Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-11-14

a twelyemOnth or more, could be hood
wlnked into ''spring fashions" IN this man
peri If she did, she has reckoned without
her host, as l mentally cite a wedding day
somewhere adown this golden summer;
perfect day Ia june, no doubt, as May is
waning. All yes, methinhs ] hear we'd
ding bells, and their clear, sweet music is
in harmony with the symphony OF the day.
But Miriam. A couple of letters lying in
her lap bear foreign post-marks, and she
has been reading them softly to herself,
smiling the while, as il the contents were
pleasing in the extreme.
The soft. gray texture OF her dress she
chose gray for afternoon costume, but
there is a beautiful white satin folded away
amid cloud Of costly lace for another oc-
caslon falls from her queenly figure in full
folds, and she looks every inch veritable
queen; this stately, proud daughter of the
Percivals.
"Heatherleigh is in the past" she says,
turning her head, with smile winch is
half joy, half sorrow. 'sThe house of the
Perciyals have nothing more in its somber
shadows No, no more, foreverp'
"Sodf' / ask.
ayes; disposed Of" she answers, look,
ing away seaward. The fair face Pushes
and pales fitfully. There is strong tide OF
memory surging up from the past; thou
sand thoughts are coming TO the front fol
recognition, and it is safe to say they are
not pleasant ones,
work away on my embroidery and fin.
ish an impossible grape cluster IN smoky
purple without pretending 10 offer any
thing further. Such things are best thought
out in silence, | have learned. So we sit an
hour ia the soft, sweet weather without a
e,s1 nd dataYa nj
the letters alternately, and l attentive to
my embroidery, with an occasional glance
at her face. She will speak presently, and
tell me what she is thinking about have
known her long enough to know this, and
work away, awaiting her pleasure.
~ have sent to the Hall for few things,n
she begins, just as l expected she would;
'and if am happy enough to get those the
whole place known as Heatherleigh may
rest for aye under the curse of Sir Leon
Heatherleigh, for aught care,h
Her face Pushes crimson, then pales like
lily; she is still reyengeful and passion
ate in her hatred of the Hall. had thought
she had forgotten the old, desperate days,
but she has not. ! do not answer; l have
nc words. scarcely ever have when Mir
lam towers up in speeches like this, and
she relapses into another reverie. as disa-
greeable, perhaps, as the first
peggy Clarkson never told you," she be-
gins again, "of a certain nights work Of
ours, did she-hers and minep
Her face assumes look Of mingled
pride and defiance, and she smlles little
as answer "No.n
81 thought she could be trusted even
unto death,' and her eyes filled with tears,
in memory of the deceased servant. "Now
- fs oil .ytf 4 mill tall
you our little secret,p she said, confiden-
TALLY.
"Well," answer, folding my hands over
my work, preparing to listen.
''My MOTHER continued Miriam, "had a
beautiful silver service of her own, and be-
fore left the Hall l, with Peggy's assist
ance, hid it away, with several other things
Of value, including my mothers jewels. We
slowed them all away in a recess behind
the book shelves in the library, taking the
midnight hour for our work. Sir Rupert"
(she never calls him fatherD had forgot
ten, think, the existence of the secret cup
board; and as IL was closed by a sliding
panel, scarcely visible when closed, do not
doubt but that they were found just as put
them away. hope so, at least,n she ended,
with sigh
The pleasant. cheerful look comes into
her face once more, and she stoops and alb
sently gathers dozen violets at her feet
There is something more she wishes to tell
me, so | wait.
This is the last of May?" she speaks, in
terrogatively, and | answer: Eyes, the very
last days of the spring"
A crimson flush sweeps up over cheek
and brow, and"Alan is coming" she con-
fesses, sweetly.
I q t.o har
so; but was certain he would come long
before this disclosure.
But it does my soul good to see the
happy love-light in her beautiful eyes and
to hear her confession, so reach over and
press kiss of congratulaton on her rose
flushed cheek, aud say II am so glad for
you, Miriam, and for Allan, too"
II was sure you would be-" replies Mri-
am, looking at me wistfully, questioningly
"What is itf'I ask, ntuitively knowing she
desires to ask me som thing from which,
for some reason, she shrinks
'Do you suppose Arthur would carer
The question came scarcely above a whis-
per, and her face takes on a look of fright
ened, painful inquiry.
NO" | answer, decisively, and give her
look of increduity / can scarcely believe
my ears. would Arthur carel No,
Miriam, he would not: so rest contented
Do you suppose that Arthur would be so
selfish as thati" ask.
She answers by negative shake Of her
head, which brings one long, glossy curl
down over her heaying bosom, but she does
not speak. Evidently have alluded to the
dead too abruptly Well, l have never I'M
derstood the strange, beautiful woman be
fore me thoroughly, and what might please
Il.
astrously across her thoughts.
"You shall be married here at the cot
tage,p / say, making a bold attempt at
turning her mind from the mournful past
10 the future with its promising outlook
''AIy poor little cottage has never known a
marriage. birth or a DEATH" add. plead
ingly, looking straight at her for the answer
"Your dear little home has been very
lucky, tlieB,'' she replies, with a far-away,
sad look.
am almost out of patience with her.
Why must she dwell forever on the doleful
paste But she speaks.
.Yes, / should like to be married here,''
she says. II was married once in church"
and she shivered as If the memory Of it
chilled her very soul, .'ind | never want TO
have the ceremony repeated there.r
She fastens the vi0ets in her fiehu Of
creamy lace, and. gathering up the letters,
goes in.
ALLAN Is coming / repeat TO the rose
buds; ALLAN j. coming when you bloom
and the breeze, sweeping up from the sea,
signs through the trees: Yes, yes, yesri
ALLAN is bringing a friend with him.
Miriam nestles down beside me on the sofa
later and whispers this bit OF news in my
attentive ear.
sBut l can not imagine who it can be-
she adds, in puzzled tone.
"A friend aud we ponder until we give
up in despair Of even thinking Of one likely
10 come with him, and turn TO discussing
the preparations necessary for the happy
event Of her wedding.
/ Now that she has spoken 70 me and
know that they are to be united, Miriam IS