The Irish standard., 1889-08-31

ner becoming couture.
ssWhen am able to be about, cousin,
| will you go back to the Rest?''
Most likely, for awhile, at least. !"
| ssAnd then?'
s.Allan, have favor to ask Of you; will
you grant its"
! .Certainly, if possible will be glad to,
| Cousin Miriam" His eyes held in their
| depths such glad light OF anticipation
! now that he might do something to reward
| and please one who had done so much for
| him.
s'It isn't much" she said, half in apology,
! coming near and taking seat by the couch.
| 'sBut as yet you know nothing of my plans.
| You have asked me where them or words
| meaning the same If should tell you that
| in a very short time will leave for Amerl-
ca, what would you say?"
ssTo live there; make the Western CONT
| nent your home, Miriam9" asked Allan, all
the eagerness dying out Of his face be-
! clouded by gravest apprehension. Was he
so soon to lose her, his regal cousin?
''ro reside there" answered she, an odd
| little shadow passing over her countenance.
"Oh, should say, please don't go; what
earthly good can there be in that, Mlriam!"
II want to forget" she answered, sad
| ". 81 have friend over there, at least a
| friend of my dear dead mothers, who has
| written me to come. I should have been
gone ere this had it not been for severe
| illness directly after the receipt OF her
| letter.
s'Then would have missed finding you
| and - died." He turned his head away
| once more to hide his tears.
81 am glad 1 did not Co." she replied.
''And you will be glad second time if
| you give up your plan now," he ventured.s
con! not when you get well and strong,
| and do not need me.''
"There never will be a day again that
| will not need you. Oh! Miriam!" 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. will not chide him When he will
have fully recovered this thought will
| 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 irkso,ne. Miriam
| looked at her watch and then glanced
! furtively toward the couch. Allan Percivsl
had lot stirred.
'sAllan," she said, softly; ''it is time for
another powder, l believe. Jack would
have given it to you but he thought you
were asleep. Shall / give it to you?"
Her cousin took his face from among the
pillows and looked up. Eyes, ii you
please"
His face was very pale, all the vlvacity
of hopeful convalescence had fled, and even
his lips were white and trembling with
emotion.
Miriam thought best not to notice it, and
gave him powder in little wine glass of
Madeira. It will strengthen him, she
thought. Then she drew her chair near
him and sat down.
do for me is this. When T am gone please
forget that you know of my whereabouts
should any inquiry come to your ears from
Heatherleigh. Will you do tHs?'
eyes," he answered; "they shall never
know through me if you desire to have
your voyage remain secret"
II wish it, most assuredly;' and then she
told him of her visit to the Hall when she
was waved off by Sir Rupert in his fury,
dwelling tragically on the sorroWful recital
''Now you know ap7,y wish to be buried, as
it were, from sight and sound OF Heather
leigh"
II hnoso," he answered. II will promise
any thing you desire; you will forgive and
forget my speech of an hour ago If it CRATES
on your heart, cousin. I'LL am too lonely
and desolate, and-well you will forgiven"
He reached out an eager hand and Miriam
took in warm, friendly clasp the out
stretched palm
"Don't grieve," she said, generously.
''You have said nothing wrong, Allan. But
wait un til you are well and strong and per-
haps you will forget it, too"
Miriam saw puzzled, tar~away look steal
into those splendid eyes; then culver OF
the pale lips, and she knew he was battling
with disappointed desires. She hesitated
for moment, then passed her hand caress-
ingly over the noble brow, and up among
the dark, clustering hair. He was her
cousin, all the relative she had, and-well,
she would. So bending over the pitiful,
wan face on the pillow, she pressed her
lips to his brow.
''There is nothing to forgive, Allan; you
and are the frmest, best of 5rtends." Then
she went to her own apartments, and the
attendant came and sat out the day by Allan.
When Allan Percival was able 10 sit up
and walk about the apartment Miriam an
nounced her intention of going home.
s'rhough Haven't any," she added, bitterly.
She was thinking of two graves, side by
side, beneath the dark yew trees OF the
church-yard.
| Allan looked wistfully up, and sudden,
yearning light almost glorifed his handsome
face. But he turned away his head as
| LII x
| | - = | G Up ll >.hsAh