I remember, too, that the
universal opinion at the time was that the poor young lady had fallen a
victim to some marauding waterman--the most likely thing to have
happened. But, to satisfy you, Miriam, if you will trust me with those
letters, I will give them a thorough and impartial study, and then, if I
find no clue to the perpetrator of that diabolical deed, I hope, Miriam,
that you will feel yourself free from the responsibility of pursuing the
unknown demon--a pursuit which I consider worse than a wild-goose
chase."
They were interrupted by the entrance of the boy with the mail bag. Paul
emptied the contents of it upon the table. There were letters for Mr.
Willcoxen, for Miriam, and for Paul himself. Those for Mr. Willcoxen
were sent up to him by the boy. Miriam's letter was from Alice Morris,
announcing her approaching marriage with Olive Murray, a young lawyer of
Washington, and inviting and entreating Miriam to come to the city and
be her bridesmaid. Paul's letters were from some of his medical
classmates. By the time they had read and discussed the contents of
their epistles, a servant came in to replenish the fire and lay the
cloth for tea.
When Mr. Willcoxen joined them at supper, he laid a letter on Miriam's
lap, informing her that it was from Mrs.
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