Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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FORCED APART By W. CLARK RUSSELL Author of the "Wreck of the Grostenor,''' "A Sailor's Sweetheart," Etc. CHAPTER XVHL A BITTER RESOLVE. All the evening Jenny had remained in her room, and had but now, at this hour of ten, which was even tolling, said good-night to her mother, parting with her after a long and close embrace, and with a prayer that (Sod would bless her for hor love. Then did she lock her door, and sit and listen; and presently heard both father and mother come to their bedroom, and the murmur of their voices. In those old times there used to bo in fashion a litflo traveling box, light to carry, with a strip across the lid that the arm might sling it, and much used by countrv folk. One of these boxes stood on the floor, and the packing of it, with many a long Salt for a sobbing f t, and active protest and hopeful reassurance, had .been Mrs. Strangfield's oc cupation for a part of the evening. Pres ently rising, Jenny went to. the box and tried its we ight. Light enough it was?with a single change of apparel only; yet she took a turn with It about the room (treading on tiptoe) as h! to make sure that it was not a burden abovo her strength. She was restless and could not remain quiet Now she would draw out her purse and count the money that it held; now she would approach the glass and gaze at the spectral, mournful beauty of her white face; anon, and with no more sound than a mouse creeping, she would pace the room; until the fever in her waned, and the passion ate spurring of thought ceased to lacerate and drive. Whereupon she extinguished tho light and took a place at the window, and surrendered herself to contemplation of the stars. Manifestly she meant to take no resi that night, or was very long in going to it One would have had no need for sharp eyes to look at Jenny's face and know her as a girl on tho eve of some wild business. To morrow morning was she to be carriod a long and sorrowful journey by her father, and when in London, from church to church they were to wander; and all the while her heart was to bum in tho Are of his wrath, and her sacred purity to bo blackened by his thoughts of it. Her ignorance of matters which, had she but foreseen all this, would have been easy to learn and remember, was so deep that even her mother had groaned over her that evening. The very neighborhood wherein Cuthbert had hired lodgings during his holiday in London she did not knew; sho had never had occasion to write to him. He had come to Sydenham and met her by an appointment planned before they left Grey stone, and all their arrangements were ver bally concerted with never a hitch of weather to disappoint them, and that was why no let ters had passed. So, then, the London parish in whose church they ?were united was unknown to her. No light could she give, beyond taking God's holy name in witness that sho spoke the truth, which only her mother believed. . But the uselessncss of the journey, and the fear of her father's anger if failure Fhould attend their ssareh, were not tho first causes of her present resolution. That night, sho resolved, would be tho last she should ever pass in the old wooden house. Call her mad if you please?and fow such desperate resolves but have madness at bottom; but there was courage, too, a virtu ous audacity, and of a most womanly sort acting without reflection; that is; influenced by "the present that was driviug her, and taking no thought of tho future upon which sho was rushing. The church clock was striking the half hour after eleven, when with a shiver she rose from her chair at the open window, and, stealing to the bodroora door, opened it noise lessly, and listened. Tho deep breathing in the adjacent apartment where her parents lay, tho fall of an omber in the kitchen grato, tho loud ticking of a clock, were the only sounds audible. Leaving the door ajar, she put on her hat, to which a veil was attached, threw a shawl over her shoulders, and raised the little trunk. There was clear moonlight abroad now, and light enough reflected to give dis tinctness to all objects in tho room. On tip toe she descended tho staircase, and, the bet ter to make her exit soundless, went through tho kitchen. In a few moments sho had lightly drawn tho bolts of tho buck door, and stood in the moonlight. The night was soft and sweet with dew, and tho mild stars shone lustrously. Now, was it that the cool air and tho deserted length of