The Red Cloud chief., 1889-10-04
CHAPTER TX

to be but a stormy interview and wrathful
parting, Miriam stole quietly out through
the park to meet her future husband.
the dull gray afternoon seemed sur
charged with an oppressive silence, and an
evil seemed lurking in the very air; or was
it but q nervous fancy lending q miserable
influence?
Miriam put her hand on the wicket OPEN
ing out toward the highway at . quarter to
three o'clock with Q sigh, and found she
was q little early.
Her face had been white and drawn with
grief and pain, and her beautiful eyes had
in their depths such q wild, despairing look
when Peggy Clarkson met her in the hall
directly after the interview with Sir Ru-
pert; but now her face glowed with salts
faction, and the fine eyes had q pleasant
light as she stood bidding q silent adieu to
the dear, familiar grounds.
Ali what an iron will upheld the fair
girl; truly she had the indomitable spirit
of the Perciyals.
A sound OF wheels coming slowly toward
the chase, and her heart throbbed wild
~ with expectation. She stepped outside
and crossed the common. ayes, there he
comes" she said, and in q flutter of delight
b flew back to the place of meeting.
Dear Arthur she murmured, Il ave
never known but two friends, mother and
you. She has been taken from me, and /
have only you left" end the pearly tears of
memory dropped on the trembling hand on
the gate. '.Poor mother!"
But the carriage drew up and Arthur
Fairfax %alighted, smiling happily to find
his beloved Miriam punctual. He kissed
her where the tear-staIns showed plainly
on the fair cheek. "Why these tears, dear
estr' he asked, tenderly.
Il was thinking of-Of MOTHER" she an
swered, and he understood, for his vision
was misty with emotion As he held her for
q moment in silent caress.
Peggy Garrison came up with numerous.
bundles and faltering step. This was to her
a sorrow greater than that she felt for the
dead mother.
But she bore up bravely for the sake Of
the beautiful girl before her and whom she
loved as her own. Her owni Ali yes;
away across the channel, in the mother
country on the shores Of Killarney, resting
peacefully, was Teddy. Dear little Teddy,
who closed his blue eyes to this world in his
third year, and was laid away forever,
with his fiaxen curls clinging to his white
baby brow.
Poor Peggyl Many sorrowful days had
gone over the cycling arc for her, but this
one seemed to her the hardest to bear. She
wiped her tears away as b cane up with
her bundles and tried to appear cheerful.
All unconscious of trcachery, Sir Rupert
was taking his accustomed afternoon nap,
and while his only child was leaving her
forever and caring but little for his
gray hairs, he was doing the hours away in
his quiet apartments.
perhaps father may relent," ventured
Miriam, as her lover handed her into the
carriage.
'Oi doubt il, me darlint,' sobbed Peggy,
wiping the tears away from her dim old
eyes in order to get a last sight Of Miriam.
'HOi doubt il, but may the blissid Vargin pro-
tect We, anyway"
''Do not feel SO badly, I pray, Mrs. Clark
said Arthur. 'if Sir Rupert never
forgives US. Surely you can trust Miriam
me, and feel that she will be happy,
and that is more than she will be here"
"An' you're livin' roight, me mon. Oi kin
thrust the childer wild ye; n far be it
me to help We on in yer runnin' away,
il Oh couldn't"
'Thank you kindly" replied he, taking /
her trembling hand in q last goodbye. |
''Cheer up; you shall hear Of Miriam fire.
Have acare, Peggy" he added. in |
4 lower tone, that Sir Rupert doesn'tever
1ream Of your being mixed up in this leave
or that you were aware Of Niriam's
The old ~housekeeper answered him by an
nod, and turned away to hide |
her tears.
With n frol 0ood hvo owvov <hov ~r,h;rInd i
Miriam waved an affectionate adieu with |
shut them forever from the park and the |
fearful Peggy at the wicket.
"Och boon! and me- uld heart is broke
intoirely," moaned she to the silent land
while the clouds lifted and q ray Of
sunshine shot athwart its oullness.
The brambles and the heath by the way |
side were tinged with q beautiful flush Of
autumnal scarlet, and leaves tinted with
the faintest gold went flying hither and
in the breeze. The sunshine which |
cast a ray Of promise across the day for
lay glinting on the sea for Miriam
her lover as they neared Hastings.
Through the lanes, past the hedges |
where the blackberry briars formed q |
barrier, with their browning leaves
and luscious clusters, all familiar
hooks and old friends, who seemed to say
good-bye!" past all these they
had come, and the downs, the sea and the
lifts were uncommonly beautiful in the
light The sea-breezes blew up
across the country, refreshing and sweet,
The wind-mills o N West Hill were whirlIng
their great arms, and the old castle near
BY caught the western glow with Q peace
ful contentment, which seemed to say: II
Am glad to be left to picturesque ruin and
The quaint little church at Fairlight was
he destination, but they had taken . cir
,uitous route to avoid trouble, did the mas
.er of Heatherleigh determine on following
hem.
Miriam's heart vent out to the gray
haired, feeble father whom she never ex-
,ected to see again, and with whom she
never could be happy. She revolved the
scenes Of wrath and, perhaps,
'orrowful regret that would transpire
he should be made acquainted with
Ter flight. Then her thoughts turned A.
to Clarkson, who was SO "de-
to help the childer away unbe-
Inownst," and her heart ached for the old
when she should fall under
he interrogative vengeance Of her master.
Ind q great many other things connected
With the Hall floated before her mental