The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-05


"But the rings only ,corth ,ohat it ''td
fetch as gold"
And then recalling her fathers iron ma
ture, and his hard rejection of unsupported
words, and his evil, unsparing habit OF think
ing the worst, her heart seemed to stand
still, and she remained motionless and frozen,
with her hands locked and her teeth clinched.
aSit down, my dear, sit down, and do not
run clane daft, for there's nothing heavy the
matter vet" creaked the old woman, again
inspecting Jenny closely, motioning her the
while to be seated by arching her hands cut
of her shoulders like a rabbits paws. "lt
he's your sweetheart, ye must have some
faith in him, and maybe he'll be turning up
in day or two, and then the laugh'll be on
thy side. Do ye hear?:
aHe is my husband" said Jenny, in Sob
bing whisper, breathing quickly.
"Well, well, husband or sweetheart, If he
comes he'll be welcome, won't he now,
deariei'
any husband!" shrie'sed the girl, with a
wild stamp of the foot. "Will it not be be-
lieved"
"Why, to be sure it will But see. I'm an
old, lorn woman, who knows the world as
thy father knows the Bible-all the harm OF
it, my dear; and if you was my child, this
would l say-hold thy peace about your mar
riage until you can show proof, that Satan
himself wouldn't doubt, that young MIR. Shaw
is thy husband. What will you make envi-
Gus wenches and their flabbergoon mothers
believe ye by saying, 4 do not know the
name of the church where was married,
and have no bit O paper (the Lard knows
what them things are called to prove that
Mr Shaw is my husband, and tits tho truth
itself that meier a living cratur', my own
father not excepting, knew that was Shaw's
wife until this blessed day, when my husband
hath left me to give the news O. my marriage
alonep"
She ceased, leering shrewdly, with fore
finger against her nose.
The stunned look that had settled upon
Jenny's face while the.old woman was speak
ing passed moment or two after she ceased,
and strange and striking character was
given to her beauty by an expression which
it seems absurd to describe as mingling Of
despair and determination, yet which as
suredly suggested both these qualities.
II see that great trouble has come upon
me; but in the sight Of God my heart is
pure" she said in q low but steady voice.
"Mrs. Mead speak to ME honestly and tell
me what you think has become Of my hus-
band"
"My honesty won't ease you, my dear, and
the Lard knows Imay be wrong, though folks
think that it's the devil as gives me wisdom"
said the old woman, showing her fangs with
grin of ill-dissembled triumph; for in her
own mind she had no doubt Of the motive Of
Cuthbert's disappearance, and was fattered
with the facile mastery that put her far
ahead of the towns surmises.
"Pray answer ME. have the heart to lis
ten to anything now, Mrs Mead"
"Wel," exclaimed Mrs. Mead, speaking
slowly, intermitting her words for the sake
of filling the spaces between with deliberaas
mods and shakes of the head, "they'll be
thinking this of thee-that you are not mar
ried, and that Mr. Shaw hath left you to
bear your shame alone. They'll argey that
the son of th' old popinjay up at the school
house 'ud never match with Mike Strang-
fields darter, and that he hath ruined co
with promises. And maybe they'll say that
tn old doctors i'll the secret, and hath got
his son away slyly to save him from the dca-
con, unless you shall defeat the liars by
sure proof of thy marriage, and that you
must get about quickly"
Jenny stood looking at her with Il steady,
vacant gaze, as though she did not heed
what was being said, and, with tho same alb
sent manner, was moving toward the door.
"How shall you get about it, dcarie' You
do not aSkt'
"Howm exclaimed the girl, pausng. "If
my husband does not come to me, l am quite
helpless
'Why, who should help zee but thy father'
Let him 60 to work He hath money and
strength If was his wife he'd not sit idly
cursing."
And ut the notion of the deacon cursing,
she set up q crca,ing laugh. But such advice
was lead instead Of life to the poor heart that
heard it.
"Goodby, Mrs. Mead" said she, IF you
have news to comfort nle, you will not Keep
Inc waiting for it,
Trust me. Ill do my best. But I'll not
come anear thy house, though l had young
Mr.. Shaw in my arms I'm none so dear to
tn deacon but that he'd bile me III his pitch
caldron, could he find reason for murierin'
me i the Bibl \, to thy nanny But
there, dear heart if have good news you
shall have it quickly"
With pathetic eifort to slail, farewell,
Jenny left the house.
CHAPTER XVI
HEIR FtTNER-iE-LAW.
al Ia,I -