The morning call., 1890-10-24
MIRIAM'S LOVERS.

terms applied to her by those INTO whose
faces she had never smiled.
Steven Welmore thought her divinity,
because lie was in love with her and be-
cause she had smiled upon him-two most
excellent reasons for his opinion! Stern,
reserved man as he was, this woman had
found the way into his innermost heart
into the very holy of HOLES of his soul-and
he was as completely unGer her influence as
the charmed bird is under the serpentS who
beguleS it.
Whether lie had also found the way to her
heart was quite another question: and one
which he dared not ask as yet. Too much
hung in the balance, finally, to risk it either
way, so he contented himself by lowering
about her continually and haunting the Ce-
dars morning. neon and night, like some
hungry bird that could not or would not
elsewhere find its food.
Miriam favored him, certainly, but she
favored other chosen few also There was
young Dr. Walter Drayton, who came
every morning at sunrise and took Miriam
.cantering over The hills. He was, perhaps,
as formidable a rival as Steven Welmore
had-or at least he was feared the most.
But DR.. Walter lived by his profession,
while Steven Welmore was independent.
Though this might not so far in the lady's
opinion, since Steven remembered hearing
her say once that no one was deserving OF
more honor than he who rose through his
own exerlions. Perhaps she had intended
the remark particularly for DR.. Walter.
Very likely. But when man has lived
SO years before loving, as Steven Welmore
had, and then falls a slave before the god
de5s, it viii take more than one rival to
,,t,sl Z. hin h.l5p That he cannot cOpOupr af
: last.
Steven Welmore had full faith that she
would be his in the end, for he believed IN
fate and the fates undoubtedly meant her
for him. Or, if they did not, he would win
her in spite OF fa,e Is or lures either Let
any une who dared come between him and
his purpose take care! for never man had
a.stronger viii than this same Steven Wei
more.
He rode up 10 The Ceders one early Sep
TENDER morning, just as the sun was rising,
hoping to fDreStall DR.. Walter and secure
Miriam for himself; but he had been there
before him and they were already gone, so
lie turned about ana cantered up ana down
the gravel road leading 10 the house, waiting
thus until they should return. Ii he could
rot be the first, he would certainly be the
second upon the scene.
In perhaps half an hour he saw them
coming over the road, in the distance, at 4
bTeakueCk pace, Miriam ahead.
"Only race" she said as she drew her
painting horse up beside him.
And fairly won, the doctor added, also
drawing rein near them.
You breakfast early" Steven observed
"At on fine mornings others. Miriam
answered.
Dr. Walter, inwardly provoked that he
must leave them alone, bowed his adieus,
saying he had an unavoidable engagement
ut s. and departed.
at is my turn now, is it not?" Steven
askrd.
He thought Miriam's face had become
serious at DR.. Walters leaving.
" Yes, II you please. suppose We 90 down
20 the woods for a quiet talk ?'
well Nothing would please me more"
What an opportunity for him!
They directed their horses through the
gate at the back of the house and down
fOotUalh leading out of the grounds and into
the road toward the river; then canteriug on
for perhaps quarter Of mile they came
under the gorgeous many-coIOred trees. The
sun giinted down upon them through the
branches, and now and then bird trilled
his song above their heads. Otherwise they
Were quite alone.
You do moi believe in dreams, do you?"
she began.
No, Why?"
q supposed you did not" she continued.
But, nevertheless, have been so oppressed
WIKI terrible visions for a week back that
they begin to have their effect. l am actu-
ally growing to believe in them, and half
fear some impending evil"
An amused smile half broke over Steven
Nelmore'S face, but died away as Miriam
caught the expression OF his eyes.
~ gu are laughing at me. Therefore you
are not my friendI"
She spoke in sober earnest.
= 81 did not suppose you admitted me
within that charmed circle. have never
been very fortunate in making many
! friends"
-. He said it with reserved manner, as if
more truth lurket under his WORDS than he
. CARED to have revealed.
Nor l. Let Us shake hands upon that"
Miriam laid, with a sudden animation, at
shr same time extending her hand, from
=. n Aich she had drawn tue glove.
:. on. You say that, who can bind any
you choose 10 your throne"
Ills lace Was sad and gloomy as she an
sWfrcd him.
you are mistaken. 1 am in need of
friend. Such a one as you might be if you
. would"
Stephen Welmore's face grew luminous
He bent toward her, looking into her eyes
eagerly. as only one who loved her as he did
was capable of looking.
81" VIII be your friend forever if you will
accept me. Love you as no mortal ever
loved before!' lie said.
''Oh, | do not mean that! Not that! How
could you have misunderstood NE SOP"
He was upright in his saddle in a second:
lis eyes dllated and flashing. and his whole
face hard as "A rock
IAN women are devils and all men are
lo0ls. ne SAID, IN clear, ringing tone, and
putting the spurs into his horse he dashed
down the road like a mailman, leaving
Miriam alone.
Miriam was sorry, to say the least. If
she could only have bound him to her as a
true, loyal friend what a comfort it would
have been to her! But here he had thought
Ie Up n h1fch hon IJ,I,t
flushed angriiy. Would no one understand
htr' then? She needed friends, not lovers
She turned her horses head, and touching
him with her Iiding-whip rode swiftly
away IN the opposite direction from which
Steven WelmUreshad gone.
Her anger was spent in the long, fierce
ride. she took, and she came home quite her
s If again. That evening, while Miriam sat
IN the moonlight, running her fingers
ureamily over the piano keys, Steven Vel
more came in and stood beside her.
Miriam, / acted like fool this morning.
and have come to ask your pardon" he
said.
Granted" she answered, quickly, with a
pleased face, giving him her hama.
And wish to be your friend" he con-
tnued, and to have this mornings folly
forgotten, if possible"
Granted also. And to prove it come out
INTO the grounds with me. l have something
to tell you"
icy went out under the full moon
You ought to know why | cannot be
yours, for such an unexpected honor as your
love deserves some reward" she said, Il
will tell you. Long before l knew you |
loved and was engaged"
Her companion started slightly at her
WOrlS.
e To-day that man is an abandoned in
-;ebriate, wholly lost and ruined; but" size
turned her face toward him, her eyes SWIM
ming in tears-"I love him yet, and can
marry no other"
For several seconds nothing broke the
silence between them. Then Steven said .
Z" / will be your friend. Your confidence
has not yet been misplaced Your dreams
were of this. see."
" Yes. Oh. such horrible things as have
dreamed They make me shudder now.
Let Us, 90 in. This beauty Expresses me to-
night"
Dr. Walter was Just entering the door as
they came up the steps. He held paper in
his hand.
Miriam. here is telegram a boy at the
gate handed me. as came past, for YOU
A quick look passed between Miriam and
Steven Welmore, and spasm as of mortal
agony went over her face. She caught the
note, and, hurrying before Them into the