The Red Cloud chief., 1889-10-04
came down stairs with the trencher; and he
shivered in anticipation of the morrow.
CHAPTER

CHAPTER
"Howly mother! an wen put it of till
the crack o. doom il we can" Peggy ejaca.
lated later, when Sir Rupert had 70
tired, and the servants had all huddled
round her in the west wing to hear the de-
tails OF Miriam's departure. Nothing suited
her better than to entertain them in her
graphic way and impassioned manner with
weird and strange ~recitals Of fortunes pos
sible and impossible, and often she had held
them spelibound until the great clock Of
the central hall warned them Of midnight.
"But We all know full well" she reflected,
shat the masther srtu be KNOWN NV it ter
D0rrer by some names, an mark ye," NOV
ing her right index slowly around the circle
like the finger of destiny. mark We, there's
not q mothers son Of ye knows q single
wurrud Of b runnln' away whin the
masthur's wrath runs hoiSh." And all
promised with one accord to faithfully
keep their knowledge q secret for the
''Swate childer's sake" Peggy said, while
her auditors knew full well that it was for
her W sake as much, and more, than f0l
Miriam's that they were enjoined to such
secrecy.
San we must kape the saycret for the
loife Nv US" supplemented the housekeep-
er once more, as they were about 10 sep
arate for the night; '.ye know il ye don't
we'll be whOoped out o. the Hall Quickern'
. wink; ony way, maybe Well be kilt roight
on the spot. an which is wurrust NV the
two Dim not to say"
At breakfast the next morning Sir
Rupert settled himself in his accustomed
seat and looked about him; he would wait
for Miriam, something he scarcely remem-
bered Of having to do, she being an habit
ual early riser.
The butler stood respectfully near, quak-
ing in every limb. in dire anticipation Of
the Impending storm about to burst over
their unlucky heads, n perhaps sweep
them from Heatherleigh like chat.
"Miriam is late" said Sir Rupert. "Call
the housekeeper."
Clarkson was waiting in the next room,
and at a look from the terrified James
came forward o If by magic, hating at Q
respectful distance, demure and innocent
looking enough to wiz the favor Of anyone,
however austere.
It was evident that she was in better
trim for the emergency than her fellow
~servants were.
"Ask the maid II Miriam is ill., the mas
ter commanded, rather than said. Then
he relapsed into q silence to be felt. He
was thinking that perhaps the Disagree
ment Of the day before had unuerved the
almost heart-broken daughter. Perhaps
he had been too harsh-ah! perhaps he had.
Little did he dream when he asked for the
maid that she had gone. Declaring that
she would not stay to hear the anathemas
sure to fall, little Mary Ferris had left only
q few hours after her mistress went away;
and, at the time the master of Heatherleigh
called for her, she was relating again the
instances in connection with the fight of
Miriam to the dwellers of her fathers vine.
cottage, some three miles from the
Hall.
Clarkson went, without . moments hesi-
tation, in search of the girl, whom she
knew to be far enough away. "Howly
she murmured, as she went up
stairs, 'defnd US in swate marcy! The
be for the KILN av US all in less
q n no tonne. Oi feel it In me bones"
Opening the door Of Miriam's room she
peeped in cautiously. as IL fearing that the
woeful tradition had taken form unto itself
and was but waiting to slay the first in
Then, remembering the fair,
proud face Of its late occupant. Peggy went
to the bed and knelt for Q moment in
prayer, making the sign Of the cross As she
did 30.
'Oh, m darlint, me swate mauvourneen,
it's q toweriu' pashun yer faythur'n
be inw
ITO BE CONTINUED