Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-19

[ love of his frill gave him a w1oe passage: closed tbe door with turgid attentior,, r, to th. catch of the latch, and left the doctor nlanted ! against the wall, to escape all touch of her
 while she went to announce him. Mrs- Strangfeld came hurrying out with | q wild look of sorrow in her face and har l eyes sore with weeping.
 But at sight of the fine frill, and bauohtv month. and twisted forehead, and s;lk wei.f. coat. God bless herl she courtesied to inc 1 ground.
 Mrs. Strangfeld's courtesy made Dr. Shaw pliable thing.
 "I have the pleasure, madam, of address ing-~
 And the doctor made bow that twisted his figure into a note of Interrogation. aMy name is Mrs. Strangfield. sir I know you to be Dr. Shaw, and may God send you have come to bring us tidines of our grill" replied the poor mother, in her tearfullest voice.
 q am here on very special errand-one that concerns us all closely. If your hus- band is visible should be glad to see him.
 "Oh yes, sir, he is in this room; pray walk in, Dr. Shaw" said Mrs. Strangfield, won dering that her fearful face should provoke no expression of concern from the doctor. and herein exactly showing herself to be the daughters mother, for on the very previous day had not Jenny herself fallen into the same wonder over the little mans glazed manners2
 He followed her into the parlor, and within pace of the door stood to deliver his cool. collected bow to MT. Strangfield. who half rose from his armchair to return the saluta- tion.
 "Good morning to you, Dr. Shaw. Pray take a chair, sir. This fine weather is very promising for the farmers, and there be talk of a grand harvest this year." said the ship wright, remaining half risen out of his chair until the doctor was seated
 Mrs. Strangfield looked at her husband with an expression of helpless, eager despair How could he talk of the weather; how could he receive the doctors visit so easily 1 Why did not he ask him at once his object in callingl Great Lordi how did he know but what the schoolmaster was come with shock ing news of Jenny2 But upright she sat, with her hands tightly clasped.
 q am out betimes this morning." said Dr. Shaw, with a short glance around the homely room "But then, MT. Strangfeld, from your occupation I naturally conceived you an early riser. and my duty would not permit me to delay my visit. .
 Had you come two hours ago you would have found me risen," replied Strangfeld. who had gathered his forces together for this unexpected interview, and was now again wearing his hard face and speaking in his stern, deep tones.
 "I am here, Mr. Strangfield, in compliance with my promise to give you all news at the earliest opportunity that should enable you ito use your own words-to sift this busi- ness of your daughter to the bottom" began the doctor, pulling out his snuff-bo1 for no other motive than to toy with it. Strange things come to pass in this world, which truly Is much smaller than we can get to conceive it by estimate of geographical men. suration; and apprehend," said he, with his suave smile, "that our respected neighbors will be not little surprised to hear of visits exchanged between Dr. Shaw and Mr. Strangfeld, whose strong objections to the schoolmaster's theological opinions are toler- ably we'll known"
 Strangfeld looked at him keenly under his drowning eyebrows, and appeared about to speak, but dismissed his thoughts with a wave of the hand and sank back silent.
 "Oh, Dr. Shawl" cried the mother, incapa- ble of holding her tongue, however awed by the cold fencing between the men, "I wish that difference of religious notions was all the trouble 'twixt you and Michael, sir. Your name hath sorrowful sound in it to my ears, God knows; and this morning hath made it more bitter than my heart we'll knows how to bear. ," And she hung her pale face to hide her tears. @
 "Jane" exclaimed her hneh..d, etor1Iiy, "there is no need for thee to put in. Dr. Shaw is here to give us some news; we can await his leisure. Keep thy tongue quiet. It's a sign of light head to fret over the past. Whom to upbraid we know; but Dr. Shaw hath no hand in our grief"
 "Madam," said the doctor, haughtily, not to be modified by the deacon's admission-for the manner was offensive, though the words were kindly-"between you and me there should be silence in the matter of reproach. If you have to mourn over a daughters de- ceit, have to lament sons folly. And there stop; for the world shall judge who is the greater sufferer" @ sa
 Neither husband nor wife answered him.
 "Mr: Strangfeld," he continued, turning quickly upon the deacon, with the sudden contrite air of man who feels that he is wasting valuable time. q have left my home early this morning expressly to bring you two items of news, one of which should properly be delivered by me only. First, as to my sons disappearance:
 "There came man to my house late last night to inquire after me He was a man belonging to the preventive service, and he said, being at an ale house in the town not two hours before, there were persons there talking over the disappearance of Dr. Shaw's son, and likewise the hnpressment of three men out of Greystone on that night or there abouts, as it is concluded, of my sons going. Now, it is very exactly known that three men were impressed; for no other man is missing, unless it be my son. This coast guard sat considering what he had heard, and, taking particular note of the conjectures concerning my son thrown out by the gossips, he came round to my house having finished his glass, and being off duty for the nighD and asked me if it were true that had @ son who was missing. I replied that had, and wondered he should not know it, for con- ceived 1t was every mans talk in this district. However, I was sure the matter was news to him.
 "Now, he said that, having learned that only three men were kidnapped, and being