Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-04-19
"why, Miriam, bow pale YOU are ="

she exclaimed, 'and how agitated 7"
blanche, do you mean to say that
you do not know that man ?" Miriam
asked, her voice mere whisper
II never saw him until to-day" was
her cousins reply
oh" cried Miriam, catching her
breath, one hand unconsciously clench-
ed, lis he not the man who triaed with
you y
Bruce Ventnor p Blanche exclaimed.
Why, no, child i
The blood receded from Miriam's lips
and low moan escaped from them -
She grew 80 weak for a little while that
she was forced to lean heavily on
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 esked;
Miriam, what is this mystery +
ooh, | am 80 afraid that wronged
that-man and-myself | was SO cruel
to him, for ! supposed that was aveng-
ing you His name is Bruce Veutnor"
"Eh ?" exclaimed Blanche, who was
beginning to comprehend "He is not
the Bruce Ventnor that I knew and
her voice shook with emotion. Can
it be that there are two gentlemen Of
the same name? | remember hearing
him say he had some cousins. Oh, |
am so sorry aud so--so--glad.
Miriam Gray looked at her friend in
sort of stupor.
"Sorry, dear, because Of what you
have suffered, aud glad because every
thing will yet come out oil 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 SO because so un-
deserved. gave him no explanation
no chance to defend himself
"You can explain now" suggested
Blanche.
''No, replied Miriam, in strained
tone, proud look coming to her face.
She wrung her hands and moaned.
aud nothing that Blanche could say car
ried consolation with it Her love had
been but dormant; it reassertcd itself
Bruce Vontnor had been blameless. -
She had deeply wronged hip. She was
paying the penalty for hor haste.
II would tell him oil, advised
Blanche.
ale may spurn me-" cried Miriam.
through her sobs Gle may BIO as cruel
and unreasonable as I was, and with
more 81 an excuse 1t happened three
years ago; he may love someone else
now nay, he may be married to an
other. There is nothing for me TO do
but to remain silent and--endure."
Her grief was so great that Blanche
ceased her efforts to pacify her
The orchestra was playing quad.
rifle. Miriam Gray sat on the veranda
by On open window looking in at the
dancers, her face and form plainly visi-
Bile. A gentleman stepped from among
the shadows on the porch. He stopped
beside Miriam.
Miriam" he simply said, though his
voice trembled.
hh she knew who had spoken, NO
one else could have pronounced per
name with such sweet tenderness. =
The blood filed her face, then left y
deathly pale
She lifted her eyes swiftly to his, a
fond, glad, appealing look in them
Your cousin has told me ALL" he
said, his handsome eyes aglow. "'She
felt it to be her duty. You did it for
her sake. Your pride stood in your
way The mistake arose from con-
fusion Of names. A cousin of mine
was the perfdious fellow, while am
tho honest, trne-hearted man | claimed
to be-"
Oh! il was SO precious to her to know
that he had forgiven her and was will
ing to receive her 10 favor again. She
grew 80 excited that her fan shook Ia
her hands.
"The moon is rising" he said, as he
offered her his arm.
She did not want 10 attract attention
to herself she appreciated his purpose.
She arose, took his arm, aud they
strolled down the beach.
Miriam" be said looking down upon
her, his eyes shining into hers, 'three
years ago You rejected me. What would
YOU answer now I"
He felt she was trembling.
"Oh, how wrouged you! r she
cried. Have you forgiven me 7"
yes, darling
"Oh, Mr.. Ventnor !" she exclaimed,
II do not deserve IT, loved you very
much then--I love you mora now. |
cannot make wreck Of my happiness.
You dear, kind, forgiving, great-hearsed
man. | accept you gladly, proudly, just
as"
''Emphatically rs you rejected me.
completed he, his face shining 81 am
thoroughly satisfied"
He stopped and kissed her, aud NJ
reconciliation could have been NOR,
complete The HILTON.
Q -
A Warrington justice once reprove'
a wouId-be suicide thus: young man
Won have been found guiItv of atiannt