Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-06-10

the dear, familiar name, miles O'Hars :.
seems to CLEAN ont cruelty distinct, s'this
is the third time have found fresh f,ow.
ers laid on dear Miles grave! Look At
this lovely little cluster of pale, month";
roses and white geraniums! Oh! wish I
knew who it was who loved my darling
so well. and remembers him SO fondlvw
she cries, with tears.
But not such tears MS Edith Cameron
sheds, as she sinks down and lays her
face and her outstretched arms over the
cold. damp sod.
"Oh, Muriel Muriel!' she walls, with
terrible, hopeless pain in her voice, ut
was me! it was me! l loved him!
loved him better than all the world be.
side, and shall love him till die!'
ooh, Edith! dear Edith" Muriel saws.
amazed and trembling, and embracing
her, II never knew-never dreamed Of
this! Miles never told me-" This is said
very wistfully.
.'Miles never knew" Edith says, briefly.
rising from the grave, and drying her
tears. "Miles never knew. l was too
proud, and too ambitious, and too calcu-
lating and mercenary to let him know,
though l knew he cared for me. So you
see, Muriel"-and she pushes gently away
her clinging arms-"you need not credit
me with any great depth of tenderness,
or constancy. Here lies the only man
ever loved, or shall love. But am going
to marry another man for all that. am
going to marry Captain Leverson as soon
az he is rich enough" She even laughs
harshly at Muriel's shocked eyes and
quivering lips.
"Not without love, surely?" the young
or girl urges. "Oh, Edith! Not without
love. 1t is crime to marry without
love!'
Love- repeats Edith, drearily. 'Ioye
and tears go together; love and death are
often side by side; love and woe are
synonymous. What has love done for
you, Muriel? Left you with blighted
youth and a widowed heart before you are
twenty! And yet you love him."
Yves, Edith" Muriel says, simply and
clearly. II love my husband, Eric Llew.
ellyn, very dearly" /
And then Edith Cameron puts her arms
around the slender figure, trembling with
emotion, draws her into her warm, sister.
" embrace, and kisses her tenderly, while
smiles and tears struggle for the mastery
in her face.
Il knew that, my dear little Muriel!
knew that from the first" she says, soft.
ly, "but l meant to make you confess it!
And am almost equally sure on the other
side
"On Eric's side:" Muriel asks, flushing
deeply, and then paling until her very lips
are cold and white. HE does not love
me, Edith. know it WELL"
Il do not question your superior right
to a decision on that point, my DEAR"
Edith says, in her careless, graceful way,
"only, if l suggested the possibility Of
your being little mistaken, what pledge
would you demand to prove my words
true?'
what pledge?" repeats Muriel, and her
heart Quickens its beatings. Il don't un.
derstand you! What do you know? What
have you to tell me? Oh, Edith, do tell
me If you know anything that l don't
know she pleads piteously. Ibid he
ever write to you or is he coming home,
or what"
"He did not write to me, certainly"
Edith says, NOR do know any more than
you do of his intentions. But believe,
Muriel, he sent a message to you which
yOu AAN Z ACNSA ASNSINSu, ACSSASC Va hss
love to yOu."
(Which l never received Muriel ex.
claims, her eyes cleaning. "WhO kept
my husbands message from me"
THAT l cannot tell you, for do not
know" Edith answers, briefly, "but there
will be friend of mine Mt Curnaghdens
this evening, and you shall hear what hs
has to tell you. Mine would be only hear.
say evidence, SO l would rather say no
more"
"Only tell me one thing" poor Muriel
pleads, with childish entreaty, hardly
able to believe her senses in the mingled
pain and pleasure of Edith's news, II
this person who is to tell me friend
of Eric's?"
Certainly he u.s." Edith says, with
smile.
"And of yours, Edith?''
II trust So" she answers, coldly and
gravely, and the smile fades, "since he
the man l am going to marry"
Captain Leversonv' repeats Muriel, II
an accent of disappointment. Il thought
Il hoped it was some one who had seen
Eric lately"
1T is Captain Leverson," Edith re-
peats. "And, by the way, Muriel' shs
asks, playfully, turning the conversation,
when are you going to treat yourself %
a jacket, you little miser?'
"Not this winter" Muriel says. vino
ing little in girlish discomfort, thouss
she tries to speak unconcernedly.
"Why, dear?' urges Edith, looking
amazed. "You have plenty of money, ana
you could get nice one for thirty-n"
guineas."
''No; cannot afford one this winter,
repeats Muriel. Il am sorry if 1909
shabby; but / really cannot spend tnirV
five guineas on a new jacket"
Because you have given all your ~.
bands generous allowance to you into ~
mothers hands, disdaining. in your pf'as
and unforgiying temper, to be behoIden
him." says Edith, coolly, "and becau.
you gave Hester Stapleton hunoN
pounds to crafty her vanity and seii-aI
sertion; you are SO foolishly generous ~
childishly DESTROYS of pleasing people!
"How do you know? asks MUTE
flushing scarlet and looking troubled
by process of induction, my oes'
Edith answers, dryly.
n