The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-26
FORCED APART
By w. CLARK RUSSELL.
Author Of the "IYreci: of the Grosreao'''
"A Sailors Sweetheart" ETC.
CHAPTER XXIL
ALONE.


human knowledge has no definition. With
out a stir III hcr she lay, and the mysterious
c,roetness of her face was sight for .oVe to
look upon with fear.
Suddenly she started and awoke with one
Of those quick leapings from sleep which the
sleerless soul will force the body into, and
sat erect with frown of bewilderment and
her beautiful ewes alarmed aud eager. She
had no watch to tell tie hour, but upon the
carpet lay q streak of sunshine, and the mel
low glory Of it was hint to draw her
quickly to the window.
The sun was high, and a splendor as or
noontide upon the land. In sure belief that
she had oversight the hour for the passing OF
the coach. she took her hat iu her hand and
went downstairs. The first thing she beheld
was the big Dutch clock just beside the door;
the hands Of it pointed to the quarter past
ten, so that Marples was not to be reached
that day without posting.
With her eyes fixed upon the clock, she
stood on the last step Of the staircase, and
her bafiled intentions plainly showed in the
wonder and embarrassment Of her face
until Mrs. Walker threw open the glass door
of the bulkhead dividing the passage from
what would now be termed the bar, and,
OIODDlIlH Lei I1tG1C SOOL tSoJ A0PSN N~N~N S-"o
was the better for her rest.
"But have missed the coach, fear" said
Jenny, aif that clock be right"
at is right enough, maani But Mrs
Mead Is in the parlor, and will tell thee how
this happ'd, if she be not sleeping, replied
Mrs. Walker, with something like look o.
.contrition on her face, if It were not nervous
ness
tlor Jc nn6 or,nO
the parlor door, and there, sure enough, at
full length upon the sofa. was Mrs. Mead
Gsleep
But Jenny was in straits which would not
permit of tender thoughtfulness. She wanted
10 know why she had been allowed to mis-
the coach, and what she was now to do. And
so gave Mrs. Mead push, which set the old
woman talking in her sleep. "Ay, ey, thee
ueed'st not bother-the Lord love 'ee--an' It's
IS true as this hand-yaw!"
airs. Mead Mrs Mead"
The old woman opened her eyes, stared at
Jenny, lifted her head, gave terrific yawn,
and, p.anting her loose knuckles into the net
work about her eyes, exclaimed in smoth-
crins voice, I've hin as!e,p, do believed"
'Alrs Mead, it's quarter past ten, and
the coach has been gone this long VILE. Oh,
why was allowed TO sleep! shall not get
away this day; and here must stop, for l
have not money enough to hire post chase"
cried Jenny
"Sit down, mistress, and think a bit before
We quarrel. For maybe I'll be showing ye
that it's no fault o mine yeve missed the
coach, and thea how sorrowful would your
heart be for being angry with Mother Mead,
who loves you," said the 0 d woman, continu-
inc to rub her eyes until all the sleep was
squeezed out of them. "Sally, Sslly!" she
soucaknd: and on Mrs Walker running in,
Mrs. Meaf exhorted her toprocure BREAKFAST
at once for Jenny, and to look IN upon them
again nrcsently, which was as good as say
ing, :'Don't listen now, at all events"
"You must hot think l could be angry with
you," said the girl. mournfu!ly, but 1t 10
a sad thing for Inc to lose the coach; for
hoped to be with Bridget this day, and in a
quiet place, where could think how am to
act in the future"
aAnd what's to stop you thinking here"
exclaimed Mrs Mead. "Isn't it quiet
enough?-for hours together ye shall hear no
sound but the hens talking and scraplng IN
the road. Besides, it's nearer thy home nor
Ma,ples. And Jenny, Mrs. Jenny! I'll own
to thee it's my fault ye missed t coach; and 1t
were my wish ye should. What did say TO
Zee last night? Dreadful scandal will follow
YOU when folks hear you have room away,
and will not help thee to be foolish"
Jenny looked at her with astonishmens and
fear. Whatever force the objection might
still possess, sho thought that Mrs Mead had
out it aside for good and all when she offered
to walk with her to Winston
sGivo yourself time to think" continued
the old woman. "If ye should have mind
to return to your mother, tits an casy walk
from here; if you will still 60 forward then
the coach will be at this door tomorrow
morn. But ye be taking q mighty step in
quitting home without iver letting cratur
but me know wacro you've gone. IT'S be-
cause I love you that I've let you miss the
coach, and given you whole day for refiec-
ton wi thy home close at hand"
"My mind is quite made up" said Jenny,
moving restlessly about the room u Will
not return home"
"Well, that you say now, but by and by
You will bo thinking another way"
~ am crieved to have missed the coach,
but am not angry" she went on, III sub
dued but firm tone. ut will be dull work
for mo here all day; for I suppose you will
return to Greystone"
The old woman nodded Jenny looked at
her hard.
'Mrs. Mead, be frank with me. What DO
YOU mean to do Shall you tell mother
where l ami"
"rll not answer ye," replied the old
woman rather sulkily, not liking Jennys
sharpness.
"You have sworn to keep my secret, snid
the girl reproachfuly.
Suppose the first man l met III the street
should be Mr. Shaw" cried the old woman.
in shrill voice.
Jenny turned to the window and looked
through it i'll silence.
"Seo now, my dcarie," said Mrs Mead
mildly; "will ye let me judge how to act for
youo II you were my child l could not wish
you better than do; and thy fame, which
must be the dearest thing q woman hath, is
my reason for hindering your journey this
day. Neither you nor Inc knows what is
being said i Greystone, and things may hap
to-day to make ee thankful you had not all
+N s,n har