the Hie;h street, and tho black shadows of the soaring town, brought to her an unutterable sonso of homclessness, and the chill and terror of tho lonesome state. Sho came round to tho front of the house, and under the gloom of the bay tree paused and reflected, not daring to lift her oyo to her parents' bedroom window. She crept softly out of tho darkness and crossed tho road and went up tho street, hug ging the shadow of tho houses. When abreast of thn market place, again was sho seized with a numbing sense of helplessness and a great agony of spirit The sympathy of a human voice?somo one to tell her story to and take advice from, sho wanted, and per haps the very last person whom it would have entered hor head to apply to under any other circumstances sho now resolved to seek. This was Mrs. Mead, who had shown her some kindness that morning, and the sort of sympathy that was not likely to thwart if it did not profit her. So she flitted like some restless spirit through empty stalls and vacant, silent gloom, and, hesitating a moment before Mrs. Mead's door, knocked lightly. Although there was no light in Mrs. Mead's window, tho old woman was not asleep, hav ing not two minutes before Jenny's arrival '?xtinguished her tahow cundto and got into bed. Hearing u sound that resembled a knock at the door, the old woman lifted her ear out of tho pillow and listened, Aftor a little interval the knock was repented, and thor bei ig no mistake about the noise this time, Mi s. Mead, greatly wondering, darted her withered legs out of bed, struck a light, swathed her old form in the counterpan ?, which she plucked from the bed, went to the door and opened it holding the candlo over her head. She instantly recognized Jenny, and ut tered n cry of astonishment "Michael Strangfield's girl! At this time o' night! Sec-kin1 of mo, too! Lord, Lord! what is tho matter!" "iictttw come m ar.a speatt to yoti, Mrs. Mead," said tho girl in a low whisper. "I -in leaving father and mother for good, but have no strength to walk all the way to Winston without a living voice to give me a word of romfort and advise me." "To Winston! This time o' night! But come In, come in I" cried tho old woman, lowering her voice with involuntary relish or' this new mystery that bad cjme to bnrvory door, und looking backward at tho staircase to make sure the tailor was :iot listening'. "Leaving father and mother for good!'1 said sb-. leading Jenny to a chair, and push ing the candle close to her that ?hu might see her face. "Whatever arc you doing that for.'" ^Because father susjpects_ me of speaking *'Lord. Lord! What is the matterf3 lalsely," answered Jenny; "and I cannot bide with him to be thought sinful, and spurned at by the people." "And for that your are leaving homeF ex claimed tho old woman, who showed no symptom of sleepiness. "And you are going to Winston? What to do there, Miss Jenny?" "My cousin, Bridget Lloyd, lives at Mar pies, and the coach passes Winston at eight in ?be morning. To Morples I am going, to ask Bridget to give me shelter until I can find my living." "Well, indeed! And do ye moan to walk five mile to-night? Why, ye says t' coach doth not pass before eight, and where will ye stay till it comes?" "I have not thought," answered Jenny with a heavy sigh, "But I will not stop in Grey stone to be mocked. Oh, Mrs. Mead! to-mor row morning father would tako me to Lon don to show him the church where I was married, and this I Cannot do. What then will ho think? But it is not only because I cannot prove myself my dearest one's wife that I am leaving homo. Because father thinks mo a wicked sinner and a liar I am running away, and because all tho town who have not a father's heart for mo will think worse thiugs of Jenny. Oh, may God lend me wisdom to know the right thing to do, and forgive mo the sorrow I this night cause my mother!" She bit her lip cruelly to restrain her tears, for she feared that the sight of them would move Mrs. Mead to hinder her desperato reso lution. "Before you move a step or say another word, ye shall have something to mend your spirits with," said tho old woman, briskly, and entered Her bedroom, whence inafow moments she returned, with a gown and shawl on, and, going to a cupboard, produced a little flask of cherry cordial, of which she obliged Jenny to swallow a glassful. "It is a strange thing for you to do," said she, resiiming her chair and twisting her scant gray tresses into a knot at the back of her head. "Doth your cousin, Mrs. Lloyd, know you are coming