Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-07-09


long since he had spent an evening in
her society. Instead Of his tall, grace
ful figure, the portly form Of her STEP
father entered the room.
Miriam sprang forward with n glad
smile.
Il am glad to see you,' she exclaimed
warmly.
But you are going out
only to be rid of my loneliness and
myself. shall be happier here with
you''
Truly, Miriam? Will you treat me
as your father tonight: l have come
here on a painful and delicate crrand,
and want your confidence
She was silent for moment, and
then said, You shall have it,
You love your husband. Miriam"
Tears answered him.
DO YOU love society, and dress, and
excitement better than you do Wilton p
No. no A thousand times, no"
Gould you give up all these for his
sake =
You have some motive for asking
this:'
Il have. indeed. | love your husband
also. Miriam. Ihave learned to respect
him. to trust him, and ! was wrong
when you decided to trust your happl'
ness in bis hands.
But. father. some great change has
come over Wilton. He seems abb
sorbed in money-making.'
'One year ago your husband asked
me to keep a secret from you, believing
he was increasing your happiness by so
doing. | consented, but am cOnvnc-
ed now that the deceit is wrong. He
has assumed burden that is too heavy
for him to bear, and you are net happl-
er than your were year ago
'Ilappier!' cried Miriam. impulsivc-
Is. L am wretched, wretched in losing
my husbands society and confidence
You shall not complain OF that
again. I am breaking nay PROMISE but
YOU will soon understand my meaning.
A year ago the bank in which every
guinea of your private fortune was in
vested failed, and everything was lost.
This house. and the money Wilton paid
10 secure his business position, were
all that was left of your fathers wealth.
Convinced that luxury, society and ex-
travagance were necessary for your
happiness, Wilton enio.ned me to keep
the fact secret from you, and braced
himself for tussle with fortune, re-
solved to regain by his own exertion
what was swept away by the failure,
before YOU could discover the loss. But,
Miriam. he IS everlasting his strength
and YOU are becoming butt for censure
on your extravaganza. Ny secret has
burdcned me too long, and you must
now be the Judge of the right course to
pursue
Miriam was weeping, but the tears
were not all bitter. She gave its full
need of gratitude to the love that would
have shielded her from the knowledge
of poverty and pain and yet she could
scarcely forgive the want of confidence
IN her own ability to bear the sacrifice
that the deceit implies.
1t was long before she spoke but
when she did her eyes were bright and
her voice clea. and firm.
THE house is mine?' she asked.
Certainly. But it needs such an in
come to sustain such an establishment.
Tell me, what style of house does
Wilton's income warrant? l mean the
income he had two years ago.
A smaller house, dear-no carriage,
no housekeeper, two servants, but GER
tainly no footman in livery; no observ'
atory-
Stop, stop | understand you. You
will sec, father, if l am made unhappy
by your kind frankness. Wilton is IN
the library absorbed in business. Will
YOU wait here while speak to him p
Il will come again he said kindly.
Goodnight, Miriam. Heaven grant
that may have judged your heart right
| ly.'
But Miriam did not seek her husband
at once. 1t seemed mockery to go to
him with diamonds flashing from hel
rich dress; so she sought her own room,
and putting aside her evening toilet,
I dressed herself plainly, but very care
fully, and then kneeling down, she
prayed with earnest fervor before she
left the apartment.
wilton y
The harrassed and weary man looked
up.
Wilton, you should have trusted me
Give me your heart, your confidence
my dear husband
He bowed his head upon her out
stretched hands.
Can you bear it, Miriam:'
Il can bear anything ifyoI are beside
mc-if you love and trust me. What
cannot bear is to believe my husband
loves money better than his wife,
No, no.
Il understand that now. But there
must be confidence between us, Wilton
must be your trne wife, bearing youI
sorrows and reverses.'
MY own brave darling
He was standing beside her now, and
e,r the first time in that long, weary