The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-03-13

which encircles the memory of the dead.
Arthur Grey was ill at ease; he walked
along, not saying much, breaking off the
grass with his cane, or catching at the Grim
son leaves that came now and then fiuttering
down over their heads from the foliage
above.
MY work over there will soon be ended"
he said, pointing over to the little church
across the fields.
Yes, L know" said Mirah, with a very
sober face.
1--WE have been very good friends, Miss
Hueston, and will be apt to miss each other
little, shall we not?''
The pastor saw that her small hands
clasped each other tightly, and there was a
dash of bitterness in the voice that answered.:
"A little, yes
I'VE shall hear from each other at inter
walls" he continued. Il shall hear in time
that you have given your hand to some man
whom hope .will'value it."
He stole another look at her and saw that
her face was palIid. Still the carrier of good
tidiDgs went on, saying:
And when news come to you of me, Miss
HuestOn, hope you will hear of my making
progress in piety and fame; and in good time
you may hear of my making choice of some
woman who will help me onward"
Mirah Hueston sprang forward in the path
and confronted him.
u
woman with her soul in her eyes, standing
there silent, motionless He never forgot
that face while he lived; and then without
a word or cry she fell a senseless heap of
soft, white drapery, and softer, whittier
womanhood," on the ground at his feet.
He lifted her in his arms and kissed the
psllid lips passionately.
God forgive me!'' murmured the man.
''Mirahl Little Mirah, did not know you
lnvad mo en- uall Or I would mot have done
this For Gods sake, darling, speak to mel
No answer; she lay as If life had indeed
been taken from her.
"Mirshl Mirahl Oh my love- my love! |
believe 1 have killed you"
He carried her back to the farm house,
where TIE farmers wife administered re-
storatives. She Enclosed her eyes at last,
and a faint moan came from the white lips.
''Mirah," whispered Arthur Grey, bending
over her remorsefully. "forglve me-"
But she only turned from him with a cry
of pain, which caused good Mrs. Thornton to
advise him to leave the patient, as he only
worried her
So the pastor went to his room; nor could
he for several days get an interview with the
woman he loved so completely did she avoid
him. How he missed Mirah's sweet, express
i've face from his audience the next Sabbath
morning. The afternoon of that day was a
y.
around her and stole out of the house when
she knew the minister was in his room, and
took the path across the fields to the church.
Her head throbbed, she was weak and spirit
less, and felt just like visiting the place
where she had spent so many peaceful hours.
She was usually timid, but her trouble had
caused her to forget fear.
She walked around and between the graves
back of the little church, reading aloud
oft orh in
cal sort of way, as though she had set her
self task and was hurrying to perform it.
She went up into the church after awhile,
closed the door after her, and experienced a
sense OF relief in the utter lonliness of the
place.
The rain dashed against the window pane,
and went drip, drip. drip, off the caves OF
the house.
Typical of my future life; the day." she
said, "all dark and stormy"
Then she wandered up into the high, old
fashioned pulpit, and kissed the books that
he had used, as though they were more
sacred than others. From there she went to
the gallery, where the little organ stood,
which had been silent that day because
Mirah had not been there.
She sat down with the same air that had
characterized all her movements.
Then a siivery prelude ran up the keys
and a wonderful voice stole out into the
darkness. 1t was like description / have
heard of song, all wreck and tempest, with
notes in it like falling spray. the wailing OF
the winds, the dripping of rain and the
swelling and dying of the gale.
Arthur Grey entered now, unobserved by
the singer, having come an hour earlier than
usual to fill his appointment He recog
nized his voice before he opened the door.
He went up the stairway and stood behind
her.
She ceased singing after a little, and her
fingers wandering absently over the keys
gathered unconsciously some plaintive mel
ody, when vivid flash of lightning, followed
by heavy peal of thunder, startled her. She
arose quickly, and noticed now, with a
quickly beating heart, how dark it had
grown. And now for the first time she saw
the form of Arthur Grey dimly defined in
the gloom.
With cry of fear she sprang away.
Don't be frightened, Miss Hueston, said
the pastor
She knew the voice, and went hurrying on
as before; another flash of lightning, which
seemed to play hide and seek throughout
the house, stopped her flight The roar of
on the roof made her very willing to wait
Arthur Grey's coming
II am always afraid in Storm" she muir
INJURED shiyering.
sit will not last long and we are safe here,
think" said the minister looking PItyingly
down at Mirah.
But the storm increased in fury, and
Mirah, forgetting the part she meant to act
with this man, chung to him for protection.
He put his arm about her and drew her
closly to him.
my darling" he cried remorsefully, 81
can not bear TO see you look as you do to-
day. Forgive me, Mirah, for do love you
with my whole soul as l shall never love
another woman"
''You are sure, quite sure?'-looking up
and showing to him face radiant with hap
piness.
more than sure, little Mirah."
'rhen take me-" Nesting suddenly to
him. "for you know that love you"
After little pause. and after her lover
had kissed her beautiful lips over and over
orosn oha ooid hooi md with a nrof.