The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-14
MIRIAM MAY.


school. and in groups they went toward
their several homes or loitered about 'he
,lav.grounds Miriam May, the teacheI
was the last one Ia come from the scuooi.
room and as she locked the door oehino
her. and walked over the stile, the chiidreb
near again babe her "Good.by LOT tnt
nighi. The scholars all loved their ieach'r,
Miriam turned Into the country roao' anu
started toward her fathers niue Ia'lu- {"
mile away. she said that the walk wa
GOOD exercise. and that she preferred II %
riding. though she might have had a flde
each dav. Her father could not well nave
snarcd one Of his two horses, but Johh
Thornton. whose large farm was adJOlhIhe
Mr. NAYS would have been glad 10 nave
taken Miriam 10 the school each morning
and TO have taken her home again each
night. uosh;s
John was born on that farm, and all OF ms
life he had worked Oh 10, and had WORKED
faithfully. When his father began 70 leel
that he was becoming too old 10 longer
carry all Of the burden he gave the manage
meni Of the farm % John.
Young John Thornton had never attended
school very much. and, though naturally
bright. he grew up bearing the evidences ol
lack OF education and absence OF cultured
surroundings. His father used 10 say
.'.Iohn is a worker
AMER Mr.. Nav had bought adjoining the
ThorntOns, and his daughter had taken inc
,chool n change came over John. lie be-
came auiteintimate AT the Mays, and began
10 read a great deal. and even 10 STUDY
Miriam selected his books for him, ana gave
HIM great assistance. He cared more iof
Miriam and his books than he ana Tor the
village store and it, gossip. lie had become
more OF a man. Mraim had orened ne"
world 20 him.
ON the afternoon Of which we are writing
Miriam walked along the road with light
step. and the bright sunshine OF happy con-
tentmput Illuminating her pretty face. >he
was happy. She enjoyed her Work, ana
performed ii cOnscientiOusly. The merry
agood-by," Of the scholars still echoed ~
her thoughts. aud there was bright
picture Of the future in her heart.
when she reached the Thornton farm sh'
saw John standing at the end Of the lane az
though waiting for her. She was not SIR
prised, for she expected 10 see him there
lie has been there many and many an alter
noon before at the time she passed along Oh
her way from the school.
"You are walking fast, Miriam saio
John.
perhaps. because my heart is light. an
swered the girl.
"Miriam. hope that il may always be So
Itmakes me happy 10 see JOY IN your lace
'.Then. may be. YOU can keep yourself
happy by keeping the look OF joy in my
face" said Miriam.
ii will" said the young man. ~ he tooh
her hand and pressed IL, a. though TO give
emphasis 70 his words. 1.-The Harper car
rage came from the station to-day Will
some strangers: do you know who they
areyr asked Miriam.
ayes. mother was telling me about them
They are some Of the Weston people thai
Mrs. Harper talks 80 much about. They
have come TO stay few weeks.
els it Mrs. Weston inquired the girl.
Eyes, and her daughter, | believe an
swered John.
"Don't you think that we should CALI
asked Miriam.
.'Of course we should, and as soon rs YOU
please. SuppOsins that we 20 after supper
Miriam"
Certainly" she answered. Il will be
ready when YOU call. 1t is only a shor
walk"
They separated. Miriam going along the
road. while John followed the lane toward
the house, They turned now and then, ant
waved their hands so long as they were II
sight of each other.
When John and Miriam reached the llar
pers' that evening they found the family
and their visitors on the Veranda.
Mrs. Weston was dressed IN the extreme
Of fashion, and appeared 10 think that she
was as Young as she had been twenty year,
before. Her daughter was pretty girl
full of animation. ready 10 talk on any sub
iect, though cot very profoundly. She had
seen much of the world, and knew all thai
was 10 be known about society.
After the introduction Miss Belle Weston
rave the drift 10 conversation by saying
..HOw lovely the country is at this time O
year. do enjoy IL so much. Everything
is so restful after the whirl OF the city
Don't YOU find il very stupid being here al
Of the time. Miss May
l-'No. indeed" answered Miriam. Il AN
Too busy to lind things stupid. Most OF my
time is given 10 the school, ana --'
"Oh, you teach school, do yOuW askct
Miss Weston.
ayes, and enjoy it ever 50 MUCH sai(
Miriam. Then | help mother about th'
housewOrk. And after that my reading anG
paintinc take up all my time
ADO you teach painting, tOo;" inquired
Miss Weston.
mo; only paint fer my own pleasure
81 am sorry" said Miss Weston. 81
thought YOU might give me few lessons
while am here; and then the pay wOulC
no doubt be a help 10 you
and was about to speak, when she checked
herself; and after an apparent second
thought she said Il would be pleased Ia
teach YOU all that know about il, and
would accept the pleasure as my cOmpensa
ton"
GLOW very kind" answered Miss Yves
ton. IL will really give II serious thought.
Mr.. Thornton. that must be pretty view
from the hill where the road goes over the
high. steep bank of the creek by the tavern
that we passed coming here from the sta
ton. Just caught little glimpse of it,
ayes, II is very fine" answered John
"Miriam has painted beautiful picture OF
IL. We call il Bloody Hill, because once a
frightened pair Of horses, with large
wagontu Of persons, ran away. and went
down there, killing a man and three girls.
.Why, how romantic, said Miss Weston.
ali il isn't too far wish you would walk
there with me. now"
"Ceriainly." answered John. 1T is only
a mile. Come. Miriam, 20 with u.s.
PERHAPS il is too far, suggested Miss
Weston.
'Really, John, don't care to 60" an
swered Miriam.
"Mi,s MAY must DE tired after teaching
school all day" said Miss Weston. But II
IA is only mile don't mind that, if the rest
will excuse us"
Miss Weston and John went TO see Bloody
lin. while Miriam tried 10 entertain Mrs.
Weston. Ii was no easy task, as there APP
peared 10 be but little sympathy of thought
between the two. AMER the sun set Miriam
became very weary, and wished that John
would return. She would now and then
glance up the road, hoping TO see him, and
look Of disappointment came TO her face
each time.
The night air became little cool, and
Mrs. Harper suggested that they 20 into the
house.
The minutes seemed as hours 10 Miriam.
She wondered why John was away SO long
Certainly he would come back 10 her as
soou as he could il something unusual did
not detain him. And at last he did come,
when the clock struck .. Nothing unusual
had detained him; al least, he didn't men,
lion any such thing.
. When John and Miriam were on their way
home she ask ID: ''John, what kept you
away 80 longT
"NOthing," be answered.
She did not refer 10 the subject again, and
but little more wac spoken by either Of
them that night.
Miriam did not appear so light-hearted
the next day. Sue went % her school as
usual, aud AT night again returned along
the well-knowa road, along the edge OF
Blood hill. and on toward Johns farm.
When she came in sight OF the lane She stop