Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-29

III nau Deel u Suuutn SICKNESS anu q dread
full giddinXs that had caused Jenny to sink
on the floor, from which she recovered soon
after her father had quilted the house for his
visit to Greystone school The wild distrac.
ton in her eyes had repealed Mrs. Strang.
field, and for mercy and dread the mother
asked 10 questions. but sat, silent and signing,
watching her daughter with piteous concern.
Then her duties calling her, and thinking
besides that solitude would be precious to
such bitter grief as Jennys, Mrs. Strangfield
gently left the room.
No sooner was she gone than Jenny started
to her feet, and paced about as though
seized with madness, with a frown upon her
forehead, and her hands pressing tightly be
low her hips. Full realization of what had
befallen her had come to her heart, and she
was driven by intolerable agony of spirit
That Cuthbert had left her of his own will
did not come into her mind Belief in love
does not fall dead in this way. And no one
had yet suggested to her. as kindly solution
of the mystery Of his disappearance, that il
might be he had taken sudden shame of her
as his wife and had left her, acting a sweet
part up to the last hour-for men are shock
ing deceivers.
What, then, did she thinks Why, that
some accident had befallen him; and the idea
that he might be lying dead in some hidden
place so frenzied her, that, without con-
sideration Of her purpose she fed upstairs
for her hat and left the house to seek him.
She had wandered beyond the market
place when her mind took grasp of her in
tention and that brought her to a stand.
The midday sun beat fiereely upon the road,
and held the pavements tolerably empty.
But there were people in the shops, and they
stared at her as she stood; perceiving which,
she went down the street again, with her
heart beating furiously over a newborn
resolution to call on DR.. Shaw, and begin
her inquiries after her husband at his own
home.
But when she had got as far as the market
place, the fame of Mother Mead as a gossip
and teller of fortunes occurred to her, and
this because she saw the old woman's bent
figure going at hobble on the other side of
the market place. So Jenny, passing quickly
through the stalls, Intercepted the dame as
she was turning into the court in which she
dwelt.
Mrs Mead was talking to herself in a loud
quavering voice, and SO completely engrossed
with witchlike thoughts-for what other
thoughts could possibly visit such an ugly
she did not observe
Jenny until she found herself stopped by thr
girl standing in front of her.
"Ah, Miss Jenny Strangfeld-if that b
your rale name, my dearl A hot marning,
isn't it, with power of dust for an old nose
that finds snuff cruel, dear Why, your
father is jest beyont-I am now from him
and Lardl his eyes are in such n blaze that
my old skin cracked when he looked at rca !"
May speak with you in your house, Mrs.
Mead! | am in great trouble"
AT sight of the sad, sweet face Mrs. Mead's
ugly countenance underwent kind of trans
formation Her nose and chin did not, in
deed, moderate their intimacy; but the blood
shot old eye took a sudden light of compass
sion, and a strange grin of good nature over
spread her face
Come along, my dear" she exclaimed,
IF ye're not above being seen with stitch
scarecrow as me- Stoop your head, for It's
an old-fashioned door, built afore palaces
was known. There's strong chair that1l
hold thee; and if l can comfort thee. nv
pretty, I'll mop out my old heart to do it, I'll
warrant"
They had arrived at a rickety old house,
with n sitting room very abruptly entered
from the street This room and bed cham
Der adjacent composed Mrs. Meads dwelling.
Taking seat opposite the girl, she ran her
eyes over her from top to toe
"Now, my child, said she, "what can doa
Is it your fortune you want tolds Nay, nay.
there's no physic in such stuff for rale trouble
It's good for foolish wenches whose brains
are made o ribbon but not for the likes O
thee, dearie."
Il am in bitter trouble, indeed, Mrs. Mead.
Mr.. Shaw, the son of the doctor, is missing.
and l am mad to know where he is" said
Jenny, bending her pale face forward as she
spoke.
Likely enough, my dear-he had the most
noble face that liver see on man. What
was he to thees Your answer shall be sacred
with me. Speak the worst, il harm hath
come TO We. You'll find Judith Mead dumb
as your heart
He was my husband replied Jenny, in i
voice scarcely above a whisper, for the secret
was still SO fresh that the revelation of il
startled her to hear, though spoken with her
own voice.
Mrs. Mead screwed up her eyes to look at
the girl, until the upper part of her face was
a mask of wrinkles.
Your husbandl' she exclaimed, in tone
and with a manner that would have made it
for a third person to know whether
she believed the girl or not, for, as to Jenny,
it could not occur to her that her word would
be doubted. why, then, no wonder his going
troubles We"
"Oh, Mrs Mead why do you say his GO
ingF He has not left his home, do you thinkf
Is it not possible that he has somewhere met
with an accidents Or has his father forced
him to leave. On Wednesday he promised
me to call last night on father and break the
news of our marriage, for all this while was
it our hidden secret. What should prevent
him coming Oh, Mrs. Mead, he loves me
truly, and would be with me if he could
come. Can he be dead9 Oh kind God if /
thought this | would kill myself, that I
might be dead with him.
my dear, said Mrs Mead, slowly, and
hard while she spoke "he is not
dead. Folks do not die like this without it
being known. Where could he dieY COM
ifv to call on father! Then his body would
ha' been found-for the Lord knows they've
been searching closely enough; an unless he's
gone up to heaven, clothes an all, like the
Prophet Elijah, you may be sure he's walk
in about on this world somewheers, hale an,
hearty Did they tell zee there was a press.
gang here last night. But ye mustn't look
to that They'd never take a slender man
like him. Billy Ba5ings they forced away,
but he's n strapping sailor Mr. Shaw's
meat for their masters and the wagabone
plunderer 'ud never burn their fingers on
him.
She shook her head emphatically.
Hes your husband, is he, my dearl That's
beyond doubt, hopeF'
oh yes, Mrs. Mead; we were married in
a church in London three weeks ago"
"Yere soft little wench, and not Iarned
in London ways. Are 'ee sure it was a
ahurchp
"oh yes, indeed-a large churchr ex-
claimed Jenny gazing at the old woman
with new expression gathering in her
eyes
why, then, if you knows the name, and
got the bit o paper they giles ye when folks
are married.
Il do not know the name of the church. l
do not think my husband ever mentioned it.
If any bit of paper was given to us he will
have it, was ready to swoon for fear,
and took no notice of anything, so scared
was |. But this have" she cried, drawing
out purse with quiYering fingers and show
ing a wedding ring
The old woman put it aside with move
ment of her hand
You know if it be right wi thee said
she; "hut the rings only worth what it nd
fetch as gold"
Something in these words, something in
the irTepressible leer that weighted the old
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