The Irish standard., 1891-02-14
MIRIAM'S LOVERS.
She Had Them i'll Plenty, But
Needed e. Friend.

10 Miriam Lveretts frlendS she was
Ghe personifcation Of loveliness--a
second Cleopatra without the sin spots
staining her garments; and TO her enc
mics, perhaps, she was exactly the re-
verse. Naughty, proud, arrogant, these
were the terms applied to her by those
anto whose faces she had never smiled.
Steven Welmore thought her divinity,
because he WAS in love with her and be-
cause she had smiled upon him-~tWo
most excellent reasons for his opinion!
Stern, reserved man as he was, this
woman iad found the way into his most
inner heart-iIlto the very holy OF holies
OF his soul--and he was as completely
under her influence as the charmed
bird is under the serpent's VINO beguiles
1T.
Whether he had also found the way
to her heart was quite another question,
and one which he dared not ask as yet.
Too much hung in the balance, finally.
to risk i either way, SO be contented
himself by lowering about her continu-
ally;ln haunting The Cedars morning,
noon and night, like some hungry bird
tnat could not or would not elsewhere
find Its food.
Miriam favored him, certainly, but
she favored other CHOSEN few also. There
was young Dr.. Walter Drayton, who
came every morning at sunrise and took
Miriam can term e over the hills. He
was, perhaps, as formidable a rival as
Steven Welmore hal--cr, at least, he
was feared the most. But DR.. Walter
aived by his profession, while Steven
Welmcre was Independent. Thou Oh
this might not ga far in the lady's opin-
ion, since Steven remembered hearing
her say once that no one was deserving
OF more honor than he who rose through
his own exertions, Perhaps she had
Intended the remark particularly for
Dr. Walker. Very likely. But when a
man has lived thirty years before low
ing, as Steven Welmora had, and then
falls d slave before the goddess, it will
4ase more than one rival TO make him
believe that he can not conquer at last.
Steven Welnore had full faith that
she would be his iii the end, for he be-
Eeved in fate, and The fates undoubtedly
meant her for himi Or, If they did not,
he would win her in spite OF fates or
xuries either, Let any one who dared
come between him and his purpose take
care, for never q man had a stronger
will than this same Steven Welrnore.
He rode up to The Cedars one early
September morning, just as the sun was
rising, hoping to forestall Dr. Walter
and secure Miriam for himself: but he
had been there before him, and they
were already gone; sc he turned about
and cantered Up and down the gravel
road leading to the house, waiting thus
until they should return. Ii he could
not be the FIRST, he would certainly be
the second upon the scene.
In perhaps half an hour he saw them
coming over the road in the distance at
a brea'x-neck ace: Miriam ahead.
"Only a racu," she said, as she drew
her painting h DISC up beside him.
sand fairly won," the doctor added,
also dra wing ,'ein near Them.
"You breakfast ear1y,'' Steven OBJ
served.
cat eight on fine mornlngs-nine
Others Miriam answered
DR.. Walter 1nwardly provoked that
he must leave them alone, bowed his
adieus, saying he had an unavoidable
engagement 1t eight, aud departed,
'It is my turn now, is it nct?" Steven
asked.
He thought Miriam face had become
serious at d.. Walters leaving.
Eyes, il you please. Suppose We so
down to the woods for quiet talh?'
''Well. Nothing would please me
more"
What an opportunity for himl
They dir ted their horses through
the gate at the back of the house and
down feotpath leading out of the
grounds ana into the road toward the
river; ther, cantering on for perhaps a
quarter Of a mile, they came under the
gorgeous, manycolored trees. The sun
glinted down upon them through the
branches. and now and then bird
thrilled his song above their heads.
Otherwise they were quite alone.
tsYou 10 not believe in dreams, do
you?" she began.
"No Why?"
81 supposed you did not" she con-
tinued. ssBut, nevertheless, I have
been SC oppressed with terrible visions
for week back, that they begin to
have taeir effect. am actually grow
ing to believe in them, and half fear
some impending ivi1."
An amused smile half broke over Ste
ven W,slmore's face, but died away as
Miriam caught the expression in his eye.
'.You are laughing, at me- Therefore
Sou are not my friend y
She spoke in sober earnest.
II did not suppose you admitted me
within that charmed circle. I have
never been very fortunate in making
many friends"
He said it with reserved air, as II
su1ore truth lurked under his words than
lha cared to have revealed.
I Nor I. Let US shake hands on that, I
Miriam said, with q sudden animation,