Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-03-20
BY THE WAVES.

''And why we nam ID her Muriel, is ii
mystery to me-" said good Mrs Doyle,
folding up her mending. MARY Jane or
Hannah Maria would have been Jest as
good and sight more suitable; but l
read novels when was young, and / see
that name somewhere, and it kinder
pleased me--so l must go and call her
Muriel.'
And, indeed, Muriel Doyle was little
like her sweet, ethereal name. A strong.
1.-THE, healthy tisherman's daughter, with
brown eyes, brown hair, brown cheeks,
brown hands; hands that could wic.d an
oar or trim a sail as well as her fathers
own. A veritable child of nature. wild
and free as the place she loved so well {;
and yet, not ignorant and uncultured
Muriel Doyle was we'll vcrscd in the lore
OF books, and nature had given to her the
ease and grace of dignity that others get
by culture
'eMy sea b:rd!" her father called her :;
and the name was like the wild, glad
young thing. When they could net find
her nb )ut the house, they always sought
her by the sea, and they always found
her, strolling idly down the beach, sitting
among the rocks, and watching the waves
with dreamy eyes, chasing the surgcs
like child. She was "a child in guile
less innocence and fir, e lom from art; but
in maturity of brain and heart she was a
woman ut seventeen.
Half mile from the cottage of the
Doyles, grand new hotel was being
built; another season would see their
quiet home turned into II seaside resort,
and Murlelw was not pleased at the thought
Of the coming change. She loved her
wild rocks and lonely beach as they were.
and she did not want TO see them changed
To fashionable promcnadcs But Muriels
dissatisfaction could net change the as
poet of affairs; she knew that the fash
lonab!es were surely coming.
She was thinking. rather sorrowfullv,
and perhaps little rnamiably of that,
as she wandered down the sands one
day, thinking how she was soon to be
driven from her favoritc haunts. and a
bright flame came into her eyes and
cheeks, and she stamped her foot upon
the sand and exclaimed aloud:
''They shall not dive me away! will
not exile myself from the sea because
they GOMEZ" And then she stopped sud
denly and caught her breath; for turn
ing around point of jagged rocks, Mu-
riel was upon the vanguard of the in
vaders.
Two young mea-one of them com
monplace, handsomish young fellow-sat
upon stone, and held portfolio upon
his knee-a skct her. The other stood
leaning against rock beside him, and
looking down indiffcrently upon the
half-fnished sketch on his companions
knee. A tall grave man, of twenty
seven, perhaps with magnificent he 3D.
from which he. had removed his hat !;
dark, half-curling short hair; eyes blue,
and dark and splendid; a face that was
perfect in beauty, and commanding,
stately figure, half-covered by loose
cloak flung over one shoulder; very
handsome man, but grave to sadness; a
man who had suffered, and not lightly.
Muriel hestated for a moment whether
to go back or to pass them; then proud
impulse babe her to 60 on. Both looked
up as her light step eros ;ed the sands.
and both bowed when she slightly
glanced at them. They were gcnt!emt n.
She inclined her head a little as she
pas ell.
The next moment she heard the young
er of the two whisper:
''What a striking face Wonder if
che would let me sketch herr"
''Hush. She will hear you," warned
the other; and Muricl, turning, saw the
half contemptuou' curl of his lip.
II have heard, she said, quietly, COM
ing back. you may sketch my face. if
you chcose.r
'MayI! A thousand thanks"
'None at all, if you Please" returned
Mur.cl, composcdly seating herself, and
drawing her shawl aLo It her II am
curious to see II picture of myself Shal!
Ia. C off my hat?"
III you will be so e ,ol." and Muricl
lifted the broad hat from her sinny-
brown oml<, and quietly proceeded to sit
for her protrait
The young man skotchcd blsily away,
making no effort to conceal his ADM a
tion of his subject" an admiration to
which Muricl was quite indifferent.
NJ aawhil" the second gent enan, who had
not spoken. stood silently studying the
face that his companion sketchcd
1t was well worth studying; no ord;-
nary face, though not wonderfully bca l.
tiful. The brown eyes ana graceful
features, and smiling, rel lips were pretty
AMI attractive, but there was II certain
power and attraction in Murici's face
which it did not owe To its prctliness,
which w0pLl-Aape bee.iathe c still, had
she grown plain.
TWAS an expression not e silly trans
ferrcd to paper, and the tail gentleman
locke somewhat contemptuously upon
the finished sketch, whea it was handed
TO hi for Judgment; then he remarked 4:
The lady Is Il better Judge" and
passed it to Muriel.
She glanced at, shook her head and
smiled, and returned it 10 the skctchcr
lie color, d Il little, MS he asked:
well, do you like it is it good?"
1T will do; but I could m Ike bet
ter" said Muriel briefly
"Do 70 sketchl' he asked. wonder
ingly; and he did not think she saw or
understood his glance at b"r dress, and