The Springdale news., 1889-12-13
MIRIAM
The RCI,llllGGSS of HGathGrlGigl Hall.
By MANDA L. CRocKE2,
 COPYRIGHT, l8S9.
CHAPTER XKII.-coNr1Nrrn.


 At glance she saw that It was for Miriam; doubtless the sender did not know that the Rest had changed hands, At any rate the letter was Miriams, so upstairs sped Patty, wondering at letter coming in this post-haste manner. Il sincerely hope 1t contains no bad news V she murmured, going in search of the owner.
 Miriam was half reclining, half sitting in her fayorite deep armchair near the win dow. The rich crape folded about her rounded form gave her pretty, proudly arched neck and haif-cXposcd arms mar ble whiteness by contrast with it's somber folds as she gazed dreamily out to sea. The jewel at her throat gleaming in it's bed of shadowy black lace seemed to light up her pale, proud face with checrfulness it did not possess. The pafor of her sorrow. ful eountenanee was not so noticeable in the light of the window as when she turned in the shadows and you met the yearning look of her sad eyes.
 "The letter is for you, Miriam dear, v said Patricia, entering the parler softly and dropping the letter with q strange-ooking seal iu her lap.
 "For met" and alIttle surprised look came over tue fine features. Perhaps father had written, and and but no: a yes, wasn't
  ing was strange; IL wasn't Sir Rupert's.
 'The bearer watts for an answer; waiting below now said Patty, almost forgetting the pompoas carrier i'll the waiting room in the strange, anxious light fitting over Miriam $ questioning eounteuanee
 sIndeed " and Miriam broke the seal ex- citedIy Her face lost it's questioning and grew drawn and white, so white that Patty l,nelt by her side in alarm.
 Suddenly she spraug to her feet. 'I will gol l will go' sine exclaimed, almost wild ly "TcIl him so; uo stay. Write it. Write thatI shall come if it be the last thing 1 do Now l know why have lived Poor Allan !! Poor Allau's son! My relative in sorrow, as well as name.n
 An unwonted light burned in the depths of her fine eyes, and an expression of sympa- thetie pleasure flashed into her face as she took an excited turn about the room.
 Although Patricia knew in part, she could hardly fathom the spell the letter had thrown over Miriam. She guessed, how ever, that the legend and malediction of the Perciyas had part to play in the excite ment of her sister.
 "Pen and paper" said Miriam, sinking exhausted into her chair again.
 Patty produced them, and Miriam, seizing the pen, hastily wrote a reply.
 "That is right" sac calculated, hurriedly "Take it to the post boy; l am so glad-so gIadn
 She talked incoherently, Patty felt no little alarm concerning Miriam. She had grown so strangely different, metamor- phosed, as il were, within the last half hour that she was cXcusable il feeling no little concern in regard to her.
 Patty took the reply down herself and gave t To the waiting carrier, who bowed himself out in haste.
 When she returned to Miriam she found her crying softly, her face buried in the let ter she had received an hour before
 ''Cousin Allan is very i'll and wants me, ,' explained Miriam, drying her tears and looking up. Il never knew where uncle went to aftcr-after hs marriage, but Cousin Allan Is now in London, and Uncle and Aunt Fercival are both dead. l shall go to him at once, Patty IL seemed good to have some oae care for me at iast.n
 "Why, Miriam dear, I love you as an own sister; you m4st know that, certainly" an swcred Patricia, in a pained voice, looking at her with br,mIning eyes.
 Miriam threw her arms impulsively around Pattys neck and sobbed out: Not that, Patty; not that. mean to have one of my own house to speak 10 me, to care for; a real Pertival, Patty"
 "Ohp' exclaimed Patricia, enlightened :; ''there, there, do not weep i'll that heart broken way, Miriam,n and sine soothed her as she would ehlld
 '.You will make yourself ill," warned Patrica, "and you may not be able to visit that dear cousin who, of course, would give worlds 10 see you
 Miriam uuelaspcd her hands at this, and calmcd herself as much as she was able, considering the unusual neWs she had re- ceiyed Never in all her life had she heard from real relative; and this one wanted her to come.
 With q nervous cagerucss Miriam set about her preparations for leaving for Lon don on the morrow.