The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-07-25
over the iron road to New York, on the
long Journey to Texas.

1
day, she thought, her secret fount of
hope and happiness might be open to
her friends but not now-not until
words were given that made her blissful
dream a certainty Of joy. Three
months-four- sped away, and one
April morning, when the feet of May
were pressing closely on the confines of
the passing month, Mabel had letter
all alone in her pretty room; she read
the ids, her heart full of joyful sur
prise over the contents.
John Martyr wrote a strange story,
Upon his arrival in Texas he had found
his uncle fast sinking under a fatal dis.
ease, partly the effect of starvation and
exposure. In n miserable hut, with no
bed but blanket spread upon the mud
floor, half clothed aud half famished, the
prematurely old man lay dying. Shock
ed at such a sight, John had at once
sent for physician to the nearest sta
ton, but the old man was so distressed
at the expense, that it was rot until his
nephew assured him his own purse still
held the needful funds, that he consent,
ed to have bed, chair, stove, and
some medicines. For weeks he linger-
ed, the young man faithfully minister
ing to his wants, then died, leaving all
he possessed, by will, to his beloved
nephew, John Martyn. The miserable
hut seemed poor legacy, but the young
mans amazcment may be imagined
when he found his uncle had left an
enormous fortune scrapod together in a
lifetime of miscrly accumulation and av-
aricious boarding. After this tale, he
poured out his whole heart to Mabel,
telling of his love, his hopes and plans.
One word from her would bring him at
once to her side. His uncle's affairs
would keep him few weeks in Texas,
but before letters could be exchanged
he would be free to hasten to her.
Might he hope2 If she did not love
him silence would deal that blow to his
heart.
1 cannot tell the rush of happiness
that flooded Mabeps heart as she read
the letter. She had pictured years of
anxious waiting, had let her fancy even
run upon death during separation, she
thought at best they would be middle
aged folks before John made his for
tune, and had tried to to think how emf
grafton to Texas would suit her little
self; and nov he could come home,
rich, free, loving, to make her his
bride. Out of her full, loving heart
she wrote him frank letter, then, be-
fore taking both to gain her parents
consent to her answer, turned to the
date, to be certain of her address.
With quick, passionate cry, she threw
the letter far from her, and sprang
from her seat. All the joy was gone
from her smiling lips, the flush from
her cheek. Pale, with a concentrated
anger blazing in her eyes, she paced
the floor, clenchiug her little hands,
and muttering, in hasty, choking ac'
cents -
'Unmanly ! Ungentlemaniy April
Fools Day This is the result of his
three months meditation. Idiot was
to be so tricked by that romantic story.
| might have seen it was copied from
some old novel. Uncle dying i'll hut
and leaving him millionaire !! And
10 try TO win from me MiS, and she
tore her letter into shreds as she spoke.
If had sent it, before looking at
that date but he shall see that his
base, ungcnerous trich failed to deceiv c
me-
Then hot tears poured down her
cheeks, for remember she loved him
Keener than a knifethrus was the
pain of thinking he had trifed with
the love she had made the hope of her
life. No true knight this, to make Q
jest of the holiest, impulses of her
heart. She began to think she had
been uumaidenly, and let him see toe
plainly the affection she bore him aud
the weary day wore away, leaving hel
pale and sick with conflicting emotion;
and pain A headache will answer fol
pale cheeks and red eyes for one day
but as weeks wore on and Mabel be
came more languid and wretched each
day, her mothers fears were aroused
and she anxiously sought fol some
help Cor her bright, winsome child
now so dull and pallid. A spring and
summer of intense heat had added tC
the depression of Ma5el's nature, and
after much consultation, it was dccid
ed to send her to New York for the
winter, to visit her fathers sister, and
see if city gayeties would not restore
her roses.
In the meantime John Martyr wait.
ed in Texas, watching every mai
frCm the earliest that could have
brought reply to his letter, not dar
ing to leave lest the detained epistlt
might be lost, if sent after him. Ii
his strange bewiderment at the unex
pected turn in fortunes wheel, tn,
rush of hope that came with Mabel
image to his heart, the anxiety to writ
at once IN communicate his news, au(