Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-11-15

"Since that time" he added, II have
lacked the moral courage to break the
engagement. But if you will be mine,
will explain affairs to Mis-. Ellie, who
will think, release me-"
His pleadings were in vain. Her faith
in him had received a shock, and he de-
parted half hour after his arrival, in an
i'll humor. ......
An hour afterward he was brought to
the house, wounded and inseusible. On
his way to the station, his horse had be-
come frightened. throwing him from
the saddle and dragging him for some
distance. ...
He had been found by farmer and
brought back to Mr.. Ausiin's. Miriam
thought he would die, and reproached
her-elf bitterly for sending him from her
in anger. She installed herself as nurse
He opened his eyes languidly at last. and
fixed his gaze on her be had SO lately
parted with.
"Miriam p he murmured. miriam.
my own life You cannot hate me =
Slowly he seemed to drift between life
and death but the tide of time at last
threw him Oh lies shore, and he was
pronounced cut Of danger.
Miriam was now thrown so constantly
in the society Of the man that knew SO
well how to plead his cause, aud excuse
his faults. that it is not to be wondered at
that he left her at last as her betrothed.
She wrote to Mr. Ballard asking to b.
released. and her request was granted.
A month after this che went to spend
a week with her aunt in Albany. There
she met her cousins friend, Anna Ellis,
to whom her lover had once been en-
gagged.
To her surprise Miss Ellice spoke of
her approaching marriage with Mr.. Cas-
tlen. He had written to Miriam that
she had released him. II he had deeeiv-
ep her in this thing what proof had che
that he loved her
lie was expected that evening On
the morraw she determined to know the
truth.
Fate decreed that she should know it
ere that lime. Miss Ellice aud she were
to room together, and after they had re
tired the cousin came to their room aud
announced the fact that Mr. Castlen had
arrived
Long after midnight she was awaken
ed BY the shrieks of Miss Ellis. Spring
ing up, she saw in moment that the
house was on fire.
Come" she said quickly. to Miss
Ellice we can escape through the hall "
"1he door 10 locked on the inside,
said the ,errur stricken girl. "your cousin
must have done it in jest"
1.-THE windows. then ?" said Miriam.
I'VE are in the second story; they
can avail US nothing"
They then threw open the blinds and
called for help. The crowd beluw utter
ed au exclamation Of horror, as they ap-
peared at the window,
III, is to late to save them" shouted
a voice. "dont you see the roof! 1t is
even now about to fall in."
Mi,s Ellis heard these words. and
stretching her arms out toward tho crowd
cried;
"Oh. save me Save me! For Code
sake do not le, me die "
"Here. give me ladder. shouted q
voice. which Miriam recognized as Mr.
Cas,len's In an iustan, be was maant
lug toward them. but ere he reached the
room. Mis Ellis tell backward in a swoan,
A thought, quick az lightning, came to
Miriam. and she threw herself down be-
side The fa,n,ing girl.
"Good heavens !" shouted the aston
isLed young man as be sprans into the
room. Miriam and Apnaf Aud both
helpless, l cant carry both down, aud
The Que ,ha, 10 th will PERSIA
lie ben, down TO Miriam and pressed
a kiss upon her lips, then taking Anua
Elli. in hs arms be s,epped through the
window and began The descent,
Onty few rods had be stepped down
when Miriam commenced TO follow hin
CastleA did No, perceive her until he
had reached the pavement below, lie
knew then from the look she gave him
,ha, she knew all, lie turned away
wi,hou. u..esing a word,
Miriam Austin understood the man
now thoroughly, She believed that ,he
nan loved her but would give her up,
nay. IL. her perish, before he you'd loose
the gold that a marriage with Miss Elli-.
who va. aeieieas in mental aud personal
ATTRACTIONS, would bring him.
As this ideal sAa. she had laved faded
away. there arose in its place one to
whom in ,ha, moment her hear, wen, out
" hen she reached her friends her
strength was exhausted: She felt her
seli sinking, and closed her eyes wearily
li..le caring whe.her che lived or died.