The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-26
FORCED APART
By W. CLARK RUSSELL
Author of the "W1'ecl: Of the Grosrenor'
"A Sailors S,Ueetheart," Etc.
CHAPTER XXI.
ALONE.


buran knowledge has no definition. with
ont a stir in her she lay, and the mysterious
s1roatness of her face was sight for love 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 eyes alarmed and eager. She
had no watch to tell tie hour, but upon the
CARPET ,ay 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 OF
roonti6e upon the land. In sure belief that
she had oversight the hour for the passing Of
fhe coach. she took her hat in her hand and
vent 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 baffled 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,
dropping her little courtesy, hoped that she
was the better for her rest.
"But I have missed the coach, fear" said
Jenny, aif that clock be right"
ut is right enough, ma'am. 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 OF
.ccntrition on her face, if It were not nervous
ness
1Jr;.,o,,t f,,rtbor ,vordc fanny r,us;,cd one,,
the parlor door, and there, sure enough, ut
full length upon the sofa, wos Mrs Mead
asleep.
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, ay, thee
need'st not bother-the Lord love 'ee-an' It's
rs true US this hand-yaw"
aAIrs. Mead! Mrs. Mead"
The old woman opened her eyes, stared at
Jenny, lifted her head, gave terrific yawn'
and, planting her loose knuckles into the net
work about her eyes, exclaimed in srnotn-
crinc voice, I've hin cs!e,p, do believer
"AIrs Mead, it's quarter past cen and
the coach has been gone this long VIII lie. Oh,
why was allowed 10 sleep! shall not get
away this day; and here must l stop, for l
have not money enough to hire post chase"
cried Jenny.
"Sit down, mistress, and think bit before
We quarrel. For maybe I'll be showing ye
chat it's no fault o mine ye've missed the
coach, and then how sorrowful would your
heart he for being angry with Mother Mead,
who loves YOU, said the I'D woman, continu-
inc to rub her eyes until all the sleep was
squeezed out of them. "Sally, Sally!" she
soueakod; and on Mrs Walker running in,
Mrs. Mead exhorted her to procure breakfast
at once for Jenny, and to look in upon them
again n,'esently, which was as go2d as say
ing, "Don't listen now, at all events"
%You must not think could be angry with
YOU" said the girl mournfully, "but it is
a sad thing fo- re to lose the coach; for
hoped to be with Bridget this day, and in
quiet place, where could think how am 10
act in the future"
"And what's to stop you thinking here:
exclaimed Mrs Mead "Isnt it quiet
erough?-for hours together ye shall hear no
sound but the hens talking and scraping IN
the road. Besides, it's nearer thy homo nor
MARBLES. And Jenny, Mrs. Jenny! I'll own
to thee it's my fault ye missed t coach; ana IL
were my wish 30 should. What did say to
Zee lest night? Dreadful scandal will follow
you when folks hear you have room away,
and / will rot help thee to be foolish"
Jenny locked at her with astonlshment and
fear Whatever force the objection might
still possess, sho thought that Mrs. Mead had
out it aside for good and all when Sue 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, 'ts an eusy walk
from here; if you will still go forward, then
the coach will be at this door tomorrow
morn. But ye be taking mighty step in
quitting home without iver letting cratur'
but me know whcro you've gone Its be-
cause love you that I've let you miss the
coach, and given you whole day for retiec-
tion wi thy home close at hand"
"My mind is quite .mado up" said Jenny,
moving restlessly about the room u Will
not return bome."
"Well, that you say now, but by ana by
You will bo thinking another way"
~ am grieved to have missed the coach,
but am not angry" she went on, in sub
dued but firm tone. at will be dull work
for me here all day; for I suppose you will
return to Greystonel'
The old roman nodded. Jenny looked at
her hard
Mrs Mead, be frank with me- What do
you mean to do Shall you tell mother
where I amf'
"I'll not answer ye," replied the old
woman rather sulkily, not liking Jenny|s
sharpness.
"You have sworn to keep my secret, said
the girl reproachfully.
Suppose the first man met i'll the street
should be Mr.. Shawl cried the old woman,
in shrill voice.
Jenny turned to the window and looked
through it in silence.
"Seo now, my dearie," said Mrs Mead
mildly; "will ye let me judge how to act for
you? If 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 'ce thankful you had not ali
tho W.oy from Marbles to come Biie here