The Red Cloud chief., 1889-12-13
through the tears and .iiumin.ng

beaming through the tears and :iiumlntne
her wan face.
Swell, Miriam" Ireplied, ''wait until you
arc cain again, and I will give you one
which he sent by me-"
sOh! Father in Heaven! Can it be true"
she exclaimed, joyfully. 1t was the very
first time ever saw happiness so compietely
outlined on her usually sad face. l had
seen u look similar Once long ago when we
were wandering among the hills and rest'
ing beneath the shade of a tree while we
gazed oceanward; but this was really hap
| py anticipation.
Il presume you Y reference to Allan
Percival? she questioned. q rosy flush
sweeping up from check to brow.
yes" answered, smiling. II met him
in England, and he seemed very much
pleased to hear that you were at my home
in Rhode Island, and he gave me a letter,
saying: Give it to her with your own
hands, know you will be very happy
with him, Miriam. he is so noble and good"
i said this last at 4 venture, but not
amiss, for her sweet face was almost trans
figured with the JOY that shOne from the
windows Of her happy soul. 'NOw, when
you are calmer," l added, II will give you
the letter"
The flush has gone from her face, and she
is sitting over there in the fitful sunshine
calm as a summers morning, outwardly at
least. Il am CALM she says, presently,
looking away outOver the frosty landscape,
but there is 4 happy tremor in her voice,
and l know the love-light is in her eyes.
take the portrait from her lap and go of
upstairs. l hear her sigh as l shut the
stalrway-dOor behind Inc, and my heart
throbs for the denouement.
Down in the bottom of my trunk, where I
placed it weeks ago, ! find the letter which
l was to deliver with my own hands"
Allan" l say, happily, 1.-The darkest hour
is just before dawn, you KNOW" and ]
go downstairs light Of foot and light of
heart. Why shouldn't ]. when l was the
medium of SO much life happiness, and /
had SO longed tO bring it about, too. 1t
seemst TO me that as l pass down the shaG-
owy staircase that tho face Of my dear.
dead friend, Lady Percival, smiles out OF
the sem~i-darkncss, and l fancy l hear q
sweet, soft voice, long since hushed in
death, say: blessings on your devoted
head, my friend, for taking such good care
of my dear daughter; for proving to be
such a tireless watch and ward over her
best interests"
Miriam looks up as l enter the room with
q bright smile, and l can not help uttering
the words which come involuntarily to my
lips: "Why! is this Miriam; always 50
sad, sc sad!" She doesn't reply, only
reaches an eager hand for the letter which
l q moment later lay on her white palm.
turn away as the taper fingers break the
seal. Somehow it comes to me- that the
inclosed is sacredly hers; that ], wen /,
have no right to intrude on its perusal. /
take up my crOchcting and, stirring Up the
Goals anew in the crate, seat myself at the
opposite window on my fancy work intent.
The wind sweeps down from the hills and
whirls the snow into miniature mountains
and valleys out there in the front lawn,
where last summer she stood SO wrought
up with sOrrOwful vengeance among the
liiies. Would she ever lave such o sad
again as on that day. ] did
not know. Would she ever almost hiss
spitefully through her pearly teeth that she
hated her Eome-her Heatherleigh homei
Most likely, if l should be foolish enough
to breach the subject again. Butt will not;
I have more sense now.
A rustic of paper and q sigh, and l look
up to see Miriam bury her face in the letter
written on Allan Percival's knee in Heath
CTlCISuI Z C1u uOL tciI NuctucI BIC IL
happy now ornot, but / watch her furtively
and pretend that ! do not care to be enlight- |
ened in the matter.
The better way to find out some secrets
is to dissemble and play perfect Indifference
to the import, and, according to the natural
perversity Of things, they will unfold them
selves before your disinterested vision.
Some persons are like oysters; undertake
to he familiar with their Affairs and fhev
shut up, shell-hke, and you are left Q vic |
to your own ovcr-inquisitiveness.
ITO BE Continued