The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-02-28

close -curtained apartments seemed 10 say
in their lonely hooks and corners: I'VE
mourn, we mournI''
And, Miriami Well, she was so changed,
with her great grief weighing her down.
Together they walked out over the
grounds, Arthur and Miriam as they used
Of yore, but the heart Of each was sadly
ehanged-hers with her sorrow, aud his
with his fears.
How pale she was; the deep mourning OF
her gown rendered her more ghost-ulxe, II
possible. Her dark, expressive eyes met
his wttha strange yearning tenderness in
their depths he had never seen before.
Such an unconscious, preoccupied gaze, as
one might see when a broken heart looked
forth from its portals.
Miriam grew unusually confidential and
friendly as they talked Poor girl, w..u Ii
one 10 whom she could go with her burden
OF sorrow, no wonder she clung TO this
friend OF hers thus.
And Arthur in turn, before lac was aware
OF what he was really saying, had related
the whole story of his altered circumstances,
and their cruel hedging him out of society.
Here he stopped suddenly, for to go fur
ther and speak OF what had been the dear
est dream of his life was something he
dared not do now, he thought.
Miriam had been listening atteutively,
walking along with one dainty hand rest
ing on his arm, but he did not know that
her sore heart was only waiting to be COM
forted by his love. Seeing n strange look
of decision cross his handsome face, she
guessed instinctIvely that the declaration
he certainly had come TO make was reso-
lutely deferred because of his low finances.
He thinks l will reject him because his
wealth has been swept away" she mused-
Then looking down at q bordering Of rare
mosses, now browning in the sun, she made
reply:
'I have heard of II, she said, shut such
things, although very much to be deplored.
ought never TO make differences between
friends. / am sure il would not with me"
Arthur could have bowed in happy thank
fulness and kissed the pale, perfect face
for this speech alone, but his heart failed
him, and he dared not yet commit him
self
After q slight pause, rs il she wished to
give him time TO consider her words, she
continued in a low, weary tone: 1T Is GER
tainly hard for you, Mr.. Fairfax, but your
trouble is nothing compared to mine, al
last; nothing 10 mine," she repeated, al
most desperately, closing the trembling
hand over his arm and looking up with
swimming eyes
',Alasr' she burst out. vehemently, "what
is property without-a friendr'
"a FRIEND" he repeated after her, meet
ing the upward gaze with the secret of his
soul shining in his clear, honest eyes. 81
would be more than - friend TO you, Miri-
am, IL you would let me. But l am
afraid" and his tones grew bitter, that
have no right TO that one blissful dream OF
my life now; 1 presume it ought TO go with
the heyday OF fortune, with the glamour of
goldl Circumstances and social position
are all, 1t seems there are to measure n
man aud establish his worth. i never
thought on this matter until I have been
measured and found not worthy of social
position. And-I must remember it."
"You have thought of-that, have youp'
she questioned almost in n whisper, tight
ening her clasp on his arm, but not look
ing up.
He felt her assuring hand; he heard the
anxious, impetuous voice, and took cour-
age. he took the trembling, black-gloved
hand from his arm and held il in a worship
ful way for some minutes What should
he sayi
This beautiful, sorrowing girl, so far re-
moved from him socially, was all the world
70 him; but did she realize that the sting Of
poverty was keen, was more than she could
beari
II havs thought of this q thousand
times" he answered, chokingiy. 'tHow
can i help thinking; thinking until each
thought gOads me 10 almost madnessi i
have loved you, OH Miriam. 50 long, and
you have grown dear as my soul 10 me.
But now II seems objectionable that i
should indulge in the one blissful dream OF
my life after my riches have taken wings"
you need not have il So" cried the
desolate girl, clutching his arm excitedly.
"Nou shall not go away and leave me in
this prison-house, now that / know you
love me. Neverl Arthur Fairfax. take
me with you or 1 snan 90 mao ana do
something desperate. Here have none 20
"a hT1r he
ants. And none 10 love ne; no, not one.