Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-09
Patience and Pride.

Ii does look strange I'll admit. But, at
the same time, insist that nothing is
wrong Nothing can be wrong where Louis
Merrivale Is concerned" 2"
The gentle, womanly tones were earnest
and enthusiastic, and the round smooth
cheeks grew flushed while she spoke.
"Pshaw, Mile you are too innocent
yourself to beheve that guilt can exist in
another. And then your partlalIty for Mr..
NJ rrivale prevents an unprejudiced opin-
ion."
mo; l am not interested in him to
sufficient extent TO permit me to regard him
as master piece of perfection; but | do
admit that Mr. Merrivale is too thoroughly
q gentleman anG Christian to do anything
absolutely wrong. ], for one, utterly re-
fuse TO believe q word OF this scandal
Millie Thorne had dropped the fine work
in her lap, but now took it up again, as if
to end the subject under discussion. But
the tall, handsome woman at the other win
dow was not thus easily silenced.
''But, Mile, admitting that since you
ceased to be engaged to Lu MerrIvale you
care nothing for him"-and here Isabel
Wild's keen black eyes sparkled ana flashed
as she noted little spasm of agony fit
across the sweet face bent over the work
land according you due credit for your
feelings, why, in the face of such positive
evidence, do you refuse to regard MIN as
others d02"
Isabel, you are cruel, you are harsh to
me. Still, will speak on this subject
further. You ask me to regard HIM as
others do. Who DO you mean by 'othersl' I"
why, everybody, of course. You
know as well as |, MIllie Thorne, that Lu
Merrivale's crime is on every persons hps
in the town. Go ask that six year old boy
out yoHder" she pointed to little
fellow dragging his toy cart after him
land he will tell you that MIR. Merrivale
stole five hundred dollars in the city, and
ran off with it."
A faint rosy tinge suffused Miles cheeks
while Isabel was talking.
81 EN- aware of that" she returned.
"But his friends firmly deny the statement.
/ am one of them. You ought to be-"
why, let me ask, should be?
"You took him away from me, Isabel; :;
you wear his rlng; you have promised to
marry him"
81 took his ring off when l heard the
news, was the heartleSs response; she is
nothing 10 me now, more than to YOU"
Her cold, bitter words seemed to stab
Mile, and she tossed her work on a has
sock beside her, as she sprang to her feet,
and walked over to Isabel.
''What have you done, then? You came
between us, and made no complaint, be-
cause, if Lu Merrivale loved you, / never
was the woman to desire TO be called his
wife. Then, Isabel Wild, after you had
taken my all from me, you wound me
afresh by cruelty deserting him in the hour
of need-the time when you. of all women,
should stand ready to clear his name, and
vindicate his honor! !"
Pale and fearless she stood before Isabel
Wild, in all the commanding glory of her
noble womanbpOd.
Miss Wild's low. metallic laugh came
ringing in her ears.
You are welcome to do /. yourself, Mil
lie. Besides, accepted George Halliday
this morning!"
A cry burst from Mllie Thorne's lips.
"Heartless-cruel! Poor Lu!"
Isabel Wild arose, with freezing court
esy.
''After such unparalleled politeness, l
could not presume TO annoy you longer
with my unwelcome presence. Good morn
ing, Miss Thorne"
Mile bowed, as in waking dream, and
Miss Wild departed.
A fortnight before, the inhabitants of the
quiet town of Croydon, wherein dwelt the
characters mentioned. had been petrifed by
the news of Louis Merrivale's sudden dis
appearance from the city; Mortified and
grief-stricken to learn that the sum of five
hundred dollars had been simultaneously
missed from the safe of Merand & Merand,
the great mercantile firm in the city, for
whom Louis Merrivale was confidential
clerk and head bookkeeper.. He alone,
besides the proprietors, possessed key to
the safe: consequently, he alone could
| have opened it.
Circumstances thickly combined, went
far to prove his guilt, among which the
two most telling were, that, first, he had
been alone in the counting house from nine,
the evening previous to his departure, un-
til after midnight. which had often been
the case before, and had never excited the
least suspicion until it was proven as such.
Further, a note had been found in his city
! lodgings that read as follows:
"Tell Messrs Merand for me that pur.
suit is useless. Tell them | have served
them well for seven years, and they car
afford to lose the paltry sum have taken.
Tell |. W. that when it blows over, she
may expect to hear from me.
"L. M"
Everybody in Croydon had learned the
contents of that note, for 1t had been pub
lished In the papers; everybody, save &
J few firm friends, had made up their mind