Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-10

the anxiety no longer What induced 20,
to leave your fathers house at such n
hour?'
Then Miriam lifted her dark eyes, ans
looked straight in her mothers face.
'Mother, cannot tell you, she answer
ed, with a frmness that surprised Mrs
Clyde. 'tMy errand did no good-was ne
use-but there is something I wish to speak
| to you about-about my marriage"
"About your MARRIAGE" repeated Mira
Clyde, with a sinking heart
| "Yes, wish now not to be married here
I wish to go to London-Sir james, know
will agree to this if ask hinl-and hope
you and my father will also."
Mrs Clyde did not speak for Q few
moments She stood looking sternly at her
young daughter; the most painful thoughts
were passing through her mind.
"You have q strong reason for this, pro.
sume?" she said, at length.
Eyes, Q very strong reason ask you to
make no objections, mother, for cannot be
married here"
"And you wish to keep this motive a
secret from me?"
"I have no choice-don't say anything
more, mother" continued Miriam, with sud-
den and strange excitement of manner, put
ting out her hands though to prevent Mrs
Clyde speaking. 'Tt would do no good
none to any of us-I am willing to keep nv
promise to Sir James; to marry him when
said would, but not here. !"
Again Mrs Clyde was silent for few mo-
ments; again she fixed her ewes on her
daughters face with strong disapprovaL
Then she said slowly:
"rmust think this over; your conduct is
most strange; 1 little thought that child of
mine would have cost me such great
an1iety-I will come back to you in an
hour"
She left the room after she had said this,
and returned to the breakfast room where
her husband was preparing, rs usual, to 60
out on his military duties. But she said
nothing to him of Miriam s strange request.
And after he had went out she sat down in
great perplexity. Some secret, the idea
and fear OF which made her almost shudder
had evidently induced Marian to act in SO
extraordinary a manner. She thought once
of writing to her daughter, Joan, to make
certain inquiries, but on second thought she
was afraid to do this 1t was wiser to keep
everything quiet. Miriam had shown
strange obstinacy in putting off her mar
riage for month, and she had persisted in
this and would no doubt persist in refusing
to be married at Newborough-on-the Sea.
Best let her have her own way, at last de-
cided Mrs. Clyde, and best leave Newbor-
ough as soon as possible. The danger must
be here, and the quicker Miriam was away
from it the safer she would be.
But Mrs. Clyde felt terribly shocked at
the whole affair. She was worldly wo-
man, but honorable in her way, and her
husband was highly honorable. And she
felt that Sir. James MacKennon was being
deceived Still, it would be madness to say
anything If once Miriam were married,
this folly. whatever it might be-, would
to be silent and to arrange that the marriage
should be in town, as Miriam had wished.
And presently she returned to her
daughters room to tell her this She found
Miriam up and dressed, and Sir James's
letter lying open on the table; but Miriam
hastily pushed it aside as her mother en-.
tered. She was ashamed, perhaps, that she
should see his loving, trustful words.
Il have decIded that it shall be as you
wish, said Mrs Clyde. as she watched this
sudden action of Miriam's. You shall be
married in town at the time you f1ed-you
will not trust, deceive me again?"
"No, mother, will not, answered Mir
lam, without looking up. 90. ...... -.
Sand you will not, I hope" continued
Mrs. Clyde, with some excitement, and her
fine complexion flushed as she spoke, "you
will not deceive the honorable man you are
sbout to marry, and whom, I, am sure,
trusts you completely" . e..
81 will not" said Miriam, slowly and
and her face also flushed deeply.
Then shall say ne more. Whatever
this secret is that yor are keeping from |
your best friend let me entreat you at least |
10 bring no discredit to Sir James. You
risked your reputation the other night, you
must remember, surely you will do 50 no
nore?" - '--....-' -,'-.-, ---~
"Mother, I have promised; do not be
afraid" - =
"Let us leave here at.once; is Sir james
coming to see you to-aay9"
"Yes"
81 will propose the change to him; best |
ct it come from me-let us leave here to. |
will explain to Sir James that |
7our trousseau will require all the time |
hat is left to us to procure it..
81 will go when you like; am glad to
o." said Miriam
''That is settled then; will you come down
% lunch, Miriam?"---
'It you wish it, mother"
81 do wish it; / wish all that has passed |
Turing the last two days to be spared your
ather; it has been pain enough to me, SO I
Isk you not to let it worry him."
'Very well" answered Miriam, sadly;
md then her mother went away. And after |
he was gone Miriam hat down. to write q
ew farewell words to Hugh Ferrars.
Goodbye, dear Hugh" she wrote; "itis
,etter I should see you no more; but please
emember that if ever yon should want that
money which you returned last night, that
{ is ready waiting for you L will keepit
or you, and You can have it at any time
f you require it write to my. maid, Ford,
letter to me- And now, fare-
veil, farewell dear Hugh, and may God
,eep you and watch over you.A-MC."
This briet note written, Miriam addressed
t to Private Dare, and then rang TOR Ford
nd requested the lady's maid to, post it.
But Ford held up her hands in despair.
81 dare not, Miss Miriam" she said. sT
eally dare not! You mamma Sent for me
mis- morning and forbade: me positively to
o out or leave the house on any &C.
cunt until we leave,for London Tomorrow.
he said, if you do, and / shall have you
'atched, shall discharge you at once and
eiuse to give you any character, SO do SO on
II do not know what to do, then," an
wered Miriam. "Ceuld you. trust it to
,anks?"
mo, miss; I'm sure I couldn't If
ave Banks letter, to any soldier he'd
link I'd written it, and he'd think nothing
opening it or putting it in. the fire; he's
nat jealous he's just like a madman, and no
lore to be trusted than baby in arms"
"What can do then, it must go?''
"Wait till weget toLondon, Miss Miriam,
I'D then I'll find plenty of opportunities of
ipping out of tine hotel or getting one Of
he strange walters to post it for me; but as
II trusting BANKS, it's not to be thought
:"
And upon second consideration Miriam
fought this would be the wisest plan. She
,orafora Iaol-ad ba lattar h., &bnt IL. LII |