The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-05
FORCED APART
As;thor Of the "Wreck of the Groscenor,'
"a Sailors Sweetheart" Etc.
CHAPTER XIV.
MOTHER MEAD.
BY W. CLARK RUSSELL.

MOTHER MEAD.
It had been a sudden sickness and a dread
ful giddiness that had caused Jenny to sink
on the floor, from which she recovered soon
after her father had Quilted the house for his
visit to Greystone school, The wild distrac-
ton in her eyes had repelled Mrs Strang-
field, and for mercy and dread the mother
asked no questions, but sat, silent and signing,
watching her daughter with piteous concern
Then her duties calling her, and thinking
besides that solitude would be precious to
such bitter grief as Jenny's, Mrs Strangfield
gently left the room.
No sooner was she gone than Jenny started
TO her feet, and paced about as though
seized with madness, with frown upon her
forehead, and her hands pressing tightly Go
low her hips. Full realization of what had
bafallen her had come to her heart, and she
was driven by intolerable agony OF spirit
That Cuthbert had left her Of his own Will
did not como into her mind. Belief in love
docs not fall dead in this way. And no one
had yet suggested to her, as kindly solution
of the mystery of his disappearance, that it
might be he had taken sudden shame OF her
as his wife and had left her, acting sweet
part up to the last hour-for men are shock
ing deceivers.
What, then, did she Think Why, that
some accident had befallen him; and the idea
that he might be lying dead in some hidden
place so frenzied her, that, without con-
sideration Of her purpose she fed upstairs
for her hat and left the house to seek him
She had wandered beyond the market
place when her mind took grasp OF her IN
tenticn, and that brought her to stand.
The midday sun beat fercely upon the road,
and helC the pavements tolerably empty.
But there were people in the shops, and they
stared at her as she stood; perceiving which,
she went down the street again, with her
heart beating furiously over q newborn
resolution to call on DIR. Shaw, and begin
her INQUIRIES after her husband at his own
home.
But when she had got as far as the market
place, the fame Of Mother Mead as a gossip
and teller of fortunes occurred to her, and
this because she saw the old woman's bent
figure going at hobble on the other side of
themarket place. So Jenny, passing quickly
through the stalls, intercepted the dame as
she was turning into the court in WHICH she
dwelt
Mrs. Mead was talking to herself in loud,
quavering voice, and so completely engrossed
with witchlike thoughts-for what other
thoughts could possibly visit such an ugly
conformationAth she did not observe
Jenny until she found herself stopped by the
girl standing in front of her.
"Ah, Miss Jenny Strangheid-if that be
your rale name, my dear! A hot marning,
isn't it? with power Of dust for an old nose
that finds snuff cruel, dear. Why, your
QokI> =. so,kL T from
and Lard! his eyes are in such blaze that
my old skin cracked when he looked at me-"
"May speak with you in your house, Mrs.
Head! am in great trouble"
At sight of the sad, sweet face Mrs. Meads
ugly countenance underwent kind OF trans
formation. Her nose and chin did not, in
deed, moderate their intimacy; but the blood
shot old eye took sudden light Of compass
sion, and strange grin Of good nature over
spread her face.
sCome along, my dear," she exclaimed,
"if ye're not above being seen with stitch
scarecrow as me. Stoop your head, for It's
an old-fashioned door, built afore palaces
was known. There's a strong chair thatu
hold thee; and If can comfort thee, my
pretty, I'll mop out my old heart to do it, I'll
warrant"
They had arrived at rickety old house,
with sitting room very abruptly entered
from the street. This room and bed cham
ber adjacent composed Mrs. Meads dwelling.
Taking seat opposite the girl, she ran her
eyes over her from top to toe.
"Now, my child, ," said she, "what can do!
Is it your fortune you want told2 Nay, nay,
there's no physic in such stuff for rale trouble.
It's good for foolish wenches whose brains
are made o ribbon, but not for the likes O.
thee, dearie."
II am in bitter trouble, indeed, Mrs. Mead
Mr.. Shaw, the son of the doctor, is missing,
and am mad to know where he is" said
Jenny, bending her pale face forward as she
spoke
"Likely enough, my dear-he had the most
noble face that iver I see on man. What
was he to theel Your answer shall be sacred
with me. Speak the worst, if harm hath
come to We. You'll find Judith Mead dumb
as your heart"
''He was my husband" replied Jenny, in a
voice scarcely above whisper, for the secret
was still so fresh that the revelation of it
startled her to hear though spoken with her
own voice.
Mrs. Mead screwed up her eyes to look ut
the girl, until the upper part of her face was
mask Of wrinkles.
"Your husband!" she exclaimed, in tone
end with manner that would have made it
impossible for third person to know whether
she believed the girl or not, for, as to Jenny,
. it could not occur TO her that her word would
be doubted. "Why, then, no wonder his going
troubles ye."
"Oh, Mrs. Mead, why do you say his 60
ingp He has not left his home, do you Think
Is it not possible that he has somewhere met
with an accidents Or has his father forced
him to leave9 On Wednesday he promised
me to call last night on father and break the
news of our marriage, for all this while was
itour hidden secret. What should prevent
him coming? Oh, Mrs. Mead, he loves. me
truly, and would be with me if he could
come Can he be dead: Oh, kind God if
thought this would kill myself, that l
might be dead with him."
"AIy DEAR" said Mrs. Mead, slowly, and
rejecting hard while she spoke, "he is not
dead. Folks do not die like this without it
being known. Where could he die: Com