Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-09-12
the little form SO dear to her mothers

icate flower Of a wife knew of the trouble
entailed by the birth Of the daughter. His
only comfort lay in the thought that she
was blissfully ignorant of it all as he paced
up and down in an aifnless march, But the
bitterness of the NORWOOD he had hoped
TO keep from her cup had been put to her
lips through his reticence in the rudest and
most thoughtless manner.
The season of gloom ushered ia by Miri-
ANS advent gradually became dispelled,
and the sunlight of happy content shone
from Lady PercivaPs sweet eyes and illu-
mined the visage of Sir Rupert as the child
grew, beautiful, bright, and above all else,
affectionate.
1t was then that hope sprang up In the
bosom Of the mother
She would watch as the child grew
watchand palliate any dislikes, smooth down
any differences which might spring up be-
tween the two she loved
She, with her great wealth of affection,
would avert, or at least mollify, any trouble
threatening an arrangement
To this hope Lady Percival chung as Miri-
am developed into beautiful childhood
Sir Rupert seemed very fond Of his
bright little daughter, and spent many
hours with her after she was old enough 10
prattle her childish witticisms to his
paternal ear. He seemed 10 have forgotten
the ancestral anathema, as he amused the
child by the hour, driving or strolling about
for her pleasure Perhaps he was trying,
In ceaseless endeavor, to foil the evil in
fiuence lowering over the name, and with a
fathers love break its spell IN this genera
ton. Thus the fond mother argued, not
dreaming that deep in the heart of her hus-
band there lurked a terrible dread OF the
day when the happy days should have an
ending, darker and more sorrowful than
death. He was certain the evil days would
fall, and he was right.
The clouds of fate were already in the
horizon of the fair heavens, although the
fair mother, trusting and ever hopeful, per-
ceived not their baleful gathering.
And so 1t happened that the day arrived
when the black cloud of vengeful darkness
came between the sun and the dial, and all
their lives were henceforth Swallowed by
the storm-cloud without silver lining.
They were walking in the park, all three.
in the lovely weather and Miriam, running
on before her parents, w. TO all appear
ances the very embodiment of beauty and
affection. Her bright curls flying in the
soft sweet air, and her tiny red boots twink
ling over the close-cEt sward as she sported
among the trees, delighted the eyes OF the
mother She looked up with word of af-
fectlonate admiration on her lips, only to
see such strange, yearning look on the face
of her husband that she forgot her remark
in the chill OF apprehensive terror which
seized her. Such an expression of deep
emotion on the countenance of Sir Rupert
could never be forgotten. All! what could
- Oh he - ,II lkl
ask!
Her heart refused it's usual beating, and
the trees seemed as if in mist, while her
husbands face she saw as one sees faces in
q troubled dream.
Then she put her trembling hand on his
arm and looked the wretched question she
did not dare to put into words.
Sir Rupert started as if from terrible
dream, and looked down into the face OF
pale, frightened inquiry moment, as iftry-
ing to read her thoughts. ''She is older in
heart than in years." he replied, slowly,
with dash of keenest pain In his voice, as
his troubled vision turned toward the child.
"She is getting old enough to-hate me, and
it will fall, how or when know not, but OF
one thing am certain, and that is the COM
ing enlargement. l have felt strange
preseHtiASht Pkco0he WAen NC Aux WeehSt
and
He stopped short, as if alarmed at having
made this confession, and had not Lady Per-
cival understood, through previous infor-
nation, his words would have been mean.
ingless riddle. As it was, too well she
knew to what he referred.
Miriam at this moment came rushing
back to them, shouting in childish glee,
and Sir Rupert caught her In his arms,
kissed her fondly and then strodeoff across
the park, leaving his wife and daughter to
return to the hall without him.
How the coming evil goaded him no one
ever knew, but the pain and haunting
dread, visible on his white, drawn face, in
dexed a struggle against decree.
Miriam looked after her father in be-
wildered manner, then turning to her moth
er asked, with strange, impetuous air;
"What ails my fathers"
OH how the heart of Lady Percival went
down In the depths of agonized sorrow at
the question she dare not answer. She
sank helplessly on the sward and drew the
surprised child into her arms with prayer
such as she never yet had uttered.
And curious inquisitiveness had taken
possession of Miriam. Pointing after the
retreating figure of her father, who had
gone off to fight his battle with fate alone,
and of whom she caught glimpses through
the Intervening oaks, she asked with more
than usual lmperativeness: what does all
my fathers say, is he angry"
Then Lady Percival took the two little
impatient hands in her own, and said
brokenly: Miriam, dear, look up to me,n
and, the child obeying instantly, she con-
tinued:
"Father IS not angry, my child; some
thing troubles him very much, and mother
is sorry for him-sorry for us all. Is not
daughter feeling sorry for father, toos"
And then came the reply, quick and i'm
petuous, while the beautiful eyes flashed
with an uncertain light, and the pink, taper
fingers withdrew from Lady Percival's de-
tairing clasp.
81 am quite solly for yOt, mother, out not
solly for my father-aot a bit"
"Oh, why not, my darlingln the stricken
mother made moan, as she burst into tears.
'Cause do not. love him velly WELL"
Miriam replied in tone Of apology. She
put her arms around her mothers neck,
and kissed her tear-wet cheek fondly
"But love you velly much,n she supple
mented, while her sweet childish voice
trembled with fearful emotion.
Lady Percival took her daughters hand,
then, without further words, led her
back TO the stately roof-tree which one day
refused even sheltering care. The agony OF
soul Lady Percival endured in that hour
had broken her heart. She was conscious
of it as she leaned against the balustrade
for support before going to her rooms.
Mother sovelly tiredp' Miriam said, as
the twain entered the apartments, and
forthwith she began arranging the cush-
ions of Lady Percivals chair. 1t seemed
that the child wanted to do something to
&c .sse.xs.