Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-21
CHAPTER XXVL
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for Sir James which decided his course Of
action. 1t was from Miriam, and contained
a touching appeal to him not to add to theil
present misery at Tyeford by appearing OF
bad terms with her.
Dear James, he read in irregular hand
writing, evidently penned by a shaking
hand We are all in the deepest distres:
here. / teleuraphed to tell you that deal
Joan had left us, but her death was so sud
den the blow was terrible. had been with
her a short time before and she expressed i
wish to see her husband. He went to hel
and only few minutes later, 1t seemed t6
us, the bell rang violently. Mother anu
both hurried to her room, and found dear
Joan had passed away, and the General
He seemed turned to stone, and has
scarcely spoken SINCE My father
and mother are also in the greatest grief,
and this last blow has nearly broken my
heart. Under these sad circumstances will
you grant me one last favor, which is not 10
add to the trouble here by allowing others
o know, at present, o. our unhappy quarrel?
You had a right to lee! angry, but was Tot
as guilty as you think. Joan has to be buried
the day after tomorrow, and my father has
asked me to WRIT to You 10 ask you to come
to the uneral. If you do not do so, they will
know there is some strange reason for your
conduct and this will naturally increase
their misery. DO, therefore, not re use my
REQ nest. Joan looks very beau i ul lying in
her last calm m'sleep, with strange smile on
her lips. You cannot believe she is gons
until you touch her icy brow. l cannot
write any more, but remain, sincerely yours,
MIRIAM.
Sir James read this letter twice and then
made up his mind. His mother was watch
ing him from the other end of the break asst
table as he did so, and her eyes followed
him as he rose and, without speaking, left
the room.
He went to send telegram to Miriam by
the rural postman, VINO usually waited
awhile after he had brought the letters to
Kintore. He wrote this out and then in
trusted it himself to the postnau's hands,
accompanied by liberal reward
Il will start to-day and will be with you
early tomorrow" be had written, and after
he had dispatched his message ne returned
to the breakfast room.
"Mrs. Conray has to be buried tomorrow,
mother" he said, briefly, "and 1 will leave
here Tor Tyetord to-day so as to be present
at the funeral.
"You surely are not going, James?" said
Lady MacKennon, with sudden agitation
and quiverng lips.
'-Yes, mother, L am"
flames, do not CO." and Lady MacKen-
not deserve any consideration from your
hands. She has made you miserable
enough; let her pass out of your life
Sir James gave short and bitter laugh.
SIT is easy talking" he sad. "What-
ever she is she will never pass out of my
life. But 1 have made up my mind and
have something to say to her, and do not
choose during their present grief to add to
the misery of her family by letting them
know of our estrangement; but you need
not be afraid if you mean that, for it is
final"
Lady MacKennon gave sort of gasp and
then once more resumed her seat.
James" she asked in broken voice,
"answer me one question; answer your
mother. Was that unhappy man who sent
his soul adrift into darkness at Strathloe
her lover?"
81 cannot tell you," answered Sir James,
gloomily, and he turned and left the room,
and Lady MacKennon did not see him
again until he came to bid her goodby
before be started his journey to Tyeford.
She kissed him with icy lips and heavy
heart.
II will pray for you," she said; but her
son made no reply. He left Kintore imme-
diately atterward, and his heart too vas
heavy as lead as he journeyed on his way.
He reached Tyeiord on the following
morning-the day OF Joan's funeral-and
was received by Colonel Clyde, who looked
sad, aged and worn.
He pressed Sir James hand and said a
few feeling words regarding their great
loss
Miriam seems quite broken down." he
added; "bnt l trust having you with her
again will help TO rouse her.
What could Sir James say? he mur-
INJURED some words and turned away his
head, and had Mrs. Clyde been present in
stead OF her husband, her acute ewes would
have perceived that something
was wrong. But the Colonel never noticed
this; never even noticed that his son-in-law
seemed in no haste to 60 upstairs to see his
wife. But presently Sir James pro-
posed to do this and with slow
and heavy footsteps proceeded to the room
where Miriam, with q sinking heart,
awaited him. Then he entered tie room,
and when he saw her pale, sorrow-stricken
face he asked himself how it was possible
that he could add to her grief by telling her
OF the miserable tragedy at Strathloe.
THANK you for coming" she said, hold
ing out her hand.
Sir James Just touched it, and that was
ALL Her wrong was ranking in his breast
as bitterly as ever, but still he pitied her.
She look so white, so worn, in her trailing
black gown, and her eyes were heavy with
weeping.
'It-was so sudden" she half whispered
4 moment later.
"Yes, it was very sad for you ALL"
Sir James, in a constrained voice.
"Poor Joan, poor Joatl' went on Miriam,
The tears rushing into her eyes afresh, and
streaming down her cheeks Altogether it
was most painful interview Tor both the |
husband and wife. Could he have taken |
her in his arms and let her weep there it |
would all have been SO different. But.this |
could not be; Sir James was thinking of |
The dead man lying at Strathloe, and |
Miriam that her husbands affections had |
passed away from her. And |
she was too proud to attempt to break |
through the barrier that he had raised be- |
.ween them. She made, indeed, no effort to |
10 so. They both stood almost silent, when |
those mufled sounds, those whis-
oerings, those strange and heauy footballs |
which chill our hearts more bitterly even
han death itself were heard outside. They
we're about to bear away the dead, and
when Miriam realized this she gave dc.
ipairing cry, and iell down sobbing by the
bed, couering her ears with her hands to
hut out the dreadful noise.
All this was terrible to Sir James To
zee the woman whom he had so passionately
oved-whom he in his utmost heart loved
before him crushed down by her
natural and overpowering griet, and yet be-
ng unable to breathe one word of comfort
" help, was absolute torture to his young
,eart. He looked at the PROSTATE figure of
lis unhappy young wife and then turned