The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-08-10
CHAPTER XXI.
TIE WAGES OF SIN.


TIE WAGES OF SIN.
The events of the fortnight proved
profitable to the innkeeper beyond all cal
culation.
In the first place. Daniel Meade had
the sympathy of the people all along the
coast from Weymouth to Gloucester, as
far as the murder Of his son could be car
ried in those slow-going days. The muir
der was told with bated breath by the
fishermen and their wives along the coast:
People travelled from Marblehesd and
Lynn to see the place where the murder
was committed. The visitors were SO
numerous that the Globe Inn was rarely
silent now. Grizzle Meade was as brisk,
aye, brisker and livelier; she had more to
say than when she was ten years younger.
On the other hand, the landlord of
Globe Inn was gloomy and silent. The
customers, seeing him standing silent,
with gathered brows, and seeing his wife
bustling about, nudged each others ell
bows and whispered:
See how the Ian dlord takes it to heart. :"
AYE, and see how his wife carries it OF
with light outside.
Its an awful thing to have child
murdered.
Ave; but It's worse a1ter ne mas just
come home from the seas.
The like was never known before"
AYE; but there's many penny coming
in here now" .,
"A cood-a fine thriving business it is. y
And thus the gossips ran on as they
drank their favorite liqnor, and told
stories of murder and rapine that made
them afraid to leave the inn in the dark.
her husband for permitting himself to
become absent-minded before customers
1Ah! Rouse Yourself! Do you not see
folks eyes on you?"
AS we'll that as have your tongue on
me-"
I'll keep it on till it blisters, an you
don't move about and look after the
people"
What Thou fool! Finding fault
with the gold and silver coming into thy
lap!"
And 1 want as much company as can
come"
Then want on, then"
AN I do, III not let you sleep on
YOUR feet. Dost not know twill set their
WIS tO WOSh!
-Td rather sleep all tie time"
AN YOU don't have a care, you'll sleep
sooner and longer than You wish. I've
no mind to keep your company if you
persist in your folly"
The landlord of Globe Inn at that
turned and looked at his wife very de-
iberately.
Ave, so he it. III not ask company,
bu: they may send company with me
spite of all I can do"
From that hour the landlord of Globt>
Inn feared and distrusted his wife.
Grizzle Meade from that hour suspected
her husband. He no longer drank a
mouthful of water tba: he did not bring
himself. He toasted his own bread. No
meat passed his lips until his wife par
! took of 1t.
! One morning GriZzle Meade observed
the innkeeper standing near the dresser.
! He had a knife in his hand. The other
| held piece of cured ham. He spat out
| r,f his mouth piece he had Iibbled, and
| laid his knife down.
Ave, man, is it not to your mind? I've
seen the time You would have grudged
me more than my share OF such meat,
and not so long ago either"
The landlord of Globe Inn looked at
her.
is it not good enough? Then mayhap
you will get us better. ! found no III
with the meat. What ails it?'
Still her husband did not answer.
| Grizzlies temper was fast getting the
better Of her judgment.
An YOU don't eat the meat, no Other
will come into the house till it's done
What is good enough for custom is plenty
good for us. No one has said i'll of the
meat"
Still Daniel Meade preserved silence
But he looked steadily at Grizzle, until
his wife, white with passion, strode past
him, and, seizing the knife, cut large
piece of the meat and flung it on the pan,
where it sputtered and was speedily
cooked. Then she sat down and ate il
heartily.
The first tinge of color that had shown
itself in Daniel Meades cheeks in weeks
flushed his face as he turned away. while
Grizzlies glance followed him contempt.
uously. All that day her glance followed
him scornfully. He could not meet hel
eyes
Now Grizzle Meade had proof that he,
husband feared her and was resolved
she should not poison him if due Caution
could prevent it.
One evening, after the last custome,
left the inn, Daniel Meade sat in the
tap-room alone. Grizzle Meade lay
awake. wondering why Daniel did not &c
10 bed. Here ofore he was glad to be
alone, and sank into heavy sleep rs soor
as he was well in bed. What new fancy
had be taken?
Grizzle rose quietly and stole noise.
lessiy 10 the tap-loom. Seeing the land
lord sitting there gazing eloornlly into
the f1e. GrizZie was suddenly se'zed will
! Irem bling. thus be st and broodec
efore he prepared to kill the sailor
Was lie planning her murder?
| Grizzle stead ed herself with an effort
and returre as quietly rs she came But
not to sieop. Sleep h,d Gepnrled from
her eyelids. Never again was Grizzie
Meade to enjoy the pleasure of -undis: