The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1881-05-12


We manage to keep alive. just le,
me show you some of the idens |
have sketched on canvas"
And while Captain Mayell turned
over the old mans portfolio, aud
cogitated within himself how he
might best off1r to buy q picture
without hurting the sensitive pride
OF the artist, the silent Beatrix put
more coal on the dying fire, spread
clean cloth on the table and act
forth meal which had evidently
been purchased in baste from the
shelves Of the nearest cheap rostaur.
ant-half of skinny, cold duck, a
little dab or muddy currant jolly, q
pile OF bread and a potat 90 sal.
ad.
And when tho unappetizing meal
was over, and they sat shivering by
the firo, the door opened and in
elided a slight, small figure. like a
shadow.
Its Miriam" said Mr.. Casleton -.
my youngest girl. Come in, pct,
and speak to Captain Myell y
Miriam stopped abruptly in the
doorway. aud turned first red, then
pale, before she advanced aud held
out an unwilling hand.
Mayell rose, aud bowed over il I:
but as their eyes met ho smiled
little.
"AIiss Castleton." said he ~ am
very glad to meet you p
Aud Miriam bid herself away be-
hind her mothers chair. close to
Beartrix, and, do what Captain
Mayell would he could not succeed
in drawing her into the conveu.
ton.
III will make her look up" he sid
to himself, little chagriuoJ at the
steadfastoess with which tho dark
eyes were bent toward the tire.
Turning to the artist he asked,
carelessly:
Does your daughter sing i''
"a little, in wild way, Ike a
nightingale said Mr.. Castleten.
'She had II guitar once. but it is
lost or broken or something. Cant
you sing for ns, daughter Z
The ruse was successful. Miriam
looked mp in frightened way. her
eyes gliiterins, hsr cheeis glowing
il red spots.
ii cannot sing tonight" she
said hurriedly. "pieaso, papa,
don't ask me ~
Bat whom Captain Mayell bad
taken leave for the night, and crop.
ing bis way down the stairs, ho was
suddenly aud unexpectedly confront
ei by MiriIn herself wrappal in
the black shawl, I'eatrix at her side.
captain Mayell," nsii Beatrix,
10 low voice, "shat must yon
think For our own sases, we ow,
you M explanation"
Hush, Erik !" criel Miriam, ex
citedly." "All this preamble is
quite unnecessary. l will tell him
all about it. Papa doesn't know that
l sing with Bartimeo in the streets
but mama does, and Trix. They
know that Barti meo takes excelle n
carexof me aud wear his daugh-
ter'd ddress, and-and we cannot let
poor papa starve''
And" soberly added Trix. I've give
papa the money, and no thinks oil
Bartimeo has sold q picture for him
to some of the Italian deaers down
town. Poor papa and it makes
him SO happy ! Aud. indeed. no one
speaks to Miriam except in tho
greatest courtesy and kinlness.
And We hope yon will not betray
our secret to poor papa, rs he woall
never, never forgive US all |"
Pray cried Mayell, genuinely
"do not imagiu that could
be guilty pf such dishouorable |
thing: Believe me, Miss Castle
ton"
Miriam, very white aud cold was
looking at him with eyes that fash
cd lightning.
Here is the wretched coiu You
gave me- said she. Take it back!'
because I have you y she an
swsred abruptly, soizing her sisters
arm. "Come, rrix, let us go.'
Bat he posted himself directly
across her path, dsterninel not
Ihns to part