Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-17

"Oh, mother, don't speak of that dread
full time" cried Joan, starting to her feet
"What good does it do now? Miriam II
married. It Is bsst not to speak OF thes'
things any more"
but have reason for asking these ques
tiona OF course, you will mover hint Of
breathe what I am going to tell you to
living soul. But an extraordinary thint
happened just before we left Newboroush
on-the-Sea for Miriam's marriage. Their
was a dreadful storm one night. and we
were all disturbed by it. Miriam had gone
to bed some time before, 1 supposed, but. tt
my astonishment, when opened my bed.
room door 1 met her drenched with rain ant
half fainting. 1t was terrible shock tt
me; she must have been out for some pur
pose; to meet someone on such night, anc
who could it be? None of the young mel
down there 1 believe; and have sometime:
fancied could it have been this Ferrars thai
she thus met in secret? He disappeared
did he not, after young Conray's MURDER
81 know nothing; can tell you nothing,
answered Joan, desperately
"8ut, my dear, there is no harm in yor
and me discussing it? General Conray dis
approved of this Ferrars, did he not, as s
lover for Miriam?"
'Yes, he was poor and in debt, they said
and-Richard did not like it"
$50 he wrote to US at the time of hi!
nephew's unfortunate death. 1t was never
quite known, was it. whether Robert Conra
was murdered, or had committed suicide?'
Joan visibly shuddered.
II see it agitates you, my dear, talking
about it, said Mrs. Clyde, calmly; ''and il
certainly was a dreadful thing to happen in
your own grounds. Perhaps Miriam might
have quarreled with him or refused him
and he may have shot himself in a momen,
of desperation, for no doubt she is very at.
tractive to men; or it may have been this
Mr.. Ferrars At all events we ought to be
very thankful she is married, and of course
Sir James knows nothing of this unfortunate
affair, and he is. no doubt, very much at.
tached to her,
'Yes; may she be happy" said Joan,
briefly, aud then she left the room, and her
mother thought after she was gone that her
manner was very strange.
Joan is so odd at times" reflected Mrs
Clyde, "yet she and her old General seem to
get on very we'll; wonder if she knows
more about Miriam than 1 do; at all events
she does not mean to tell"
Therefore Mrs. Clyde determined to ask
her no further questions. The mother and
daughter had tea together and then dinner,
but Mrs. Clyde said nothing more about
Miriam's former lovers. They talked of
Sir James, and OF the Dowager Lady Mac
kennon, and wondered how Miriam would
like her new people and her new home"
'She is a pzoud old-fashioned dame, to
judge by her letters 1 should say" said
Mrs. Clyde, ''and very devoted to her only
son. But I do not wonder at that; Sir
James to my mind is simply perfect"
''He seems to have very good heart"
answered Joan.
"And is quite clever enough for hus-
band" smiled Mrs. Clyde; "either re-
markably handsome men, or remarkably
clever ones, seldom make good husbands.
They are too much flattered, and they can
not live without it, but Sir James is quite
good looking enough, and has quite brains
enough to satisfy any reasonable woman"
They talked in this fashion a little while
longer, and then Joan said she was tired
and would go to bed. But her mother sat
returned. They had enjoyed their evening,
rey, the three old comrades had gone to see
some new play, and sat discussing it over
their cigars and whisky and-sodas, and de-
scribing it to Mrs. Clyde.
Joan was tired and went to bed early, 1"
Mrs. Clyde told General Conrav.
"The excitement of the wedding tried her,
suppose" answered the General; ''and
j oan very soon gets tired now. I dom t
know how it is; must try not to disturb
her when go up stairs, as dare say she is
fast asleep"
'she looked very pretty to-day" said
Mrs. Clyde.
'She is always pretty" replied the Gen
eral; and presently, when he went upstairs
and as noiselessly as possible entered the
room, he thought he had never seen Joan
look so fair.
The room was lit-a soft, warm, subdued
light filled it-and, with her head resting
on the pillows, Joan lay asleep. Her dark
hair was unbound, and one white arm, bare
to the elbow, rested lightly outside the
down coverlet. She was q lovely picture,
with lips slightly apart, and her dark lashes
resting on her round, smooth cheeks Her
husband stole nearer, and almost held his
breath, so afraid was he to awake the fair
woman that he loved. He stood watching
her; watching her breathing softly, and the
curves of her white throat. Then pres
word in her sleep. The General-the gray
listened tenderly.
Robert" he heard in plaintive accents;
"Robertv' And he started and drew back
The slight noise that he made awoke her,
and she opened her dark eyes languidly and
looked at her husband.
"Were you dreaming, Joan?" he asked.
81 don't know; think so" she answered,
still looking at him.
"You were talking in your sleep; you
mentioned poor Roberts name," continued
the General.
Then suddenly red wave rushed to the
fair face, dying it crimson from the white
brow to the white throat, and great look
of fear stole into her eyes
81 was dreaming-of Miriam,'' she
faltered; shave you been long here?"
"No," said the General; but a strange,
cold feeling crept into his heart as he spoke.
The first dawn of a miserable doubt.