The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-01-30

hear me rnd send the boat on which
Edgar is Coming to the bottom of the
laker'
Miriam! Sister, you are crazed. DO
you know what you are saying? That
you are asking God to destroy the boat
that is bringing your lover to you:'
Yes, yes-that is what I mean
would be glad if they CAME and told
me that he had gone down, and l was
free-free-freew
Her voice rose to a pathetic shrek
that blended with the wdilins wind
and died out in moan.
Then it is true-I did not, would
not, believe it! You did not love Ed
gar Ryerson, and YOU do love his
friend, Walter Dickson?"
But Miriam turned away. "Sleep
again. my sister. l am sorry l dis.
turbed you. My wedding day is dawn
ing, ard we shall soon know whether
God has answered my prayer
A brief line in the morning paper told
the story. The boat had gone down in
midlake with all on board.
Years had passed. Margaret had
married wealthy suitor. and Miriam
spent part of her time with her, a pale,
silent girl, absolutely devoid of inter,
est in life. For whom was she mourn.
ing? She declared that it was not for
Walter Dickson, that it was all a mis-.
take that she had cared for him, save
as friend. Margaret, good and prac-
teal, was puzzled. Even her acute the
ology did not lead her to believe that
God had answered the wild, blasphe-
nous prayer of crazed girl, but she
laid her strange apathy to remorse
over Edgar's death. And, loving the
girl as she did, Margaret tried in every
way to interest and amuse her. Miriam
took part in these efforts. but without
heart Margaret never noticed the
words of the little song so often on
Miriam's lips:
How could I know 1 would love thee
afar
when loved thee not anear:"
They would have meant nothing to
but they voiced the cry of
Miriam's soul. She loved Edgar afar.
The family, including Miriam, was
giving a house party before closing
their summer home on the banks of the |
ake-that lake of fatal import, where |
Miriam found her thoughts going out !
lay and night. AS a closing entertain |
nent some one suggested a masquer- |
,de and fire Of driftwood, as the |
evening was cool.
When the evening Of the masquerade |
.ame, Miriam wore a mask and dom
no. On account Of the tempera ture the
lriftwood fire was the first attraction
\ Hindu uttered the prophecies, while
'thers fed the flame.
Il see," he said oracularly, "a sink
ne steamer. Two men-comrades-are
With others upon its deck"
"Oh. this is shameful-stop him."
ried Margaret, but her husband whis-
ered something, and she waited. edg-
ne near Miriam. who in her attitude
night have been statue.
'The friend is telling him a lie but
e believes it, and when they two are
aved by miracle Of the waters, he
Oes with him and makes no sign. Ee
clieves that his love is faithless."
The flame shot up blue and green,
nd the Hindu looked about as if seek.
lg inspiration.
"The false friend has just died. He
DID the truth at the last. But he was
OF altogether wrong. The woman they
9th had loved had not returned the
we Of either l can read no further"
he pretended Hindu turned away rs
omino touched his arm.
"Edgar"'
"Miriamw
Joy never kills. The recuperative
over it brings with it is phenome.
al-AIrs. M. L. Rayne, in Chicago