Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-07-14
4 Serial Storp.
FORCED APART
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL.
CHAPTER XL.


CHAPTER XII
JENNY CoNFEssES.
In Mr. Strangfeld's yard brisk business
was doing. On stages round the skeleton
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
see through an oak plank. He rebuked no
Jest, he 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 storming 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. Strangfeld,
Jenny was at work on gown, which, you
know, in that age had short sleeves, and
waist just under the bosom, and brave
breast opening for the divulgence of sweet
secrets This was 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
upon 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 a 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. Strang6elds
and truly mild was hers-has the general
servant or maid of all work, as that age
termed the Thing, proved a steady vexation;
and there was no more obliging, idle, Willing,
neglectful, fearful and ignorant slut in Grey
stone than the Polly Baggs who did" fn
several sensesl for the Strang6elds
"There's no trusting the creature a mo-
mentr cried Mrs. Strangfeld, leaving the
door open that her voice might carry to the
kitchen, and making Jenny a mere excuse
for q parenthetical attack on Polly. "Will
YOU believe iti-the knives are not yet
cleaned; the slattern hath left your fathers
new boots all night in the scullery; and not
bedroom touched"
"Stin dreaming!" she exclaimed to
Jenny. "What with Polly's sinful idleness
and thy moping face and dreadful swooning,
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 bedroomw
The girl turned her pretty eyes upon her
mother, and answered under her breath,
"Why should it be Mr. Shaw, mothers"
"Nay, nay, it was-I see it in your face!"
called Mrs Strangield, with little burst Of
triumph. Jenny was silent. Tell me it
was-tell me it was I shall not be angry,
Jenny"
ut was" replied Jenny.
''Now, Jenny" continued Mrs. Strang
field, leaning forward in her eagerness, tell
me in two little words, what is there between
thee and him"
Mother, I told father last night that you
and he shall be answered, but not by meF'
"By whom, then. Jenny!' said Mrs Strang-
field, coaxingly. "See, my dear, am not
angry; I do but want the truth. Your father
is in bad way because of your stubborn
ness. Mr. Shaw is pleasing young gentle
man, and the Lord forbid that I should
quarrel with man Of his quality for-for-"
;ngly, "Now wilt thou not help me, Jennyp
=, % 60; 20 ,,~
this way?" 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 a
secret-it will make him angry, and l fear
him! I 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 her crave for Cuthberts presence and
support when the moment of disclosure or
discovery should arrive
Somehow, it had become a habit with her
10 believe that when the secret was told to
her father, he, in his deep wrath, would
turn her from the house-a notion built by
her terror on the fierce severity Of his judg-
ments on human weaknesses.
And of this conviction, mto.erable to her
when seized with sense of loneliness, the
pain and shame and misery were only to be
mitigated 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 as stranger
might.
OF this lovable child of hers-this sweet
and placid girl, whose pure soul workings
had been heretofore as plainly figured in her
lovely face as clock work shows in crystal
bo1-she on a sudden could make neither
head nor tail; for virtuous and holy reason,
indeed! that no question of her child's honor
could arise.
The fall of the moon or the 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 q mystery, to hold the
tongue obstinate, to set body swooning,
altogether passed her simple understanding
No wonder, therefore, was she puzzled and
stared with perplexity.
With her honest wits at work she tried her
hand at a solution.
"If you ere in love with Mr.. Shaw, and
letting him court you slyly, your father will
certainly be angry when he hears of it; be
cause he does not like under dealing in man
or woman, and would think it objectionable
in thee, who shouldst know better. But this
may say, child, that though l should agree
with your father in thinking i'll of a secret
love, / would not allow him to say too
much to you. nor set his face against the
young man. You are fit to be gentleman's
wife, as have told him over and over, and
If you will just own all to me, Jenny, I'll
break it to him as his wife should know how,
and the rest will be easy, my dear. lam not
averse to Mr. Shaw-quite the contrary;
though what his father will say is another
matter. But, then, it's no business Of ours.
Young Mr. Shaw is handsome youth, and
not accountable for his father. Indeed, If
Re truly loves you, he will attend chapel,
which would win thy fathers heart. You
needn't smile l have heard of man turn
ing Hebrew Jew to marry, and if man can
deny the Lord for love Of wench, surely
Mr. Shaw may easily become Baptist"
Jennys smile quickly faded. 1t seemed
easy to say the few words. and if their effect
could begin and end in the kind-eyed mother
who watched her, long ago would they 4ave
been said But when she thought OF her
father. her throat grew dry.
In the midst of the silence between them,
both actively thinking in wide-parted ways,
II ha