The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-03-28
MIRIAM.
The Romance Of HGathGFlGigh Hall.
By MANDA L. CROKER.
CoPYRIGHr, 1859.

Once he was so determined that Miriam
had been in his apartments and had touched
him on his arm, AWAKENING him from "A
sound nap, that all the servants had TO be
aroused TO searcn for her because he failed
TO find her. All uncomplaining the sleepy
household instituted mock sc arch to quiet
him.
So thus IN the midnight hour, with tapers
aIight, they moved slowly about the silent.
gloomy rooms, above and below, searching
for the satisfaction Of their master, who fol-
lowed them in his feeble march, leaning on
the arm Of one Of their number and talking
incessantly Of his children
After hours Of marching To and fro, hither
and thither, ut Sir Rupert's designation, he
wearily concluded she was hiding in the
gallery, and no words of persuasion would
deter him from going thither. a search in
that lonely OF all lonely rooms at Heather
leigh was all that would pacify him, and
with many misgivings and superstitious
fears crowding their courage to the wall the
servants led him into the chamber Of SorrowS
and bitter memories Ancil and James
guided Sir Rupert's feeble steps, and the
trembling Peggy went ahead with a lighted
taper.
"Howly mother of ChristP' she elacu-
lated, as she stepped aside for Marcia 10 un-
lock the apartment, ''an' II this ghosIly
peraue yvud only COON 10 an md Ord faIe re
The key grated in the unused lock, the
heavy door swung open, and the party en-
tered the midnight gloom Of the musty,
close atmosphere Of the gallery.
On entering, Sir Rupert cast a quick in
quiring glance around him. as If really ex
pectlug 70 see Miriam somewhere in the
gloom, but nothing save the empty silence
Of the shadows rewarded his anxious vision
He stood perplexed and disappoin ted for
81
servants watched him with bated breath.
What nextt The question was plain IN each
face Of the Uch-tormented household
But the question was answered without
delay, for SIR Rupert, as If recollecting him
SELF suddenly stretched out his arms 10
ward the row Of reversed portraits opposite
him, and while light OF recognition glad
deued his old face he exclaimed, almost
gleefully: "Ahl now Miriam Is here after
ALL
They assisted his eager steps across to
the portraits indicated by his unnaturally
bright eyes, and instinctiveIy paused be-
meath Miriam's picture. james turned over
the portrait, ut a look from Sir Rupert, aud
Peggy held the taper up close 70 the beauti-
ful face looking calmly, proudly down from
its heavy black drapery on the midnight
visitors.
And Sir Rupert exclaimed eagerly, clasp
ing his than fingers in rapture: s'Oh
Miriam, my daughter, YOU are here; the old,
merCIless tradition Of our house is at fault
at lastl There is love-lOue, instead of hate,
existing between rs; between Sir Rupert
Percival and child. Is it not so, Miriam .''
and his face lighted up wonderfully with
loves wistful questioning,
Peggy hit her face in her apron and
sobbed coGvUlsiveIy, while Aucil and James
brushed tho Unbldden tears from their over
flowing eyes in silence.
OH the eager, hopeless questioning of an
affection that came too latel
Lord what a pass it has come TO"
moaned the sobbing housekeeper, and
James made answer in a checked voice /:
Yes, too late is the only certainty OF the
Hail.
Sir Rupert caught at their meaning. es-
pecially the lament of the honest butler, on
IS NhOGe faithful ann lac rested. A shadow
of deep disappointment crossed his feature:
"a he looked from one weeping servant q
another, and then, as IL realizing something
Of the cause of their grief, he dropped hii
hands nerveless by his side, and murmures
IN a blank, uncertain way: ''Ahl l see hoV
10 is at last''
Then standing quietly as IL revolving thi
matter more thoroughly in his mind, h,
burst out with: 'Merciful God had for
gotten Miriam is indeed here; but shi
only IS here 70 gaze on her aged fathe
win ulercAesS reprOach- She VIII no
! speak TO me, her poor, old, stricken father
/ OIL she is beautiful, but so cold; heartles
/ and cold IS my only daughter, and dumb .
! all entrcatY. Yes, James / am too latei
| don't quite understand il; but feel that
| am too late for reconciliation for some rea
| son. Miriam understands il / know by he
looks Take me away, James; take m
| away before my old heart is slam in il
| faithfulness; before she kills me with he
| proud, cold, wordIess contemptr'
! "Howly mItherl an what a taching thi
! expairiance wud be 10 sum o. thin as hold
| spite and hatnred among thimselves, ef the
/ only cud be here To hear an see" sal
I Ancil, desperately, as he turned the portral
! 70 its reversed position.
Then they started with Sir Rupert 70
/ his apartments.
/ Il wish 10 his highness that this may
] his last trip exploded Marcia, desperately
as she banged the massive door TO its plac
J with an angry wrench, and turned the ke
| "a the lock viciously.
: "Hushi ye naythenish spalpeen," repr
manded Peggy, savagely. "An' yen nee
/ 10 chop out this nights lesson fer yer av
/ feelin's.n
: It's no evil thing TO wish him dead, Il
sure" responded Marcia, with a defiau
toss of her head. The dlsmayed Ciarkso
made no response TO this assertion, an