to her?" "No," Jenny answered. l,I did not make up my mind to leave home till father told mo to get ready to quit for London with htm in the morning. I should fear to bo with him if wo could not find the church. K he does not think me truthful then I am a sinner to him, and not fit for his house; and that is why lam leaving him forever!" Her eyes flashed as she spoke, and tho hard look of her*mouth might have reminded Mrs. Mead of the deacon at his sternest But the anger melted away, and she cried piteously, "You will toll my poor mother that you have soon mo, and why 1 have left her? Father's harshness to mo Ls brenking her heart, and what will she do when she finds her nrotty ono gone?" and she pau^oi again to battlo with her tears. "Miss Jenny, if ye aro wiso, yo'll go homo," said Mrs. Mend, nodding her head. "Why. what'll folks say when it's known you've roon away? Sure enough they'll call ye a guilty ?vronch, and you would not llko that" "They will call mo that if I stay?why should they not, if father thinks it.'?and never could I go into tho street, nor meet human oyes, with this shame upon mo!" sho cried, despairingly. "It's hard to know! it's hard to know!" groaned tho old woman. "Would yo wish your mother to hear where you are'" "No!" bho answered quickly. "So that I am living and with friends, as you must tell her, Mrs. Mead, sho will not despair. But no one must l>o told where I am?not one, Mrs. Mead. Promise me that! Swoar it!" "I'll swear it if you please, Mrs. Jenny," replied Mrs. Mead, sj'mpathotically giving the girl her wifely prefix. "But before yo make mo tako :ui oath just, think awhile. If I swear, they may drown mo and r.ot get tho truth. Supposo Mr. Cuthbert-" "Ah!" exclaimed tho girl, witli a short, passionate cry, "if he should come?why, why, Mrs. Mead, you would tell him in stantly; ho would be eager and mad to find me, and I to be with him. .0, heavenly Lord! if thou wouldst but give, him to mo now!"' she cried, ratsing her clasped hands, while her voice died away into a soft, ex quisitely musical plaintive note. "I don't liko this business?truly I would rather have no hand in it," said Mrs. Mead, slowly turning her faco from sido to side. "Thy father would come and burn my house down if ho knew I had helped you to leave the town." "You need not help me, I will go away now, Mrs. Mead, and leave j-ou to your rest." "That you shall not,"' cried the old woman, .lumping up and laying her skinny hand on Jenny, who hail risen. "Sit down, sit down, my pretty. Why, how long will it tako ye to walk tr. "Winston! Two hours, will it? And so you ^iall come to the village at three i' the morn, and have live houre to count thodnisio< in afore th' conch comes! Sit down! sit-down! Ye'U not leave this house yet a bit, Pso warrant,'' "But I will be on my way before the light comes and tho people are up,'' answered Jenny, Mill standing. ??So ye shall, but not afore the ?^ht comes. Sit, mistress. Lord save your heart, 'tis : easier nor standing, and I for one nivcr can I think on my feet Nowhecrs like bed for i thlnkin', say I, and then you're (Int. Yo'll be j changing your mind, I doubt, if yo'll sit and j ponder." "Do not soy that, Mrs. Mead. I have al I ready left home, and it Is as bad as if I were I a thousand miles oil'. 1 will not go back, in deed. Bid me giXid-night, and be sure my I heart is warm to tier for thy kindness." j "Ah!" cried Mr* Mad, forcing her, but ; not untenderly. into hen chair, "ye come from Jan obstinate father, and argiments, as I've always said, is wasted on sitch. If yo moan j to go, I'll not stop yon and who should know ] best but you? Put tho job needn't bo. worse j nor it is. I'm on-," said sly, going to her cup l hoard, "a< Ions craturn comforts. Crature j comforts,"' sho continued, producing a couple of cup- and snuceiv, a loafof bread, somo ?J eggs, and a .