Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-05-06
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Muriel feels utterly silenced by his re-
joinder. and the grateful tenderness and
shy girlish alteration of her heart for him..
which have been blossoming into passion
ate love, are suddenly crushed back from
all expression or revealing. She con-
ducts him up stairs to little sitting room
which she has used since Miles illness.
There is bright fire burning. and the
lamp light and candle light makes the
cozy little room look exceedingly com
Portable, not to mention the fact that
little round table, covered with snowy
damask, is daintily laid for dinner-din-
ner for one-in front of the bright fire.
There is even a pretty bouquet of pale
pink monthly roses, white chrysanthe-
NUNS and scented geranium leaves in the
center of the little round table.
'Your room is quite ready for you
Muriel says, gravely, ''and dinner will be
ready in about quarter of an hour, and
l hope you won't mind dining alone. I'm.
der the circumstances"
The dinner passes over in rather con-
strained silence and formal talk, as he
does not wish to begin on the distressing
topic of Miles illness. When Hannah
has put the wine and brandy and dessert
on the crimson cloth, Muriel rises to re-
turn to her brothers room.
"Wait q minute, Muriel-I am coming
with you," Eric says. smiling, and as he
rises from the table he pours out glass
of port, and comes beside Muriel with it.
"You must drink this" he says, with
gentle authority, which FIRST makes Mu-
riels eyes fash. and then droop, and then
she obediently takes the wine and tries to
drink.
II must go to Miles-I have been away
SO long," she says, confusedly, her heart
fluttering wildly; for she knows that Erie
Llewellyn's arm is around her lissome
waist, and Eric's chestnut brown mus
taches are touching her brow.
I'm minute we will both co." he says.
tenderly drawing her closer. land then
will stay with him for the remainder of
the evening. and let you rest-you must
be tired out, my darling! My poor little
darling! Tell me you are glad to see me
glad for my own sake, Muriel.''
Il am glad, very glad" Muriel says, in
the lowest of whispers.
do you care little for me-" he per-
sists ." even if you would rather die than
marry me" What an odious monster
must be"
"You don't think you are at all events
Murel says, instantly. with satirical
glance which somehow startles him a lit
tie; it implies much more than the jest,
and reveals to him a glimpse of Muricl's
deeper and keener perception of his true
character than he perhaps quite knows
himself.
'Would you rather die than marry rue.
dearest?" he asks, and laughs softly at
her girlish confusion, and her struggle be-
tween yielding and resistance. You must
tell me, Muriel," and the other strong arm
enfolds her, and locks her in his embrace
II will not let you 60 until you tell me-
truly Sweet. don't you care little for
me?"
Eyes, Muriel says. timidly but clearly
more than little, Muriel?"
EYES," rather indistinctly.
"And, are you willing to marry me with
out much reluctance?" he questions. and
Muriel hears the irony in his tones.
"Why do you want to marry me?" she
demands. quickly and sharply, trying to
wrench herself away, unsuccessfully.
however. "You must have seen girls a
hundred times better suited to you than
you pity me. and think / shall be left
alone"
And her words end in spasm of bitter
weeping, subdued, restrained, but as if the
depths of her hearts sadness are touched
and are flowing out in tears.
(To be continued.