Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-14
and reckless mood Sir James spent the rest
of the night.
CHAPTER XIV.

coucn, ana alter teIllng MS motner 10 60 u
bed, fell into restless slumber. But Lad,
MacKennon did not leave him. She sat il
large easy chair by the fire all through
the long hours, till the gloomy dawn; hel
gray face growing grayer, and her feature
more plnched and hsggard. Whatevel
she was she had loved her son
and to see him in the state he was il
seemed terrible to her. She did not sleep
but sat listening to him muttering and
groaning either in his dreams, or between
them. He could not see her as tall screen
was between them. and Sir James wa.
actually unconscious of her presence, until
the chill November light began to steal
into the room. Then he rose 10 go to the
table to get some water to quench his thirst,
and for the first time saw his mother.
"Why motherl You here? You surely
have not been here all night?''
eyes, James," replied the gray old
woman, and some of Sir James better nature
at once returned to HIM.
'Why did you sit up? You should not
have sat up, mother" he said. go to bed
| now, or you will make yourself i'll. :"
'No, my dear, would rather stay with
I you"
Sir James looked at his watch.
..It's actually only 7:45," he said. "I'll
| 90 and have q tub, and that will freshen me
up a bit-am sorry, mother, you sat up"
Il was happier near you, James," and
Lady MacKennon rose stif1y, for the cold
had chilled her joints, and went up to her
son and kissed him.
Nothing was said between them of the
cause of her long vigil. Sir James went and
had bath, and sent his man to his dressing
room for q change of clothes, and in the ad-
Joining room Miriam and Ford, who was
with her, heard some one enter the dressing
room,
.Is that Sir James?" whispered Miriam,
excitedly.
"I'll see," answered Ford, and at once
crossing the room she applied her eye to the
keyhole of the dressing room door.
Then she returned to Miriam.
mo, my lady, it's only Stubs, she
said, and Miriam sank back on her pillows
with sigh.
After awhile Sir James went back to
the dining room, and found Duncan, the
butler, engaged in laying out the breakfast
table. Then Lady MacKennon came back,
and she also had done what she could to
improve her appearance. But she looked
so worn and haggard that her sons heart
smote him. He spoke to her and she an
swered him, and by-and-bye they sat down
to breakfast. But Sir James could not eat.
Food seemed to revolt him, and Lady Mac
Kennon watched him with uneasy eyes.
At last he spoke of Miriam.
"Has anyone seen after-her, .mother?"
he said.
"Her maid is attending to her." replied
Lady Mckennon, coldly, and James said no
more.
But breakfast was not finished when the
letter bag was brought in, and a telegram.
The telegram was addressed to Sir James,
and he tore it hastily open, and as he read
II he exclamation
"What is it? Is anything the matter?'
asked Lady MacKennon.
'Tt is from Mrs. Clyde" answered Sir
James; Mrs Conray, her daughter, is, they
fear, sinking-it is to summon Miriam to
her side"
For moment or two Lady MacKennon
did not speak.
Miriam must know at once" continued
Sir James, and he rose and rang the bell.
81 can tell her," said Lady MacKennon.
NO" answered Sir James, briefly; and
when the butler answered the bell, he de-
sired him to send Lady MacKennon's maid
Ford to him at once.
The butler carried this message to Ford
who was having her breakfast in the serv-
ants hall, and Ford grew pale when she
listened to it, and then burst into rather
hysterical giggle.
''T am going to catch it expect" she
dining room, and having raped was told
to enter.
"Ford," said Sir James at once addressing
her, 81 have some news to communicate to
your lady, is she up?"
'No, Sir James, she is not" answered
Ford, demurely. "She has had a very bad
night; in fact, 1 may say, she has never
slept at all.
Tell her 1 wish to see her; that I have
something to tell her, and then let me know
when she is ready to receive me.
"Yes, Sir James, is that all that have
to say TO my lady?"
Eyes, that is all; you can 60 now."
During this brief conference, Lady Mac
Kennon spoke not a single word. But as
the door closed behind Ford, she looked
anxiously at her son.
''Oh, James, is this wise?" she said.
sit is right" answered Sir James; "you
would not surely keep her from her dying
sisters side??"
.:Mother, do not interfere, 1 will give her |
her mothers message; it is better sne should |
go to-day"
In the meanwhile Ford had run up to her |
lady's room as swiftly as her light feet could |
carry her.
"0h, my lady," she cried, hurrying to |
Miram's bedside, "Sir James has sent for |
me; he wishes to see you; he told me to tell |
you he has something to say to you"
Miriam started up in bed.
"What CAN'T be-! Oh! can it be anything |
dreadful-I am so afraid, SO afraid" said |
Miriam, with great agitation.
81 would get up, my lady, and have a |
good wash, and let me do your hair, and |
look as well as you can, for looks go a long |
way with gentlemen" answered the practi- |
cal Ford; and Miriam rose, and Ford |
dressed her, but even Ford could not make |
poor Miriam look well.
She was white, and her eyes heavy and |
violet trimmed. and she felt i'll and |
trembled SO violently she could scarcely |
stand. But Ford arrayed her in a cream |
tea-gown and brushed her tangled hair, but |
told herself despoDdingly that all Ter
efforts did not seem to do much good. AT |
last she left her and went down to tell Sir |
James her lady was ready to receive him. |
and Sir James rose with a gloomy brow and |
a heavy heart to go to his wite's room.
He raped at the door and a faint voice |
babe him 'come in" Then he did go in, |
and found Miriam sitting trembling on an |
easy chair, and she made no attempt to rise |
as he entered.
He exchanged no salution with her. For |
a moment he stood looking at her, and
sort of pity crept into his heart as he noted |
her changed appearance. But the next a
stern feeling checked this.
81 have heard from your mother" he be-
gan; ''have had telegram from her and |
your sister is worse"
joan" cried Miriam starting to her feet. |
"Ees, and they wish you to be there. l |
have come to tell you that you had better |
start to-day--if you are able to go.'
'Oh! must go; mother would not have |
sent such telegram unless Joan was very