Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-18

1NO SOO11oI Wdc u0 SOuo LuAu 6UEuuR. field quilted her bed and went to the door to call Jenny. The room used by the girl was to the right of the room occupied by the hus- band and wife; the door of it stood open, and that was something to wonder at if Jenny were not downstairs Into the room walked the mother, and all she saw was bed that had never been slept in.
 Now for some moments this was dght with significance not to be realized.
 She went ts taae bedside and stared at it, and then rsund her. with Aow dipping of her head on her neck, like ball on pivot. Presently on the bed again she fixed her eyes with all the blankness of the host-white counterpane reflected in them.
 "What trick is she playing mer she cried to herself, but in clear, strong voice. "Jenny!n
 And all about the room she went, probing and peering like a faithful dog snifing for it's hidden young Until it came into her head that her child had run away; on which she fled from the room with shriek.
 That shriek brought forth the trollop Polly, who beheld her mistress clinging to the top rail of the banister, motioning with her hand
 "Lor, missus, what is it? For mussy's sake, mum, don't look 50 scarifying, Inumi Oh, missus, what hal yees seena'
 "Ten your master to come to me,n ex- claimed Mrs. Strangfeld, in a choking voice, and she went reeling into her bedroom and sank upon chair. But up again she must jump in c moment and run into Jenny's room, and in the center of it she stood looking around her with rolling eyes. She was too frightened for deliberate search-even direct clew she would not have needed. With both hands pressed upon her heart she stood. Was it that the sorrowful girl, mourning her cruel bereavement, and the dishonor done her by her father, and dreading the journey, and the object of the journey that morning, had not chosen to rest; that all night long she had kept her vigil, and now was gone forth to cool her burning eyes against the soft wind blowing from the seal Was it soi An, pray Godi And the mother, with nov ing lips, drew to the window and sent her startled gaze over the summer scene of swell ing cliff and folds of houses standing with shine of gold under the meek sweetness of the morning blue.
 Mir. Strangfeld came upstairs, and from the landing called to her. She ran to him, crying, "Michael, see here! Our child hath not slept in her bedi Where is she, do you thinki Oh, if you love your wife, run to your men and bid them seek her. For Gods sake do this, Michael-no,or'
 He went past her without answer and en- tered Jennys room. If amazement or pain were in him, it was yelled by heavy frown.
 "SilenceI" he cried. as his wife began to speak. Before we judge her, let us know what she has done. It is no sign that she has run away from us because she has not slept in her bed Has she not acted more crazily than to stay awake in her clothes all night [
 Look about you and tell me what things you find missing"
 aNothing, Michael Oh, my heart, yes! Where be the little trunk packed for her last nighti"
 With wonderful quickness, she flung open
 the door of closet, and then searched be- meath the bed. Next she uttered sharp cry, and leaned against her husband. He led her not untenderly to her room, but his
 own steps were weak and shaky, and his face
 as white as dying mans, which made his frown a black shadow upon his forehead. "Wemust have patience yet, 1" he exclaimed, drawing forth his watch, and speaking with his eyes bent down upon it. "She knows at what hour the coach starts, and if she be not guilty she will be here. Get myself dressed, and let the breakfast be ready by the half hour. She may return, and then what will it be that her box is gone? Bear up, for in
 half an hour great changes come. will
 wait for thee and her in the parlor." He went slowly and painfully downstairs,
 and stood at the window whispering to him.  nate, hard Invaded man to fall into on @ sudden. . In a short while Mrs. Strangfeld came l from her room and stood at the doorway watching him in silence. She sighed heavily | but, as though he heard neither her step nor | her sigh, he did not turn his head; and with a fear of his stern, unbending silence on her, she went away to the kitchen to help Polly 1 to get breakfast ready.
 l .k | Jenny leave the house this morning7" "I2 No, indeed, missusl Be she gone, then7' l said the girl with her hair all feathery for l lack of brushing, and the end of her nose l black from frequent strokes of her bare arm. "Hush, silly wenchl Why do you shouti
 She hath not slept in her bed, Polly. Oh, | God! if she be run away from mel"
 "Roon awoy! Why, missusl whativer l would she be doin' that fort" said the slut, craning her neck out of the collarless rim of | her frock
 Never do you talk but that you stop your
 work. Cannot you use your hands and | tongue together2 Hold your pratel As sure
 as thy nose is as black as thy masters boot, 1 I'll be packing thee to thy mother for 8 slovenly fool" cried Mrs. Strangaeld, in that phase of grief which admits of. easy su- | prevention of irritation.
 The time was passing quickly. 1t was i've minutes after the half-hour when breakfast | was put upon the table, and MT. Strangfeld
 drew a chair for himself, and began to eat
 with the gesture of man who forces him.
 self to do something he abhors. Not c l mouthful could the mother swallow; her
 gaze was forever upon the open window, and
 her ears pricking for every little sound But expectation was wrought by fear into
 insupportable pain at last, and, unable to
 endure the hard silence, she cried out:
 "Michael, she doth not comep He looked at her vacantly, aroused by her
 speech out of deep thought, and pulled out l his watch. He rose from his chair instantly,
 his whole manner changed. and he exclaimed: "It is too late for the coach. Now what do
 you say to your girls honestyT
 "Oh, Michael" she cried, "where do you
 think our child is? Why should she not be
 herea Did you say anything to her yesterday
 to scare her2 Last night she kissed me
 sweetly, and thanked me for my love, and
 she would not break my heart by leaving
 mel Oh, Michael, what didst thee say to | her?"
 "I said no moro than bid her be ready for
 the coach at o'clock this morning" he said, A--- T.