The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-03-28
CHAPTER XVIII

CHAPTER XVIII.
When Miriam alighted from the com
Portable railway compartment al Charing
Cross Station, il was raining IN little,
disagreeable gusts. The pleasant weather
had put on another and colder phase aside
from the dampness, and she shivered as
she drew her wraps about her
Hollis and Patty had come down with
her, having excuse to visit Nine Mont
calm few days, in order to accompany
her. They were kind and thoughtful, Mir
lam knew, and as Hollis bundled her into
an omnibus and gave the driver his oIrec-
tions- she moved her lips in prayerful thanks.
Between the drizzling rain and the foggy,
smoky outlook, Miriam scarcely recognized
the number and place, as described in the
letter, when Hollis helped her up the steps
of the secoud-rate establishment in middle
London, with a shopon either side
Il viii never be any better" the SICK
man said, holding Miriam's hand in his
thin, almost transparent fingers. 81 sent
for you because l wanted some one
of my kin near me when l died.
/ am aware of the shadow which has
cursed your life and mine. had the reve-
latiOn from my father; he SAID it was as
much his duty to give me the Perclval le-
gend as it was tolive a Christian, butI have
never yet seen any good come OF my know
ing it's
with stony face.
The past came up in all its terrible me
nacing vengeance before her, and she shut
her teeth to keep back the imprecauon
about TO be uttered; not because of her own
wrongs; no, she could suffer with all the
calmness of a stole, but this paIe, fragile
cousin had also been smltten. Prone on
| sick bed he lay, the picture Of his handsome
father, her Uncle Allan, whose name he
bore.
'.Uncle Allan was disinherited," SAID
Miriam, savagely, land so was ], for the
same reason
The dark eyes OF the patient man on the
| pillow sought hers inquiringly. ''They
were all dlsInherited for marrying in oppo-
sition to paternal wishes, if understood it
| arightl"
Yes" assented Miriam, "and married
| better companions than the petted children
who staid at Heatherleigh and courted
society swells.n
Allan smiled at the show of hatred in
tone and manner, a strange, wan, plying
| smile.
Cousin Miriam's tone was the very
! counterpart of his fathers, he remembered
| To be a Percival was TO have soul fitted
| for hatred, he verify believed. In this he
| was not a Percival then; his mothers
| milder blood warmed heart fitted for for
giveness. He was only Percival IN name.
| .Ahi me- - and he sighed audibly.
"Do not grieve, beg, F" said Miriam, soft
| ening, 'the hopelessness of it is enough
| without grieving TO make it worse. Where
did uncle dIef'' she asked, changing the
drift Of conversation
| ''In Trouville, France; my mother, also,
is buried there. After their demise came
back 10 London to-be near you"
"Mef' asked Miriam. "How did you know
was even in England!''
| 'Ohl knew" replied Allan, Frightening
visioly. ''The Montcalms are old friends of
my relatives on my mothers side, and
Hollis engagement to Miss Fairfax led the
way TO several other connecting links,
whereby / traced you to the Rest, that
lovely home by the sea BY inquiry found
that you were my cousin, Uncle Rupert's
daughter. wrote TO you because counted
I it q heavenly privilege If haply / might
see face to face a genuine relative once
more. .
He reached out his hand and touched her
sleeve significantly. Mourning he said,
sadly; ''mourning for Aunt PercivaI-swe1t
Lady Percival, as l have heard, and your
husband, Arthur Fairfax. Ali well, wear
little knot of Grape for me, after awhile,
won your'
His dark, serious eyes turned with plead
ing look wIstfuIly on the handsome face Of
his cousin for reply.
''Yes,'' she said, tearfuny. Then a deep
silence reigned in that gloomy apartment
Wnerc ueAln anu despair were pfcylug re
lentlessly each upon their respective victim
Outside the rain came in gusty dashes
against the pane, and IN the corners of the
room the deep shadows were already gath
ering.
1t was evening. Hollis had taken his
leave and was now with Patricia, enioylns
the luxurious warmth and elegance OF the
Montcalm residence in the arlstocratic West
! End.
She, with her proud soul almost rent il
twain, was sitting there in the close, unpleas
ant rooms of a dIngy establishment in th'
busy, restless central part of the city b,
the bedside of her only living relative ex
cepting her unnatural father, who would
not recognize their relationship.
The sick man shut his eyes and reIna inet
quiet; he felt contented TO find he had
friend with him at the last. The physician
had said he could not last many days now
and she, Miriam, his regal cousin would re
main until the end came. He had not aslze,
this of her, but he knew by the deep, grieveS
expression on her beautiful face that sh,
wodld grant him this priceless boon.
The attendant brought in lights and, IN
derstanding that this woman was the ex
pected relative, show ed her to her rooms il
the adjoining suite. Miriam's rich appare
and costly belongings set the servant Z
wondering why she had not come befor
and helped her relative financially befor
he lay down TO die.
The next day Miriam set about il earnes