Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-08-19
where there is only spark; but be sure there

where there is only spark; but be sure there
is fire of some kind
Hastily down the street she went Ar
rived at her home, she washed her face.
brushed her hair, busted her bonnet and
shoes, and, CHANGING at the cupboard. to
make sure of bit of dinner to be cooked on
her return, she sailed forth once more. and
walked direct to Strangfield's house.
No outward and visible sign there was of
anything being amiss.
Mrs. Mead knocked softly. and. with I'M
easiness bred in her by the dislike bore her
by the Strangfelds, kept herself close. that
she might not be spied by any sideways
glance from the window No one respond
ing, she knocked again loudly. and presently
the door was opened by Mrs Strangfeld
herself
The desolate white and grief of the poor
woman's face was indeed something heart
moving to behold. The utter forlornness of
the eyes, the piteous droop of the mouth, the
dishevelment of hair and attire. which into
grief throws a violent dramatic element,
were beyond expression. She looked at Mrs.
Mead, while the old lady bobbed a courtesy.
as person to whom everything that offers
has meaning cruelty hard to master
"God forbid, Mistress said Mrs. Mead.
osity. They say the deacon hath been
stricken i'll, and positively would / know
this from one who hath the TRUTH
"Why do you come here for newsi This is
house of mourning now. am desolate.
lonely woman. Heaven help me-" replied
Mrs Strangfeld in broken voice.
$50, indeed, We be- if it is only for your
daughters leavin' ye. said Mrs Mead, with
deep compassion. "But What hath happ'd tc
the deaeon9 For the Lords sake let me heal
it of you, ma'amln
"He hath been struck with paralysis, anil
lies dying and calling for his daughter That
is the truth. And now must go to him, fer
your knock has brought me from his bed,
and the maid is away on an GRAND and |
am alone in the house"
She spoke with stolidity of exhausted
grief, and was stepping back to close the
door,
@Stayl" cried Mrs. Mead, II bring thee
news of thy child y
The mother wheeled round with a shrek.
and with both hands seized her arm
"What of here Is she livingg'
"Living and well Not an hour ago left
her."
Mrs. Strangield had no words The sudden
dispersion of the fears that had torn her
heart was moral CONFUSION that deprived
her of speech. She stood with her fingers
clutching hard the old woman's arm. Then
incoherently she spoke.
Sweet grill How hath she been wronged,
My pretty onei Alive, indeed, and | have
been praying for thee. Oh, what a sorrow
to befall the pure in heart God forgive usm
She dropped and leaned toward Mrs. Meal,
and brought up the old hand to her mouth
ox,1E 4lt..x.
as only mothers weep
"Alive and WE'LL" she burst out again
'Dear heart, to bring me such good tidingsi
Come in, come inl God is good to send
thee Dear heart. what joy you give mel"
With drops trucking down her furrowed
cheek, Mrs. Mead suffered herself to be
drawn into the house by the passionate
mother.
"Quick, now, dear friend" cried Mrs.
Strangfeld, feverishly. "TeI me where my
girl isl Is she in Greystoaea- Oh, my
poor heart!"
"She is at Winston, at the GREYHOUND
there, and you mum go and fetch her, and
tell her what blow hath fallen on thee, or
she will not reform Oh she is bitter-and
rightly sol0 quavered the old woman in
voice strangely composed of indignation and
sympathy. "Niver, she swears will she
come to her home again, to be despised and
thought vilely o. For her dying father she
may come-but you must fetch her, mis-
tress."
"C04lei Oh, she will come when she sees
my face, and hears that her father lies moan
ing for her Besides, hath not Dr. Shaw
proved her n married woman! Ay, this very
morning, Mrs Mead, he came to bring us
written proof of my Jenny's marriage with
Cuthbert Shaw! But how can | leave my
husbands" she cried distractedly. 1.-THE
doctor says he must be watched And how
can fetch my Jenny and be with my poor
Michaell"
swell, Welt truly proved hurried! And
she hath told no lies, thea;" gaspad Mrs.
Mead. "The Lord forgive we for all the pain
you have given her What didst tn ,e say?-
thy husband wants nursing; While ye're
gone Iii watch by him. Eve nursed many
my time. Hath he his mnd:'
"Ies; he lies still--Ae has no power in ore
ARMAND he groans sadly He calls for
Jenny, and On, Mrs. Mead il | am not
quick he may never see her again in this
world Dear Mrs. Mead, since you win stop,
run up to him now, dear heart. while | get
my bonnet. will be very quick Do you
mind 1 have courage TO be quisk since She is
1.
Stay, will show thea. Oh. God grant him
little lfel'
She ran upstairs swiftly, yet with light
feet, and Mrs Mead went laboriously, quv-
ering and stumbling after her. Outside tho
DOR quite clearly was the grooming Of The
man heard H lay on his bacl; looking to-
ward the wal, and in the gloom of tho
room his face was scarcely distinguishablc
from the pillow for IL whitenesS of it,
with fl lger on her hip Mrs Strangfeld mo-
toned to Mrs Meadso take tho chair by the
bedside AMI, nimbly appareling herself, she
came to the oil womans ear and breath
| lessly delivered Instructions They were
simple enough, and to Mrs Mead's discretion
was left the explanation Of her presence If
Strangfied should observe her Bat truly.
there seemed little chance of this; never
once, since lifted from the parlor floor ani
laid upon the bed, hal he stirre |, and that
should be over three hours At regular il.
tervals he groanel. and rs his vito glidei
out of the room he called for Jenny.