Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-08-14

With her eyes fxed upon the clock. abe
stood on the last step Of the staircase, and
her bafied intentions plainly showed in the
wonder and embarrassment of her face
until Mira. Walker threw open the glass door
of the bulkhead dividing the passage from
what would now be termed the bar. and.
dropping her a little courtesy, hoped that she
was the better for her rest.
"But I have missed the coach, 1 fear.n said
Jenny, IF that clock be right"
ut is right enough, ma'am. But Mrs
Mead is in the parlor, and will tell thee how
this happ'd, if she be not sleeping" replied
Mrs. Walker, with something like a look o,
contrition on her face, If it were not nervous.
ness.
without further words Jenny pushed open
the parlor door, and there, sure enough. at
full length upon the sofa, wss Mrs. Mead
aslsen
But Jenny was in straits which would not
permit Of tender thoughtfulnesa. She wanted
to NOW why she had been allowed to miss
thet,oach, and what she was now to do. And
SO gave Mrs. Meal a push, which set the old
woman talking in her sleep. @Ay, ay, thee
need'st not bother-the Lord love 'ee-an' it's
as true as this hand-yaw!"
"Mrs. Mead! Mrs. Mead"
The old woman opened her eyes, stared at
Jenny, lifted her head, gave a terrific yawn,
and, planting her loose knuckles into the net
work about her eyes, exclaimed in a smoth-
ering voice, "I've bin asleep, l do believed"
Mrs. Mead, it's a quarter past ten, and
the coach has been gone this long while. Oh,
why was l allowed to sleepl l shall not get
away this day; and here must I stop, for I
have not money enough to hire a post chase!"
cried Jenny.
"Sit down, mistress, and think a bit before
ye quarrel. For maybe I'll be showing We
that it's no fault o. mine ye've missed the
coach, and then how sorrowful would your
heart be for being angry with Mother Mead,
who loves you" said the old woman, c%ontinu-
ing to rub her eyes until all the sleep was
squeezed out of them. "Sally, Sally!" she
squeaked; and on Mrs. Walker running in,
Mrs. Mead exhorted her to procure breakfast
at once for Jenny, and to look in upon them
again presently, which was as good as say
ing, "Don't listen now, at all events"
"You must not think l could be angry with
you," said the girl, m%ournfully, "but It is
a sad thing for me to lose the coach; for I
hoped to be with Bridget this day, and in a
quiet place, where l could think how 1 am to
act in the future"
And what's to stop you thinking here9'
exclaimed Mrs. Mead. "Isn't it quiet
enougha-for hours together ye shall hear no
sound but the hens talking and scraping in
the road. Besides, it's nearer thy home nor
Marples. And Jenny, Mrs. Jenny! I'll own
to thee it's my fault We missed t. coach; and it
were my wish we should. What did 1 say to
ZEE last night? Dreadful scandal will follow
you when folks hear you have room away,
and l will not help thee to be foolish"
Jenny looked at her with establishment and
fear. Whatever force the objection might
still possess, she thought that Mrs Mead had
put it aside for good and all when she offered
to walk with her to Winston.
"Give yourself time to think" continued
the old woman. "f ye should lave a mind
to return to your mother, it's an easy walk
from here; if you will still &c forward, then
the coach will be at this door tomorrow
morn. But ye be taking a mighty step in
quitting home without liver letting a cratur'
but mo know where you've gone. It's be-
cause Hove you that I've let you miss the
coach, and given you a whole day for refec-
ton wi thy nome close at hand"
my mind is quite made up" said Jenny,
moving restlessly about the room. II will
not return home."
"Well, that you say now, but by and by
you will be thinking another way"
II am grieved to nave missed the coach,
but am not angry" she went on, in a sub
dued but firm tone. ut will be dull work
for me here all day; for l suppose you will
return to GreystoneW
The old woman nodded. Jenny looked at
her hard.
"Mrs. Mead, be frank with me. What do
you mean to dol Shall you tell mother
where l ami"
I'll not answer ye," replied the old
woman rather sulkily, not liking Jenny's
sharpness.
"You have sworn to keep my secret, " said
the girl reproachfully.
Suppose the first man l met in the street
should be Mr.. Shave" cried the old woman,
in a shrill voice.
through it in silence.
mildly; "will ye let me judge how to act for
yous II you were my child / could not wish
you better than I do; and thy fame, which
must be the dearest thing a woman hath, is
my reason for hindering your journey this
day. Neither you nor me knows what is
being said i Greystone, n things may hap
to-day to make ZEE thankful you had not all
the way from MARBLES to come, Bide here
while l go to Greystone. I'll find out about
thy mother, and how she bears thy going,
and what is said of thee, and all that should
be known. And tonight will I return with
what news there Is; and it shall either be
that you return to thy home again, or 20
straight on into the world, as shall seem best
on what report l bring you"
II Mrs. Mead had said this at first, JENNY
would have understood her motives. But,
says an ancient adage: "When you hear an
old woman talk straight, you shall see your
COW walk on its hind legs"
"There may be good sense in what you
say" replied Jenny, who had turned from
the window and stood with her fine ewes
fixed on Mrs. Mead; "and here will l stop
till you come back. But truly lido not know
that any news you could bring should take
me home again For when father misses me
his anger will be terrible, and not to save my
life would I face him without proof that I
am an honest girl"
At this moment Mrs. Walker came in with
Jenny's breakfast She chose to prepare the
table herself, that she might lave a good
sight Of the young wife; for Jenny was a
wonderful heroine in the hostess eyes, and
created a chance for imagination to chew
upon that deserved to be made much of.
"Your papa is known to me, ma'anl," said
was ready. II heerd him preach a sermon
once-nay, it weer a lecture, as 1 remember
in St Martins hall, down Beach street, in
your town. He hath a strong voice, and is a
fine man, as I think. Ia he quite welg"
With a sad smile Jenny answered her; and
as she seated herself at the table, Mrs Mead
asked Sally about the wagon that was to
carry her to Greystone.
Johnny shall put the horse to when it