The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-28
LEHIGHToN, CARBON COUNTY, PA, SATURDAY MAY 28 1881

over and they sat shvering by the fire the
door opened, and in glided slight, small
figure like a shadow.
"Irs Miram,' said Mr.. Castletonj "my
youngest girl. Come ir, pet, and speak to
Captain Mayell."
Miriam stopped abruptly in the door
way, and turned first red, then pale, before
she advanced and held out an unwilling g
hand.
Mayell rose ard bowed over It; but as
their eyes met he smiled little.
"Miss Castleton," said he, al am very
happy to Aeet you."
And Miriam hid herself away behind her
mothers chair, close to BeatriX, and do
what Captain Mayell would be could not
succeed in drawing her into the conversa-
ton.
"I will make her look up" he said to
himself, little chagrined at the steadfast-
ness with which the dark eyes were bent to
ward the fire
Turning to the artist he asked, carelessly /:
"Does your daughter sing?"
"a little in a wild way, like lark or a
nightingale" said Mr.. Castleton. "she had
guitar once, but it is lost or broken or
something. Can't you sing for us,daughter?"
The ruse was successful. Miriam looked
up in a frightened way, her eyes glttering,
her cheeks glowing in red spots
"I-1 cannot sing tonight" she said ,hur-
riedly. "Please, papa, don't ask me p
But when Captain Mayell had taken
leave for the night and was cropping his way
to the stairs, he was suddenly and unex-
pectedly confronted by Miriam herself,
wrapped in the black shawl, with Beatrix
at her side.
captain MaYell," said Beatrix, in low
voice, "what must you think? For our
own sakes we owe you an explanation"
"Hush, Trix ~ cried Miriam, excitedly.
"All this preamble is quite unnecessary.
will tell him all about it. Papa doesn't
know that 1 sing with Bartmeo in the
streets. They know that Bartimeo takes
excellent care of me; and wear his daugh-
starve."
"And," soberly added Trix, eve give papa
the money, and he thinks old Bartimeo has
sold picture for him to some of the Italian
dealers down town. Poor papa and it
makes him so happy. And, indeed, no one
speaks to Miriam except in the greatest
courtesy and kindness. And we hope you
will not betray our secret to poor papa, as
he would, never forgive us at ALL"
pray" cried Mayell, genuinely touched,
edo you imagine that could be guilty of
such a dishoncrable thing? Believe me-
Miss Castleton-"
Miriam, very white and cold, was look
ing at him with eyes that flashed scornful
lightning.
"lIere is the wretched coin you gave
ne," said she. "Take it back |"
"Why ?'' he asked confounded and hurt.
"Because l hate you /" she answered, alb
ruptly seziug her sisters arm. "Come,
rrix, let jig gor
But he posted directly across her path,
determined not thus to part.
"But why do you hate me?" said he
because respect your courage and sense,
and honor your iilial dnty7"
because you despise ME /" she retorted.
"Neverl" he cried, taking her hand in
spite of herself and then and there they
became fast friends.
al am coming Tomorrow" he said, "to
order picture from your father Will you
also bid me welcome 2"
And she answered, shyly;
ayes"
But she went out singing no more.
Blind Bartimeo and his violin were un-
accompanied now. Warde Castleton died |
the next summer, entirely unaware of the
deception that had been practiced upon
him, and Captain Mayell asked pretty Mi
riam 10 be his wife.
"Do you know, darling" he said, al haye
loved you ever since | saw you singing on
the pavement in that picturesque Italian
costrme?"
And among her wedding gifts was dia-
mond-studded gold locket. in which was
set the Tiny silver coin which he had given
her on that bleak November afternoon,
when the twilight was ver1ing into dusk.