The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-03-22

"Alice," calls Mrs. Ross, ''fnd
Muriel, and give US some music"
"Here Miss Muriel!' says Alice,
drawing her friend out from among
the shadows. Mamma says music,
and you know her word is law, so rise
and obey"
With a beating heart but calm
exterior Muriel went forward. It
seemed a dream as she stood there
looking into his face once more And
she was hardly conscious of what
Mrs. Ross was saying. 'Mr. Morton
this is Miss Hampstead she was one Of
your former pupils l believe long
ago"
Muriel smiled and extended her
hand ''Very happy to see you again,
MIR. Morton"
He took the outstretched hand in
his own and looked at her earnestly.
"Is it possible?" "This can not be
the little Muriel | once knew. How
you have changed" and once again he
made use Of these words Eight years
is long time"
Alice went to the piano and sang
several songs in sweet girlish voice,
and was highly complimented by
Lawrence Morton. She turned and
said in her impetuous fashion. "You
might offer compliments if you would
hear Miss Hampstead sing" Muriel
come and sing just one song, There's
dear"
Indeed Alice you must excuse me"
said Muriel coloring slightly.
"No | won'tr' said the wayward
girl, "you must sing just this once
please.
"Yes Muriel it has been some time
since you have favored us with song,"
suggested Mrs. Ross.
Being thus urged Muriel went to
the piano. She possessed clear sweet
voice and she sang tonight as never
before. All her hearts longing
seemed to find voice in the soft sweet
words she sang SO sweetly.
Laurence Morton azHdlehed the
slender white-robed figure with feel
ings he did not try to analyze. Could
this fair graceful woman be the sly
awkward girl he remembered SO well !?
And as her soft voice rose and fell he
he leaned forward to catch every note.
Though my heart may break to morrow
I'll be all smiles tonight"
The sweet voice sang and something
he could not define made his pulse
leap and his heart throb as he looked
at Muriel.
She arose amid a storm Of applause
and moved gracefully across the room.
All! well, they did not know the
tumult in her own heart.
Laurence made his way across the
room, to her side "You gave us quite a
treat, Miss Muriel," he said in his low
sweet voice.
She hardly dare trust herself to
look into his face yet she found her.
self chatting quite freely with him in
spite of herself.
He on the other hand was surprised
to find what a cultured intelligent
woman she had become, yet so sweet
and womanly withal.
Muriel was greatly surprised how
ever when he said miss Hampstead
may accompany you home?"
She was inclined to refuse him at
first but one glance into the dark eyes
upon her, and she assented while the
bright color famed into her cheeks.
And more than one person remarked
that evening "How well Miss Hemp
stead was looking"
Should she ever forget that walk
homeward under the bright full moon?
No, never. Even If she should live
to be a hundred, or his words either,
as he bade her good night. II may
call and see you may l not, Miss
Muriel, before I go away?
And Muriel softly answered "Yes."
He came on the morrow and they
spent a delightful hour discussing
favorite authors and friends. He was
more and more delighted to find in
Muriel friend of whom any one
might well be proud.
She thought of nothing only that
he would soon be gone and that she
should miss him so sadly. She said
to herself she could have borne it
better had she never seen him again
than to see him thus and then have
him go out of her life altogether.
The day Of parting came at last
and they sat in the little shady parlor
of Muriels home.
$50 you leave Hillsdale tomorrow,
Mr.. Morton?" Muriel forced herself
to say lightly.
''Yes, this is my last visit to Hills
dale unless''-Muriel looked up at the
sudden stop to see a pair Of dark eyes
bent upon her as though they would
read her very soul,-" unless, Muriel,
you bid me come again"
II bid you come," she said wonder
ingly.
"Yes, you, Muriel, and at no other |
biding will l come. Do not think
me presumptious, darling, but I want |
you for my wife. Could you learn to
love mo q little daar2n And draminn