-(range looking vessel of tin in : which was vom.' tea, made precious by the ! price of it in those d-^ys, "Is n true woieo of : consolation to Hie afflicted, to my way o1 ! thinking. Niver did I pttend a bury-in' or go j u nursiu', or help to lay a body out, but first , I laid in a in";d o' food. Nivcr doth tho mind : do duty on an empty stomach. If it's but a j crust o' hard broad and a spoonful o' gin, let i me have it, I says, before I go to work. I There's no sperrltln fasting." And so she rattled on, in a subdued voico for fear of disturbing the tailor and his wife overhead, all the while kindling a fire, and preparing tho table, and ceasing her gabble only to go and draw a kettle of water from eomo back place. Thero was a dispatch in the old woman's method of going to work, and a quiet, too, wero it not for the subdued, eternal cacklo of her tongue, that would have made a sick man love her. She produced another candle and brightened up the room, and presently the kettle was blowing out its filament of steam. "Now, mistress," said sho, "here be a dish of tea which all Chaney, where tho horb grows, as I've heard, couldn't match. Just a shred of bread, with this fine now butter, '11 give that egg a relish as ye'll nivcr cease to remember. Come, come! sin' wo mun both keep awake, there's naught liko tea?or tay, as my mother used to coil it; and that's the rigLt word, though in those queer times a body hath no liberty. Well, will yo not laugh over this feast 3ome day? I reckon Mr. Shr.w '11 make ye see a joko in it, for I niver knew a blue eye liko his that didn't moon a merry heart; and this will I say of your husband, mistress, that since the days when poor Will Hacket coorted me i' silk stockings, I've nlver seen a prettier lad than Mr. Cuthburt Shaw. Crack the egg, my dear, an' if ye shall tell the inside of it from cream, Til swallow tho shell It's middbng late for supper, but as thy father once said to me fifteen years ago, when I loved a bit o' riband as has no relish now, we're all arti ficial creatures?which is tho Lord's truth. Why shouldn't a body eat il the middle o' the night as well as the morn? Come, come, make a beginning, or I'll not go along wi' yo." "But I do not want you to como along with me, Mrs. Mead Indeed, I should not allow you to leave your house after keeping you from your bed?no, truly, though I love you dearly for your kindness," exclaimed Jenny. "Do you think I should let a pretty young woman walk alone to Winston at this timo o' morn, with her box and her sweet face to court ivery smock she may come across?" cried Mrs. Mead, poising a saucer on a level with her nose, aud straining her eyes at Jenny over it, "What is a summer's morn ing walk to me? If I can't hinder thee from leaving home, I'll see thee safe in t' coach any ways, and that'll be somothing for mo to tell thy mother." The nood of companionship was strong in Jenny. All tho way to Winston, with a long waiting for the coach, was a woary under taking, and what society should she have but bitter thoughts? Besides, a littlo touch of comfort there was in the feeling that her mother would know that no harm had be fallen her, if Mrs. Mead gavo tho story so j far as her promise of secrecy permitted. But thero was that in tho old woman's faco which helped Jenny to prompter acceptance of tho offer than otherwise her sweetness would have sanctioned. Mrs. Mead was clearly determined, and ready to quarrel, that her will should havo its way. So tho lonoLy hearted girl, with the saddest smilo on her white face, went up to tho damo and thanked her with a kiss upon tho ripples of her forehead; and had sho been a man, a favor more delightful tho old woman could not have made it seem. But oh, what a con trast when the faces were together! Now >low]y, as they sat in these small hours?outside, the solemn stillness of tho night, and within, no sound but the hum ming of tho kettle to throod tho melodious complaining notes of the giri and the creak ing tones of her sympathetic listener?the faint and mystical light of the now day, creeping from the infinite abysm into the towering chambers of tho western heavens, stood palely on tho window' gloss, and little twitter of birds broke abruptly from invisi ble places. Until tho li^ht had broadened, Mrs. Moad refused to heed it; and Jenny, with her back to the 'window, and tolling tho long story of her love and marrlago and sorrow to her companion, did not seo it. Then tho girl, pausing with feverish eyes, after words of bitter wonder that Cuthbsrt should have loft her, and a wild cry that he might not bo d<!tu), Mrs. Meail held up her finger. "Mistress," mid she, "brforo it Is too Into, think well of M-hat you are about to do. Hush I If ye were my own child I should not say more to thee." "I lsavo thought! I have thought!''moaned Jenny, rocking herself to and fro. "My cousin Bridget will give mo a home; and sho and her husband only shall know my story. But what will tho talk be here, whether I stay or go? Never could I stir abroad, ?nd at homo my father could not bear to loox at me. Should God send my husband hack, then father will hang his head to think of tho wrong ho has done his girl. And thou shalt toll