The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-04-04
yMIRIAM.
FhG Romance Of HeathGFlGigh Hall.
By MANDA L. CROCKER.
OOPIRIGHT. 1859.


''but II you are only from under Lhs maledic-
ton an content" % ..... e. ..-.-..
don't, don'tl' pleaded the sick man,
visibly distressed, and he turned away bis
head so that the eyes resting on him might
not detect the gathering tears sar 80.
The physician came in and noticed the
change "Much better, much bctterr' he
said, encouragingly. II am hardly pre-
pared 20 say why or for what reason this
happy change has taken place; but could
shreNdly guess,p and the little old man
glanced meanIngly about the room, and
then at Miriam, who was looking out OF the
window. :H o..
-'Yes," nodded Allan, with a happy smile,
''she has come and wrought the trans
formation. The tonic Of her presence and
kindness Of her care have helped you, doc
tor, 10 effect this marvellous change
Certainly, certainly" fused the little
old physician, spreading out and counting
the powders he had been dealing 81 have
no doubt now but that you are on the mend,
finely, sir, tinely. Now have a little care,
air, a little care" emphasized the precise
doctor, with his hand on the door, s'or you
may have 4 relapse. Don't get too ambi-
tious, sir; remember you have been very
III, very i'll, sir"
The little nervous physician nodded In
emphasis, little ierlzy mods, meant TO convey
authority, and the cOnvalescent listened re-
spectfully, although be knew the better
physician OF the two was over there by the
window, where the dim sunlight sifted over
her becoming cOiffure-
''When 1 am able 20 be about, cousin,
will you so back 10 the Restir -EH- efarr.
''Most likely, for awhile, at least.r e7-..-.
'And thenr'
"AIlan, have a favor TO ask Of you; win
you grant iti' -E.E-
Certainly, II possible will be glad TO,
Cousin Miriam" bis eyes held in their
depths sucn a gIad -nghJ- oI anticipation
now that he might do something 20 reward
i and plSase one who had done SO much for
him. - ~ n
e "Itlsut much, ,, she said half IN apology,
coming near and taking a seat by the couch.
But as yet you know nothing Of my plans.
You have asked me where them or words
meaning the same. II / should tell you'th
in a very short time will leave for Amerl-
ca, what would you sayf'
TO live there; make the Western CONT
nent your home, MrIam!n asked Allan, all
the eagerness dying out Of his face be-
clOuded by gravesJ apprehension. Was ne
so soon 70 lose her, his regal cousinl
r ITO reside there answered she an odd
little shadow passIu Z over her cOuuteuauce.H
'Oh, should say, please don't go; what
earthly good can there De in that, Miriam -
Il want to-fcrget,n she answered. sad
ly. Il have a friend over there, At least a
friend Of my dear dead mothers, who has
written uie 70 come. I should have been
gone ere this had il not been for a severe
illness directly after the receipt OF her
letter''
''Then would have missed finding you
and = died" he turned his head away
once more 10 hide his tears.
Il am glad / did not 90, - she replied.
~ And you Wlll be glad a second time II
you give up your plan now" he ventured.
"Ohi not when you get well and strong,
and do not need me-
There never viii be a day again that
viii not need you. Oil Miriaml' Then as
II shocked At his untfmely confession, he
buried his face in the pillows and lay
quite still Miriam went back 70 the
window, without gaInsaying this outburst
OF her COUSINS Poor, lonely, sick man, she
thought, he hardly knows what he is say
INK. i Will not chide him When he will
have fully recovered this thought will
have passed No; she viii not say any thing
now 70 hurt him. Doubtless her kindness
had almost turned his brain, in ms weak
state, and as he convalesced he would for
get. The attendant came and thinking the
sick man asleep, went quietly out again.
The silence was growing irksome. Miriam
looked at her watch and then glanced
furtively toward the couch. Allan Percfval
had not stirred.
Allan" she said, softly; sit is time for
N--NN---A RpH0NAt OC4AGNo- 0dCh "Ou4Q
have given 1t 70 you. but he thought you
were asleep. Shall give ii 10 youl''
Her cousin took his face from among the
pillows and looked up ''Yes, if you
please"
dis face was very pale; all the vivacity
hopefutconvalescence had fed, and even
his lips were white and trembling with
emotion.
Miriam thought best not to notice It, and
gave him powder in a little wine glass of
Madeira 1t win strengthen him, she
thought Then she drew her chair near
him and sat down.
ALLAN" she began, '.what wish you to
do for me is this. When am gone please
forget that you know Of my whereabouts
should any inquiry come TO your ears from
Heatherleigh. VIII you do thisl'
Yes" he answered; ''they shall never
know through me IL you desire TO have
your voyage remain a secret"
Il wish IL, most assuredly;' and then she
told HIM Of her visit 10 the Hall when she
was waved of by Sir Rupert in his fury,
dwelling tragicaliy on the sorrowful recital
Now you know tohy wish TO be buried, as
IT were, from sight and sound of Heather
leigh"
i kDOtc," he answered. al will promise
any thing you desire; you will forgive and
forget my speech of an hour ago II it CRATES
on your heart, cousin. Ill am too lonely
he reached out an eager hand and Miriam
took IN warm. friendly clasp the out
stretched palm.
Don't grieve," she said, generously.
y on have said nothing wrong, Allan. But
wait until you are well and strong and per
haps yOu Will forget ii, too
Miriam saw a puzzled, far-away look steal
into those splendid eyes; then a culver of
the pale lips, and sac knew he was battling
with disappointed desires. She hesitated
Tor moment, then passed her hand caress-
lngy over the noble brow, and up among
the dark, clustering hair. He was her
cousin, all the relative she had, and-veIl,
she would So bending over the pitiful.
wan face on the pillow, she pressed her
lips 70 his brow.
lhere IS nothing to forgive, Allau; you
and are the firmest, best of JrieIlds - Then
sue went 10 her own apartments, and the
Altsudant came and sat out the day by Allan
hen Allan Percival was able 10 sit up
ana walk about the apartment Miriam an
nolhceu her intention of going home
Ihough Haven't any" she added, bitterly
she was thinking of two graves, side bv
SIDE beneath the dark yew trees Of the
church-yard
A4ian looked -wistfully up. and \ sudden
ye-rhing iignt almost glOrIfied his hand some
lace But he turned away his head a.
Miriam looked up. She should not see thai
he could not forget She should know that
he could feel grateful, without making HIM
self offensive.
~ hen you are better still, cousin. come
and visit me, won't you -
Miriam put out her hand in a cordial.
cousiniy manner.
II .HN