Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-07

would do anything for her. I am sure she
Is in some trouble"
AT this moment Miriam was indeed in
great trouble. She had opened the letter
addressed to Ford, and saw it was dated as
abe had feared from the little inn at the
village of Strathloe. He wrote:
DEAR MIRIAM-I have inst arrived. Ar
rived to bid you last Goodby. Where shall
We meetf If you are afraid to mcet me in
daylight, 1 will come at night. Arrange the
time and some signal when Won can see me;
let me know to-day, for to wait is very ter
Sible. HF
Miriam wrung her hands over these few
lines She did not know when she might
be free, and time was so precious to him;
every moment was precious. She must try
80 see him this afternoon, but where?
Near the village by Strathloe she remem-
bered there was a lonely glen Sir James had
pointed out to her, could she 60 there? 1t
was two miles off and she must walk: but
that was nothing. But how was she to get
quit of Sir James?
"And he is so good" she thought, re-
pentingly, 'but it's the last time-the last
time, poor, poor, Hughr'
She finally made up her mind that she
would send Ford with a note to the inn at
Strathloe, and tell Ferrars that she would
try to see HIM during the afternoon. She
could not promise, but she would try, and if
abe could manage to go out alone-if he
walked along the loch side until he came in
sight of the house at Kintore, at $3.50
o'clock, she would wave a white handker-
chief from the second story of the house
that faced the loch This was to be the last
signal that should ever pass between them,
abe told herself as she penned few hur-
ried lines to Hugh Ferrars- But she must
Iave him; she must give him the money to
take him to another land, and bid him fare
well for ever.
At all events she wrote this, and then
rang for Ford. The lady's maid soon ap-
peared looking pinker and prettier than
ever. A handsome young gillie had sue
cumbed to her attractions, and Ford had
begun to find the Highlands endurable
She came into the room tripping and smil-
ing, but something in Miriam's face, its
pallor, its earnestness, made her expression
change.
"Ford, want you to go an errand for
ne-to take letter." said Miriam.
Eyes, my lady," replied Ford, inquir-
ingly.
''Do you know the village of Strathloe; a
village about two miles distant from here?"
mo, my lady, but can find out anything;
there's a young man called Donald about
the place, and he will show me where it
is"
eyes, Ford, an old friend of mine is in
great, trouble, and want to see him to say
goodby, and-to take him some money be-
fore he sails for one of the Colonies Do you
understand; do not want anyone here to
know, and-and want you to take him this
letter, and if can manage it want to meet
him this afternoon.
Eyes, my lady," said Ford, slowly and
yefectfully. 1t was pity, she was think
ing, and yet, of course, If Lady MacKen-
non chose to run such risks in all proba-
bility it would do Ford no harm, but good.
Her lady would be absolutely in her power,
and Ford knew that power pays "Then
have to take the letter to the inn at Strath-
1oe2" she added, "and have to give it to
the gentleman"
Miriam's pale face grew suddenly GRIM
son. She remembered she would have to
address the letter by some name to Hugh
Ferrars, and bv what name? She hestated;
she looked at Ford; she knew not what to
do.
''He-he does not wish anyone to know
that be is there" she said at length "Just
ask to see the gentleman-or say Mr. Dare
that will DO and give him this.
''Very well, my lady," answered Ford,
pocketing the letter; "shall go at once?"
''Yes, at once" said Miriam, and as she
spoke she heard her husbands footsteps
outside the door, and the next moment Sir
james raped.
Come in, said Miriam in q faltering
voice.
ITS not bad out" said Sir James, as he
entered the room, $50 will you come, Mir
lamp
''Yes, in a monent.' she answered, Ford
give me my hat and cloak.
HAS Ford got her letter." asked Sir
james, smiling.
Yes, sir, thank you," said Ford, smiling
also.
But Miriam said nothing. She hastily
put on her hat and cloak, and went out with
Sir James, and Ford also speedily attired
herself for walking. Then she sought out
her young gillie, and learned from him the
distance to Strathloe. He offered to escort
her part of the way, as he also, he said, was
going on his rounds down by the side of the
1och. This exactly suited Ford, who al
ways liked company it she could get it In
the meanwhile Sir James and Miriam were
inspecting the kennels, ana having the
horses trotted out The day had improved,
and the sun presently broke through the
clouds and shone on the wavelets of the
loch
"It's quite fine isn't it?'' said Sir James;
''would you like a drive this afternoon,
dear?"
NO. think not" answered Miriam, 81
think I will write to Juan and to my
mother this afternoon, if you don't mind -
Sir James looked a little disappointed.
y ou must Just do as you ike, he said,
''but have you not time to do both.
Il am afraid not -
"Well then, in that case, I will ride over
70 see Harry Duncan, at Rowan; he's an old
chum of mine, aud should like to see him
Egain before l leave here"
And where is Rowan?" asked Miriam.
Rowan Castle? Oh, it's about eight
miles from here, but I'll be back in time for
dinner"
Miriam suppressed little sigh of relief
This was the opportunity she had hoped for,
and then after to-day there would be no
more secrets, no more fears. Her spirits,
therefore, rose, and Sir James caught the
infection. They talked and walked to-
gether until the luncheon hour, and then
went into The house, both smiling But
Lady MacKennon received them without a
smile.
Il am going over this afternoon, mother,
TO see harry Duncan" Sir James said
presently. Have you any message tor
Mrs. Duncan"
''You can give her my regards, answered
the dowager. "And are YOU going also to
Rowan?" she asked, looking at Miriam.
NO; 1 am going to write letters" said
Miriam.
Lady MacKennon said nothing more She
finished her luncheon and then retired to
her own sitting room upstairs She was
suspicious; she resolved to watch Miriam;
but she gave no hint of this tc her son. Sir
James fingered chatting to Miriam, and ii
was nearly 2:30 o'clock wh5n he finally rang
for his horse to be brougb. round He kissed
Miriam tenderly before ne LETT her.
~ wish Won were uoinp with me- darl-