Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-07-22

hide the cot-bed in the corner.
Mr.. Castleton pointed to the easel,
with flourish Of the hand.
"You see, Mayell," said he, +" that
still cling 20 my Old habits.
my hand is scarcely as steady now
as could wish, lat it seems necessary
to sell picture now and then. Tnx,
where is your sister? Why does not
Miriam come III? We have some wealthy
acquaintance. Mayell,' the old man
continued, "who decline to buy nv
pictures and who contrive systemati-
cally to ignore us. "
''But am told that Miriam frequent
is goes to them. Well, we'll, / cannot
wonler-the child is young. and this"
glancing contemptuously around the
room is hardly the place to attract a
girls capricious fancy Trixy here is
true to her old parents"
"Papa," said Beatrix, coloring, edo
not blame Miriam. She"
"Have I. blamed her?' The old
artist shrugged his shoulders. ''She Is
yonng-she Is very young-that is all.
As l was saying, Mayell. sell picture
now and then, and SO we manage to
keep alive, Just let me show you some
Of the ideas | have sketched on canvas.
And while Captain Mayell turned
over the old mans portfolio and cogita-
ted within himself how he might best
offer to purchase picture without
hurting the sensitive pride of the art
list the silent Beatr x put more coal on
the dying fire. spread a clean cloth on
the table, and set forth meal which
had evidently been purchased in haste
from the shelves of the nearest cheap
restaurant
Half OF skinny cold duck, little
dab of muddy currant jelly, pile of
bread, and potato salad.
And when the unappetising meal was
over. ana they sat shlvering by the fire,
the door opened, and in glGed small
slight figure like shadow.
''lts Miriam," said Mr.. Castleton;
"my youngest girl. Come in, 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 hand.
Mayell rose and bowed over it; but as
their eyes met he smiled little
Miss Castleton," said he, Il am
very happy to meet you"
And Miriam hid herself away behind
her mothers chair, close to Beatrix, and
do what Captain Mayell would, he
could not succeed in drawing her into
| the conversation.
II will make her look up, he said to
himself, little chagrined at the stead
fastness with which the dark eyes were
! bent towards the fire.
| Turning to the artist he asked care
lessly-
! "Does your daughter sing"
| ga 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 glittering, her cheeks glowing
in red spots.
CT cannot sing to night, she said
Eurriedly. Please, papa, don't ask
me-
But when Captain Mayell had taken
leave Tor the night, and was CROPPING his
way down the stairs, he was most sud-
denly and unexpectedly confronted 10y
Miriam herself wrapped IN the black
shawl, with Hsatrix ut her side.
Captain Mayell. said Beatrix in a
low voice, what must you think? For
our own sakes we owe You an explana
ton.
"Hush, TriX," cried Miriam excited
"Ail this preamble is quite unnecessary.
| will tell him all about it.
Papa doesn't know that sing with
does and Trix.
"They know that Bartimeo takes ex-
ccllent care OF me: and | wear his
daughters dress We cannot lie,
poor papa starvc.
Aud. soberly added Trix. eve give
papa the money, ana he thinks old
Bartimeo has sold q picture for him <
some of the italian dealers down town.
Poor papa. and ii makes him sc
happy. And, indeed. indeed no one
speaks to Miriam excspt with the great
est courtesy and Kindness. And VT
| hope You will not bctray our secret "a
poor papa, as be would never. never,
forgive us at all, >
| Pray" cried Mayell genuinel,
touched, "io not imagine tia. / could
be guilty OF such iishonorable thing.
Believe ME, Miss Castie'on-
Miriam, very white and cold, va:
hooking at him with eyes that nashe.
scornful lightning.
Here is the wretehed coin you gave