Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-06-11


tlemen. am Ira Irving, and my home
able to prove. You may take my photo
If it is any qualification to these Off
GERS"
The guardians of the public peao e
smiled significantly. and Muriel said,
in an aside to Hugh:
What a pity. Isn't he perfectly
lovely?"
"He isn't guiltyp 1 exclaimed, turn
ing sharply upon Munel.
was startled at my own act as soon
as the words had escaped me. One of
the men said, quietly:
Every criminal declares his limo
cence, Miss Maxton. This man is one
of the most daring and dangerous char
acters with whom we have to deal"
attended strictly to business after
that, working as rapidly as the state of
my nerves would allow.
| The prisoner sat as cheerfully as il
the picture was taken for ladies' al
bum, exposing his features to the full
light in manner very unusual to GRIM
inals.
IL have done all that can toward the
picture to-day" said when 1 had fin
| ished.
The officers arose to remove their
man. He turned to me and said, earn
estly:
"Miss Maxton, hope soon to free my
self from this charge, and in your eyes,
and that of all the world, appear as 1
am in reality, an honest man. When /
can do so, you will see me again."
1 bowed without speaking, and the
three departed.
"There, Myrtle, you will have to look
out or you will lose your place. If the
Sheriff finds you are falling in love
with his prisoners, he will go back to
Barton" exclaimed Muriel, laughing.
bit my lip, and knew changed
color, and Hugh wisely chsnged the
II say, Muriel, which do you consider
your very best picture? I'm going to
get it framed and put it on exhibition
for you"
They began looking over her assort-
ment of pictures, and "Black Eric" was
forgotten, by them at least. A young
lady came in who wished her cabinets
taken, and then Hugh claimed my at
tention.
snow, Myrtle, choose the one you
like best from among your fathers
pictures" he said, "and will take that
also. / have an idea that I can do
something with them"
Castles in the air." replied, as l
selected an ancient Fortress on the
Rhine" "How many poor papa bullded
to see them topple and fall. All people
want nowadays is work, and that upon
some pressing demand of the day. 1
would sell the whole of these paintings
for ten dollars if papa had not painted
"What dreadful girl you are, sighed
Muriel. "She would crush the last bit
of romance from life."
Hugh looked at me compassionately.
Myrtle, you know that would lift
this burden from your shoulders gladly,
and to-day, il you would allow it. My
parents would soon learn to love Mu-
riel, and our home would be yours until
you found one of your own"
"Thank you," replied ungratefully.
"Muriel can go where she is not want
ed, if she likes, but do not intend to
add myself to the list of husband-hunt-
ers with which society is laden"
ave will wait year." said Muriel.
II do not wish to leave Myrtle now,
| filled as she is with this desperate feel
ing of independence. / may paint
something in that time which will be
| successful"
1 turned away from the two, disgust
ed with Muriel's faith in herself, and
Hugh ran down the long flights of
-l-:-tl:--r4, --:tl- Al - 40 IL paint
| ings tucked under bis arm.
When Mr.. Irving's photo was finish
| ed it was as handsome q picture as 1
ever saw.
"Pd use that face for an oil painting
if he was not forger, said Muriel.
II might call him bandit, though;
little sharper eye, heavier mustache
and eyebrows, and he would be per-
feet. Black Eric the Bandit I'll
do it, Myrtle"
"You will not" 1 cried, catching the
picture and scaling it in an envelope
for posting. HE shall never be in
suited like that when he is innocent.
You will never see his face again.
Cant l even see the one you have
put away for your own private inspec-
tion then?" she asked, provokingly in
nocent. "How selfish you are"
felt that my face was betraying me,
but held on to my temper. SO then
she knew that 1 had finished two pic
lures. had not given her credit for
so much penetration.
After all this dared not ask after
the fortunes of Mr.. Irving.
Muriel had no such scruples.
"Then that was really Black Eric?"
she asked, when the Sheriff came in
again.
"Oh, yes, we have sent him back to
Omaha for trial. He's q deep one,
though. He pretended to the last that
he could clear himself.
Muriel looked slyly at me but said
nothing. but I believe she read my
thoughts as il they were an open book.
Time passed on and Hugh called up
on US regularly. Muriel's lover was
true one, for he never wavered when
his parents disowned him for his en-
gagement to poverty-stricken artist,
and he went at business with vim
which pleased even unbelieving me.
! He showed that there was something
in him, and liked him better than L
had ever done when thought him the
petted child of fortune, the heir to half
q million.
For all that tried to get Muliel to
break the engagement. Hugh was sac
rifcing a good deal for her
She only laughed and declared that
L =