Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-16

her perfect form rlpely figured on the white ground of paper that supported her, never more lovely had she looked; and the shim- mer of her yellow hair was the trembling of evening sunshine on the water.
 Deep grief is always quiescent, and the deepest grief was shrined in this gentle woman That she was not guiltless only made her sorrow the more moving. She had erred in deceiving father and mother, in privily, without home's blessing, undertaking the sacred obligation of marriage. Yet how hardly was she dealt with! how cruel the in- depreciation of a deed of faithful lovel And why had Cuthbert left her3 How bitterly hard that any act of his should be beyond the skill of her heart to construct Yet her glorious fidelity could not hold him faith less.
 In this wise thinking, with an inpulsive movement she drew forth her purse and slipped her wedding ring on, kissed it wildly, and, with quick toss of her hands, fell with face upon the bed, weeping bitterly.
 This posture was she in when her mother entered the room. The poor woman ran to her quickly.
 "You have come back, my darlingi Where hast thou been all this long timei Jenny, do not cry so-my heart will break if you grieve in this way. Has father been saying unkind things to thee, my prettyS Come, come, it is not all hopeless yet. Truly believe that MT. Shaw is thy husband; and be sure, be sure he will return, for no man with his beauty is heartless, and he would not have married thee, Jenny, to leave thee in this way"
 She raised tho girl from the bed and led her to chair, and, kneeling by her, pillowed her head in her bosom.
 "Oh, mother, is it not too cruel that should lose my husband and be doubted by father? Tomorrow he means to take me to London to show him the church; for he will not believe me without dragging me weary journey. And God knows what shall do when we reach London, for I do not rer1em- Der the name of the church, nor the street where it stands, and have told him was too scared to take notice. And would not a young girl like me be frightened, mother, in that great place, and acting wrongly, al- though l was with my darlingT
 "To-morrow does he take you to London | Oh, what a strange, hard man! Why, all | day you will be travelling; and cannot he see that you have no strength!" cried Mrs l Strangfeld, rising from her knees; and, with . hot, indignant look, she swept out of the room, and went to ho- husband, whom she found in the act of q 1g the house. "Michael, must speak to thee. What are you going to do with Jenny3 If you break her heart you will kill US both, and that in | deed you are doingI" she cried, shrilly. | With his hand on the latch of the house l door hc stared at her with Q contemptuous sternness, then with a stride made for the parlor, and closed the door upon them both. "Jane subdue your voice, and speak to me respectfully. You are the girls mother, and will listen to you; but am her father, and mine is the name she has blasted. Do you heed thatl It is Michael Strangfeld's daugh- ter whom the people are talking about. Re member this, and now say your mind" "For shamei for shamel to speak of her as having blasted your nameP replied Mrs. Strangfield, quite unable to control her voice "Hath she not told you that Mir. Shaw is her husbanda The wedding ring is now on hel | finger-as good a ring as this-and if she be not an honorable wife, then my name is my fathers Whatl you would take the pool heart to London, when she declares that 1T her fright she took no notice of the street ane church! Would not stout spirit be scared by what she did, with thee, as her father, terrify her conscience7 Why, myself, whel you are hazing me with your strong voice lose my head and know not what am about Ana shall ouI 1iUtlo uUIiol, havo otrorSe brains than her mother-at a time, too which makes the best of women tremble ant l keep their eyes down in modesty and awe though their parents are with them and kint friends to give them heart for the journey For shame! to doubt her! What think yol is her sin2' ... ..e-
 Understand this!" he shouted with fury and his eyes in blaze; Eff she says sh' knows not the church wherein she was mar ried, nor can show it me, nor the bool wherein their names should be written, no the man that married them, and hath n more evidence than a ring which a crow piece would buy for any harlot, I'll knov her for what she is-and no tears from her nor insolence from thee, shall change me"
 She held out her hands in the attitude o one lending off an attack.
 "Never could I have believed it of thee Michaelw she said in voice of indescribabl reproach and turned to leave him.
 "Stay!" he commanded "Before you go give me your reason for opposing me-" Too insulted by his words about her chil to confront him, she replied:
 "She has not the strength to travel to Lon don; and why would you take her there She tells thee plainly she will not know tn , church, though she see it, and its name wa never mentioned to her by Mir. Shaw" "You believe her?" he said, with deeI , toned sarcasm.
 "AsI believe in the Lord!" cried the mother eagerly, turning her swimming eyes upo him.
 "You shall credit her if you please, bu your faith in her innocence does not purif her. Give me proof of her honesty, and l though I scorn her for her deceit, yet yo shall see me use her gently. Am to stan , still under this shame that has come upo me and mine, and make no effort to clear , away, that our light may shine again befor F men! She does not lack strength to seek he :, husband, and since noon has she been war
 dering in the heat. Though we had to travs
 a thousand miles for proof of her honor
 would the journey be too longs Let God fol
 give her for sending me in my old age fror
 my home to clear her name of foul suspicio
 if it can be donei Go now and repeat m
 words to her, and let her be in readiness t
 start with me at the hour I named. N
 moreI" he cried, with stamp of the foo
 holding up his hand. "Too much have yo
 already said. Bid her keep to her room, fc
 I'll not meet her this day."
 And passing his wife, he flung open tt 1 door and left the house
 , "The Lord have mercy upon him, and fol give him his sins, 1" moaned poor Mrs. Stranl field to herself .....
 Not immediately could she return to Jenn, She had bargained on controlling her hu band, by her appeal, from taking the girl London, and, being defeated, wanted time