Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-02-21
Little Muriel's
Meditation.
Wouldn't we-eh 2"


Whereat Clarice would smile ador-
ingly at her lover, and the little 6-year-
old on his knee would cuddle her yel'
low head closer and stroke the shapely
hand that held her. But that was be-
fore Clarice, chagrined at some fancied
Indifference had given three consecu-
tive dances to another man. VIII
Eardsley had reproached her. Clarice
had hared up hotly, saying that she
was tired OF his tyranny, and Muriel,
the little sister, had looked on In half
frightened astonishment when Clarice
drew the beautiful, glittering ring from
her finger and handed it back.
Half an hour later Clarice, on her
knees before a big, low chair In her
room, was suddenly conscious of pair
of soft little arms twined around her
neck, of a wistful small face close to
hers.
He's gone, Murielr' she cried and
broke down, sobbing. Hes gone-for-
everv'
The little girls big blue eyes roved
over her sisters lovely, tear stained
face do you care much, Clarice?'
do care| She was looking down
on the pictured face in the locket she
held-a good face, with grave. gentle
eyes and a kind mouth. Il shall care
all my life"
Better do what have to when I'm
bad" the child advised graveiy-'bet
ter go and 'pologize."
"Oh. couldn't do that" The locket
shut with a decisive little click. She
sprang to her feet and began to dress
for dinner Not ever, Muriel."
Muriel sat and watched her with
little air of pensive perplexity.
Hes dear!" she remarked. DO you
remember the night | hurt my foot, an
he tarried me all the way home! DO
you remember the time nursie got sick
when he went for the doctor? Do you
remember when Brother Tom came
home from college, an papa was as
angry as could bean mamma cr1ed'
until Willie stood up an said 1t wasn't
Toms fault, really? Do you remem-
berf"
Don't |. though? p said Clarice. She
was fastening her gown with nervous
fingers.
You were horrid to him, weren't
your
"Abominablew admitted the big sis.
ter Of Muriel.
The latter went down stairs. She
walked with grim determination. She
sought out her brother in the library.
She asked:
tom, does you love me hardT
Harder than anything in the
world" said Tom.
"Then you will take me now to -
She named a famous Chicago hotel.
"Why, my bird?"
That" Muriel gravely assured him.
els a secret"
"Tn take you. love" he cried gayly,
And he did.
The clerk came smilingly from be
hind the high desk to listen to the
inquiry of the little maid.
"You stay here, Tom" she said te
her tall brother, and swept away wi
much dignity In the wake of the be
boy.
Will Eardsley looked up in unmiti
gated astonishment at the vision on
the threshold of his room-a little girl
all In tan broadcloth, with a big pic
ture hat Of sapphire velvet framing her
wide eyed face.
ha ny.{n1 1nnEinO from
his task of putting lot Of jacquemi-
nots in vase before a photograph on
the table-the picture Of a lovely
laughing face.
Its mel" assented Muriel "Why
were you putting flowers before
Clarice's picture? is it because-foi
the same reason-she was crying over
your picture in her locket"
"Cryingp He caught her in his
arms. "Was she crying, Muriel?'
Dreadful! She said she was going
to be sorry forever an ever. / thought
I'd have Tom bring me to tell you,
cause you tarried me home when J
hurted my foot!'
"You darlingp cried Eardsley, ecstat.
ically, but irrelevantly.
That night after her lover had left
Clarice came softly In and knelt by the
bed Of her small sister. She was smil,
ing. She looked happy.
What" she asked, did you say tc
VIII this afternoon"
Muriel meditated. 81 dess that's
secret" she decided with much com
posure. "He is dear, isn't he? Dooo
nightr'-Pittsburg Press.