Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-08-05
CHAPTER XIX.

IRE EMPTY BEDROOM.
a little before six in the morning n rev of
bright warm sunshine like golden wand
projected from the window, having crept
gradually along the wall. smote Mr.. Strang-
held between the eyes as he lay asleep in his
bed, and awoke him.
Looking upon his watch, which hung at
the side of the bed, he rose, without disturb
ing his wife from the deep sleep into which
she had fallen scarce an hour before, after
long and weary wakefulness.
lie had almost finished dressing himself
when his wife awoke and, after the first be-
w1lderment, asked him the time
There Is an hour before the coach starts"
he said. "See about getting the breakfast
ready. l shall be in the yard until the half
hour, and get you to Jenny, that she may
not keep me waiting"
saying which he left the room wearing hts
yesterdays bitter face which had come to
him with the first words of his wife
No sooner was he gone than Mrs Strang-
field quilted her bed and went to the door to
call Jenny. The room used by the girl was
to the right of the room occupied by the hus-
band and wife; the door of it stood open, and
that was something to wonder at if Jenny
were not downstairs Into the room walked
the mother, and all she saw was a bed that
had never been slept in
Now for some moments this was sight
with significance not to be realized
She went to the bedside and stared at it.
and then round her, with slow slipping of
her head on her neck, like a ball on a pivot.
Presently on the bed again she fixed her eyes
with all the Darkness of the frost-white
counterpart reflected in them.
What trick is she playing me?" she cried
to herself, but in a clear, strong voice
JENNY"
And all about the room she went. probing
and peering like faithful dog shifting for its
hidden young. Until it came into her head
that her child had run away; on which she
led from the room with shrek.
That shrek brought forth the trollop Polly.
who beheld her mistress clinging to the top
rail of the banister, motioning with her hand
"Lor, missus, what is it, For mussy's sake,
mum, don't look so scarifying, NUM- Oh,
missus, what ha' yees seen2"
"Tell your master to come to NO." ex-
claimed Mrs. Strangfield, in choking voice,
and she went reeling into her bedroom and
sank upon chair But up again she must
jump in moment and run into Jenny's
room, and in the center of il she stood looking
around her with rolling eyes. She was too
frightened for deliberate search--even a
direct clew she would not have needed. With
both lands pressed upon her heart she stood
Was it that the sorrowful girl, mourning her
cruel bereavement and the dishonor done
her by her fathsr and dreading the Journey,
and the object Of the journey that morning,
had not chosen to rest; that all night long
she had kept her vigil, and now was gone
forth to cool her burning eyes against the
soft wind blowing from the seal Was it sof
All, pray Godl And the mother, with NOV
ing lips, drew to the window and sent her
startled gaze over the summer scene of SWELL
ing cliff and folds of houses standing with
shine Of gold under the meek sweetness of the
morning blue.
Mr.. Strangfeld came upstairs, and from
the landing called to her She ran to him,
crying. michael, here! Our child hath
not slept in her bed Where is she, do you
think! Oh, if you love your wife, run to
your men and bid them sex her For Gods
sake do this, Michael-no,cr'
He went past her without answer and en-
tered Jennys room If amazement or pain
were in him, it was yelled by a heavy
frown.
"Silencel" he cried. as his wife began to
speak. Before we judge her, let us know
what she has done. 1t is no sign that she has
run away from us because she has not slept
in her bed Has she not acted more crafty
than to stay awake in her clothes all nightl
Look about you and tell me what things you
find missing"
"Nothing, Michael Oh, my heart, yesi
Where be the little trunk packed for her
last night|
With wonderful quickness, she flung open
the door of O closet, and then searched be-
meath the bed Next she uttered a sharp
cry, and leaned against her husband. He
ial her, f,r1fa Iarivy IN har Init
own steps were weak and shaly, and his face
as white as dying mans, which made his
frown black shadow upon his forehead.
ave must have patience yet, he exclaimed,
drawing forth his watch, and speaking with
his eyes bent down upon it. "She knows at
what hour the coach starts, and if she be not
guilty she will be here Get myself dressed,
and let the breakfast be ready by the half
hour. She may return, and then what will
it be that her box is gomez Bear up for in
half an hour great changes come | will
wait for thee and her in the parlor."
! He went slowly and painfully downstairs,
and stood at the window whispering to HIM
self. which was strange trick for an obsti-
nate, hard-headed man to fall into on a
! sudden.
| In short while Mrs. Strangfeld came
| from her room and stood at the doorway
/
but, MS though he heard neither her step nor
her sigh, he did not turn his head; and with
a fear of his stern, unbending silence ON her,
she went away to the kitchen to help Polly
to get breakfast ready.
"Polly," she whispered, "didst thee see Miss
Jenny leave the house this morningT
III No, indeed, missusi Be she gone, thenT
said the girl, with her hair all feathery for
| lack of brushing, and the end of her nose
black from frequent strokes Of her bare arm.
Hush, silly wenchl Why do you shout9
She hath not slept in her bed, Polly oh,
God! if she be run away from mep
Room awoy! Why, missusl WHATEVER
would she be dom that fora' said the slut,
craning her neck out of the collarless rim OF
her frock.
"Stir the fire. that the eggs may boil
Never do you talk but that you stop your
work. Cannot you use your hands and
tongue togetheri Hold your pratel As sure
as thy nose is as black as thy masters boot,
I'll be packing thee TO thy mother for a
slovenly fool" cried Mrs. Strangfeld, in
that phase of grief which admits of easy su-
prevention of irritation.
The time was passing quickly. It was five
minutes after the half hour when breakfast
was put upon the table, and Mr. Strangfeld
drew a chair for himself. and began to eat
with the gesture of man who forces him.
self to do something he abhors. Not
mouthful could the mother swallow; her
gaze was forever upon the open window, and
her ears pricking for every little sound
But expectation was wrought by fear into
insupportable pain at last, and, unable to
endure the hard silence, she cried out:
Michael, she doth not comels
He looked at her vacantly, aroused by her
speech out of deep thought and pulled out
bis watch. He rose from his chair instantly,
his whole manner changed, and he exclaimed:
HIt is too late for the coach Now what do
you say 70 your girls honesty"