Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-07-29

And then recalling her fathers iron ma
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 ciane 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. I'll
hes your sweetheart, ye must have some
faith in him, and maybe he'll be turning up
In day or two, and then the laugh'll be on
thy side. Do We hearg'
HE is my husband" said Jenny, in a sob
bling whisper, breathing quickly
We'll, well, husband or sweetheart, if he
comes he'll he welcome, won't he now,
deariew
my husband" shrieked the girl, with a
wild stamp OF the foot. "Will it not be be-
lievedF
why, to be sure it will But see. I'm an
old, Torn woman, who knows the world as
thy father knows the Bible--all the harm of
it, 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
is thy husband. WHAT win you make envi-
Gus wenches and their fiabbergoon mothers
believe We by saying, Il do not know the
name of the church where l was married,
and have no bit o paper 1.-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 living cratur', my own
father not excepting, knew that was Shaws
wife until this blessed day, when my husband
hath left me to give the news o. my marriage
aloner"
She ceased, leering shrewdiy, with 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 strange and striking character was
given to her beauty by an expression which
it seems absurd to describe as a mingling of
despair and determination, yet which as
suredly suggested both these qualities
Il see that great trouble has come upon
me; but in the sight of God my heart is
pure" she said in low but steady voice
"Mrs. 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 I may be wrong, though folks
think that its the devil as gives me wisdom, !"
said the old woman, showing her fangs with
grin OF ill-dissembled triumph; for in her
own mind she had no doubt of the motive of
Cuthbert's disappearance, and was hattered
with the facie mastery that put her far
ahead of the towns surmises.
Pray answer me. have the heart to lis
ten to anything now Mrs. Mead"
WELL" exclaimed Mrs. Mead, speaking
slowly iufaru,itfiuO har words for fha %, -
of filling the spaces between with deliberate
mods and shakes of the head, "theyll be
thinking this of thee-that you are not mar
ried, and that Mr.. Shaw hath left You to
bear your shame alone. They'll argey that
the son of tn old popiniay up at the school
house I'D never match with Mike Strang-
fields darter, and that he hath ruined zee
with promises. And maybe they'll say that
tn old doctors in the secret, and hath got
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 steady,
vacant gaze, as though she did not heed
what was being said, and, with the same alb
sent manner, was moving toward the door,
"How shall you get about it, dearies You
do not asks"
"How" exclaimed the girl, pausing "It
my husband does not come to me, / am quite
helpless"
"Why, who should help ZEE but thy father,
Let him go to work He hath money and
strength. If was his wife he'd not sit idly
cursing."
And at the notion of the deacon cursing,
she set up creaking laugh. But such advice
was lead instead of life to the poor heart that
heard it
"Good-by, Mrs. Mead, said she, iii yon
have news to comfort me- you will not keep
me waitin, for it,"
Trust mel Ill do my best But I'll not
come anear thy house, though | had young
Mr. Shaw in my arms. Pm none so dear to
tn deacon but that led bile me in his pitch
caldron, could he find reason for murderin'
me i the Bible. As to thy mamIny-- But
there. dear hearth if ! have good news you
shall have it quickly"
With pathetic effort TO smile farewell,
Jenny left the house.