The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-12-12

g:xsE0 the library?
aa''4A'a''' And then de-
lightful, blissful feeling shot through
me. / staggered for moment like
one Observation-Disclosures with my
own happiness. / said to myself a
few minutes since that if could but
detect the portrait on which Miriam's
attention had been fixed would be
master of her secret.
Was that SO? had found the por-
trait. Had it really made me the
master OF her secret?
paused as put to myself the ques'
ton, and drew deep breath. Then
I stroye to answer it with other ques-
tions. The master of her secret Was
that secret love and was it love for
me?
Yes, felt sure OF it. = What other
answer could there be? She had loved
me oil along. She had ''let conceal
ment, like worm in the bud, feed on
her damask cheek" ] was in the
seventh heaven OF delight. Mine,
after all, would be the privilege OF
breathing that potent word which
would start my Galatea into life.
/ descended to the drawing room
and found that not only had the argu-
ment ended. but that irascible old
Mowbray had departed-and, OF
course, Miriam had departed with
him.
ssThe old bear" I exclaimed.
UThat's the ar imal he is, and not ar
artichoke. He would bea libel on the
vegetable kingdom! By Jove, Miriam
must have lively time of it, one way
or the other. / must change all tina
by and by.
/ was already beginning to regart
her as my wife, and was mentally en-
gagged in the prospective duty OF clip
ping my father-in.law's wings. when
hand was softly thrust into my arm
and, waking from my dream, sa'
the bright eyes of Kate looking u
into mine. They were usually dancin
with mlschievous light, but the
were serious now. :.
"Weil, Bob" she asked, show di
YOU get on? Have you said anythin
to Miriam? You have given me tt
right 60 ask you, you know"
ITO tell The truth, Kate, l ha'
scarcely spoken two words to her;
"Oh, then was not guilty when
came upon you in the library OF int
rupting an avowal. I felt very II
comfortable at that time, for Mira
looked awfully conscious and st
1850 owfnllv scnrlet. aud you look
well. 1 don't know how you locke
Bob. It was o sort of expression
shall I cay"
sPlease, Kate.
uWcll, it was the sort OF expressi
Won would expect to find on the 10
If a man who had Just picked mp
parcel and wasn't quite sure what
inside.
I laughed.
ssYour keen eyes don't miss mu'
Kate. You have guessed somewh
near the truth. When You came uI
ne in tho library had made
covory. but 1t was only partial
covery. I had found out that Mir
Mowbray was greatly interested
nortrait. / could net at the time m
out whose it was. ! have SINCE
landed my knowledge.
tWelIP' she asked eagerly.
.sNow, Kate" said, teasing
..bat's where the curiosity OF wor
oomes in. You are as bad as the
If your sex, declare OF course
nrs burning with curiosity to x
whose portrait It was-conIess no
nIndeed, sir, am not. keep
curiosity ior. better things. MY
mans wit is not 80 sluggish that II
not already guessed your mystery
.Ha ha - laughed. "You Il
so. I'll forgive you if you have. d
rill tear this sheet from my poe
hook. Oblige me by writing upo
the name of the person.
"In whose portrait Miriam wax
teresteda"
Precisely"
She took the paper and pen
handed to her and wrote upon
name. no;,
not the slip of paper.
"Am ] not to hoio tne PSPe'
asked.
..You shall see it." she answ
folding it tightly up, latter you
shown me the portrait" -,
every we'll. Miss Distrustfu
said. -.
You are partial, Bob. to calling
Me hard names. You are as .
The rest of your sex, ! declare,
said, psrtly turning the 'aplss
me for my language OF amomen'
since. s.But, come, take me
This wonderful portrait
took her to the library, Q
the album, and turned again
s.There, Miss Pert, ! said, pc
to il triumphantly nth my
"thers is the portrait 10 wn'ol