mother where I am. But, until Cutubort comes, I will keep hidden. I havo sworn it to myself; and if I should bo forced to stay hero I would kill myself?indeed I would!" "Well, truly!" muttered the old woman. "To see your beauty, like a kitten's, and such soft smiles as ye greet with, who'd think yo had so much spirit! I don't say ye aren't right. You're taching some folks a lesson as'll profit 'em; and when you're righted, tho people here'll make a queen of ye?see, now! Doth not the Lord say, 'It to not meet to tako tho children's bread, and to cast It to dogs?' Yet his own child's bread hath your father takon, and niver are dogs wanting when thero is a crust to gnaw. Turn your head now, my protty. Do ye seo it's day ?" With a sharp glance at the window, Jenny jumped from her chair. "I must go quickly," sho cried. "Thero will bo people abroad, and if I am seen they will run to father." "There'll bo no one abroad for another hour yet?not even the market folk," replied Mrs. Mead. "But I'll not keep yo seared." Sho fetched her shawl and bonnet from tho bedroom, and while she put them on sho said-. "There's Snllie Walker, as knpos tho Grey bound at Winston. I nursed her mother, and was at her funeral; and niver doth Sal come to Crreystone without ilroppiu' in to so,' if Mother Mead l>e still alive. Well have her up, mistress, though she be snoring, and -h shall givo theo a couch for two hours' rest Fox d'ye think you're made (f wire und parchment like mo, that you can *ot through a whole night without a nap.' At feven there'll besummat to break thy fast wi', IV' warrant?if I i;i:i ?.ik- d Sally'.- pigs myself for the dnintiuess o'chitterlings. Thea into the coach yo'll get. and may the Lord send yc happiness!" So saying, she laid hold of Jenny's l?OX, and with lnulllod tread and without speech they both of then: wont into tho grav morn ing light. CHATTER XIX THE B.M1TY UEllROOM, A little before six in the morning u ray of bright warm sunshine, like a golden wnnJ projected from the window, having crept gradually along the wall, smote Mr. Stiang field between tho eyes as !.. lay osln r.!;-. Ids bed, and awoke him. Looking upon bis watch, which hung at the side of the b'.<d, be ro?\ without disturb ing his wife from th>.- deep sleep Into which she had faiJ<u Honree an boar U-tor -, aftor loiig and weary wakcfulness. He had almost finished dressing himself when his wife awoke, and. after ths !:r.->t be wilderment, ask^l hfm th? tuns. "There Ls an hour lK>fore tho coach stark?," he said. "Seo about getting the breakfast ready. I ishall bo in tho yard until tho half nour, ana get 70a to Jenny, tact she may not keep mo waiting." Saying which he left the room, wearing his yesterday's bitter face, which had come to him with tho first words of his wife No sooner was he gone than Mrs. Strang field quitted her bed and went to tho door to call Jenny. Tho room used by the girl was to the right of tho room occupied by the hus band and wife; the door of it stood open, and that was something to wonder at if Jenny were not downstairs. Into the room walked the mother, and all she saw was a bed that had nover been slept in. Now for some moments this was a sight with a significance not to be realized. Sho went to the bodsido and stared at it, and then round hor, with a slow slipping of her head on her neck, like a ball on a pivot. Presently on tho bod again sho fixed her eyes with all tho blankness of tho frost-white counterpane reflected in them. "What trick is sho playing me;''sho criod to herself, but in a clear, strong volco. "Jennv!" And all about the room sho wont, probing and peering like a faithful dog sniffing for its hidden young. Until it camo into her head that her child had run away; on which she fledtfrom the room with a'shriek. That shriek brought forth the trollop Polly, who beheld her mistress clinging to the top rail of the'banister, motioning with her hand. "Lor, missus, what is it? For mussy's sake, mum, don't look so scarifying, mum I Oh, missus, what ha' yees seen 7" "Tell your master to como to me," ex claimed Mrs. Strangfitld, in a choking voice, and she went reeling into hor bedroom and sank upon a chair. But up again she must jump in a moment and run into Jonny's room, and in the center of it she stood looking around her with rolling eyos. She wa? too frightened for deliberate search?even a direct clow she would not havo heeded. With both hands pressed upon her heart she stood. Was it that tho sorrowful girl, mourning her cruel beroaveraont, and tho dishonor