The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-10-06

the rustic benshes. She famed her, rub
bed her hands and spoke to her In sooth.
ing tones. When her cousin had suf-
hciently recovered, she asked:
Miriam, what Is this mystery?n
"Oh, / am so safraid that / have
wronged that-man and-myself. Twas
10 cruel 10 him. for I supposed that
was avenging Jon. His name l. Bruce
Ventnor. "
"sEh?'' exclaimed Blanche, who was
beginning to comprehend. He in not
the Bruce Ventnor that ! knew. And
her voice shook with emotion. "Can II
be that there are two gentlemen OF the
same name? / remember hearing him
say he had some cousins. Oh, ! am &C
sorry and so-so-gladl"
Miriam Gray looked at her friend In
q sort of stupor.
Sorry, dear, because Of what you
have suffered and glad because every.
thing viii yet come ont all right"
Miriam mournfully shook her head.
HE will never forgive me, " she said.
HE is proud and sensitive. My words
cut deep-all the more &c because sc
undeserved. I gave him no explanation,
no chance to defend himself"
"You can explain now" suggested
Blanche.
"Nor' replied Miriam in q STRAINED
tome. o proud look coming to her face.
She wrung her hands and moaned
and nothing that Blanche could say car
ried consolation with it. Her love haS
been but dormant. nc reasserted itself
Bruce Ventnor had been blameless. Sh,
had deeply wronged him. She vas pay
ing the penalty for her haste.
81 would tell him ALL" advised
Blanche.
He may spurn me-, " cried Miriam
| through her sobs. ''He may be as crue
! and unreasonable as I was and will
more Of an excuse. It happened thret
years ago. He may. love some one els
now-nay, he may be married TO an
/ other. There is nothing for me to d.
but TO remain silent and-endure.
Her grief was SO great that Blanch'
ceased her efforts to pacify hen. :
y y
The orchestra was playing aquadrille
Miriam Gray sat on the veranda by al
open window, looking in at the dancers
her face and form plainly visible.
gentleman stepped from among th
shadows ON the porch. He stopped be
side Miriam.
"Miriaml' he simply said, thong
his voice trembled.
All, she knew who had spokeni N
one else could have pronounced her nam
with such sweet tenderness. The bloc
filled her face, then left it deathly pale
She lifted her eyes swiftly to his,
fond, glad, appealing look in them.
"Your cousin has told me ALL" b
said, his handsome eyes aglow. Ssh
felt it to be her duty. You did it TO
her sake. Your pride stood in your way
The mistake arose from q confusion i
names. A cousin Of mine was the pen
idious fellow, while ] am the honest
true hearted man I claimed to be-"
Oh, ii was SO precious to her to kno,
buat AC AAA AOABASCA LIZA 1NA W@S WAL
ing to receive her In favor againi Sh
grew so excited that her fan shook i
her hands.
"The moon is rising" he said a b
offered her his arm.
She did not want to attract attentio
to herself. She appreciated his purpost
She gave him a grateful glance. Sh
arose, took his arm, and they strolle
down the beach.
Miriam" he said, looking dow
upon her, his eyes shining into herr
"three years ago you rejected me. WI
would You answer now?'
He felt that she was trembling.
"Oh, how Iwronged you'll" she criet
"Have you forgiven me?"
"Yes, darling"
"Oh, Mr.. Ventnori'' she exclaimed
II do not deserve it. loved you yea
much them love you more now.
cannot make o wreck of my happines
You dear, kind, forgiving, great hearte
man. ! accept you gladly. proudly, JIM
as',-
"Emphatically as you rejected me,
completed he, his face shining. II Al
thoroughly satisfied"
He stopped and kissed her, and I
recopciliation could have been mo
j. comnlatA IT ondon Million.