The Red Cloud chief., 1889-09-27

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remain on sound financial basis. Bat before
he should go abroad in the interest Of the
enterprise he longed to visit Heatherleigh,
and still he dreaded it.
As it happened, opportunity favored him
sooner man he had dared to hope, and he
found himself within the spacious rooms OF
the hall, where he had spent many happy
hours; but the light of Hea;herleigh had
gone out, and every thing was so changed.
All the brightness seemed to have fed with
the gentle spirit of Lady Percival.
The heavy Grape folds mere and there re
; minded him Of her, while the shadowy,
close-curtained apartments seemed to say
in their lonely hooks and corners: Eve
mourn, we mourn!"
And. Miriam! Well, she was so changed,
with her great grief weighing her down.
Together they walked out over the
grounds, Arthur and Miriam, as they Used
Of yore, but the heart Of each wa sadly
changed-hers with her sorrow, and his
with his fears.
How pale she was; the deep mourning Of
her gown rendered her more ghost-like, il
possible. Her dark, expressive eyes met
his with a strange yearuing tenderness in
their depths he had never seen before.
Such an unconscious, preoccupied gaze, as
| one might see when a broken heart looked
forth from its portals.
Miriam grew unusually confidential and
friendly as they talked. Poor girl, with no
| one to whom she could 60 with her burden
Of sorrow, no wonder she chung to this
| friend Of hers thus.
And Arthur in turn, before he was aware
! Of what he was really saying, had related
the whole story Of his altered circumstances,
and their cruel hedging him out Of society.
Here he stopped suddenly, for TO go fur
ther and speak Of what had been the dear.
est dream Of his life was something he
dared not do now, he thought.
Miriam had been listening attentively,
| walking along with n dainty hand rest
| ing on bis arm. bu. he did not know that
her sore heart wss only waiting 10 be COM
forted by his love. Seeing . strange look
OF decision cross his handsome face, she
guessed ~instinctively that the declaration
he certainly had come to make was reso-
lutely deferred because Of his low finances.
He thinks l will reject him because his
wealth has been swept away" she unused.
Then looking down 1t . bordering Of rare
nosses, now browning in the sun she made
reply:
4 have heard Of il" she said, s'but such
things, although very much to be deplored,
ought never to make differences between
friends. l am sure it would not with me-"
Arthur could have bowed in happy thank
fulness and kissed the pale, perfect face
for this speech alone, but his heart failed
him, and he dared not yet commit him
self.
After a slight pause, Is II she wished to
give him time to consider her words, she
continued in a low, weary n 1T is Ger
tainly hard for you, Mr.. Fairfax, but your
trouble is nothing compared to mine, At
last; nothing to mine" she repeated, al
most desperately, closing the trembling
hand over his arm and looking up With
swimming eyes
ALAS 7" she burst out, vehemeutly, ''what
ID property without-a friendf"
"a friend he repeated after her, meet
ing the upward gaze with the secret Of his
soul shining in his clear, honest eyes. Il
would be more than a friend to you, Miri-
| am, il You would let me. But l Am
afraid" and his tones grew bitter, that !
nave no right 70 that one bissful dream Of
my life now; I presume it ought to 60 with
the heyday Of fortune, with the glamour Of
gold! Circumstances and social position
are all. 1t GEMS. there are to measure q
man and establish his worth. I never
thought on this matter until I have beer
measured and found not worthy Of social
position. And-I must remember it."
s'You have thought of-ihdt, nave youi"
she questioned almost in . whisper, tight
ening her clasp on his arm, but not look
ing up.
He felt her assuring hand: he heard the
anxious, impetuous voice, n TOOK cour-
age. He took the trembling, biack-gloved
hand from his arm and held it III a worship
full way for some minutes. What should
he say!
This beautiful, sorrowing girl, SO far re-
moved from him socially, was all the world
to hin; but did she realize that the sting Of
poverty was keen, was more than she could
bear.
Il have thought of this . thousand
times he answered, chokingly. '.How
can I help thinking; thinking until each
thought goads me to almost madnesss !
have loved you, oh! Miriam. - long, and
you have grown As dear As my soul to me.
But now 1t seems objectionable that !
should indulge in the one biissful dream Of
my life after my riches have taken wings"
"You need not have it So" cried the
desolate girl, clutching his arm excitedly.
"You shall not 60 away and leave me in
this prison-house, now that ! know you
love me. Never! Arthur Fairfax, take
me with you or ! shall 60 mad and do
something desperate. Here I have none to
speak to, q you know; none but b serv.
ants. And none to love me; no. not one.
Think Of that Arthur, think what Q life I
viii be obliged to lead It the Hall now that
mother Is dead"
you have forgotten Jour father. 1ir-
jam.n
sNo," she returned with IN e~aEnestness
Arthur had never seen her exhibit mo, I
hsye not forgotten him. but he hAs ignored
me-he hates me! Oh! Arthur, you surely
are sware Of the strange fatality Of the
house Of the Reecivaisl And = II this
0uA destiny which makes - enemies,