey
stone," said Mrs Mead.
"News-to thee" cricl Mrs. Bruff, with
ludicrous toss Of the head. "Nhy, here l
stand for truth; f'r, as you say, they're
dreadful liars i Grcystone."
"The truth o WHAT
"But you know!' exclaimed Mrs Bruf.
looking at her old companion with absurd
incredulity in her face.
II do not know" replied Mrs. Mead, with
the eagerness CT born gossip. II am this
minute arrived from Winston, and If any
thing hath happ'd I'm as strange to 1t as
unborn infant"
"Why, then," said Mrs. Bruff, speaking
slowly, and with evident sense Of superiority,
"it's everywheres towd that Mike Strang-
fields wench hath run away for shame @
the wrong done her by DR.. Shaw's son. But
that's not it, neither Not twenty minutes
since, met Deacon Shelton, who says to me,
is it true, Mrs. Bruif, that my brother
Strangfeld is dead! The Lord forbid
says. 4 hope not, Mr.. Shelton I'm afeard
he is, thcn.' lie says. Jim Mason he says,
him as keeps the Blue Postescs, had the
news from Tom Rafllcs, US is cousin to the
S.rangfiolds scrvint; Polly her name is.
She was sent for the doctor, but came fuSt
in fright to her mothcr-who's kept her bed
sim April, poor wretch-an' says that
Strangficld's fell down in u fit, and's dead
man. Lord bless ME, sirH says l."
"That's news indccd!' exclaimed Mrs.
Mead, very pale, and catching up her dress.
"Jf it's true, it's as strange visitation as
any that iver read of in Holy Writ. Good
by to We. You've put me in hurry, Mrs.
Brur. Lord save us! what wonderful things
happen in this life!'
She was limping rapidly away before Mrs.
BruT could return her farewell.
She was too experienced Il gossip herself to
believe in the accuracy OF any story related:
but then, likewise, she well knew that almost
never does any story get abroad without
foundation. They may say there's flnme
where there is only a spark; but be sure there
is fire of some kind.
Hastily down the street she went. Ar
rived at her home, she washed her face,
brushed her hair, busted her bonnet AMI
shoes, and, glancing at the cupboard, to
make sure of bit of dinner to be cooked on
her return, she sailed forth once more, and
walked direct to Strapgfeld's house
No outward and visible sign there was of
anything being amiss.
Mrs. Mead knocked softly, and, with un-
easiness bred in her by the dislike bore her
by the Strangfelds, kept herself close, that
she might not be spied by any sideways
glance from the window. No cne respond
ing, she knocked again loudly, and presently
tho door was opened by Mrs Strangfeld
herself.