Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-07-21
CHAPTER XVI.
HER FATHER-IN-LAw.

Her face like marble out WIN no lack or
determination in it, Jenny walked down the
primy court and crossed the market place. She
halted moment to deliberate which way she
should take to Greystone school. She chose
the way of the sands, and down to the beach
she went, with dropping head and frightened
peeps at the people who passed her; for on
her now was cruel sense Of heavy shame,
and the despair that bares the nerves of the
heart for the sunshine and human eyes to tor
ture. --N
Crossing the space or shfngle on which lay
the fishing boats roasting in the sGi:, she
toiled along the sand toward the ravine
which led to Greystone school. When she
caught sight Of the schoolhouse the pulse Of
her heart grew smaller, and her feet
drareed To the nervous, modest girl,
whose shy spirit all the might and fire of
love had scarcely endowed With bravery
enough to keep her bold in secret meetings
with her own husband-whose coming to him
was always sweet scamper to his heart and
breathless concealment there until ba1.hes
waned under kisses, and courage rose to
whispers-thoughts of an interview with the
naughty little doctor, whose fiery prejudice
had earned him hate and fame among the
sect she belonged to-who had held her own
Cuthbert in awe and was always named by
him with fear-was terrifying, indeed.
But then, what would become Of her if she
had not spirit to push her quest into the pres
ence of the one man who could, if he chose las
she believedl, give her more information con-
cerning her husband than all the rest Of the
town put together! Bravely she stepped for
ward under supporting impulse, and walked
firmly to the door of the house.
The servant who answered the summons
happened to be Greystone woman, and
knew Jenny we'll by sight. Much surprised
she looked to behold the daughter following
the father so quickly, for the deacon had not
left the house five minutes when Jenny ar
rived
"Can see DR.. Shaw7"
ayes, miss, think SO" replied the servant,
taking it for granted that Jenny knew her
father had just called "Will you walk in,
please!"
Now, Dr. Shaw was at this moment ve-
hemently pacing the study, and revolving,
with mingled emotions of horror, doubt and
rage, the communication Strangfield had
made to him. Five minutes is no time for
such spirits as his to grow calm in; and, with
d Ills AC was
muttering eagerly to himself, and in a quite
audible key, when Jenny was announced.
"Show her in!" he exclaimed, astounded,
and rooted himself against the table, con-
founded by this utterly unexpected and en-
trely new condition of the trouble that had
come upon him.
The strange, pale beauty of Jenny's face,
and the hint Of pride, and the sorrowful
dignity in her manner which were there
through her hard and violent effort after
courage, made the old man stare at her with
unaffected surprise. Then, with an elaborate
old-fashioned bow, he saluted her, and com
ing round the table, placed chair She ad-
dressed him at once in a sweet, plaintive
voice, fixing her sad eyes on him.
~ have to beg your pardon for calling on
you, but am seeking my husband, whose
home is here. They tell me he is gone; but
cannot believe that he would have left me
without sending me a message; and i'll my
sorrow, whom should come to but my hu.
bands father?- though indeed, indeed. moth
ing but my misery woul have made me i'll
,rude upon you"
"No intrusion, Miss - Miss Strangfeld-
at least, ahem l am so much taken by sur
prise, madam, so little qualified at this mo-
ment to-to-"
The old gentleman smothered his incohor.
ence with another bow, and, pulling out his
snuffbox, looked shyly and frowningly upon
the floor.
at should have been Cuthbert's duty to
tell you we are married. knew he had not
done so, for last night he was to have seen
father and broken the news to him; but he
& of |, fhay h,
is gone. Oh, DR.. Shaw! can you tell ME
where he is? Do you knowl Have pity on
me, sir! Without him I am very, very
lonely; and if he does not bear witness to
what say H."
The poor girl broke down, biting her lip to
subdue her tears, lest the sight of them should
anger the old gentleman
II positively assure you that am as ignor'
ant of his whereabouts as Yourself" he re.
piled hastily, that she might not labor under
a wrong impression one moment longer than
he could help "His ungrateful conduct has
wounded me to the heart. All last night |
sat Up waiting for him, not doubling that he
would return But-may / ask you if you
are aware that your father has just left me!'
She shook her head.
ale and have been discussing the subject,
and I can only trust" continued the doctor,
"that, to my sons unnatural conduct to his
father, he has not added a deeper, n more
unpardonable, an inexpiable offense"
"I am truly his wife, sir"
"Truly! Pray forgive me; I may lay
rough fingers on wound my heart would
choose they should touch tenderly. But let
ME ask you. when were you married to my
son?" said the doctor, forcing his voice into a
tone of suave composure; for emotion could
not be permitted to qualify his dear delight i'll
asserting his elegance and breeding.
Three weeks ago." replied Jenny anxious
ly, with her heart beating painfully, for she
feared the next question.
"He was in London three weeks ago lla
went for little holiday, as at that time ]
suspected his depression, or absent fits were
owing to the monotony of our scholastic dis
cipline. Were you in London thens"
"No, sir; was at Sydenham stopping with
my aunt Rachel l met Cuthbert, by ap'
pointment, on Wednesday morning at the
bottom Of the hill Oh the road to Dulwich,
and there we took the coach that passed and
afterward, when We reached London, he put
me into hackney coac,l and we drove to a
church, where we were married"
The doctor applied pocket handkerchief
to his forehead.
"a strange rascal" he muttered to hims"!r.
"1 had never given him credit for so much
al, 1,nl