done her by her father, and dreading the journey, and tho object of tho journey that morning, had not chosen to rest; that all night long she had kept her vigil, and now was gone forth to cool her burning eye3 against the soft wind blowing from the sea? Was it so? Ah, pray God! And the mother, with mov ing lips, drew to tho window and Font her startled gaze over the summer scene of swell ing cliff and folds of houses standing with shine of gold under the meek sweetness of the morning blue, Mr. Strangflold came upstairs, and from the landing called to her. Sho ran to him, crying, "Michael, see here! Our child hath not slept in her bed! Where is she, do you think? Oh, if you lovo your wifo, run to your men nnd bid them s:-ek her. For God's sake do this, Michael?now!'' He went past her without answer and en tered Jenny's room. If amazement or pain were in him, it was voiled by a heavy frown. "Silonco!" ho cried, as his wifo began to spealc "Before wo judgo her, lot us know what she has done. It is no sign that she has run away from us bocnuso she has not slept in her bed. Has sho not acted more crazily than to stay awake in hor clothos all nightl Look about you and teP mo what things you find missing," "Nothing, Michael. Oh, my heart, yes I Where bo tho little trunk I packed for her lost night"" With wonderful quickness, sho flung open the door of a closet, and then soarched be neath tho bed. Next she uttered a sharp cry, and leaned against her husband. Ho led her not untenderly to her room, but his own steps were weak and shaky, and his face as white as a dying man's, which mado. his frown a black shadow upon his forehead. "Wo must have patience yet," he exclaimed, jjfrawing forth his watch, and spoaking with K eyes Bent down upon it. "She knows at what hour tho coach starts, and if sho bo not guilty she will bo here. Get thyself dressed, and lot the breakfast bo ready by *tho half hour. Sho may return, and then what will it be that her box is gono? Bear up, for in half an hour great changes como. I will wait for thee and her in tho parlor." Ho went slowly and painfully downstairs, and stood at tho window whispering to him self, which Wils n strange trick for an obsti nate, hard-headed man to fall into on a sudden. In a short while Mrs. Strangfiold camo from her room and stood at the doorway watching him in silence. Sho sighed heavily; but, as though ho heard neither her step nor her sigh, he did not turn his bend; and with a fear of his stern, unbending silence on her, sho went away to the kitehon to help Polly to get breakfast ready. "Polly," she whispered, "didst thee see Miss Jenny leave the house this morning?" "I? No, indeed, missus! Be sho gone, then i" said the girl, with her hair all feathery for lack of brushing, and the end of her noso black from frequent strokes of her bare arm. "Hush, silly wench! Why do you shout? She hath not slept hi her bed, Polly. Oh, God! if she be run away from me!" "Roon awoy! Why, missus! whativer would she be doin'that for?" said the slut, craning her neck out of tho eollarlcss rim of her frock. "Stir the fire, that the eggs may boiL Never do you talk but that you stop j-our work. Cannot you use your hands and tonguo together? Hold your prate! Assure as thy nose is as black as thy master's boot, TU bo packing theo to thy mother for a slovenly fool!" cried Mrs. StrangfleM, iu that phase of grief which admits of easy su pervention of irritation. The time was passing quickly. It was five minutes after tho half-hour when breakfast was put upon tho table, and Mr. Strangticld drew a chair for himself, and began to eat with tho gesture of a man who forces him self to do something he abhors. Not a mouthful could tho mother swallow; her gaze was forever upon the open window, and her ears pricking for every little sound. But expectation was wrought by fear into insupportablo pain nt last, ami, unable to endure the hard silence, she cried out: "Michael, she doth not como!" lb; looked at her vacantly, aroused by her speech out of deep thought, and pulled out his watch. He rose from his chair instantly, his whole manner changed, and In-exclaimed: "it ;B too latu lor the coach. Now what do you say tu your girl's honesty:" "Oh, Michael:" sin; cried, -win re do you think our child is* Why should she not bo hen- ' Did you say anything to her yesterday to scare her: bast night sue kissed me sweetly, and I hanked mu for my love, and ski would not break my buarl by leaving me! Oh, Michael, wbsii didst dice say to her." "I said no more than bid her be ready for the coach at S o'clock this morning," ho stud, speaking with difliculty through the tension of his lips. "What is there to fright you in tlii: ' Could you not have guessed that if she bud sinned she would not go with me to London: Would she rush upon lier own conviction, sillv woman:" He added in a I faint voice: ? What heiivlor blow than t'.:U I couM come upon a man: 1 would sooner sec I her dead. And after till these j ears?in this j little town where we are honored?how will sonu people scoff to hour that pious Michael j Strangtield's girl-" 1 -1"! not hear thee say it!"