The Red Cloud chief., 1889-11-15

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| She had wealth enough fog both. and to
| spare. She would tighten any financial
; burden he might have and send him on his
way rejoicing.
II believe you will recover" she made
answer, assuringly. while q pleased ex-
| preston came into her white face. 'Only
live, Cousin Allan, and we will at least have
| each other. We can ZACH say i have q
cousin which to me will be great happi-
ness, knowing that we viii always Dc
friends"
A mist obscured her vision, and she put
out her hand toward Allan with a gesture
of deem emotion. His thin, trembling fiD-
gers closed over it in silence. Neither OF
them were able to speak for some minutes.
Then Miriam spoke.
"Iam glad" she SAID, $50 glad to have
found you in time. When I was bowed
down with grief and sorrow for the dead
decree, separating me from my house
Henceforth we are friends, i~nseparable,
whether you live q week or . lifetime"
s.Amen! amen" responded Allan. "And
now / shall live" he continued, in assuring
tones; '.instinctively l feel that l shall out
live my lonely, troublOus existence and en-
Joy life. lam only thirty years old, cousin,
and it seems as if I ought not to give up
life so soon, especially with q sworn friend
at my side, and she aPercival-"
A faint smile lighted up his wan face and
his fine eyes shone like stars. "God be
thanked!" he said, fervently. II know
what 1t is to be hopeful and happy at last.
l believe I have CROPPED out from under the
curse, Cousin Miriam, and ] trust 1t will lift
from both lives as well; it must"
|. shave no hope for myself" said Miriam /;
''but if you are only from under the maledic-
ton / am content"
sDou't, don.t" pleaded the sick man,
visibly distressed, and he turned away his
head so that the eyes resting on him might
not detect the gathering tears.
The physician anne in and noticed the
change. "Much better, much betterw he
said, e~ncouragingly. II am hardly pre-
pared to say why or for what reason this
happy change has taken place; but l could
shrewdly guess,'' and the little old man
glanced meaningly about the room, and
then at Miriam, who vas looking out Of the
window.
eyes" nodded Allan, with a happy smile,
"she has come and wrought the trans
formation. The tonic of her presence and
kindness Of her care lave helped you, doc
tor, to effect this marvellous change"
"Certainly, certainly" fused the little
old physician, spreading out and counting
the powders he had been dealing. 81 have
no doubt now but that you are on the mend,
finely, sir, finely. Now have q little care,
sir, a little care" emphasized the precise
doctor, with his hand on the door, ''or you
may w u relapse. Don't get too ambi-
tious, sir; remember you have been very
i'll, very ill, sir"
The little nervous physician nodded in
emphasis, little jerky mods, meant to convey
authority, and the convalescent listened re-
spectfully, although be knew the better
physician of the two was over there by the
window, where the dim sunlight sifted over
her becoming couture.
when I am able to be about, cousin,
will you go back to the Rest!"
"Most likely, for awhile, at least"
Sand thens"
"Allan. l have a favor to ask Of you; will
you grant it,"
"Certainly, if possible l will be glad to.
Cousin Miriam" His eyes held in their
depths such a glad light Of anticipation
now that he might do something to reward
and please one who had done 90 much-for
him.
at isn't much" she said, half in apology,
coming near and taking q seat by couch.
'.But as yet you know nothing Of my plans.
You have asked me where them or words
meaning the same. II I should tell you that
in a very short time I will leave for Ameri-
ca. what would you sayf"
ITO live there; make the Western CONT
nent your home, Miriami" asked Allan, all
the eagerness dying out Of his face be-
clouded by gravest apprehension. Was he
50 soon to lose her. his regal cousina
ITO reside there,' answered she, an odd
little shadow passing over her countenance.
"Oh, I should say, please don't go; what
earthly good can there be in that, Miriam"
II want to forget" she answered, sad
ly. 81 have q friend Y there, at least .
friend Of my dear dead mothers, who has
written me to ome I should have been
gone ere this had it not been for q
illness directly after the receipt Of her
letter."
ssThen l would have missed finding you
and - died." He turned his head away
once more to hide his tears.
81 am glad l did not go,'' she replied.
"And you will be glad q second time if
you give up your plan now," he ventured.
"Oh! not when you get well and strong,
and do not need me-"
There never will be . day again that I
will mot need you. Obi Miriaml" Then as
If shocked at his untimely confession, he
buried his face in the pillows and lay
quite still. Miriam went back to the
window, without gainsaying this outburst
Of her cousins. Poor, lonely, sick man, she
thought, he hardly knows what he is say
ing. Twill not chide him When he will
have fully recovered this thought viii
have passed. No; she will not say any thing
now to hurt HIM. Doubtless her kindness
had almost turned his brain, in his weak
state, and as he convalesced he would for
get. The attendant came and thinking the
sick man asleep, went quietly out again.
The silence was growing irksome. Miriam
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