The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-03-28
,pect herself or be respected by 9th

Miriam bit her lip. 1t was not such
fun, after all, to be lectured after this
fashion by the man she had befooled 80
delightfully."-. Nor did she regret the
soft sound Of Constance Dale's football
on the porch floor-a sign that her
tete-a-tete was at an end.
"One would really think had COM
mitted state crime" said Miss Cres-
wick to herself, her cheeks still blazing
and her eyes sparkling in the moon
light. "Conny may entertain him now
if she pleases-Pll have nothing more
to say to him."
And altogether it was decided re-
lief when Miss Miriam Creswick and
her trunks departed for Cape May.
HAS Mr.. Dalton come, aunty?" was
her first eager question, when she ar
rived at the huge, swarming hotel, and
began to unpack her treasures OF gauze,
Grape and lustrous silk.
This morning." Mrs. Creswick an
swered with an air of self-satistied
pride. $50 stylish and distingue he is,
too-the handsomest man in town, l
think"
Miriam smiled proudly-how long
ago those moonlight evenings at the
old Dale farm seemed to her now.
Poor Wylde-but what else could he
have expected. Who can play with
edged tools without mourning the risk
of cut fingers"
"Do you suppose he'll send up his
card. aunt" she asked, 'or wait for q
less formal introduction"
But Mrs. Creswick could only leave
the answer to this question for fate to
develop.
Audit happened thai Miss Cress-
wick and Mr.. Dalton met that very
evening.
Miriam was standing in the doorway,
tleecy cloud of white, with roses in
her hair and coysage, when suddenly
the color deepened somewhat in her
cheeks.
Aunt" she whispered, ''he's here!"
He, childP Whom on earth do you
meanp"
Don't you remember?-the parson' $
nephew, out at Edgedale, that told
you about?"
"Wherep" asked Mrs. Creswick,
putting her gold eyeglasses to her
eyes.
Thereby the door! See, he's
coming this way. Why, auntie, he's
bowling to you!'
But Mrs. Creswick, without hearing
her niece's last words, rushed forward
all smiles and graciousness.
$50 happy to meet you, MIR. Dalton!
Allow me the pleasure of presenting
you to my niece, Miss Creswick."
And Miriam found herself involun-
tarily courtesying to-Mr. Percy
Wylde!
Aunt Creswick, the only one who was
entirely unconscious, smiled and SIM
pcred rs only well-seasoned dowager
can.
"And when did you arrive from Eu-
rope, Mr.. Dalton?" she inquired.
IL did not come d rectly from Eu-
rope, Mrs. Creswick," the young man
answered W tn slight smile. II have
been spending the summer with rela-
tive at Edgcdale."
Mrs. Creswick started.
AT Edgcdale! Why, Miriam has
been there. wonder you didn't meet
her."
II had that pleasure said Mr.. Dal
ton, with slight inclination of his
head.
Miriam" cried Mrs. Creswick
.'vou never told me. ~
Because she herself did not know
said Mr.. Dalton, smiling AT Edge
dale l 90 by the name of Percy Wylde
in adherence to fancy of my uncle
who never loved my fathers name OIL
family. And if Miss Creswick told you
anything about me she has merely
mentioned me rs one of those country
hearts it was her 'pastime' to break
ere she should return to town"
He bowed, and turned calmly away
while Mrs. Creswick was still in :
maelstrom of perpleNity
Miriam, | don't understand that a
all" she cried.
But Miss Creswick did. She under
derstood that her own folly had los
her rich husband.
And when Constance Dale married
Mr. Dalton she was forced to be con
tent with the very secondary position
of first bridesmaid