The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-03-21

from the shock OF that days experience to
warrant riding out again, not even over his
favorite downs toward the sea
Nothing so dark and SAD had befallen the
many-shadowed Hall since Lady PercivaTs 5
death, not even the letter Miriam sent an
nOuncing the death of little Arthur
That happened, as the reader Is aware, in
the fair weather. Yes; IN the floral sweet
ness of May that missive, all bOrdered
with black, found its way 10 the Hall
How well they remembered it Not 10
the master exactly had 1t come, although TO
acquaint him with her second great loss
had his stricken daughter written. The
superscription, however, designated Peggy
Clarkson Us the recipient OF the sad news.
And Miriam had said: Arthur, my baby
boy, is sleeping, too, under the deIyy violeus,
and 1 believe my heart is broken utterly
Ahi why was 1 born for this GescIate, love
less existencel God only can answer
definitely. Ipresume mortals would only
point 10 the terrible legend Of the Percivals
and say that, as / am the eldest, and
daughter, have no right to question my
destiny. But such an answer does not suf-
nee the agonlzed questioning Of my soul 10
day. Indeed, this is more than Gun bear''
At the close or TINS sorrowruI letter Mir
am had written: ''Give my regards to Sir
Rupert Percival, together with my best
wishes for his health end-happiness.
Peggy Clarkson had wept herself sick
over the contents Of this, the saddest letter
she had ever received.
"Only to think, she sobbed, while the
great tears OF loving sympathy rolled
down her withered cheek, "only to think
OFn niver clasp the wee darlint in me arms
agin. Bad luck 10 the loilles ov its old
gran'faythur for the dhrivin' ov 'em away
The servants desired to break the news to
the master, thinking even at the last he
might still repent him Of his decision and
send for Miriam TO cheer his few remaining
days How TO do this was something which
worried them considerably, but the next
day after the receipt of the letter a bright
thought struck PeEgy's fertile brain, and
when the butler carried his masters break
fast up TO him she put the rnissive on the
trencher, not having the heart 10 deliver it
herself. James was also instructed "not1o
say 4 wurrud"
Sir Rupert started and inoaned pitifully
when he saw the letter; another letter In
less than year, with a heavy black seal,
coming from-well, he knew where.
be looked up in agonized inquiry, but the
sorrowfpl James youchsafed nothing In
answer.
Sir Rupert made no effort TO reach the let
ter on the trencher, seeming as if expecting
James to say something, or perhaps offer TO
read it. Then, after some minutes, he said,
gently: ''You may get me some medicine,
Jal1AGSs WHICH yOu VIII nlQ on the library
desk below
The butler understood this ruse of Sir
Rupert's 70 get him away for a moment In
order that no mortal eve might behold him
peruSe the contents of the letter, and, know
ing that for once his absence would be ap-
preciated, tarried In the library for e quar-
ter OF al hour before he came upstairs to an
nounce that there was no medicine TO be
found on the library desk. James was not
afraid rtf hai-a
not searching for 1t, because he knew as
wei as Sir Rupert that there was none in
the library.
The master Of Heatherleigh and his
thoughtful servant, for once, understood
each other perfectly, and James looked to-
ward the trencher. Sir Rupert had drank
his chocolate, and the urissive was lyin z in
different position; that was all.
After exchanging glances with James,
his master ordered his breakfast away and
leaning back wearily among the silken
cushions OF his deep chair, said huslxiIy: II
am not as well as usual believe, James"
Then he shut his eyes, and, folding his
hands across his breast, sighed deeply.
The butler stood for moment Undecided
as TO whether he ought to leave his master
or ring for ClarksOn. He remembered,
vIvidly, an experience in this same CHASTITY
room that kept hIn on the alert ever since.
And sir Rupert was beginning 70 look
white and act strangely rs On that other
time when he fancied Miriam had visited
him.
But James was relieved when, presently,
divining his thoughts, Sir Rupert said,
without so much as even opening his eyes:
u VIII not need you further now, James.
l do not need the medicine 1 will rest and
be better by and by.''
"The masters ever so much worse this
morning, somehow" said the butler in On
undertone 70 Peggy, who was polishing an
ancient-looking silver tankard, which hEG
seen more conviviaIity in its time than
would ever tighten thedays or ring tRrough