Middletown transcript., 1896-11-21

Still and silent stood Ben while the
views in his forehead stood out like
cords and his hand clutched portion
of Mercy's sleeve.
aPatience Douglasl AREN'T you
ashamed of yourself-you memberl
How can you speak SOP Oh you bad.
wicked woman" and going to Mercy
she put her hand on her arm said,
"Never mind what Patience says-We
don't believe word of it, daughter"
! Mercy stoopsand kisses the trembling
lips, her eyes shining with love-and is
it triumph
REALLY, Mrs. Abner, " said the min
ister." this is extroardinar VERY.
| "Yes," she snapped, her steely blue
eyes never leaving the girls face, and
that girl is extraordinary standing
there so brazen when she knows better
than do, she killed her own father.
| Yes sir-shot him dead"
''Ah, what ees it you sayp" Mercy
turning the at sound of the quick impet-
Iousvoice gasped out, ''Tillyp'
"Tilly, it ees to be sure Miss Mercy
and thank full she ees to see you once
again-but pardon Mees Mercy, it ees
zis person have to speak wiz. You
say"
'.Who are you2 Where did you co ne
froms"
"Zat is no matter-who am I. Where
I come from? Well, the door was open
leet.le ways and slipped in-but
what you say? And Mrs. Abner feel
ing impelled and compelled by stron-
ger will than her own replied" was
just telling them what I read in the
paper two weeks ago about that girl
there that Ben has gone daft over"
"Yes," nodding her little black head,
her hands nervously clasping and un-
claspipg, her bright black eyes glowing
and spot of carmine coming and go
ing in her cheeks. Something about
Mees Mercy2" 81 should think SO seems
you know her somehow. Did you know
she shot her own father dead?''
"Ahw wi b long drawn breath.
eyes, l know her. If she yis why ees
she here?"
sShe escaped from the prison cell and
came here tramp and Mary soft hearted
thing, took her in all but year ago;
and to cap:the climaxi Ben the poor silly
fool has just married her."
Tilly swiftly glanced af Mercy, the
bright hard look in her eyes softened
and could it be there were tears toop
if SO, twas only asuspicion for she quick
ly turned again to the woman who for
some reason best known to herself was
bent upon destroying the girl who had
sought shelter from the trials and temp
tations of homeless life and finding it,
found too a home. The harsh voice
went on with ruthless, calculating
cruelty.
II shall see she goes back where she
belongs"
"Yes to-
"Jail of cours e.n
"What has she done to you? Why
do you so3 Everybody love Mees
Mercy. Why do not you love her?
Surely you would not so cruel bel"
SIT is just she should pay the penalty
her crime deserves, and it is my duty"
Come Madam, will beg you-do not,
See she ees SO young and oh Madaml
You know not.what ye prison cell ees.
You will not-say you will not. No?
Zen l tell you you shall not. You cannot.
Listen Madam, Yes all mel Yes Mees
Mercy was in priseon.D
A deathlike silence fell upon them
and even Mrs. Abner refrained from
looking at Mercy who stood closely
clasped to the brave heart which throb- |
bed in fierce anger.
l will tell to you ze story" went on
the impetuous voice as Tilly's eyes were
fixed not upon Mercy but the grey
haired woman standing before her with |
one hand resting on the back of her |
chair" Yes, l will tell you that Mr..
Ambercrombie was found dead in his |
library and Mees Mercy was arrested |
and put into re prision-Ah. Ze pris- |
ion! think Of it Madaml- She who never
knew anything but luxury to have to
stay in such place. Mon Dieu. Yes
twas to me wonder she lived. will |
not long make my story. So, she es-
capped and went away-on ze train |
Madam. till she reach W-But stay
there she fet she could not and she |
start out to walk little ways and |
when she arrive here she so ired she |
ask to rest, and the-Ze-what shall / |
call the dear lady who so kindwas to
her, my mistress. for see you Madam, I |
am her maid. Yes, know Mees Mercy.
Another glance across the table and
smile and Mercy smiled too. Such
smilel Affection, trust and confidence
bespeaking the feeling existing be-
tween maid and mistress.
Well, Madam she stay and she
write to me and l get down on my
knees and thank God. Ze paper you
read was old-or it may be you do not
read them regular. Ye murderer was
man. A confession he made-poor
fellow-no home, no friends, mo money.
Shall tell to you his name2'' /
"a trumped up story to shield your
mistress as you call her."
Mono. do not so harsh be-Zis
poor man, " and she laid her hand on
the woman's arm, "said his mo hsr,
n n n u Z.