Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-07-31

TO me n1ueen years ago, when I loved a bit o
Tiband as has no relish now, we're all arti-
Why shouldn't a body eat i the middle O the
make a beginning, or I'll not 60 along wi
ye"
I "But I do not want you to come along with
me, Mrs. Mead. Indeed, I should not allow
you to leave your house after keeping you
from your bed-no, truly, though l love you
dearly for your Kindness" exclaimed Jenny.
"Do you think should let a pretty young
woman walk alone to Winston at this time
| o. morn, with her box and her sweet face to
| court livery smock she may come across!"
cried Mrs. Mead, posing a saucer on a level
with her nose, and straining her eyes ut
Jenny over it, "What is a summers morn
ing walk to me? If I can't hinder thee from
leaving home, I'll see thee safe in t coach any,
ways, and thatu be something for me to tell
thy mother"
The need Of companionship was strong in
Jenny. All the way to Winston, with a long
waiting for the coach, was a weary under
taking, and what society should she have
but bitter thoughtss Besides, a little touch
| of comfort there was in the feeling that her
mother would know that no harm had be.
fallen her, il Mrs. Mead COVE the story so
far as her promise of secrecy permitted.
But there was that ir tho old woman's face
which helped Jenny to prompter acceptance
of the offer than otherwise her sweetness
would have sanctioned Mrs. Mead was
clearly determined, and ready to quarrel,
that her will should have its way. So the
lonely hearted girl, with the saddest smile on
her white face. went up to the dame and
thanked her with a kiss upon the ripples Of
her forehead; and had she been a man, a
favor more delightful tho old woman could
not have made it seem. But oh, what q CON
trast when the faces were togetherI
Now slowly, as they sat In these small
h~ours-outside, the solemn stiffness Of the
night, and within, no sound but the hum
ming of the kettle to thresA! tho melodious
complaining notes Of the girl and the creak
Ing tones of her sympathetic listener-the
faint and mystical light of the new day,
creeping from the infinite abysm into the
towering chambers of the western heavens,
stood palely on the window glass, and little
twitter of birds broke abruptly from invisi-
BILE places.
Until the light had ~broadened, Mrs. Mead
refused to heed it; and Jenny, with her back
to the window, and telling the long story Of
her love and marriage and sorrow to her
companion, did not see it. Then the girl,
pausing with feverish eyes, after words OF
bitter wonder that Cuthbert should have left
her, and a wild cry that he might not be
dead, Mrs. Mead held up her finger.
sMistress," said she, "before It is too late,
think well of what you are about to do
Hush! If ye were my own child I should
not say more to thee"
II have thought I have thoughtw moaned
Jenny, rocking herself to and fro. "My
cousin Bridget will give me a home; and she
and her husband only shall know my story.
But what will the talk be here, whether
stay or yoa Never could I stir abroad, and
at home my fat ,er could not bear to look al
me. Should God send my husband back,
then father will hang his head to think o.
the wrong he has done his girl. And thou
shalt tell mother where I am. But, until
Cuthbert comes. I will keep hidden. 1 have
sworn 1t to myself; and if I shosld be forced
to stay here I would kill myself-indeed ]
would"
"Well, truly!" muttered the old woman,
I see yosr beauty, like a kittens, and such
soft Smiles as ye greet with, who'd think "
had so much spirit9 I don't say ye aren't
right. You're taching some folks a lessor
ash profit 'em; and when you're righted, thu
people here'u make a queen Of ye-see, now
Doth not the Lord say, 1T is not meet to tax.
the children's bread, and to cast it to dogsl
Yet his own child's bread hath your fathel
taken, and niver are dogs wanting wher
there is a crust to gnaw. Turn your head
now, my pretty: q We see it's dayp
with a sharp glance at the window, Jenny
1umOod from her chair
II must go quickly" she cried. ether,
will be people abroad, and if l AM seen they
will run to father"
"Theren be no one abroad for another hou1
yet-not even the market folk, +" replied Mrs
Mead. but I'll not keep ye scared"
She fetched her shawl and bonnet from tn,
bedroom, and while she put them on sh
said:
@There's sallie Walker, as kapes the Grey
hound at Winston. nursed her mother. am
was at her funeral; and niver doth Sal com
to Greystone without droppin' in to see i
Mother Mead be still alive. Well have he)
up, mistress, though she be snoring, and sh,
b give thee a couch for two hours rest
For dye think you're made O wire AM
parchment like me, that you can set through
a whole night without a nap? At seve,
thereu be summat to break thy fast wi, Is
warrant-if kill one o Sally's pigs myself
for the daintiness O chitterlings. Then int,
the coach yell get, and may the Lord sent
We happiness!"
So saying, she laid hold of Jenny's box
and with mufHed tread and without speed
they both of them went into the gray morn
ing light