The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-02-15

l hesitated great deal before giving her
the mlssiye, thinking that perhaps il might
not be conducive Of any good, but after al
nave done SO, and regretted il immediately
afterward- fold up the letter now wish
ing something had happened 10 it be-
fore II reached its destination, or that 7 had
mad discretion enough TO have foreseen III.
consequences, and had committed il 10 the
crate, as might have done, seeing it was
addressed TO me.
While am indulging thus IN self-cou-
OeInnatlon she comes down stairs calm
enough outwardly, the glossy hair freshly
brushed, and 1 doubt not the tear-stains
pathed carefully of the placid face, so as
not 10 grlcve me. She comes forward and
takes my hands in her two hot ones. looks
p!eadngly into my face, and makes a
strange request, a request that sends the
otoou surglng back 10 my heart, leaving my
cne0Hs bIanched- / am aware for she
pauses, looks troubled and doubtive. and
hesltates- But finally she has finished, and
L have promised 10 grant her desire. al
though IN ten minutes after she has kissep
me thankfully and settled down on the
shadow-hecked steps with great sigh of
retlef regret having done so.
She knows il is my intent 10 visit n reIa-
tive living in the suburbs of Hastings.
shortly, and she has asked me while there.
take little run over beyond FairIight ana
visit Heatnerleigh." But that isn't the
strange part Of her request, though il is all
surprising. She looked me calmly IN the
eyes and asked me 20 "bring her portrait
away from the fated gallery with me -
How on earth am 70 accomplish thisl
At first il seems easy enough 70 me brt
on reflection the undertaking grows stu
pendous, and borders on the impossible. l
sit very still, revolving the request in nv
mind, and every moment its magnitude is
intensified But l made no sign, and she
y =
water, fully confident that 1 viii be able 20
fulhn my promise, and haven't the courage
70 unGeccive her
SO we sit out the piece OF day taIlzint.
some but thinking more until the sun goes
down behind the hills, and the shadows
grow longer and deuscr over the carna-
tons and roses, and reach out darkly for
the cleaning satin Of the lilies which they
cuve!Op later.
Maggie. my little maid Of all work, rings
the tea-bell merrily, then peeps through the
b4inds 20 see where we are. Having seen
Us, her bright eyes disappear and know
she has flown TO her kingdom TO keep THE
lay proper hot until we put in an appear
ance, which we do shortly.
Miriam-I always say simply Miriam
looks satisfied once mora. divine the rea-
son; she has settled the letter question
positively IN the negative, or rather have
determined It for her by my rash promise
But how | am 10 beard 1.-The Douglas in
his haI'' IS more than l know. and obtain
the elegant portrait of the daughter Of the
house, because am not to reveal her where
abouts-it IS her request.
Miriam thinks, however, that l am the
one sil-powerful equation of her life, and
sits over there sipplng her tea in full con
hdence, while l choke down my dessert.
measure my powers with = broken reed and
transform my uIglIs 10 clDners
The day Of my departure arrives. Over
against its fair, promising skies falls a
shadow. dread TO leave Miriam. would
SO iove to take her with me, but the laws of
the Medes and Persiaus are not more irrev-
ocable than BIiriams nay She is TO stay
here II the cottage at Bayyiew, and see
after my affairs, while / am 10 90 and en-
Joy myself. As il l could enjoy my visit
with that gigantic undertaking supple
meuted on like thing Of evil
If Heatherleigh was still in its halcyou
days, as when 1 once visited within its
doors, how differently l should feel about
this matter; but l understand evil influ-
ences lurz in its long, dark halls, and
march through its desolate corridor since
Sir Rupert's demise.
This is one reason why my little tour
comes 10 me, in the prospective, like
nightmare and feel terror of il all creep
ing into my bravest moments
These reports coming TO me by letter oc-
casiOually have never revealed 10 Miriam,
which now is one thing l am thankful for,
as have not frightened her by any thing
said 70 me and kept her away thereby.
am positive, too, that she knows moth
ing Of these things, as she gets no news
from merrie old England. This, 10 me, is
one ray OF relief.
But | am ready, so Is my luggage, and l
must bid goodbye 10 Bayview and Miriam
She cliugs TO me, pale and sOrrowfuL but
there 10 = wild, eager questioning IN hCl
eyes As she lays her tear-yet cheek agaius.
mine. Iustincuvely, l know she Is thinking
of my promise, and l say, impuisiveiy: al
will bring Your portrait, dear" / don't
add Ii 1 cam which, perhaps, 1 ought -
do, but leave the declarative promise in