Year: 1874

Miriam Halstead's features assumed an eX'
preston Of fury. All at once she compre-
hended the meaning of her sisters request Of
these worthy people, and she seemed wrathful
as she did so. She must shake off Lides faith
full and humble friends, else the deed she had
in contemplation might meet with fierce op'
position at their hands. Yet, what harm was
she meditating, after all?


Surely, none could dispute her right to, and
her authority over her younger sister; and
she certainly had right to hire her time to
the rich lady who so coveted the sight Of her
pretty face ever about her. Pshaw Why
should she hesitate? Why should she be
ashamed to close the bargain, whether the
girl was we'll or sick? She walked to the
bed and lifted up the splendid locks and
looked at them. There was a glare of reso'
luton in her eye, and an expression Of fierce
cruelty on her thin and colorless lips.


"If you are determined-you two-to take
upon your silly selves the entire trouble of
nursing her round or burying her, I can have
no sort of objection. Lide, poor girl had, l
suppose, some sort of superstitious fancy con-
nectcd with this. She was awfully vain about
it, and always believed some one would steal
her for it. Of course you must never cut it.
off. If she lives she would never forgive you.
1t is her chief beauty"


"Never-never-unless her life compels it."
cried Benna Dinwiddie, dropping on her
knees beside the couch; "no, no, we will not
touch it. We will only nurse her back to
life, pray Godp'


Miriam, who had also approached the couch,
now drew back; for the doctor had returned
with medicines for the still sufferer on the un.
comfortable couch.


"Poor thing" he said, with sorrowful
sigh, "she is so young, and so pretty to be un-
fortunate-and to suffer too!'


"Nothin' under the shinin' sun, Miriam
Halstead, shall drive us away from her while
there's breath in her body. Benna and me
will take turn about awatching at her side
and awaiting on her. She was perfect beau
ty, and good as she was fair. God don't
make many after her pattern"


This was the speech old Mrs. Dinwiddie
made over the body of poor Lide, who had
Just been conveyed into her rooms, which
were clean and comfortable, where she might
nurse her through the brain fever that had
set in for siege.


Miriam bit her lips. She felt afraid Of op-
posing the old woman, lest her loud voice
should reach the ears Of the other tenants,
and they in turn report her to the physician
and bring him on the scene, when he would
doubtless demand an explanation ofthe noisy
alteration. Now, Miriam Halstead, debased
as she was, was 10th to pull down upon her
own head the condemnation and reproach OF
respectable gentleman like DR.. Frazier.
She was aware that she was contemplating
base deed, and that when she did commit it,
men and women would loathe her in their
hearts, and turn from her in horror and dis
gust. Her poverty would not be an excuse
for her in the eyes of the world. People
would remember only the heartlessness Of the
act she had committed, and would not reflect
upon the cause that instigated its ful6llment.


Yet, after all, what sin would it be to take
from the dying (and Lide would die, she did
not doubt or the friends of the dying? She
stood in great need. Why should she hesi-
tate to secure that which would make her life
easy-that which would forever defy thou
sand oppositions to her success? Who was
this old woman, and her pert granddaughter,
that she should fear either the one or the
other-that she should allow them to swerve
her from set purpose Of her soul? Still,
after mature consideration, she deemed it best
and wisest to act prudently; that is to say, to
watch an opportunity when she could quietly
take possession Of the prize she so much GOV.
eted. She argued no more with Mrs. Dinwid'
die, or with Benna but turning on her heel,
walked out of the room. She knew that che
doctor would be there again on the morrow,
and she was anxious to obtain what she want
ed before any use could be made Of it. Of
course her sisters illness had been purely the
result of an overtaxed brain and an exhaust
ed body; but no blame could be attached to
her in respect to it. Nevertheless, she had
rather be out of the way altogether, if she
could so manage it, as she was we'll aware
there would be senseless bother made by the
Dinwiddies in reference to her sister, and to
the missing prize.


TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.