Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-27
how near my darling was to the gates of

how near my darling was to the gates of dcakh!n
 Allanh voice died in whisper of emo tion, ard he shook as with an ague. said nothing, but now knew why she grew SO white and nervous when she learned that Earl Fairfax was in Allan's company. Shc was afraid that s.inadvcrtently," as she had said, the old gentleman had revealed that hour of anguish to her lover, and perhaps told him of her vow. This, doubtless, shc imagined would prove disastrous and drive Allan from her side.
 ''It is best" said l. upon reflection, ''that Miriam never knows we heard this. She was driven to the rash VOW, and the suicidal attempt as well, by terrible and pressing sorrow, and as she had tided the days of anguish safely over at last, it is wise never to disclose a word ot what we heard at the library door,"
 Certainly" he replied; s'the secret is ours, and my darling will never know! Could not live without me-" he repeated, looking up brightly. ''That little confession is worth more to me than the whole world, even though did hear it caves dropping. Now no more shall my life be sad and lonely; neither will hers. think we arc coming out from under the shadows of HeatherIeigh."
 It is 8 week later. We have had quiet wedding at Bay View cottage, and hence forth itis a house with romance. The neigh. bors all look upon me as one of the favored few in having such wealthy, aristocratic friends, but feel lonely and deserted in a great measure.
 Allan Percival and his proud, ,queenly wife have gono to their beautiful home on the Hudson. A magnificent country seat some few miles from New York suited their fancy, and they have left me for a little happy world of their own. A happier, handsomer couple I believe never had the fortune to see. Allan's beaming face and Miriams joyous countenance will long be remem- bered, as I saw them fade into the distance as far as the city of New York, and from thence for England in few days.
 The kind old uncle that ho is, gave away the bride for the second time, he officiating in that capacity in the little church of All Saints on that never-to- be-forgotten, cheer less wedding night that saw Miriam and Arthur united in their clandestine mar riage.
 But this wedding was far different. No ceremony in tho deep shadows of a dimly- lighted church; no going out acroSs the lonely church-yard, past the white, silent headstones, and dark. heavy-shadowed brasses of an English burying ground, and no flight from an angry, pursuing parent.
 No; the little parlors of Bay View cottage reveled in their brightness and fragrant beauty, and fairly glowed with happin ess borrowed from the glorious June weather and the merry sunshine for the suspicious event. Bay View cottage, that had never known marriage, 8 birth or death, scarcely ever the coming or going of friends even, plumed itself and blossomed nj int n mi orfo a ho ho,,o 1rvIo the wealthy ng:ishman married the heiress of magnificent sum, from over the sea also. .---
 No wonder that felt proud of the hand some, accomplished couple. The soft, sweet light shining in those beautiful eyes behind the flmy bridal val of richest texture was enough to fairly intoxicate any soul And the handsome groom, who gazed with such fond pride on the regal woman at his side. was one of Gods noblemen, surely.
 And when they passed out, and down the abloom with dewy fragrance, filling the sweet air with love and beauty, said soft ly to myself: "You have stepped this happy day from out the shadows of Heatherleigh, and forever" ae5l .4-s
 They will return by and by, after their little touz of inspection of the elegant home. Miriam said, with one of her indescribable smiles: I've will come back to you for few days shortly; we could not leave you all at once, you know" And kissed her beaming face and said "No," with a deso- late, strange feeling coming into my heart
 1think 1 never realized how much had learned to love the daughter of my dear, dead friend until now. But that is the fiat of earth; the cycle of fortune bringing sun- shine to one heart casts it's shadow over an- other, and although I miss her say it is we'll.
 Allan gave Miriam the jewels and the exquisite silver tea service he brought from their far-off dark niche in the Heath erleigh walls and showed her the portrait of his father, which "the jolly old sauire," as he called him, was so kind as to give him from out the collection in the ancestral gallery.
 l. wondered If the memory of her last visit to it's gloomy solitude came back to her as she bent reverehtly over the face so like that of tho man at her side. fancy some thing of that trying hour fitted through her mind, for she pressed her quiverlng lips to the portrait and whispered, half aloud: "We mHt agaln!" And Allan turned away to hlds his emotion while the woman he loved hung lovingly over the face of his dead parent.
 thought Miriam would wear her jewels on her wedding day, but 1 never know just what she intends doing until find myself surprised by her curious notions. .sI will put them by," she said, with loving caress, until after awhile; they are all have left from over the sea; all 1 have from merrie old England; but they are quite enough"
 Yes, they will come back for a season and gladden. my lonely home, the more lonely now since having known their bright faces, and then the elegant country seat on the Hudson will receive them.
 CONCLUSION
 | am alone in the library. The casket of scintillating jewels left in my keeping is before me, showing by its ancient, exquisite ly designed cover that it is an heirloom of years. A fair, sweet face comes floating back to me from the checkered past for beloved recognition, and hear rich, full voice saying: ''Thrice blessed are they who are true to the last" shut my eyes and bow my head in my hands in silent spirit communion, for realize that Lady Percival is near.
 As sit wrapped in the society of SyUaaf momnrioa non 3n <l.