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

ING on her hand She was thinking. Her
thoughts were interrupted by the noise OF
horses feet on the road. shc listened. The
horse was coming toward her. The sound
from his feet was music % her. for she re-
cognizcd the step. and knew u was Prince.
and Prince was Johns faNorite horse. The
horse came nearer; he was in front OF the
house. and he passed on. Miriam glanced
from the window. John and Miss weston
were in the buggy. She still heard the pat
ter OF the hoofs on the hard road; the sound
was discord 10 her.
The next day and the ncNt and week 81
DAYS passed. and Miriam went 90 aud re-
turned from her school on each school day.
but no one met her at the lane. In all that
time she saw nothing OF John. The look OF
! Joy was not ia her face.
Miss Weston did not call on Miriam,
and nothing was heard Of the painting les
sons.
Where was john Miss Weston knew.
| Prince knew. For Prince had taken John
| and Miss Weston all about the county. and
| Prince had heard them talk. talk a great
! many things that he did not understand.
! Johns sort u neglecting things" said
| old Mr.. Thornton.
John dressed better than usual. lie
| shaved oltener. and was away from home
much more. Every night found him at the
| Harper home. He was heard 10 call Miss
Weston Belle and she spoke 10 him as
! "JOhn."
| Another week came. and the third. The
/ school continued as usual. and the faithful
| teacher came and went along the road each
day. Her step was little slower and her
! cheeks little paler than three weeks before.
| Miss Weston was enjoying herself. She
| had said something about going home soon,
| and John had become very Thoughtful. He
Was debating seriously with himself. lie
| appeared 10 reach a conclusion. II was
| Wednesday noon when he reached il: and
! from his actions be- had evidently deter
mined 10 take a step over which nc had
| 1csitatcd. Early In the afternoon he care
fully dressed himself and went 20 the Har-
per home.
Mrs. Harper and Mrs. Weston were on
the yorrnda.
| "ls Miss Belle at h0me?" asked John.
| "N0.' said Mrs. Harper. "She has just
taken the horse and gone 10 The station %
meet gentleman, who is coming here for "a
| few days"
Her brotherE" asked John.
| Mrs. Weston laughed and said: "Not
4 quite, though be Will De my son. Now. you
must not tell, Mr.. thornton. for Belle don't
want u talked about. bat il is Mr.. Van der
| Nccrc, 70 whom she is engaged % be mar
| red."
| John felt wave Of faintnesS pass over
him. and held 10 a column Of the Yeranda
10 keep from falling. After recovering
sufficiently he said. " N0u NAV tell Miss
Weston that ] called % see if She wished 90
ride tonight; bat. as she has gone f0 the
station, that may give her a sufficient ride"
John walked from the house with a sad
heart, SO very. very sad. and his thoughts
were troubled beyond all ability that he had
20 arrange them.
At the same moment Miriam was walking
! home along the old road. Her heart wa-
also sad. and her thoughts were troubled.
For a moment her attention was attracted
by horrible. kissing, portable engine. that
some ihresheTs were moving. Then she
/ went on as before. When she was i'm front
of the tavern, beside tine brink Of Bloody
I hill,' she saw "a carriage approaching her.
she recognized the horse as belonging 10 Nj.
Harper. Miss Weston was driving. Miriam
bowed. bet Miss Weston did not appear "a
see ner. She passed ON.
once Miriam looked after the carriage. II
was near the engine. The horse reared I'm
front of the frightening thing. and. turning.
dashed toward her, with the lines under hi.
heels. lie viii go from The road over the
bill. and Nil her. thought Miriam. There
was but little time for thought. and Miriam.
taking thin shawl from her shoulders.
awaited the coming Of the Infatuated am
NAL. W hat could she 10: She could try.
II was baG moment; the horse was al
most on her; she raised The shawl and threw
IL over his head. He reared and plunged.
Miriam was seen 90 rise into the air. Then
the horse and the girl fell together o. the
earth. The carriage was overturned. Some
men from the tavern rushed % the scene.
and held down the head OF the struggling
animal.
Miss Weston was taken from the wreck
uninJured. Miriam Was picked mp inscn~i-
BILE. ana carried % the tavern, and the
doctor from the village sent for. When hC
came Miriam had recovered consciousness.
and was being wcil-carcd for by the tavern
keepers wife. lie said: There is nD
serious injury; her right shoulder f., llsl0-
Gated, and the horse, iron shoe has made
"a deep flesh wound ON her forehead"
When Miriam was taken % 'er home and
placed on hc. own bed one of the first per.
sons who called was john Thornton. He
knelt beside her. and. taking her hand in
his. be said Miriam. Will YOU forgive
me- She answered: ~ cs john"
That was all that Wa, ever said about IT,
Miss est0n's name was never mentioned
by either OF them.
In after years when John Thornton press
ed his lips % the white scar ON Miriam
forehead, and saw tine look of joy in hcI
face he felt happy. and reioiccd that hc had
such "a wife, hica-O News.