The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-22
CHAPTER XI.

hulls workmen were sending up clang OF
saw and hammer. He walked sedately about,
his hands clasped behind him, pausing often,
and challenging the mems work with eyes
which they had good reason to believe could
zee through an oak plank He rebuked no
Jest, hs was deaf to songs; but if ever hint
of scamping showed itself, in front OF the
sinner he stopped, and stared at him, I'M
movable, with face of wood, which method
Of correction was as effectual as stormlng IN
immediate efficacy, and in the long run more
prodigal in good results.
Indoors, In the same sitting room in which
we have sat with Mr.. and Mrs. Strangheld,
Jenny was at work on gown, which, you
know, in that age had short sleeves, and
waist Just under the bosom, and q brave
breast opening for the divulgence Of sweet
secrets This was q gown that Jenny herself
had made, and toiled at with love and smiles
and many soft whisper; for it was to be
put aside to furnish with other work OF her
pretty fingers, her wifely equipment when
Cuthbert should take her home.
But as she sat over it now she would leave
her needle in the stuff, while her chin sank
into the hollow Of her hand and her dreamy
eyes looked out through the open window
upo,r the people in the market place.
There was trouble enough to sadden her.
First of all, her father had not spoken to
her that morning; with sullen aversion OF
head he had declined her kiss, and with an
iron manner turned from her.
Then her mother was peevish and short,
irritated by the alarmed curiosity which
Jenny refused to crafty, and wagging her
head at her for an obstinate wench.
In pensive posture was she musing when
her mother came actively into the room,
with skirt tucked up for kitchen work, and
face red with scolding and serious cooking.
TO milder natures than Mrs. Strangfeld's
and truly mild was hers-has the general
servant or maid Of all work, as that ago
termed the Thing, proved steady vexation;
and there was no moro obliging, idle, willing,
neelectful, fearful and ignorant slut in Grey
stono than the Polly Baggs who did" Gn
several senses for the Strnngfields.
sThere's no trusting tho creature a mo-
mentr' cried Mrs. Strangfcld, leaving the
door open that her voice might carry to the
kitchen, and making Jenny mere excuse
,or q parenthetical attack on Polly. "Wlll
YOU believe it7-the knives are not yet
cleaned; the slattern hath left your fathers
new boots all night in the scullery; and not
bedroom touched"
"Still a dreaming" she exclaimed to
Jenny. t'What with Polly's sinful idleness
and thy moping face and dreadful swooning,
I scarce know which end Of me is upright
Tell me now, Jenny, if-well, well, say yes If
I am right, then. Was it not Mr.. Shaw
whom YOU cried out about in the bedroomT
The girl turned her pretty eyes upon her
mother, and answered under her breath,
s'Why should it be Mr.. Shaw, mother'"
NAY, nay, it was--I see it in your face!"
called Mrs. Strangfeld, with little burst Of
triumph Jenny was silent "Tell mo it
was-tell me it was l shall not be angry,
Jenny
1T was" replied Jenny.
stNow, Jenny" continued Mrs. Strang
field, leaning forward in her eagerness, 'tell
me in two little words, what is there between
thee and him?"
"Mother, told father last night that you
and he shall be answered, but not by meP'
"By whom, then, Jenny7" said Mrs. Strang
field, coaxingly. "See, my dear, am not
angry; do but want the truth. Your father
is in a bad way because of your stubborn
ness Mr. Shaw is a pleasing young gentle
man, and the Lord forbid that I should
quarrel with man Of his quality for-for-"
Here was a long pause, and then insinuat-
incly, "Now wilt thou not help me, JennyF'
"Mother mother, is it fair to press me in
this waya" responded Jenny, with a bewild-
cred look, yet with something like spirit
ouivering in her mouth. "Neither you nor
father will bide. He has not heard me, and
yet he judges. How cold and hard was he
to me this morning! Oh, mother, l have q
secret-it will make him angry, and feal
him! 1 have not courage to tell it myself,
but it shall be told you. Oh, be sure, mother,
you shall know it."
And now speaking thus, more fully than
mere thinking could realize for her, did she
feel the secret shiver and bitter fear that
made hor crave for Cuthberts presence and
support when the moment of disclosure Or
discovery should arrive.
Somehow, it had become habit with her
TO believe that when tho secret was told to
her father, he, in his deep wrath, would
turn her from tho house-a notion built by
her terror on the fierce severity Of his judg-
ments OH human weaknesses.
And of this conviction, intolerable to heS
when seized with sense Of loneliness, tho
pain and shame and misery were only to be
nlitigated to her imagination by her resolve
to hold her tongue until Cuthbert was beside
her; that, should her father drive her from
his roof, her husbands hand would be in
hers.
Mrs. Strangfeld stared at her lis Il stranger
might.
OF this lovablc child of hers-this sweet
and placid girl, whose pure soul workings
had been heretofore as plainly figured in her
lovely face rs clock work shows in q crystal
box-she Oh q sudden could make neither
head nor tail; for Il virtuous and holy reason,
indeed! that no question Of her child's honor
could arise.
The fall Of the moon or tho drying up OF
the sea sooner than such thing.
And not hitting upon secret marriage,
what then, could remain but love: which,
to be hugged as mystery, to hold the
tongue obstinate, to set . body swoonin5,
altogether passed her simple understanding
No wonder, therefore, was she puzzled and
stared with perplexity.
With her honest wits at work she tried her