The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-10-10
Mr.. Bentley looked helpless, and

DOnt you tnlnk, Murlel, InaI
telegram would have been terribly up
setting? You see you have simply
thought during the past three weeks
that Cyril was cruising about and
might sail into the bay here any day"
81 would have preferred to he told,"
Muriel said simply, and she left the
room, evidently little hurt.
"You will tell her the truth?' Oliver
said pleadingly, to Mr.. Bentley.
Not today, nor tomorrow. She
expected him today; tomorrow is her
birthday, always feast-day with her"
"But we cannot keep it from her.
And is it right to deceive?'
"The question of right scarcely
comes in,' Mr.. Bentley replied stifily,
Eve are deceiving her for her own
good"
Again Oliver turned away annoyed
by the sophistry. And Mr.. Bentley's
voice broke in upon him.
"Besides, Mr.. Vernon, we know what
is best for our dear child"
"You will remember, Mr.. Vernon,
please" Mr.. Bentley said imperatively,
"that our poor friend Cyril is suffering
from sprained ankle"
''And an incapacitated right hand,
I THINK" Oliver said, dangerously near
a scornlul tone
"You will occupy your usual room,
Mr.. Vernon. Brk"r will see 20 you.
And we dine at seven
Oliver murmured his thanks as the
Bentleys left the room.
"Not even the slightest prayer, not
an expression of regret for him or
Muriel; only towards fear of telling
her," said be to himself.
Oliver $ preparations for dinner were
quickly made, and he was standing
again hy the window alone. when
Muriel came in. The moment hc had
dreaded had now come. Egs..
'O!iver," she said seriously.
Yes" he replied, still looking out
at the sea.
will you look at me, please,
straight at me?" she asked.
He turned slowly.
"Why. what is it?''
Cyril always said you were the
most honorable and truthful boy or
man he ever knew. Tell me your real
news"
And her eyes. the most candid in
the word he thought, were looking at
him from the most innocent, the most
truthful face he ever knew. Whatever
came or went, he could not lie with
those eyes looking into his. And yet,
how could he tell her the truth? His
eyes fell, and he turned his face aside.
"Ah, don't turn away; tell me what
you know" she urged. "Has he gone
away from me?'
Not that, not that" he replied
eagerly. .....
alas he gone away from all of us?"
"Yes, we think So"
dead! Is he dead?"
And her startled eyes looked wildly
at him.
Oliver grew afraid, yet her face de-
manded the truth moro than ever.
1--WE are afraid so,' lie mulmured
very gently,
The life died out Of her face She
swayed for moment, and then Oliver
was just in time to catch her as she
fell forward in a dead faint.
He supported her to the couch, and
was rigging violently for assistance as
her parent entered the room. They
saw at glance what had happened.
You have told herr" Mr.. Bent
ley asked with vexation, as Mrs. Bent
ley ran to the white-faccd, uncons-
cious figure.
Yes; couldn't help it," Oliver re-
Piled.
"Coul'lnt help p Mr.. Bentley
repeated scornlnl'y. "Anh perhaps
your f~li>hnes> has Killed my child"
Certainty MuricI's condition was
alarmineIl sclious. After a strange
ly long period of absolute unconscious
ness she came back to half comatose
life, TO a listlessness of body and mind
more distressing to see than any kind
Of pain could possibly have been.
Nothing interested hcl; she ignored all
questions and sat staring at the fire,
uncannily.
Two hours passed bringing no
change. Daylight faded, the room re-
manned unlighted save by the red fire
into which the pale face OF Muriel was
peering 80 fixedly with look which
told of q mind strayino on the border