Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-05-05
CHAPTER XIII,


Major Llewellyn was on the point of
leaving London when Muriels letter
reaches him. So eager Is he to return to
Ireland that he finds the forty miles an
hour slow, and considers there are an
unusual number of minutes to each pass
ing hour. and finds II impossible to sleep
comfortably In the corner Of the railway
carriage as usual, and PAGES the deck Of
the steamer restlessly until 1t comes to
Kingstown pier. In the afternoon he Is
ia Baltimore. He has telegraphed from
Euston the message, Il am coming by
night EXPRESS" but has hardly expected
to find the Curraghdene groom, Kirwin,
and poor Miles dog cart and bay mare
waiting for him. Once more, for about
the tenth time, he reads that hastily pen
led letter:
Dear Major Llewellyn: VIII you
come back to us! / am in great trouble,
for Miles is ill-dangerously i'll through
the breaking of a blood vessel eight days
since. l fear he is dying, unless heaven
be merciful to spare him a little longer to
me, and he wants to see you again. He
is longing for you, and feel sure that If
possible you will not fail me; even IL l
displeased you, you will forgive me now,
and come to me, in my sorrow for Miles
,ake, if not for mine. Yours very truly,
"MURIEL O'HARA."
And as he reads over anew the piteous
little letter, the dove of promise seems to
nestle warmly in his heart, and the ser
pent of doubt glides away. An hour later,
In the chill. bitterly cold winter evening,
the frwoods black in the fading daylight,
and the lake a stretch Of stormy. slate
colored water, he reaches the doors Of
Curraghdene and she il standing before
him, looking up in his face with wordless
anguish of timid pleading and nervous
anxiety.
Major Llewellyn." she whispers faint
ly. wondering in her girlish dread If he
is too much offended or surprised at her
audacious, imperative summons to speak
even in friendly fashion.
'.Muriel!'' he exclaims, and he cannot
quite control the eager delight in his
voice, even though poor Miles may be
dying. Il did not know you for a mo-
ment, my darling! Say you are glad to
see me, Muriel," he whispers passionate
Iv With ht. I'm around her.
II am very glad to see you-most
thankful to you for your kindness in COM
ing; you must know that" she says, earn
estly and gratefully; but he knows that
it is all for Miles sake.
He sighs involuntarily and draws his
arm away, and Muriel intuitively reads
the meaning of the action.
Il am most grateful to you; it is 50 good
IF you to come SO quickly" she falters,
looking up at him with eyes starry
through tears. Il wish l knew how to
thank YOU"
He does not see the changing color. and
he trembling lips and heaving breast with
which she makes this last little speech.
He does not see the timid wistfulness in
her eyes, or read the meaning Of the pure,
fond soul that crushes back its womanly
Iove-for Muriers trembling Words mean
this.
If he could but have seen! If he could
but have known and understood!
81 need no thAnks-I wish NO thanks"
he says. coldly. II would 60 willingly to
the other side of the world to do Miles
service. much less to take . few hours
sourney to see him when he y VI"