Bridgeton pioneer., 1906-02-15

barometer III SQually weather. IlOuSn
that lady's bland cordiality to himself
was marked, the two tiny lines Of
anxiety between her brows became a
beacon of hope to him, for Graham
knew Forsythe had arrived, and he
could not put out of mind that part
ing speech of Miriam's. His growing
fears, for disinterested ones, were
acute indeed.
On the morning of the third day,
from the vantage point of his own
window, he saw the suitor depart.
There was rosebud in the lapel of
his faultless coat. AS he got into the
autobus Graham caught glimpse of
his face. His own promptly fell. AS
if that were not sufficient, on going
out directly after, he met Miriam's
mother in the hall. The pretty wild
ow's cheeks were flushed like a girls.
and, it seemed to him, there was ii
guilty look in her eyes. She gave him
a smile that relaxed not whit of it's
sweetness at the savage tone of his
"Good morning." This last confirmed
his worst forebodings. He decided
that between the two they had sue
ceeded in coercing Miriam to their
wishes.
1t took Graham the whole Of his
forenoon's tramp to perfect his plan of
action. He blamed himself bitterly
that he had played the mentor in re-
fusing Miriam's request, foolish and
cowardly as it had seemed to him then.
But from the very fact of it he felt
justified now in taking bold hand.
He went back to the house and sent
a peremptory note to the young lady.
He wished to see her once more and at
her earliest convenience He thought
their former close friendship gave him
the privilege.
He was hardly prepared for the
flushed cheeks and defiant eyes that
to stick manfully to his role Of pro-
tector.
''If it came to this, Miriam" he burst
forth, 81 think you might have trusted
me to help you out for all refused the
other day. would have done any
thing but what you asked, even to
shooting him." savagely.
Miriam's nervous color deepened.
Il don't see how any one could
have helped it except mother" she
stammered.
81 could, and intend to yet" he re-
torted grimly. He came a step nearer.
81 tell you, child, you shall not be
forced into this marriage against your
will. I have some right as-as your
nearest friend, and I shall remon-
strate with your mother. That failing,
/ shall go to Forsythe himself and tell
him the truth, since you dare not. He
is an honorable man, and he will re-
lease YOU"
Miriam backed away from him and
hid her face in her hands.
ooh, Bartr' she cried between hys-
terical sobs and laughter. "What in
the world are you talking about?"
"You shall not marry Forsythe
against your WILL" he insisted. Then,
to his astonishment, Miriam uncovered
her face and burst into ringing laugh
of sheer relief.
ut was mother, not 1, to whom he
proposed" she said. "It was just her
silly blunder, the blessed goose! She
never told me they were engaged years
ago. And l acted such a guy before
you | fretted myself sick about it.
But meeting his eyes with unwonted
and bewildering shyness, 'if he had
asked me, Bart, should have told him
the truth. I've resolved to be as hon.
est as the day hereafter"
Graham's head swan in the great
light breaking on him. Impulsively he
strode forward and took both her
hands.
Miriam, be honest with me, then, as
I am with you. I've loved you all the
while was pretending friendship, and
when thought another man was win
ming you was beside myself with
misery. Tell me, little chum, could you
love me in that other wayr"
The flushed face was instantly bur-
led against his sleeve. Graham as
promptly unearthed it and forced it's
shy eyes to meet his again. What he
saw there only he knows, but it proved
to him beyond doubt that Miriam's
impersonal friendship was as prepos-
ferrous fraud as his own.