The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1904-09-30

GTRf Eh Ns-lGontnued.l
Jorls was so wrapped up in his
grief that he did not notice Bran was
suffering also Bran got tho brunt
OF the worlds wonderlngs and inqul.
rios. People who did not like 20 ask
Joris questions felt no such delicacy
with Bran. Joris could. In some de-
gree, control himself. he could speak
OF tIe marriage with regret, but with.
out passion; he had even alluded. in
some cases, TO Hyde's family and eX.
peotatlons. The majority believed
that he was secretly little proud Of
the alliance. But Bran was ailame
with Indignation: first. II the mar
riage were at all doubted; second. II
It were supposed to be satisfactory
one to any member OF the Van Heems'
kirk family.
Hyde's brother officers held high
festival TO their comrades success. To
every bumper they read the marriage
notice aloud, as toast, and gave a
kind Of national triumph to what was
a purely personal affair. Joris read II
with dim eyes. and then lit his long
Gouda pipe and sat smoking with an
air OF inexpressibe loneliness. Lys.
bet read II, and then put tho paper
carefully away among the silks and
satlns In her bottom drawer. Nell
Somple read II and re.read II. II
seemed to have fascination for him.
and for more than an hour he sat
muslng, with his eyes fixed upon the
fateful words. Then he rose and went
TO the hearth. There were a few
sticks OF wood burning upon Il, but
they had fallen apart. He put them
together, and. tearing out the notice,
be aid It upon them. II meant much
more to Neil than the destruction OF
4 scrap OF paper. and he stood watch
ing II long after II had become film
Of grayish ash.
Bran would not read II at all. lie
was too full Of shame and trouble at
the event; and the moments went as
II they moved on lead. But after tea
be gathered a great nosegay OF mar
eissus and went TO Isaac Cohen's. He
went into the store. and she seemed
TO know his footstep. He had no need
20 speak; she came at once from the
mystery behind the crowded place
into the clearer light,
Tlolr, 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 II
with smile at once grateful and
confidential.
Then Bran told hor all the little
things that had grieyod him. and they
talked as dear companions might talk
II was not moro than an hour ere
Cohen came home. He looked quickly
at he young people and then stood
by ram. and began to talk courteous
ly OF passing events. Miriam leaned
listening. against magnificent
Apostles cabinet" in black oak
Against its carved and plllared back
ground. her dark drapery fell IN
almost unnotlced grace; but her fair
face and small hands. with the mass
OF white narclssus in them. had q
singular and allurlng beauty. She
affected Bran as something sweetly
supernatural might have done. II was
an effort for him to answer Cohen;
he felt as II It would be impossible FOL
him to go away.
But the clock struck the hour, and
the shop boy began TO put up the
shutters. and the old man walked to
the door. taking Bran with him
Then Miriam, smiling her farewell
passed like a shadow into the darker
shadows beyond; and Bran went
home, wondering to find that she had
cast out OF his heart hatred. malice
fretful worry and all uncharitablo
ness.