Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-08-23
MIRIAM.
i llee Romance of Heatlerlcigh Hall

i,l:ee Romance of Heatlcrlcigh Hall scrlbable feeling of happiness and an un
 certain hope; that, 1 candidly believe, was the sweetest sentence had heard for years, and it seemed so much like what had hoped would be, although it was foreign enough to the real Miriam as had known her.
 'So long, Allan; so long," she inurmurcd over and over afterward a half times, and am certain she loves him little, at least I remember that in delirium quite often the secret of one's soul escapes it's safeguard, and this comforts me. Oh! Miriam, white and unconsclous on your pillow, you have revealed 10 mo a secret which, doubtless, in your sane moments I might never have been able to guess at, you would have shielded and hidden it so sacrcdly!
 The thought of Allan Percivars lovc being returned is still in my mind when Mrs Courtney comes into the room, and l, catch ing at an idea, followed it up with all the alcrtness of @ Pinkerton detective. havo been but little else than detective ever since my wary feet touched the threshold of Heathereigh Hall some weeks ago, so ''put out my feelers'' for little enlighten- ment, if possible, and I say with seeming unconcern: "I suppose Miriam has been very restless ever slnce her illness," and the answer comes: "Oh! yes; you can't imaginew
 ''Talking a great deal, too, I suppose; asking for me often, I dare say!" I want to know if any one else ever heard her say "Allan," but do not ask directly, for the reason that 1 desire to keep her and his secret .cel; keep it as my own.
 M. sigh and a pitying look toward the uncon- scious sufferer; "yes, she called for you quite often; and sometimes she imagined you were here, you know"
 "Yes," said.
 "And several times she seemed as if she were talking to a gentleman, and would call him Allan Tn such an affectionate way that l supposed she saw, ill her delirium, her dead husband. Then had no hopes of her at all, for they say that if 0 very sick per son thinks they are conversing with those that are dead, why, 1t IS sign that they will soon follow them"
 let Mrs. Courtney have her way about it being the dead hus band, and also about the "sign," for I have another evidence to prove my suspicion, and care nothing for her beliefs. 1 sit there, however, listening to her whispering of the details of Miriam's illness with seeming great attention. Of course had asked her for it, and l must listen to every word, although my thoughts were running away liko maddened stee1s Ill another channel. was back at Heath erleigh; l saw the hght of unwordcd love shining in Allan Pertival's handsome eyes as he handed me letter; heard him say, with little exultant hope ringing in his fine voice: "Give this letter to Miriam with your own hands," I remembered his look of wistful, glad expectancy when Iparted with him at the pier; and then quickly I connected to those golden links Miriams words of the past dark sennight, and ill the future had spread out before me reunion of lives now seemingly SO far apart.
 But l wake from my fanciful romance when Mrs. Courtney stops her rambling recital and asks me question point blank:
 "Had ever seen Mrs. Fairfax's hus- band!" No, had not
 'Well, had ever seen his picture, then" Yes, had; but the detective instinct was again uppermost and I dld not tell her that that was his portrait over there on the wall, just visible from where we sat, through the folding doors.
 At my reply in the affirmative she gets up and motions me to follow her. I do so, believing that there is yet another link in this golden chain l am trying to put to- gether for Miriam; one which had missed
 Mrs. Courtney is determined I see, to solve something or prove something she believes, and l close the door of the sick room softly, leaving Miriam still sleeping, and tlptoe after my inquisitive neighbor as inquisitive as she.
 She goes to small secretary at the end of the hall, by the window, and takes from the inner recess of the middle drawer some thing and fumbles it over. ''Well," she calculates, "I can't open it. The doctor took it oil of her neck" she continued, handing 1t to me, land told me to put it away until she recovered; or until you came home, if she did not" l took the bauble, as 1 thought, and walked to the window to moro closely examine it, the hallway being dark. Pushing aside the curtain saw that it was a costly locket attached to very fine gold chain. One side was resplendeEt with and on the other the arms of the Percivals, sword aud shield beneath a Latin inscription In semi-circle. knew the | sword and shield at onco belonged to the | Percival house, as had seen it on the seals | at Heartherleigh in the great, lonely library.
 Mrs. Courtney comes over to the window 1 where l am and watches my endeavor to | open it with cagerness.
 ''I thought may be her husbands picture | and one of the baby's might be in it." she | said, land should like to see them just | once."
 "Yes," I say, after trying in vain to open it in the usual way. "I have seen both DOT | Iraits." Then, as am about to give it up | and put away the locket unopened, l dis cover secret spring just at the edge of a | ; hjIl!T|Ii A xl.<Eo{ .2 l