Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-08-04
where there is only spark; but besur there

Is lire OF some KIND.
Hastily down the street she went Ar
rived at her home, she washed her face,
brushed her hair, busted her bonnet and
shoes, and, glancing at the cupboard, to
make sure of a bit of dinner to be cooked on
her return, she sailed forth once more, and
walked direct to Strangfelds house.
No outward and visible sign there was of
anything being amiss.
Mrs. Mead knocked softly, and, with un-
easiness bred in her by the dislike bore her
by the Strangfelds, kept herself close, that
she might not be spied by any sideways
glance from the window. No one respond
ing, she knocked again loudly, and presently
the door was opened by Mrs. Strangfield
herself.
The desolate white and grief of the poor
woman's face was indeed something heart
moving to behold. The utter forlornness Of
the eyes, the piteous droop Of the mouth, the
dishevelment Of hair and attire, which into
grief throws q violent dramatic clement
were beyond expression. She looked at Mrs.
Mead, while the old lady bobbed a courtesy,
as person to whom everything that offers
has meaning cruelty hard to master.
"God forbid, mistress" >" said Mrs. Mead,
I'VE should think am come out of evil curl
osity. They say the deacon hath been
stricken ILL., and positively would I know
this from one who hath the truth"
"Why do you come here for newsa This is
house of mourning now. / am desolate,
lonely woman Heaven help me-" replied
Mrs Strangfeld In broken voice.
$50, indeed, ye be, if it is only for your
daughters leavin' ye," said Mrs. Mead, with
deep compassion. "But what hath happ'd to
the deaconl For the Lords sake let me hear
it of you, ma'am"
"He hath been struck with paralysis, and
lies dying and calling for his daughter. That
is the truth. And now must 60 to him, for
your 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.
astay!" cried Mrs. Mead, ~ bring thee
news Of thy child"
The mother wheeled round with shriek
and with both hands seized her arm.
"What of herl Is she livingp
"Living and we'll Not an hour ago left
her."
Mrs. Strangfeld had no words The sudden
dispersion of the fears that had torn her
heart was moral convulsion that deprived
her of speech. She stood with her fingers
clutching hard the old woman's arm. Then
incoherently she spoke.
"Sweet girl! How hath she been wrongedl
NV pretty one! Alive. indeed, and have
been praying for thee Oh, what sorrow
to befall the pure in heartl God forgive us!"
Sho dropped and leaned toward Mrs. Mead,
and brought up the old hand to her mouth
and kissed it. weeping the while such tears
as only mothers weep.
"Alive and WE'LL" she burst out again
"Dear heart, to bring me such good tidingsl
Come in, come I'M God Is good to send
thee! Dear heart. what Joy you give me"
With drops trickling down her furrowed
cheek, Mrs. Mead suffered herself to be
drawn into the house by the passionate
mother.
"Quick, now, dear friend" cried Mrs.
Strangfeld, feverishly. @Tell me where my
girl is! Is she in Greystone7- Oh, my
poor hearth
"She is at Winston, at the Greyhound
there, and you mum 60 and fetch her, and
tell her what blow hath fallen on thee, or
she will not retoorn. Oh, she is bitter-and
rightly sol" quavered the old woman, in
voice strangely composed Of indignation and
sympathy. "Niver, she swears, will she
come to her home again, to be despised and
thought vilely Of. For her dying father she
may come-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 DR.. Shaw
proved her married woman3 Ay, this very
morning, Mrs. Mead, he came to bring us
written proof Of my Jenny's marriage with
Cuthbert Shawl But how can I leave my
husbandN she cried. distractedly. "The
doctor says he must be watched. And how
can I fetch my Jenny and be with my poor
Michaell"
@Well, we'll! truly proved married! And
she hath told no lies, theni" gasped Mrs.
Mead. "The Lord forgive ye for all the pain
you have given her. What didst thee say?-
thy husband wants nursing' While ye're
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 Oh, Mrs Mead! if l am not
QulCh ue may leFeI oee Aei eooAn AAA oNNN'
world Dear Mrs. Mead, since you will stop,
run up to him now, dear heart while get
my bonnet. I will be very quick. Do you
mind, have courage to be quick since she is
living Straight up, Mrs Mead, to the right
Stay, will show thee. Oh, God grant him
little life!"
She ran upstairs swiftly, yet with light
feet, and Mrs. Mead went laboriously, quiv-
ering and stumbling after her. Outside the
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. Strangfield mo-
toned to Mrs. Mead to take the chair by the
bedside; and, nimbly appareling herself, she
came to the old woman's ear and breath
lessly delivered instructions. They were
simple enough, and to Mrs. Mead's discretion
was left the explanation of her presence If
Strang6eld should observe her. But. truly,
there seemed little chance Of this; never
once, since lifted from the parlor floor and
laid upon the bed, had he stirred and that
should be over three hours. At regular in
tervals he groaned, and as his wife glided
out of the room he called for Jenny.
CHAPTER XIV.