St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-07-04
MIRIAM'S MISTAKE.
The Amusing Journal.

ly head set to one side. her gestures
nervous, yet graceful.
A palior swept across Brice Ventncr's
face. and he lifted his hand to his
mouth to hide the twitching of the
muscles. There was nothing ambigu-
Gus about the reply; it was an unmis-
taxable rejection; it was useless either
to plead or argue. He was at a loss to
account for her repressed agitation. He
watched her through the mellow twi-
light. and became more conscious than
ever OF her exceeding loneliness and the
hard blow which she had dealt him.
he had been paying her attentions for
some time, and was sure she loved him.
That Was why his hewilderment was so
great and his disappointment so keen.
knowing that his character was beyond
reproach, and that he had in nowlse Of
tended her, he felt justified in demand
ing the reason for her strange conduct.
He knew her too we'll to fancy for
moment that she was trifiing with him.
She was neither variable in her moods
nor tickle in her friendship.
The bathers on the beach had clasped
hands to breast an in-rolling wave: the
band was playing on the breezy porches
OF the hotel; grand equipages whirled
over the glltterlng sands; a ship in full
sail was visible in the channel; the sun
was sinking into the water line of the
horizon.
Miriam" Brice Ventnor said, his
voice husky, his manner agitated, 81
have the right to ask your reason for
this rejection
He was looking at her with so much
dlre2tneSs that she did not care to have
her eyes meet his.
No, you have not" she replied, the
color coming and going in her face.
Still, III! tell you. L am prompted by
revenge"
by revenge!" repeated he in dazed
tone.
YES" was her measured reply. ~
want you to suffer-
And you enjoy it?' he said bitterly.
"Then you know how much | love YOU,
1T seems. | always knew you did not
question that.o
They had been seated on bench out
side small pavilion, but were now
standing. She was suffering more than
she would have cared to have him
know, and was impatient to get away.
PRAY, in what way have | wrOnged
you"' he asked. Not in thought.
word or act. 1 consider myself the soul
of honor"
"Oh, you do?" and she laughed mock
lngly. Instead, you are man with
out principle"
He groaned aloud in his powerful eff
fort to repress his angry Indignation.
II am not ayenging myself. but an
other" she said, speaking with rapidity.
Did you ever know Blanche Carol?
Oh, it is not necessary for inc to remind
you of your baseneSS.'
She turned abruptly from him and
walked rapidly towards the hotel. He
watched her until she had disappeared
III the gloom of the gathering twilight,
one hand pressed against his forehead,
hurt, baff1ed, mystitied expression OH
his face. He strOlled up the beach,
then along wild ledge of rocks, as if
to find solace in the loneliness of the
hour.
When Miriam Gray reached her room
at the hotel reaction set in. and her
great grief showed how devotedly she
loved the man whom she had insulted.
She flung herself upon the bed and
cried as If her heart were broken.
ION, Blanche!" she exclaimed aloud,
between her hysterical sobs, ''you are
avenged, but you will never know what
it has cost ME. On, why was L to love
him SO passionately before l heard
about his perfdy?'
11"ilS OiOuSh IL WAS, Sl6 TGllTGQ 10
bed, but it was almost dawn before she
fell asleep so intense was her suffering.
Three years later again found Miriam
| Gray at the Seashore. She had not met
Brlce Ventor during that interval, nor
had she heard from him.
She was as handsome as ever. and
more royal in her manners, but her
face and conversation lacked brillIancy.
She was more quiet and reserved, more
chary in her friendships, ready to sus-
pect, and heartily tired of the hollow
ness of fashionable life.
Her love affair with Brice' Ventnor
had caused the change. In furnishing
him for his perfidy to her cousin
Blanche she had sacrificed herself. She
could never love another man as she
had loved him.
As she was one day walking on the
beach with her cousin Blanche they
suddenly came upon Brice Ventnor. He
was alone and stood still for minute.
the meeting was so unexpected to him.
The board walk was so high and narrow
just there. and the ladies could not get
away.
He lifted his hat, looked mournfully
and reproachfully at Miriam, as if half
inclined to speak, then sprang from the
walk. and strobe toward the nearest
pavilion.
Miriam recognized him. and was
touched at the look he had bestowed
upon her.
"Who was that superb-looking gentle
mnn?' asked her cousin Blanche. Ibid
he bow to you or TO me?''
Receiving no reply, she looked up
into her companions face.
''Wny, Miriam, how pale you are"
she exclaimed, land how agitated."
blanche, do you mean to say that
you do not know this MANI" asked
Miriam asked, her voice mere whisper.
81 never saw him until today" was
her Cousins reply.
"Ohp' cried Miriam, catching her
breath, one hand unconsciously
clenched. "ls he not the man who tri-
fed with you?"
''Brice Ventnor?" exclaimed Blanche.
"Why. no; child"
The blood receded from Miriam's
lips, and a low moan escaped from
them. She grew so weak for little
while that she was forced to lean heav-
lily upon Blanche, who conducted her to
one of the rustic benches. She famed
her, rubbed her hands, and spoke to her
in soothing tones. When her cousin
had sufficiently recovered. she said:
Miriam, what is this mystery?' .
ION, i am SO AFRAID tnat L nave
wronged that-man and-myself. was
cruel to him, for l supposed that / was
avenging you. His name is Brice
Ventnor."
"Eh!' exclaimed Blanche, who was
beginning to comprehend. "He is not
the Brice Ventner that knew" and
her voice shook with emotion. ''CaR-it
be that there are two gentlemen of the
same name? l remember hearing him
say that he had some cousins. On,
am so sorry. and so-so-glad."
Miriam Gray looked at her friend in
sort of stupor.
''Sorry, dear, because of what you
have suffered, and glad because every
thing will yet come out all right"
Miriam mournfullv shook her head.
HE will never forgive me-" she said.
''He is proud and sensitive. My words