*shrieked tho : mother, raising her hands to Lor ears. "Mi I eliael, will you not. go und seek her.' Shall I we stand here wickedly raging at the poor J heart that hath been driven from our lovo by I our soiTow and 3*our auger, when every moment is takinc her further from us? Oh, husband, think 6? our pretty one?eo tender, so gentle, Michael?sitting wearied by the wayside, weeping and calling upon death, and thinking there be naught to love her but the gracious Lord who is in the sky! Dost thee not seo her? If she had gone twenty miles I would walk to her! I would?I would!" In a paroxysm of grief and love she ran toward tho door. But her husband came after her hastily, and his hand fell upon her shoulder. "Where would you go.'" he said. "To find my child. Michael, let me be. I will not be hindered!" He drew her back from the door and closed it violently. "Listen to reason, woman I" he exclaimed, controlling his voice with nn effort that dis colored and convulsed his features. "You run mad easily, and madness is on you now, and in this temper you aro not to bo trusted abroad. What will your sorrow do but pub lish our shame? At thy time of life to chase a phantom. Such is your child now; for where is sho gone, and what road will you take? Oh, fool! to let lovo blind thee to the curse that God has set upon our foreheads! You have suckled vice, and I have loved it and caressed it, and now it has brought shamo upon us and loft us! Tho will of tho Lord of Hosts be donel But this is my death, Jane? Wife, this thing has put ice in my heart? I am cold hero." He stopped short, with his hand upon his breast, shaking his head slowly, with his frown gone. "Sit thee down, Michael. My poor man! This is cruel hard upon us both I What have wo done that God should take our only one from us? Sit thee down. Why do you pluck at your shirt??your hand is. all of a shiver." Sho pushed a chair under him and llo sank into it, and faintly beat with his lingers upon his thigh, looking downward with a eideway droop of the hoad Ho rallied presently, and gazed at her wistfully with a softened eye, as she stood before him with averted face silently crying. "Am* not I wiso, Jane, to rostrain thee from running into tho town to seek the girl? "That which is crooked,' saith the preacher, 'cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.' If sho como not back of her own accord, is it meet that her mother should bring her.' Not with my leave shall you do it. And if she come, I go! for this house will not hold us two. Hush! I'll not hear you. Your love is a mother's, and I say, God help thee! but if she wero twenty times my child, tho hem of her gar ment should not touch the sole of my boot, so hateful hath her sin made her in my sight" He spoke with subdued energy?as a man in an illness might, indeed; and though bitter and shocking as his words wero for his wife to hoar, yet his broken aspect.-his ashen face, Iiis drooping head, tho senilo twitching of his lingers, the dulled gleam in his eye, wero sights of patb.03 to modify pure maternal anguish with wifely yearn ing and a dim dread not yet definable. "You will not think her honest!" she moaned. "You will not bolievo that fear has driven her forth. If sho is Ignorant ot tho church wherein sho was married, and hath no memory to help theo to find it, would she not think with terror on the journey and fly rather than take it with you who are so stern to her? Oh, Michael, it drives me mad to stand hero aud think of her as a lonely, helpless wanderer." "Why do you say that*? Has ?bo man no friond-, or means, to givo hor shelter? How know you that her flight is not a schema to join her lover who is in hiding? Does she lack cunning; Do not seek her! I would lock theo in thy bedroom rather than that this last disgraco should como upon us!" She answered him not a word, but leaned her forehead against tho edgo of the high mantelpiece, and thus stood in silent