Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-11-11
MURIEL.
WON BY WAITING.

Muriel had refused to marry Lawyer
Grant, and for disobeying her aunt she had
been locked up in her room. Nine. Vance
bad set her heart on their marriage, and
vowed that Muriel should keep her room
until she agreed to accept the old lawyer.
For four days she bore her captivity ad
mirably. Sac leaned from her window and
sang snatcbes of gay songs, when she was
sure that her aunt was where she could
hear her, and affected the utmost nonchal.
ence when she saw Mrs. ThoIne and Law
yer Grant watching her from the lawn. But
on the afternoon of the 9th she began to
give way, ard longed with all the intensity
of her nature for freedom.
She saw the shining river, free and un-
fettered, winding between the feathery
almost hear it as it gurgled over it's peb-
bly, bed where the cool woodland shadows
lay thickest; and the words OF the bravura
she was singing died in an inarticulato sob,
though her aunt was in full view strolling
among the flower beds on the lawn.
At last she wiped away her tears, and
clinched her teeth firmly together.
"All's fair in love and war;" she said,
resolutely; "aId mastery strategy must
accomplish what resistance would fail to
do, even if it does involve some decep-
tion."
She watched long and anxiously for Law
yer Grant that night.
Finally, when the shadows of the gloam-
ing lay thickly among the trees, she saw a
tall form coming up the path toward the
front door.
She leaned from her window, and called
to him 10 a suppressed voice.
$50 to the kitchen porch and get the
long ladder you will fiud there. Climb to
the balcony under the window at the back
of this room. l wish to speak to you"
A few moments elapsed, and Muriel
heard cautious footsteps on the balcony,
and then light tap on the window.
She gently opened it and stepped out.
Without raising her eyes, she began in
faltering voice:
"Lawyer Grant, when l requested your
presence here, l intended to propose an
elopemeDt, trusting that an opportunity of
regaining my freedom might occur. But
canpot do it. Not even to regain my liber-
~ will sully my lips with lie. But, oh,
sir, think of my cruel punishment, and pity
me. Think of one who has alwas been
free and untrammelled as the very birds con-
demned to this captivity-aud if you have
q human heart, intercede with my aunt.
l
prayer she would have uttered, as she threw
herself at his feet.
The tall form came out of the shadows.
and as the light from the room beyond fell
full upon him, Muriel started to her feet in
mute surprise.
1t was a strangers face she gazed upon
face which invited confidence, neverthe-
less. There was something about the mis-
oil AoA
| with slight shade of seriousness-a ex.
preston about the fioely-cut mouth, which
though parted at that moment with smile
of blended amusement and pity, seemed to
her irresistibly attractive.
"Do not distress yourself. beg, said he,
as be gazed upon her agifated countenance;
''and believe me when say that will ~il.
lipgly afford you all the assistance in my
power. But before you accept my assist
aDce, let me ex plain my presence at this
house. My name is Fenuer RossmOre, and
came here tonight to see Lawyer Grant
relative to certain unclaimed estates in Con.
naugh., IrelaLd. If one Michael Vanca,
who came to this country some twenty
years ago, since deceased, died without
heirs, the properly reverts to me as next o
kin. l have written to Grant repeatedly
but failing to get satisfactory reply, came
over to see if I could tind more definite in
formation regarding the heirs of this Mich
ael Vance, who had the honor of being six
teenth cousin to my stepmother-God res
her SOUL"
michael Vancer' cried Muriel, her EN-.
barrassment lost in her surprise, "why, tina
was my fathers name"
"And his birthplace?"
''Killaroy, Ireland"
''Accept my congratulations, said Ross
more, s'for you are not only the most bean