The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-08-24

range Tor journey, and Ii can not nave
her go. am Old, James, and she must have
pity-must stay with me. You will lind
her in her rooms, l tninll; see her at once,
and tell her she must, for sweet pity 8 sake,
give up this journey voyage, rather"
James stood petrifed to the spot for some
minutes. Had the master gone daft, or had
Miriam really returned, and was she now
in the Hall somewhere!
Sir Rupert took his hand from the bell
and stretched it out to the butler in en-
treaty, while az ashen paleness crept over
his aged face.
"Don't lose moment of time, James,
and if she will 20, why, ask her to leave
the child with me. It will be such sun
shine in the Hall, the bright little"
"Boy," put in James, By way of enlight-
ennaent, no longer fearing reprimand from
this stran gely -altered man.
"Boya All! dear little son. went on
Sir Rupert. "a son! Then the evil genius
can at last be thwarted. A son! Go, bring
the littl one Miriam's little son--and beg
of her also not TO make the voyage unless
she must. l would have prevailed On her.
into his chair, ''but somehow she Wouldn't
" hoAS AOo w AA1e"~s>
to hearkcn."
He ceased speaking and folded his arms
in tired way.
well, James, will you fail me too2" he
added, plteously.
"No, master, I shall not fai,'' answered
the butler, promising something, he knew
not what Then he stepped outside to think.
What should he doc"
~
Fairfax was MT in the Hall, and he half
believed Sir Rupert's mind was turned, or
that he had had q vivid dream, which, to
him. was reality.
Nevertheless he went to Miriam's rooms !;
cropping around the shadoHy silent CORR
dor, and thinking faster than he had done
for many a day.
The KEY to her appointments was hanging
in its ring in the wall at the right Of the
door, as it had hung for four long solitary
years, except at the times when Sir Rupert,
seized with sudden fits Of cOmpunction,
would pay a visit to them.
Turning the key in the lock, James opened
the door cautiously and looked in. Not a
sound or even sight of any living object
met his eager, questioning eyes. 1t was
plain Miriam was not there, nor had not
DGen, anu LutlI Oil IltpCLC NtS StllCllliS
from temporary halluclnaJion the butler
felt certain.
Reluctantly ne retraced his steps, and
opening his masters door quietly,he wentin.
Sir Rupert was sitting much as he left him,
only his hands had fallen to his side and
that ne seemed asleep He reused up, how
ever, as James entered, and wan smile
lowered around his trembling lips as he
asked: sEDid she relinquish her resolve
concerning the trip, and will she be kind TO
me and remain at the Hall?''
Ono" answered James, talking at ram
dom, ''she is going"
''And will have no pity on her lonely IA
Their? All! ingratitude; iagratitude! She
will leave me The little son, then, if she
must goa"
>'No," answered the butler, again at his
wits end but laundering on, "she will
take the baby with her; needs him her
self, she says"
s'Then am undone; in the home Of my
ancestors / must die alone, and broken
hearted. But could you not prevail on her?'
he continued Frightening visibly. "Speah
of her dead mother"
''Rut, MASTER" said James, much affected
by this unusual softness, and knowing the