The Russellville Democrat., 1881-08-18
NlIRIEL.

Muriel Eenton, at seven o'clock of the morning, stood looking out on the dun skies, that held no promise, past or fu- lure. of sunrise, looking at the sodden earth, the gaunt- tree-tops swaying through the mist of whuling snow like spectral arms-and, in that solitary hour, before there was any stirring in the in the face this that had come to her.
 In the first place, she thoroughly dis liked Mir. Stretton, and equally thor oughly loved his wife. She had been strongly inclined to refuse the pressing offer, the tempting offer he had made her, one week before-the day her fath- CT had been buried but, after the note Mrs. Siretton had sent her. begging her to consider the offer. showing Muriel how helpless and loveless and hopeless her life was forever imprisoned between chair and lounge and bed, and giving her, in such sweet, motherly delicacy, glimpses of the true and tender affection waiting to be bestowed upon her-after this letter from Mrs. Sretton, Muriel had aecided to go, as Mrs. Stretton's companion and little Flossie's governess; and to receive in return @ fair salary, a good home, the child's and mothers honest affection. And-to have 10 live under the same roof with Hubert Stret- ton.
 To Muriel it seemed as though it could not be possible for one person to dislike another more thoroughly than she disliked Hubert Stretton. So long as she had known him she had felt the same curious repulsion toward him. and yet-there were enough people who thought him not only handsome, hut agreeable.
 He certainly was not ill-looking. and he certainly had plenty of money 10 make bimseif agreeable and elegantly hospitable in his own house. He was a society man"-fairly fond of his delI cate little wife, and little blue-eyed daughter.
 In appearance he was tall, with in- tensely blue eyes. and intensely black hair that curied closely around his head, with a fierce, heavy moustache and beard ofiron gray-a man to com mand attention anywhere, and as much from his courtly, martial bearing as from his always iaultless attire and dis tIn0uisbed appearance.
 But-Muriel dsliked him, and since a day two years back, now, when Cyril Vernon had told her he had every req son 10 believe that her friends husband was not the man he represented him. self to be, Muriel had made up her mind that Cyril knew.
 Because, to her, Cyril was lord and master-was thus, in those blessed happy days when fortune and friends and home and happiness were all hers. While now-sitting in the gloomy March morning, all the world in mute symnaiiplic mood. she realized Co inc very fullest extent, how cruel Cyril had bten, how le who had warned her against Hubert Streti on's unmanly deccit and dupliciiy, had himself been worse than guilty of such.
 Looking back, 1t seemed like an en- chanting fairy tale 10 Muriel, those beautiful love.lighted days. Now, in this cold. wretched present, ill which sbe was so honestly irving to be content and pratctul, everything seemed unnat' ufal while-aud she did not dare look very far ahead, there stretched out g future as gloomy as the grave itself-f future uncheercd ny the hope woman needs to boy her np, uulighted hut by tue 1si ftcLenug of stubborn determi nation 10 endure as long as mighi be.
 For now that Cyrl so evidently baC put her ont of his life, there could bt only an endurance for her.
 Right iuto her thoughts came sharp heart hrok en cry--litlle four year ol' Flossie's; the sound of bare feet batter ing in the hall upstairs, rom room t' room, and then the child's voice in th' half heart broken, half frightened cry;
 "Murell Me want you-quick quick Mamma so jediul sick"
 And when MuIiel hal sprung up th, stairs, and lifted the shiverip2 hule on in her arms she was met by MT. Stret ton just al his dressinG-roon dnnr- paler, perhaps, than she bad ever Sc'l him.
 "l think she Is dying. Send for Dl Heath, if you please, Miss Fenton-a unce."
 And when Dr. Heath came, mother less little Flossie was sobbrng out he fright ana heart sickness, with tin arms wrapped tight around Muriei neck.
 They had laid Mrs. Stretton away fo her long, dreanless rest, and tha siste of the widower, who had volunteered { stay a month, while thugs "ughted themscives--if things ever do get rightt when the mother and wife IS forevC zone away, was 10 return home on th
 TN N..