The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-04-11

llNA.,1S$S ~ n
wArcuED HIM wITH A CURIOUS INTEREST.
the firm, shapely hand trace words 1 was
positive were Of poetic fire with much the
same feelings Of gladness that one sees
potion prepared which is to give great relief
to suffering friend.
I had made up my mind, and accordingly
thought best not 70 mention my meeting
Alan Pcrclval in the park 20 Peggy or An
ell. They, 10 saw the least, would be curl
Gus, and perhaps might htaskquestions which
could not answer ard do Justlce 10 the con-
kdence reposed in me-. Doc
So. trusting that they had not seen Allan,
thrust the letter to Miriam in my pocket
and entered the house. They had not seen
Allan. and | counted myself lucky in es-
Gaping all chance Of being interrogated, for
any visitor Of the PARK had enjoined secrecy
upon me in the matter of his Identity and
! his message to Miriam
Said he: Keep this meeting here-that
IS, the identity of the Individual you CHANGED
70 meet-a profound secret as far as this
side the water is concerned. Iventured
mere because II was my fathers home until
driven from it," and his eyes took on an
angry, agonized CLEAN which made mo
shudder in spite Of myself ''Ahi here, too,
is PercivaI'' | thought, and the look in
his ewes reminded me Of Miriam.
81 presu sle.'' ne began, after a pause, ''I
ought never 10 nave come mere; IL fills my
soul with hate TO look about ME and re
member my fathers story, and also that Of
Cousin Miriam But, after all, il is quite
lucky for me, because have met you, her
friend, by coming" ~
His face speedily regained its former
pleasant expression and a yearning hope
supplanted the dark look Of revenge which
had so awed me.
7 egr,lfaf IL StrClya n Proxri-
dence; YOU were 10 meet me and am 70
carry your message TO your cousin"
-Do you believe IN that theorys'' he asked,
an odd, puzzled look on his face.
''Certainly 1 do" 1 answered, land you
viii, too, by and by"
AZ am almost converted to your doctrine
now he laughed. r..-
Then, after wishing me ''bon VOYAGE
and reiterating his des ire that Miriam
should get the letter from my hands only,
he lifted his hat and bade me goodbye again
and walked away toward what used - bo
he deer park, but now rather neglected
close.
One morning not long after this decidedly
romantic interview IN the old, deserted
Heatherleigh grounds found myself ready
to leave the Hall
Peggy, who had either grown tired of
coaxing me 10 prolong my visit or presumed
furtner pressing was useless, which, indeed
would have been, brought Miriam S portrait
from the gallery, and, wrapping it care
fully, with many a caress and grooming
word Of endearment, gave it into my care.
1 considered this quite feat-to get pos
session OF portrait from this old Han, and
showered my unfeigned thanks on Peggy's
devoted head in consequence.
81 VIII do all in my power to get her to
return, If only for years VISIT prom
ised the two aged servants at my leave
taking, and intend TO keep my promise good
Not for worlds would prove false to those
old Irish dweiers at Heatherleigh by not
try1p z TO persuade Miriam to come back
if for nothing else than to see them.
Hark! what is thatl Oh, it is the ting.
ting a-ling of the bell for luncheon, and
gladys expects my cousinly presence in the
pleasant little brealdasJ-room shortly.
Cousin Gladys luncheons are something
famous for suburban cottage, with their
delicious cake and fruit arran cement, 10
gether with their smattering of cold meats,
and fanked with spiced wines.
She is in high glee this week, for we are
TO take little run up into the dear old
Cotswold hills, Gladys and I, and she is
ch1pper as bird in consequence.
shall enjoy the trip, TO be sure, but the
secret OF Allan's letter and the pleasant
knowledge of having met him eclipse all
the happy anticipation might feel in a run
o1lOuk Aue SolSWOlO nlllS- a l. InQ mNSeu
lost IN speculation as to what Miriam will
do and say when give Allan's letter into
her hands and ted her met him accident
ally-not providentially lly-at Heather erleigh.
With such weighty secrets in my posses
sion from both sides of the water, no won
DER am beginning 70 feel myself person
of uncommon Importance. And the letter
and portrait in my keeping, either Of which
is worth a ransom TO the owner, presume
make me feel more like an am sador than
simply q guest. II seems TO me that my COM
ing 70 see Gladys has lost its identity-be-
come, as il were, a secondary object or ex-
cuse for the grander possibilities.
Ah here comes Gladys | expected as
much. 1 have kept her waiting too long for
her busy, busting nature, and she has come
10 see If have gone to sleep in this coy
nook or turned deaf ear TO her luncheon
beIL. e
A week later finds me making ready for
the return voyage
- CHAPTER XIII
We have been having an outing, Gladys
and l. We have taken that little run
up the Thames for which we were booked
some time.
Gladys, having some friends in London,
aud wishing to see them also, we spent a
couple of days there. From there we start
ed for the delightful country trip. IL would
have been more TO my liking to have gone
III ullusunner, Dut the summer was pasl
the opportunity had gone by, and the upper
Thames had been left until now.
No matter; we found ourselves at the
Great Western Paddington station one fine
morning, with lunch-hamper in hand.
Gladys remembers the lunch item, If nothing
else, en- route for Taplow
Away we roll out of the big city and
across the quiet peacefulness of a beautt
ful stretch of country. The fields, however,
Were unfortunately rather brown and bare,
il being too late in the season for field dais
les or bright and blooming hedge rows. II
seemed TO me kind of solemn, quiet loneh
ness pervaded the landscape, and ceased
10 look from my compartment and shut my