Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-11
THE WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT FRIDAY MAY H. l88s


 mere thinking could realize for her, did she feel the secret shiver and bitter fear that made her crave for Cuthbert's presence and support when the moment of disclosure or discovery should arrive.
 Somehow, it had become habit with her to believe that when the secret was told to her father, he, in his deep wrath, would turn her from the house-a notion built by her terror on the fierce severity of his judg. ments on human weaknesses.
 And of this conviction, intolerable to her when seized with sense of loneliness, the pain and shame and misery were only to be mitigated to her imagination by her resolve to hold her tongue until Cuthbert was beside her; that, should her father drive her from his roof, her husbands hand would be in her's.
 Mrs Strangfeld stared at her as stranger might
 Of this lovable child of hers-this sweet and placid girl, whose pure soul workings had been heretofore as plainly figured in her lovely face as clock work shows in a crystal hox-she on a sudden could make neither head nor tail; for virtuous and holy reason, indeedl that no question of her child's honor could arise.
 1 The fall of the moon or the drying up of the sea sooner than such thing. | And not hitting upon a secret marriage, l what, then, could remain but love7 which, | to be hugged as mystery, to hold the l tongue obstinate, to set a body swooning, 1 altogether passed her simple understanding | No wonder, therefore, was she puzzled and stared with perplexity.
 With her honest wits at work she tried her hand at solution.
 "H you are in love with MT. Shaw, and letting him court you slyly, your father will | certainly be angry when he hears of it; be- | cause he does not like under dealing in man or woman, and would think it unpardonable in thee, who shouldst know better. But this I may say, child, that though should agree l with your father in thinking ill of a secret | love, I would not allow him to say too much to you, nor set his face against the young man. You are fit to be gentleman's | wife, as 1 have told him over and over, and | if you will just own aH to me, Jenny, I'll break it to him as his wife should know how, and the rest will be easy, my dear. Iam not averse to MT. Shaw-quite the contrary; though what his father will say is another matter. But, then, 'tis no business of ours
 Young MT. Shaw is handsome youth, and not accountable for his father. Indeed, if he truly loves you, he will attend chapel, which would win thy fathers heart You needn't smile. I have heard of a man turn ing Hebrew Jew to marry, and if a man can deny the Lord for love of a wench, surely
 MT. Shaw may easily become Baptist"
 Jennys smile quickly faded. It seemed
 easy to say the few words and if their effect
 could begin and end in the kind-eyed mother
 who watched her, long ago would they have been said. But when she thought of her
 father, her throat grew dry.
 In the midst of the silence between them,
 both actively thinking in wide-parted ways,
 there fell substantial knocking on the
 house door; whereat up jumped Mrs Strang-
 field, to see to her cap and gown, and square
 up all dishevelment, whilst Jenny's heart
 thumped wildly, and the work fell from her
 lap to the ground unheeded.
 "Now, surely" exclaimed Mrs. Strang- field, "this cannot be MT. Shaw who should
 have come last night!" and she looked al Jenny's white face with an air of comical ; fright, for, loudly as she talked, she was sin J cerely afraid of Michael.
 Presently in fioundered dirty Polly Baggs with the bustling importance bad servan, assumes when she thinks she has something ) of consequence to deliver.
 "Please, missls, you're wanted" "Who wants me? Did you answer the dool
 with that smut on your noses Oh, for shame ] you baggagei Who is ita Be quick-bt } quick! Don't you see you're keeping then } waiting2" ; "Its gentleman, said Polly, surlily pass ing the whole length of her arm over hel face in pursuit of the smut, which she sue ) ceeded in lodging under her eye. "Well, show him in" "He axed for master fust.
 "Show him in, say."
 ) Who should appear, lowing gravely, his , soft hat under his arm, and his light hail oiled and brushed into cone, but Dr. 7 Shaw's English master, Mir. Saunderson
 Mrs. Strangfeld favored him with swift
 courtesy, and Jenny also prettily bent hel knees, though fear made that an easier jot than stiffening them again. l "Pray, sir, take that chair," said Mrs.
 Strangfeld, with fussy politeness. "Do yor , wish to see MT. Strangfelds He is in hi l yard, and shall be called at once, if yo, . please He hath much business on hand jus
 now-two vessels building, and an order re l ceived for one yesterday, and likewise gal ley for Mir. Jackson, of Mount Zion" With much deliberation, undisturbed b,
 Jenny's beauty, at which he flung severa , respectful, ardent glances, Mir. Saundersol put his hat on the table, divided his coa 3 tails, and sat himself down. That he was il no hurry was easily seen, which very con , siderably, in Mrs. Strangfeld's eyes, height ened the mystery of his visit. ] "I am truly glad, madam" said he, "t,
 hear of the fourishing condition of you husbands business, and would on no accoun nave nlm summoned rom ms QuCloS. ' Ol 3 and your charming daughter will, am sure 3 be as fully competent as he to answer tn l question which has occasioned my intrusion upon you"
 8 "Indeed, sir, we shall be glad to oblige yo, } in any way in our power"
 "You are most considerate. must tel Q you that Dr. Shaw, of Greystone school 8 with which academy am at present asso !, ciated, is much troubled about his son, MI i. Cuthbert, who, believe, is known to you7" f This he said interrogatively, looking frs 7 at one and then at the other of them. Mrs Strangfeld gave her daughter quick glanc and replied:
 |, GMr. Shaw is known to me by sight, sir
 but have not the honor of speakin !" acquaintance with him." I Mr. Saunderson elevated his eyebrows t "Why, then," said he, q have been greatl :, misinformed. I was told that MT. Sha,
 visited here, and was on the most friendl
 footing with your family" and he looked a {. Jenny with smirk that gave large mear ing to his words.
 "Whoever said that spoke what is CT