Year: 1878

the forsakep nest, was startled by the apparition of 8 comedy face, dear to the olden time of merriment and song, but now blurred with tears; and the tale she told, Mrs. MShane anticipated every word of .... ...

 My poor bairnie," she said, "I knew how 'twould be when I saw Macs way of going on. His stuck-up airs and his talk about strophies and symphonies and outlandish heathenism boded no good. But so long as have 8 roof, you shall share it.

 But Jenny was independent, and soon got situation far above the one in which she first saw her husband. As luck would have it, the old rooms were just vacated. Mrs. M'Shane had most of the old fur niture so before the month was out Jenny was back in her nest, but sick at heart, and sometimes ready to die.

 In the meanwhile we must run back 8 month to the scene of festivity where we left Mac with his head high in the air, and the skirts of the musical prodigy trailing full yard behind her. Neither of them missed Jenny till the splendid repast was ready, and the guests were not disconsolate for the society of their hostess. But now, indeed, it was tune for Jenny to take her rightful place :; and with many an inward prayer that she would be as little unequal to the oc- casion as could be expected of her, and 8 resolve to caution her only to speak when necessary, and certainty in his heart that she would at least be pleas ant to look upon, MT. Mac Neil awaited his wife. I needn't say he waited in vain i; and two or three of his servants not be- ing able to find her, MT. Mac Neil, in high displeasure, sent Shiel off with an immediate order for her per emptory ap- pearance before him. Shiel hunted high and low, and came back to his partner with wild look of alarm in his face, and his now scanty locks almost on end.

 "She's clean gone-not sign of herp he said.

 MT. Mac Neil was more mad than grieved, for he knew she'd come in, he said, at the fag-end of the feast, and spoil every thing. "She's run out some where for something," said poor Mac, little thinking of the nature of the er- rand. He made an apt excuse to his | daughter, and the supper went on suc- cessfully. Poor Shiel ate never mouth | full, and his face was as white and blank as if he had seen ghost; but nobody minded Shiel. In truth Macs own op- petite was little frustrated, and as the night wore away he was heartily glad to see the people dropping out to their car riages. When all were gone, little up- stairs maid, who had been always civil to poor Jenny. put little note into Macs hand, saying that her mistress told her not to give it to him till the festivity was over. Mac opened it with trembling hard, and read poor Jenny's scrawl:

 "I'm gone for good and all, dearie. | For a long time I've seen that you and my darling child were beyond me in every thing. I can never get up to you; so please forgive if stop by the way. God bless and prosper you, is the prayer of your faithful JENNY" Mac handed it over to Shiel, and l dropped into chair as if struck by an unseen hand. The air was little heavy | with the breath of his artistic guests who had just departed, and the scent of the exotics sickened his nostrils; the big blaze of light grew dim about him, and all he could see for that weary minute was the sweet face of a young English girl he had known and loved almost be- yond h1s strength long time ago. 1 Shiel had read the note for the sixth time, his face growing more and more distracted avd imbecile, and had begun 2 to read it over again, when Mac cried out. in broken voice, "Could any viii lam be at the bottom of this, Shiel D. could any one have tempered with her loyalty ?''

 "Never p erred Shield, indignantly. "Tn answer for that with my life. ] know how foolishly faithful she was never an eye or an ear for any body else. I know that by experience. Many's the time I've tried to console her myself fo1 your indifference.

 l My what ?" roared poor Mac.

 1 "Your indifference and neglect, sir ? cried Shiel, now aroused to the pitch ot recklessness. "She was pearl of purity and sweet simplicity, but she was cast before swine, sir"

 "Shiel, you are always more or lest | of fool, /" groaned Mac, "and now you are clean daft" But he listened to Shie as he went on to give him piece of his mind, and took heart as he gathered 1T the evidences of Jenny's wounded love "She'n be back before twenty foul hou:s," said Mac, "and we'll all be the happier for this little bout"

 But twenty-four hours went by, anC forty y-eight; whole week passed away and no Jenny came to lift the weigh from Macs heart. Sh1el advised him tt secretly consult the police, at whicl Mac first revolted, then succumbed bu with no success. A fortnight went by and even Shiel forgave every fault O Macs, so deep and sincere were hi sorrow and penitence. The musica abstraction of Miss Jean served in measure to mitigate her grief, and al eminent professor had offered her tn, warmest sympathy and consolation man can offer but poor Mac hated tn, thought or sound of music now, anc woul have no commiseration save tha