The Red Cloud chief., 1889-12-27
"weT;,"I answer, folding my hands ovee

"weI,"I answer, folding my hands 0vee
ny work, preparing to listen. d.
My MOTHER continued Miriam, had Q
beautiful silver service Of her own. and be-
fore / left the Hall /. with Peggy's assist
ance, hid il away, with several other things
Of value. Including nv mothers jewels. We
slowed them all away In q recess behind
the booh-sIelves IN the library. taking the
midnight h0ur for our work. Sir Rupert"
tsne never calls him father ''had forgot
ten, ! think, the existence Of the secret cup
board: and as it was closed by . sliciaH
panel, scarcely visible when closed, ! do aot
doubt but that they were found just as ! pus
them away. ! hope so, at least" she ended.
with q sigh.
the peasant. cheerful look comes INTO
her face once more, and she Stops and alb
sentiy gathers u dozen vIolets al her feet
There is something more she wishes to tell
me. so l wait
THIS is the last of May she speaks, in
t~esrogativeiy. and answer: Eyes, the very
last Gays of the spring"
A crimson Hush sweeps up over cheek
and brow, and Allan is coming she con-
fesses. sweetly.
On" / pretend to be surprised. happily
so: but / was certain he would come long
DelOre THIS disclosure
But it does ny soul good to see the
happy love-Iight 10 her beautiful eyes and
to hear her confession. so l reach over n
press a kiss Of congratUiation on her rose
flushed cheek. and say: Il am so glad for
you, Miriam, and for Allan. too"
II was sure you would be- replies Miri-
am, looking a. NE wlstfully, Q~uestioningly
What is it.'1 ash. lntuitively knowing she
desires TO ask me something from which
for some reason. she shrinks.
do you suppose Arthur would carer
The question came scarcely ABOVE q wis
per. and her face takes on a LOOK Of fright
ened, painful inquiry.
No." l answer, decisiveiy, and give her
q look OF ~incredulity. l can scarcely believe
my ears. Would Arthur care! No,
Miriam, he would not; SO rest conteuted.
Do you suppose that Arthur would be SC
selfish as thatr' ask.
She answers BY a negative shake of her
head. which brings one long. glossy curl
down over he- heaving bosom, but she does
MOI speak. Evidently I have alluded to the
dead too abruptly. Well. / have never I'M
derstood the strange, beautiful woman be-
fore me thoroughly, and what might please
anybody else would. likely as not, fall dis
astrousiy across her thoughts.
You shall be married here at the COT
tage." / say, making q bold attempt al
turning her mind from the mournful past
to the future with its promising outlook.
MY poor little cottage has never known q
marriage, a birth or a death" add. plead
ingly. looking straight at her for the answer.
Your lear little home has been very
lucky, ,tien." she replies, with a PARKWAY.
sad look.
l am almost out of patience with her.
Why must she dwell forever on the doleful
pasts But she speaks.
Yes. l should ike to be married here"
she says. Il was married once in church,
and she shivered as if the memory of it
chilled her very SOU. and l never want to
have the ceremony repeated there"
She faStens the violets IN her fchu Of
creamy lace, and, gathering up the letters,
goes II.
Allan is coming" l repeat to the rose
buds: Allan i, coming when you bioom,"
and the breeze, sweeping up from the sea,
signs through the trees: Yes. yes, yes"
Allan is bringing a friend with him"
Miriam nesties down beside me on the sofa
later and whispers this bit of news IN my
attentive ear.
But I can not imagine who il can be-"
she adds, IN a puzzled tone.
"a friend" and we ponder until we give
up in despair Of even thinking Of one likely
to come with him. and turn to discussing
the preparations necessary for the happy
event Of her wedding.
ITO BE Continued