Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-26

"What is my thoughtful little girl think
! ing about SO gravely?" he said.
| ooh, nothing" answered Miriam.
"Well. I've got something to say to you,
darling" continued Sir James. 81 have
told you about my old mother in Scotland,
| haventL L
"You have mentioned Lady MacKen-
non."
"Yes; well, to tell the truth, mother is
rather q stern old dame, but true to the
core, and hope you will like her, and that
she will like you. And she has sent this
| letter for yon. I told her when we were
| to be married, you know, and she has sent
| you some of the old family diamonds as a
| wedding present Here is the case, which
| is not a particularly handsome one, but the
| stones are good.
As Sir James said this, he put letter in
Miriam's hand, and jewel case; and Mi
RAMS hand trembled exceedingly as she
took them.
SIT Is very good of her." she said.
"Let me open the case for you. There!
what do you think of that?"
1t was magnificent tiara; the setting of
the stones was, however, old fashioned, but
the stones themselves were of great value.
ooh, it is far too grand for me-" said
Miriam, as she looked at the glittering
gems.
"Nothing is too grand for you, darling;
it is not grand enough. If it were not that
tear it would vex the old dame would
have it reset"
'It is quite beautiful; it is very kind in
deed of Lady MacKennon to send it. It
it makes me ashamed"
"What OFF" smiled Sir James. 'It Is
only natural, isn't it, that my mother
should send nv future wife wedding
present? 1 wonder what she has written to
vou?''
Then Miriam opened Lady MacKennon's 9
letter, and read, written in stiff, old-fash-
ioned handwriting, the following words:
'tDEAR MISS CLYDE-My son tells me
that he is to be married to you in few
weeks, SO forward some of the family dia-
monds for you acceptance. 1 have never
worn them since lost nv husband, for MY
son is all that is left to me now in this
world. I need not say I am anxious about
his future happiness, and to see the wife
that he has chosen. He is the worthy son
of a worthy father, and I pray that God s
blessing may rest on you both. Yours sim
cefe!y "JANET MACKENNoN.
As Miriam read this letter deep blush
rose to her smooth, oval cheeks, which Sir
James noted with q smile.
"What does she say?" he asked. "May I
read it?"
Miriam allowed him to take the letter
from her hand, and after he had read it he
gave good-natured laugh
"What horribly boastful old lady she
is he said. "Behold the worthy son of q
worthy fatner!" And again he laughed
heartily.
"She naturally thinks q great deal of
you"
"Well. ali mothers think great deal of
their children, I suppose" p"
81 don't think ours does," said Miriam.
''Oh. yes, Of course she does; she can't be
blind"
Miriam did not speak for a: a:moment; then,
suddenly, with yet deepening blush, she
looked up in her lovers face.
'Sir James, am going to ask you some
thing-a great favor"
"It's granted already then," smiled Sir
James, taking her hand
81 am ashamed to ask i'll scarcely know
how to ask it-but will you lend me s10O.
Sir James laughed aloud.
"My dear child" he exclaimed, ''of
course will give it to you."
81 will tell you what it is for" faltered
Miriam.
"Bat don't want to hear. will send
you cheque for two hundred in the morn
ing, darling
''But 1 don't want a cheque," said
Miriam. 81 don't want anyone to know.
don't want mother to know-it-it is to
help someone-who is poor-to--"
'tMy dear one" said Sir James, kissing
her hand, ''you want it, and that is quite
Sufficient for me to know. I will bring
down the money myself tomorrow; thank
you, darling, for giving me an excuse to
come"
ITO be Continued neat Sunddy1