Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-07-28

81
field between the eyes as he lay asleep in his
bed, and awoke him.
Looking upon his watch, which hung at
the side Of the bed, he rose, without disturb
ing his wife from the deep sleep into which
she had fallen scarce an hour before, after
long and weary wakefulness.
He had almost finished dressing himself
when his wife awoke and, after the first be-
wilderment, asked him the time.
"There is an hour before the coach starts, "
be said. "See about getting the breakfast
ready. shall be in the yard until the half
hour, and get you to Jenny, that she may
net keep me waiting"
Saying which hs left the room, wearing his
yesterdays bitter face, which had come to
him with the first words of his wife.
No sooner was he gone than Mrs. Strang-
field Quilted her bed and went to the door to
call Jenny. The room used by the girl was
to the right Of the room occupied by the hus-
hand and wife; the door of it stood open, and
that was something to wonder at if Jenny
were not downstairs Into the room walked
the mother, and all she saw was bed that
had never been slept in.
Now for some moments this was sight
with significance not to be realized.
She went to the bedside and stared at it,
and then round her. with a slow slipping Of
her head on her neck, like ball on pivot
Presently on the bed again she fixed her eyes
with all the blankness Of the frost-white
counterpane reflected in them.
"What trick is she playing me" she cried
to herself, but in clear, strong voice
"Jennyw
Al o1I about tbo roon, cho ,rant ,,ro|,;no
and peering like a faithful dog shifting for its
hidden young. Until it came into her head
that her child had run away; on which she
fed from the room with a shrek.
That shrek brought forth the trollop Polly,
who beheld her mistress clinging to the top
rail of the banister, motioning with her hand.
"Lor, missus, what is it! For mussy's sake,
mum, don't look so scarifying, mum! Oh,
missus, what ha' yees seen!"
"Tell your master to come to me-" ex-
claimed Mrs. Strangfeld, in choking voice,
and she went reeling into her bedroom and
sank upon chair. But up again she must
Jump in q moment and run into Jenny's
room, and in the center of it she stood looking
around her with rolling eyes She was too
frightened for deliberate search-even q
direct clew she would not have needed With
both hands pressed upon her heart she stood.
Was it that the sorrowful girl, mourning her
cruel bereavement, and the dishonor done
her by her father and dreading the journey,
and the object of the journey that morning,
had not chosen to rest; that al night long
she had kept her vigil, and now was gone
forth to cool her burning eyes against the
soft wind blowing from the sea? Was it SO?
Alb, pray God! And the mother, with mov-
ing lips, drew to the window and sent her
startled gaze over the summer scene Of SWELL
ing cliff and folds of houses standing with
shine Of gold under the meek sweetness of the
morning blue
Mr.. Strangfeld came upstairs, and from
the landing called to her. She ran to him,
CRYING, "Michael, see here! Our child hath
not slept in her bed! Where is she, do you
think? Oh, if you love your wife, run to
your men and bid them seek her. For Gods
sake do this, Michael-noU!r
He went past her without answer and en-
tered Jenny's room. If amazement or pain
we're in him, it was veiled by heavy
fcown.
GSilencem he cried. as his wife began 10
speak Before we judge her, let us know
what she has DONE 1t is no sign that she has
run away from us because she has not slept
in her bed Has she not acted more crafty
than to stay awake in her clothes all night?
Look about You and tell me wfat things you
tnd missing"
sNothing, Michael Oh, my heart, yesl
Where be the little trunk packed for her
last night|
With wonderful quickness, she flung open
the door of a closet, and then searched be-
meath the bed. Next she uttered sharp
cry, and leaned against her husband He
led her not untenderly to her room, but his
own steps were weak and shaky, and his face
as white as dying mans, which made his
frown black shadow upon his forehead.
"Wemust have patience yet" he exclaimed,
drawing forth his watch, and speaking with
his eyes bent down upon it. "She knows at
what hour the coach starts, and if she be not
guilty she will be here. Get thyself dressed,
and let the breakfast be ready by the half
hour. She may return, and then what will
it be that her box is gomez Bear up, for in
half an hour great changes come. l will
wait for thee and her in the parlor."
He went slowly and painfully downstairs,
and stood at the window whispering to him
self, which was strange trick for an obsti-
nate, hard-headed man to fall into on a
sudden
In short while Mrs. Strangfeld came
from her room and stood at the doorway
watching him in silence She sighed heavily {;
but, as though he heard neither her step nor
her sigh, he did not turn his head; and with
fear of his stern, unbending silence on her,
she went away to the kitchen to help Polly
to get breakfast ready.
"Polly," she whispered, adidst thee see Miss
Jenny leave the house this morning"
II! No, indeed, missus! Be she gone, then9"
said the girl, with her hair all feathery for
lack of brushing, and the end of her nose
black from frequent strokes of her bare arm.
"Hush, silly wench! Why do you shouta
She hath not slept in her bed, Polly. Oh,
God if she be run away from me-"
"Roon awoy! Why, missus! whativer
would she be doin' that for!" said the slut,
craning her neck out Of the collarless rim OF
her frock.
"Stir tho fire. that the eggs may boil
Never do you talk but that you stop your
work. Cannot you use your hands and
tongue together! Hold your prate! AS sure
as thy nose is as black as thy masters boot,
I'll be packing thee to thy mother for
slovenly fool" cried Mrs Strangtield, in
that phase of grief which admits of easy su-
prevention of irritation.
The time was passing quickly. 1t was five
minutes after the half-hour when breakfast
was put upon the table, and Mr.. Strangfield
drew chair for himself, and began to eat
with the gesture of man who forces him
self to do something he abhors Not q
mouthful could the mother swallow; her
gaze was forever upon the open window, ana
her ears pricking for every little sound
But expectation was wrought by fear into
insupportable pain at last and, unable to
endure the hard silence, she cried out:
michael, she doth not come"
He looked at her vacantly, aroused by her
speech out of deep thought, and pulled out
his watch. He rose from his chair instantly,
his whole manner changed, and he exclaimed:
at is too late for the coach. Now what do
YOU say to your girls honestys'
"Oh, Michael" she cried, "where do you
think our child is! Why should she not be
here9 Did you say anything to her yesterday
to scare herr Last night she kissed me
sweetly, and thanked me for my love, and
she would not break my heart by leaving
ME! Oh, Michael, what didst thee say to
herr"
II said no more than bid her be ready for
the coach at o'clock this morning" he said.
speaking with difficulty through the tension
of his lips. "What is there to fright you in
this. Could you not have guessed that if she
had sinned she would not 60 with me to
Londons Would she rush upon her own
conviction, silly woman" He added in
faint voice: What heavier blow than this