The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-26

moving to behold. The utter forlornness OF
the eyes, the piteous droop of the mouth, the
dishevelmcnt of hair and attire, which into
grief throws violent dramatic element,
were bcyon cxnrcsSion. She looked al Mrs.
Mead, while the old lady bobbed a courtesy,
as q person to whom everything that offers
has meaning cruelty hard to master.
"Gol forbid, mistress" said Mrs Mead,
"yc should think am come out of evil curl
ositv. They say the deacon hath been
stricken i'll, and positively would know
this from one who hath the truth
aWhy do YOU come here for ncws. This is
n house of mourning now. nm Il dcsolate,
lonely woman. Heaven help me-" replied
Mrs S!raugiirld in q broker voice.
$50, indeed, yc be, if it is only for your
daughters leayin' yc." said Mrs. Mead, with
deep compassion "But what hath happd to
the deacon! For the Lords sake let me hear
it 81 you, mu'um"
"He hath Ueen struck with paralysis, and
lies diving and calling for his daughter That
is the truth. And now must so to him, for
yollr knock has brought ME from his bed,
and the maid is away on an errand, and
am alone in the house."
She spoke with stolidity of exhausted
grief, and was stepping back to close the
door,
"Stay!" cried Mrs. Mead, ~ bring thee
news of thy child"
The mother wheeled round with shrek,
md with both hands seized her arm.
eyyhat Of her: Is she living:"
"Living and we'll Not an hour ago left
her,"
Mrs. Strangticld had no words. The sudden
dispersion of the fears that had torn her
heart was a moral convulsion that deprived
her of speech. She stood with her fingers
clutching hard the old woman's arm. Then
incoherently she spoke.
"Swcct GIRL How hath she been wrongedl
NV pretty one, Alive, indeed, and l have
been praying for thee Oh, what sorrow
to befall the pure in heart. God forgive u.s."
She droopcd and leaned toward Mrs. Meal,
and brought up the old hand to her mouth
and kissed it, weeping the while such tears
rs only mothers weep.
"aliye and WE'LL" sho burst out again.
;'D.sr heart, to bring lie such good tidings!
Come in, como i'll! God IS good to send
thee. Dear heart. what Joy you give nle!'
With drops tricklirg down hcr furrowed
check, HRS. Mead suffered herself to bp
drawn into the house by the passionate
mother.
aOuick, now, dear friend" cried Mrs.
Strangfeld, feverishly. "Tell me where my
girl is! Is she in Greystone'- Oh, my
poor hearth
"She is at Winston, at the Greyhound
there, and you nun 60 and fetch her, and
tell her what blay hath fallen on thee, or
she will not rctoorn. Oh, she is bitter-and
rightly sol" quuvered the old woman, i'll a
voice strangely composed Of indignation and
sympathy. "Niver, she swears, will she
come to her home again, to be de5pscd and
thought vilely Of For her dying father she
may comc-but you must fetch her, mis-
tress"
"Come! Oh, she will come when she sees
my face, and hears that her father lies moan
ing for her. Besides, hath not DIR. Shaw
proved her a married woman! Ay, this very
morning, Mrs Mead, he came to bring us
written proof of my Jenny's marriage with
Cuthbert Shaw! But how can 1 leave my
husband" she cried. diStractedly. line
doctor says he must be watched. And how
can fetch my jenny and be with my poor
Michaclp
aWell, we'll! truly proved married! And
she hath told no lies, then" gasped Mrs.
Mead. "The Lord forgive ye for al the pain
you have given her What didst thee say =
thy husband wants nursing! While ye'rc
gone I'll watch by him. I've nursed many
i my time. Hath he his mind"
ayes; he lies still-he has no power in one
ARMAND he groans sadly. He calls for
Jenny, and On, Mrs. Mead! if nm not
quick he may mover see her again in this
world Dear Mrs. Mead, since you will stop,
run up to him now, dear heart, while l get
my bonnet. will be very quick. Do you
mind, have courage to be quick since she is
living. Straight up, Mrs. Mead, to the right
Stay, I will show thee. Oh, God grant him
q little life!"
She ran upstairs swiftly, yet with light
feet, and Mrs. Mead went laboriously, quiv-
ering and stumbling after her. Outside tho
door quite clearly was the groaning OF the
man heard. He lay on his back looking to-
ward the wall, and in the gloom OF the
room his face was scarcely distinguishable
from the pillow for the whiteness of it.
With. finger on her lip Mrs. Strangficld mo-
toned to Mrs Mead to take tho chair by the
bedside; and, nimbly appareling herself, she
came to the old womans car and breath
lessly delivered Instructions They were
simple enough, and to Mrs. Mcad's discretion
was left the explanation of her presence if
StrnngGeld should observe her. But, truly,
there seemed little chance of this; never
once, since lifted from the parlor floor and
laid upon tho bed, had he stirred, and that
should be over three hours At regular in
tervalS he groaned, and as his. wife giided
out of the room he called for Jenny.
CHAPTER XIV