Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-07-21

MeaQ! am III STedC trouule.
At sight of the sad, sweet face Mrs. Mead's
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 a sudden light of compass
sion, and strange grin of good nature over
spread her face.
"Come along, my DEAR" she exclaimed,
aif we're not above being seen with stitch a
scarecrow as me. Stoop your head, for tits
an old-fashioned door, built afore palaces
was known. There's strong chair that'u
hold thee: and if I 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 a sitting room very abruptly entered
from the street. This room and bed cham
Der adjacent composed Mrs. Mead's dwelling.
Taking seat opposite the girl, she ran her
eyes over her from top to toe.
aNow, my child" said she, "what can do!
Is it your fortune you want told! 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 I 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 see on man. What
was he to thee? 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 at
the girl, until the upper part of her face was
mask of wrinkles
"Your husband!" she exclaimed, in tone
and 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."
aOh, Mrs. Mead, why do you say his 60
ing? He has not left his home, do you Think
Is it not possible that he has somewhere met
with an accidenta Or has his father forced
him to leave? 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 coming9 Oh, Mrs. Mead, he loves ME
truly, and would be with me if he could
come Can he be dead! Oh, kind Col. if l
thought this would kill myself, that I
might be dead with him."
MY dear" sold 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
ing to call on father! Then his body would
ha' been found-for the Lord knows they've
been searching closely enough; an unless he's
gone up to heaven, clothes an all, like the
Prophet Elijah, you may be sure he's walk
in about on this world somewheers hale an
hearty. Did they tell zee there was a press
gang here last night? But ye mustn't look
to that. They'd never take slender man
like him. Billy Basings they forced away,
but he's strapping sailor Mr.. Shaw's
meat for their masters, and the wagabone
plunderer 'ud never burn their fingers on
him"
She shook her head emphatically.
Hes your husband, is he, my dear! That's
beyond doubt, hope9"
"Oh, yes, Mrs Mead; we were married in
a church in London three weeks ago."
"Ye're a soft little wench, and not larned
in London ways. Are ZEE sure it was a
church9"
3Oh yes, indeed-a large church," ex-
claimed Jenny, gazing at the old woman
with a new expression gathering in her
eyes,
"Why, then, if you knows the name, and
got the bit o paper they gi'es ye when folks
are married."
u do not know the name of the church.
do not think my husband ever mentioned it.
If any bit of paper was given to us he will
have it. Twas ready to swoon for fear,
and took no notice of anything, so scared
was I. But this have" she cried, drawing
out purse with quivering fingers and show
ing wedding ring.
The old woman put it aside with a move
ment Of her hand.
"You know if it be right wi thee" sale
she; "but the rings only worth what it 'ud
fetch as gold"
Something in these words, something in
the irrepressible leer that weighted the old
woman's eyelids, took Jenny's breath away.
And theI. instantaneously there flashed upon
her the sense and knowledge Of the false and
rearrul position she was placed in by nor
husbands disappearance.
She started to her feet.
"Oh, Mrs. Mead!" she half shrieked through
her pale lips, lis it possible that my words
will not be believed! Great God! will it be
thought that I am not Cuthbert Shaw's
wife!"