Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-23
MIRIAM DOUGLAS.


Julius Byron
what BORE" exclaimed this gentleman,
when l really haven't the time to attend to
anything except these letters
II have an errand which takes me past Piper
Il Tipsons; 1 could buy you new satchel, if you
would trust me. Going among all those fine
people at the wedding with your lock tied up
with bit Of string wouldn't do at ALL sir"
'Thank you, Mrs. Minis; have great trust in
your Judgment. and should be obliged if you
would attend to this matter for me- and save
my going into town"
As the door closed after his landlady the Rev
erend Julius Byron resumed his writing with q
sigh of relief AS he sat leaning his head on
his disengaged hand-a hand beautiful enough
to atone for plainness In all other features had
Nature willed him to be pain-Julius Byron
was an ideal picture of a student-brown eyes
with fairy dreamy look. hair long enough to
snow tendency to wave loosely back from the
1orehead, and pale, clear complexion, set-Off
by goiden-brown velveteen coat, which he
wore when in his study. Twenty-Five years
old, undenably handsome gifted with winning
manners, and shepherd of flock most willing
TO be guided. Julius Byron, as if by miracle,
had escaped being spoiled and petted into effem-
macy. His safeguard lay perhaps. In pair Of
soft eyes which had held him spebound for a
few rapturous weeks. and the witchery Of which
had lasted over three years Of almost total sepa-
ration.
Miriam Douglas dispensing tea and ginger
bread to a horde of charity children in the park
at Mount EdgecOmbe was one of the prettiest
and daintiest of modern Hebes. in muslin dress
In color matching fOrget-me-nOts and her eyes
equally we'll, and with roses at her waist and
throat which stole their delicate tint from her
cheeks. Miriam was seventeen that day. and
the blue muslin was her first long dress; to this
the little lassie paid far more attention than to
the admlring gaze OF two dreamy brown eyes.
After the feast there were offerings of flowers,
good wishes and rather too many kisses and
embraces from the charity children. and among
her other trophies Miriam Douglas carried away
the heart of the Rev. Julius Byron. Had she
known this it would have affected her less than
the consciousness that the Barclay girls her
former playmates, were curiOusly admiring the
grown-up W0manish arrangement of her bright
silky hair.
There were few tennis parties and five
O'Clock teas after this. during which Mr.. Byron
worshiped his divinity from affair." She seemed
a little in awe of him, and rarely spoke to him
more than five minutes at time What de-
hghtTul task 1t would be to chase away the
tlmidity from the soft. fawn-lfke eyes, and how
pleasant TO think that the sea-shell pink stole
to her cheeks from joy at his approach.
Fate, however, cruelty interfered with Mr.
ByrOn's dream of awakening loving confidence
in the bosom of this bashful maiden of seven
teen. In three short weeks. before he had
made any perceptible Roadway. Miriam was
summoned to the beside of a dying relative.
and Julius Byron was called to a parish in a
commercial town.
Three long years this idyl had been in the
past: and through all this time the memory of
Miriam Douglas excluded any other love from
the young clergyman's heart. though many were
the goddeSseS willing to be therein enshrined.
He wondered at himself; she had slipped COM
pletely out OF his material existence; he knew
not where she wes. or if she were dead or
wOrse-marred Still, with all this uncer-
tainty. he could not forget her, and voice
within him seemed to whisper that they should
meet again.
The rapid Swimming Of his pen over the white
page was stayed for the second time by heavy
footstep at the door outside; and Mrs. Minis
painting and crimson from the ascent OF the
steep stairs. exclaimed
There, sir; you could not have found bet
ter or cheaper satchel yourself if YOU had
searched the town from end to end. Piper and
Tipson say Oh their oath that it is a first-rste
one and that tou needn't fear exchanging with
any one by mitake for they had only one of the
Kind This Gecded me to take it, for. being
rather an abstnt-minded gentleman YOU might
easily pick uI.the wrong bag"
Thank you. Mrs. Minis, thank You; each time
that you do anything for me you give me fresh
cause to admire your clever management and
forethOught."
In the wedding to take place on the following
day. Mr.. Byron felt no particular interest The
contracting parties We're almost strangers to
him. as were also the guests with the execution
OF Willis Howard "a school-chum of DAYS gone
by, and friend ever since of the young clergy
man.
Owing to the Illness OF the brides mother the
ceremony was performed at home. 1t was a
pretty wedding, the bride graceful. sweet and
pale as a lily in her sheeny fieecy drapery; and
among the guests was the subdued merriment
which prevails when the entertainers exhibit I'M
reservedly the signs of joy and sorrow-the
smile and tear both coming from the heart.
After the ceremony, Mr.. Byron betoOk him
self to dressing-room to fold his surpce and
replace it in the satchel chosen by Mrs. Minis
While so engaged a letter was handed to him
with the word Immediate" written conspcu-
ously on the envelope. The contents were as
follows:
"MARLow HALL, Thursday, 18th.
III the reverend julius Byron could find it con-
noon at NARROW Hall, he would confer great favor
On the undersigned. Mr. Byron Is requested to par
don the apparent buSQ,terie of this notice. as the
case + urgent The two p. N train stops at Port
land station, where carriage VIII be IN waiting.
STAHFIEID NARROW"
you will 20. I SUPPOSE" said Willis How
ard. To whom Ir. Byron presently showed his
note.
''Of course; one cannot refuse such sum-
mons 1t is probably a question Of lie or
death"
Il am due at Uxnore to-night-rather DIFF
frrent errand from yours-a masquerade party.
III p+i hS Liot Il Tic
ton"
Il am sorry also. Do you know anything Of
the people at MARROW Hall. HOward:'
Never heard OF them before Are they
strangers to you:"
.'tntireiy So"
''Now goodbye old fellow; my traps are all
slowed away on the train, and had better fol-
low them. Take care of yourself among those
mysterious strangers"
In the hustle and confusion at the station Mr.
Ky hal mis- ty,tL
caught sight of the familiar object on a distant
table, and ielt inwardy thankful for its ungainy
proportions and the huge brass diamond which
made it so easily recognized.
At Portland respectably-dressed man in
charge OF WaGOnette came forward to meet
Mr. Byron; and during the drive TO the Hall the
former discoursed freely upon the existing state
OF affairs there. A son and heir to the fine es-
tate had arrived, and there had Deen great re-
loiclng; but within the past twenty-four hours
their JOY had been turned to mourning by dis
patch sunmoning the newly made father to the
ceath-oed of his only sister in Germany. The
young mother seemed to feel presentlment of
misfortune and she hadinsistedupon the baby's
being baptized before the departure of its father
Inc Clergyman OF the parish was temporarily
absent; hence Mr.. Byron's hasty summons The
ceremony would he performed in the chapel
connected with the Hail. and Would he
very quiet. being witnessed only by the father
and grandfather Of the child with possibly one
or two guests.
After lunching in a somber richlv-deeoratpd
dining hall Mr.. Byron was shown to a he'd
room, with the intimation that his services in
ba chanel w ha