Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-07-24

ture, and his hard rejection of unsupported
words, and his evil, unsparing habit of think
ing the worst, her heart seemed to stand
still, and she remained motionless and frozen.
with her hands locked and her teeth clinched.
"Sit down, my dear, sit down, and do not
run clane daft, for there's nothing heavy the
matter yet" creaked the old woman, again
inspecting Jenny closely, motioning her the
while to be seated by arching her hands out
Of her shoulders like a rabbits paws. "If
he's your sweetheart, ye must have some
faith in him, and maybe he'll be turning up
in a day or two, and then the laughll be on
thy side. Do ye hear?"
"He is my husband, F." said Jenny, in a sob
bling whisper, breathing quickly.
"Well, well, husband or sweetheart, il he
comes he'll he welcome, won't he now
deariep
"My husband" shrieked the girl, with a
wild stamp of the foot. evil it not be be-
lieved?"
"Why, to he sure it will. But see. I'm an
old, lorn woman, who knows the world as
thy father knows the Bible-al the harm Of
1t, my dear; and If you was my child, this
would ! say-hold thy peace about your mar.
riage until you can show proof, that Satan
himself wouldn't doubt, that young Mr.. Shaw
is thy husband. What! will you make envi-
Gus wenches and their fabbergoon mothers
believe ye by saying, 4 do not know the
name of the church where I was married,
and I have nc bit o paper (the Lard knows
what them things are called, to prove that
Mr.. Shaw is my husband, and it's the truth
itself that ne'er a living c%ratur', my own
father not excepting, knew that I was Shaw's
wife until this blessed day, when my husband
hath left me to give the news o my marriage
aloner"
She ceased, leering shrewdly, with a fore
finger against her nose.
The stunned look that had settled upon
Jenny's face while the old woman was speak
ing passed a moment or two after she ceased,
and a strange and striking character was
given to her beauty by an expression which
1t seems absurd to describe as a mingling of
despair and determination, yet which as
suredly suggested both these qualities.
II see that a great trouble has come upon
me; but in the sight Of God my heart is
pure" she said in o low but steady voice.
AIRS. Mead speak to me honestly and tell
me what you think has become Of my hus-
band"
my honesty won't ease you, my dear, and
the Lard knows Imay be wrong, though folks
think that it's the devil as gives me wisdom, "
said the old woman, showing her fangs with
a grin Of ill-dissembled triumph; for in he1
W mind she had no doubt Of the motive Of
Cuthberts disappearance, and was ~fiattered
with the facile mastery that put her fal
ahead of the towns surmises.
spray answer he. Ihnve the heart to lis
ten to anything now, Mrs. Mead"
SWELL" exclaimed Mrs. Mead, speaking
s10yv1v intorrNiftinr 1,or vvoY.1s for tho col,c
| of filling the spaces between with deliberate
mods and shakes of the head, "they'll b.
thinking this Of thee-that you ara not mar
ried, and that Mr.. Shaw hath left you tx
bear your shame alone. They'll argey thai
the son Of tn old popinjay up at the schoo
house 'ud never match with Mike Strang
fields darter, and that he hath ruined 'et
with promises. And maybe they'll say thai
tn old doctors in the secret, and hath go
his son away slyly to save him from the dea
con, unless you shall defeat the liars by
sure proof Of thy marriage, and that you
must get about quickly"
Jenny stood looking at her with a steady
vacant gaze, as though she did not hect
what was being said, and. with the same alb
sent manner, was moving toward the door.
allow shall you get about it, deariel Yo,
do not ask"
"How" exclaimed the girl, pausing. II
my husband does not come to me, I am quit
helpless"
"Why, who should help ZEE but, thy father
Let him go to work. He hath money ane
strength. II l was his wife he'd not sit idly
cursing."
And at the notion of the deacon cursing
she set up a creaking laugh. But such advice
was lead instead of life to the poor heart tina
heard it.
"Good-by, Mrs. Mead" said she, "if you
have news to comfort me, you will not keel
me waiting for itP
"Trust me! I'll do my best. But I'll no
come anear thy house, though I had youns
Mr.. Shaw in my arms. Tn none so dear tt
tn deacon but that he'd bile mo in his pitcl
caldron, could he find a reason for murderin
me i the Bible. AS to thy NANNY Blu
there, dear hearth if l AVE good news 20,
shall nave it quickly"
With pathetic effort to smile u farewell
Jenny left the house.