anguish. (to be continued.) For Sale A VALUABLE PLANTATION -l v eight miles cast of town on the Five Chop road. Contains ."HO acres of land, 130 <>f which is under cultivation, and remain der well wooded with pine, oak, hickory, &c. Besides dwelling and other necessary buildings, all of which are in excellent con dition, there is a well appointed] steam gin, saw and grist mill, with power cotton press, seed crusher, cotton elevator, wagon scales and cutoff saw. On the place is an excel lent carp pond, .stocked with scale carp (the only pond in this county, to my knowledge, that has raised car]).) This place is excel lently located in the center of u thickly settled neighborhood, tlicrc-by possessing excellent advantages us. a location for phy sician. This place with slock and all other appurtenances, together with crop made upon it this year, except cotton crop, will be sold on terms to suit purchaser. Apply to W. s. Barton, M. I). "StarwnU" Farm, Orangeburg, S. (.'. June 3-Inui c. mayhew. r. m. mayhkw. C. Mayhew&Son, COLUMBIA, S. ('.. MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS, COLUMBIA MARBEL WORKS. Manufacturers ?>l and Healers in AM Kinds ut AMERICAN AND ITALIAN M A I'lil.K WOI.'K W:iiite!>, M<..';?:men! uiv! Tablets i'urni.shctl ituy design :ii Lowest I Vice.-, oli.-hed 11 runWork, either Nu 4iv? Port ig?, I" order. hiiMing S-,.?;;. ofa-i! rwiud furnished. I orresposnlonee solicited with l\mm: u want u! any work in the above line. U. ?:o:.! 1 1; ?ast7.I.KU ?>SS iV |).\ >.' I'ZLLH. A noUNF.YS AT LAW, "I ?!*..?.:.!.J.MT.o. S. ? '. K-'or tt;il<*. |XK lil'U.IHXG LOT <? X / Vmi'lii! Street, Orangeburg, S. <'. pplv to MKS. T. W. ALLEllGOT'l 1. lily 15-21 Russell Street. SPHING--1886--SPRING ' Theodore jrony 1HEODORE JLVOHX IS NOW OFFERING UNUSUAL AT TR ACTIONS AND GENUINE ' BARGAINS FOR SPRING AND SUMMER WEAR, DRESS AND WHITE GOODS. We display a grand collection of New and Seasonable Styles at prices lower than ever. EMBROIDERIES AND;LACES in very large variety, and unequalled bar gains arc guaranteed. PARASOLS in all the newest design.- at price.- that defy them all. ?JERSEYS! JERSEYS fI In all the latest Styles, at lowest price.-. MATTINGS! MATTINGS ! MATTINGS ! IIn White, Red, Cheek and Fancies at very rcsonablc prices. WINDOW CURTAINS, LACK CUR * TAINS, RUGS, &C, in large asssortinents Call and see our large NEW STOCK. The prices ate light und we solicit your patronage. THEODORE ROM. INSURE YOUR PROPERTY WITH KIRK ROBINSON, AGENT. COMPANIES ALL FIST-CLASS AND RELIABLE. LOSSES PROMPTLY ADJUSTED AND RAID. COLLECTIONS PROM RTL V ATTEND ED TO. I am still selling Brick, Lime, Laths, Hair and other Building Material. ALSO 1 am now prepared to furnish Coal and Wood in any quantity. All orders left with me shall have prompt attention. No drayage charged. Give mc a trial. July 23- ' KIRK ROBINSON MACHINE SHOP. I7?01i THE COXYKXIAXLE OF 1. Karmeis and Mill Men, we have open ed a REPAIR AND SlTPLY. SHOP on Mr. II. Riggs' corner, and will lie prepared to do all necessary ENGINE AND GIN REPAIRING witli promptness, guarantee ing satisfaction in every instance. Ill connection with' our Shop we are Agents for the sale of The Talbott Engine, Saw and Crist Mills. Also the best Cotton Gins, Condencers and Self Reeders. The Handcock Inspirator, K?rting Universal Injector, the best Boiler feed in the market, Vnnduzcn Jet Pump, for lifting water out of wells of any depth. We will keep on hand a lull line Ol BLASS FITTINGS, STEAM AND WA TER CHARES, STEAM AND GAS PIPING, ELBOWS. NIPPLES, &c. PACKING. LI BUR A'lTN'G AND CY LINDER OILS, and i:: fad everything In lit up vmir Machinery. Oalrrs f??r I'ul l?ws and Shafting filled at lowest price \\V would respectfullysulicil the palrnnagc of Ii,.- people ol ' hangebiiry and mrrimud im; '-omitI V. POOSEP, Mc"W)' .lul> I.-. fi.:ni(] lor Sale*. 'r? i: wiii ?r.E < >U A !'.\i;'i' i iE I !..., Kami, two mill - Ik low the town ol Orangoburg, on the Smith Carolina Hail way and the public roads leading t" Char leston, containing about sun acres, a pan cleared, balance linely timbered. Some splendid swamp land. acres heavily pibi limbered, adjoining and lying East and Wi'st of roads b? Charleston. T" Ih subdivided in lotsol '?" In mi acres and -old, unless >oId in en I ire. The-c lots will tic lille lot- fill' IVSilletil er-, la;. ?s-.-.I A. i>. FREDERICK. AIUAI. LATIIUOl'. !'? M. WA.NNA.MAKllK. (liangeburg, s. C. St. Matthews, S. C ? ATHROP & WANNAMAKEI{. I j ATTORNEYS AT LAW, OlIANOUItCltlS, S. C. (>tliee Up Stair- Over the Postollicc.