The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1903-02-27
CHAPTER x.-(continued.)

Joris was so wrapped up in his
grief that he did not notice Bran was
suffering also. Bran got the brunt
OF the worlds wonderings and inqui'
ries. People who did not like to ask
Joris questions felt no such delicacy
with Bram Joris could, in some de-
gree, control himself; he could speak
of the marriage with regret, but With
out passion; he had even alluded, IN
some cases, to Hyde's family ana ex
pectations. The majority believed
that he was secretly little proud OF
the alliance But Bran was a1ame
with indignation; first, II the mar
riage were at all doubted; second, IL
it were supposed to be satisfactory
one to any member of the Van Heems-
kirk family.
Hydes brother officers held high
festival. to their comrades success. 10
every bumper they read the marriage
notice aloud, as toast, and gave
kind of national triumph to what was
a purely personal affair. Joris read 1t
with dim eyes, and then lit his long
Gouda pipe and sat smoking with an
air of inexpressible loneliness. Lys-
bet read it, and then put the paper
carefully away among the SILKS anu
satins in her bottom drawer. Nell
Semple read it and re-read it. IL
seemed to have fascination FOR MIN,
and for more than an hour ne sat
musing. with his eyes fixed upon the
fateful words. Then he rose and went
to the hearth There were a lew
sticks of wood burning upon 1t, out
thew had fallen apart. He put them
together, and, tearing out the notlce'
he laid it upon them. 1t meant mucn
more TO Neil than the destruction OF
a scrap of paper, and he stood. watch
ing it long after it had become a MIN
of grayish ash.
Bran would not read it at all. he
was too full of shame and trouble at
the event; and the moments went as
81 thew moved on lead. But after tea
he gathered a great nosegay OF mar
cissus and went to Isaac Cohens S. he
went into the store. and she seemed
to know his footstep. He had no need
to speak; she came at once from the
mystery behind the crowded place
into the clearer light.
Their acquaintance had evidently
advanced since that anxious evening
when she had urged upon Bran the
intelligence of the duel between hyde
and Neil Semple; for Bran gave her
the flowers without embarrassment,
and she buried their sweet face IN
their sweet petals, and then lifted IL
with a. smile at once grateful and
confidential. ,
Then Bran told her all the little
things that had grieved him, and they
talked as dear companions might talK'
It was not more than an hour ere
Cohen came home. He looked quickly
at the young people and then stood
by Bran, and began to talk courteous
ly of passing events. Miriam leaned
listening, against magnlncen'
"apostle's cabinet" in black oak
Against it's carved and pillared back
ground. her dark drapery fell ID
almost unnoticed grace; but her fail
face and small hands, with the mass
of white narcissus in them, had
singular and alluring beauty. She
affected Bran as something sweet!
supernatural might have done. 1t was
an effort for him to answer Cohen
he felt as if it would be impossible FOL
him to go away.
But the clock struck the hour, ant
the shop boy began to put up the
shutters, and the old man walked tt
the door, taking Bran with him
Then Miriam, smiling her farewell
passed like a shadow into the darke
shadows beyond; and Bran wen
home, wondering to find that she ha'
cast out of his heart hatred, nance
fretful worry and all uncharitaDle
ness