Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-17

from the shock of that days experience to
 warrant riding out again, not even over his
 favorite downs toward the sca.
 Nothing so dark and sad had befallen tho
 any-shadowed Hall since Lady Percival's death, not even the letter Miriam sent an- nouncing the death of little Arthur. That happened, as the reader is aware, in the fair weather. Yes; in the floral sweet
 ness of May that missive, all bordered
 with black, found It's way to the Hall. How well they remembered it. Not to the master exactly had it come, although to acquaint him with her second great loss had his stricken daughter written. The superscription, however, designated Peggy Clarkson as tho recipient of the sad news. And Miriam had said: Arthur, my baby boy, Is sleeping, too, under the dewy violets,
 and I believe my heart is broken utterly. Ahl why was born for this desolate, love- less existencea God only can answer definitely. presume mortals would only
 point to the terrible legend of the Percivals and say that, as I am the eldest, and a daughter, I have no right to question my destiny. But such on answer does not suf- fee the agonized questioning of my soul to-
 day. Indeed, this is more than can bear." At the close Of this sorrowful letter Miri-
 am had written: 'Givo my regards to Sir
 Rupert Percival together with my best wishes for his health and-ha2piness."
 Peggy Clarkson had wepe herself sick
 over the contents of this, the saddest letter she had ever received.
 "Only to think" she sobbcd, while the
 great tears of loving sympathy rolled down her withercd cheek, "only to think Oi'll niver clasp the wee darlint in me arms agin. Bad luck to tho loilkes ov it's old gran'faythur for the dhrivin' ov lem away" The servants desired to break tho nc svs to
 the master, thinking even at tho last he | might still repent him of his decision and send for Miriam to choor his few remaining
 days. How to do this was something which l worried them considerably. but tho next day after the receipt of the letter c bright
 thought struck Pcggy's fertile brain, and | when the butler carried his masters break fast up to him shc put the missive on tho trencher, not having the heart to deliver 1t herself James was also instructed mot to say Q wurrud."
 Sir Rupert started and moaned pitifully when he saw the letter; another letter Tn
 less than Q year, with heavy black seal,
 coming from-well, he knew where. He looked up in agonized inquiry, but the sorrowful James vouchsafed nothing in answer.
 Sir Rupert made no effort to reach the let ter on tho trencher, seeming as if expecting James to say something, or perhaps offer to read it. Then, after some minutes, he said,
 gently: "You may get mo somo medicine
 James, which you will find on the library desk below"
 The butler understood this ruse of Sir Rupert's to get him away for moment in order that no mortal eye might behold him peruse tho contents of the letter, and, know ing that for once his absence would be ap- preciated, tarried in the library for quar-
 ter of an hour before he came upstairs to an- that fhora rn moHfcin0 fo "a found on the library desk. James was not afraid of being censured for carelessness in not searching for it, because he knew as | well as Sir Rupert that there was none in
 the library.
 The master of Heatherleigh and his | thoughtful servant, for once, understood each other perfectly, and James looked to-
 ward the trencher. Sir Rupert had drank | his chocolate, and the mlssive was lying in different position; that was all. After exchanging glances with James,
 his master ordered his breakfast away, and leaning back Wearily among the silken l cushions of his deep chair, said huskily: II am not as well as6usual believe, James," Then he shut Ms eyes, and, folding his 1 hands across his breast, sighed deeply. The butler stood for q moment undecided 1 as to whether he ought to leave his master l or ring for Clarkson. He remembered, VlVIuly, an eXperlenCo III CnlS same RnaSLly room that kept hlm on the alert ever sinte.
 And sir Rupert was beginning to look
 white and act strangely as on that other l time when he fancied Miriam had visited him.
 But James was relieved when, presently,
 dlvlnlng his thoughts, Sir Rupert said,
 without so much as even opening his eyes: 1 II will not need you further now, James. 1 do not need tho medicine will rest and
 be better by and by"
 "The masters ever so much worse this
 morning, somehow" said the butler in an
 undertone to Peggy, who was polishing on
 ancientlooking silver tankard, which had l soen more conviviality In it's time than | would ever tighten tho days or ring through
 the blank evenings again at tho Hall. "Yes,
 ever so much weaker" he repeated, putting down the trencher on tho sideboard
 "What's that1" she cried, suddenly, look l NN in @ P ~~~0