West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-11-15

-HNt1eoAlA AONCI AicADlhuI UOWn lnC
shaded path that led to the highway. she
prepared TO 60 down TO the parlor to
practice some new songs. But TO her
dismay she found the door fast locked
and herself prisoner.
That night, while she slept, o plate
containing food was placed in her room,
and with Il tiny slip OF paper, bearing
these words:
yield TO my wishes MURIEL TiioRNE
To which she returned this characters
istic answer: fN|
Without wishing 10 be impairment, may
say that there is a fair prospect of my outiv-
ing both OF you. / defy you, until your
death shall release me- MURIEL VANCE.
For four days she bore her captivity
admirably She leaned from her win
dow and sang snatches OF gay songs
when she was sure that her aunt was
where she could hear her, and affected
the utmost nonchalance when she saw
Mrs. Thorne and Lawyer Grant watch
ing her from the lawn. But on the after
noon of the fifth she began TO give way,
and longed with all the intensity of her
nature for freedom.
She saw the shining nver, free and
unfettered, winding between the feath-
cry willows that lined its banks, and
could almost hear it as it gurgled over
its pebbly bed where the cool woodland
shadows lay thickest; and the words of
the brayura she was singing died in an
inarticulate sob, though her aunt was in
full view, strolling among the flower
beds on the lawn.
At last she wiped away her tears and
clinched her teeth firmly together h
NkA llfa fo1t L., H.. Il
resolutely ''and a mastery strategy
must accomplish what resistance would
fail to do, even if il does involve some
deception"
She watched long and anxiously for
Lawyer Grant that night
Finally, when the shadows of the
cleaning lay thickly among the trees,
she saw a tall form coming up the path
toward the front door.
She leaned from the window and called
TO him in a suppressed voice
''Go to the kitchen porch and get the
long ladder you will find there. Climb
to the balcony under the window at the
back of this room; wish to speak to
YOU"
A few moments elapsed and Muriel
heard cautious footsteps on the balcony,
and then light tap on the window.
She gently opened it and stepped out.
Without raising her eyes she began In
q faltering voice:
Lawyer Grant when l requested
your presence here intended TO propose
On elopement, trusting that an oppor-
tunity OF regaining my freedom might
occur. But cannot do il. Not even to
regain my liberty will sully my lips
with lie. But, oh, sir, think of my
cruel punishment and pity me. Think
OF one who has always been free and un-
trameIed as the very birds condemned 10
this captivity, and IL you have human
heart intercede with my aunt. Think"
but sobs aud tears finished the prayer she
would have uttered, as she threw herself
at his feet.
The tall form came out of the shadows,
and as the light from the room beyond
fell full upon him Muriel started to her
feet in mute surprise.
1t was a strangers face she gazed
upon-a face which invited confidence,
nevertheless. There was something about
the mischievous gray eyes, clouded just
now with a slight shade Of seriousness
an expression about the fnely.cut mouth,
which, though parted at that moment
with a smile of blended amusement and
pity seemed 20 be irresistibly at
tractive.
do not distress yourself, / beg, " said
he, as he gazed upon her agitated
countenance, ''and believe me when /
say that 4 will willingly afford you all
the assistance in my power. But before
you accept my assistance let me explain
my pre- euce in this hou Q. My name is
fenner RossmOre and / came here to-
p1orhf n 4 -. 4
certain unclaimed estates in COnnauQht,
Ireland. If one Michael Vance, who
came TO this country twenty years ago,
since deceased, died without heirs, the
property reverts to me, as next Of kin.
] have written TO Grant repeatedly. but
failing to get satisfactory reply, came
over to sec il I could not find more
definite Information regarding the heirs
OF this Michael Vance, who had the
honor Of being sixteenth cousin to my
step mother = God rest her soulr'
''Michael Vance" cried Muriel, her
embarrassment lost in surprise. "Why,
that was my fathers name. ("
''And his birthplacel"
''Killaroy, Irelandn
Accept my congratulation,p sad
Rossmore; 'for you are lot only the
most beautiful young lady in America,
but the richest heiress in ireland. And
] hope, ne cont nued, as he saw the rosy
flush upon her cheek, "that since you
have deprived me Of my inheritance, you
viii at least graft me the liberty Of a
kinsman's kiss. BY my faith It would
be cheap as the price OF the Rossmore es.
tates even. assure you it sanational
custOm.p
Muriel's refusal was accompanied with
a laugh Of mirihful incroduliiy that was
so iresistibly contagious that the
blended tones Of merrimcnt reached the
two plotters below.
We pass over madame's incrcdulous
scorn and final belief, Lawyer Grants
gratitude at escaping the cowhiding no
so richly deserved and the details OF the
courtship between Rossmore and Muriel.
But when The sumachs burned like
fiery torches in the woodland Qladoa she
loved 50 we'll, and hickories and naples
thone golden In the nplauds, Muriel, her
claim to the RossmOre estates duly rec
ognizcd, became Mrs. Fonnor Rossmore.
And I am bound as a voraciOus chroni-
clor 20 record the fact that neither party
ever regretted it.
A Sarcastic Host.
a hotel in Nantucket has some original