The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-03-04


ed face, and then the chill whiteness OF
despair blanched every feature as bright
eyed little squirrel, whose tiny tread over
leaves and acorn-cups had deceived him,
glided swiftly across the belt of sunshine
stood an instant with his brow contracted
and his arms folded on his breast. Was
he bidding farewell to the summer that
was past
The shrek Of the coming train sounded
through the blue purity of the al, AID the
last faint spark Of hope in the lovers
breast died out
Tina had not come-Tina had forgotten
him. Well, so let it be
And what was Tina Cady doing in the
fresh morning brightness?
She was very rosy and pretty in her
trim calico dress, with pink ribbons at her
throat, and pink verbena hanging low
in her golden coils of hair-very pictu-
rescue as she reached up her hand to break
of spray Of spicy honeysuekle.
II wonder if Mr. Bruce Midway has
come to his senses yet" thought Tina,
with a toss of her head Il shan't meas
ure my actions by the rule and plummet
l.
want to firt with Pierce Marbury, shall
do it ~
$50 you're up, Ell, Tina ? And as fresh
as a rose, declare :"
Tina put her red lips up to kiss her
bluff old father in an abstracted sort of
way. She hardly saw him as he stood
there.
"Oh, by the way, Tina, I forgot to give
you this note last night was left by
the hotel porter. Really, L believe my
memory isn't as good as it was"
Tina caught the note from her fathers
hand, and broke it open in feverish haste.
''The train leaves at seven p She saw
the words as vividly as if they had been
written in characters Of jagged fire, aud as
she read them the old clock halfway up
the wide old-fashioned staircase struck
eight.
1t was too late--too late
The sharp thrill of agony at her heart
was succeeded by a passionate feeling OF
resentment
LET him CO." she said to herself, while
the red pennons futtered on her cheek
Il would not lift finger to keep him
here -
So, when Bruce Medway's earnest, ap-
pealing letter came day or two after
ward, Ernestine folded it quietly within a
blank envelope, without breaking the seal
and sent it back
Verify, women are strange enignas
even to themselves Ernestine herself
could scarcely have told why she kept the
broken silver coin but she kept it.
The short, threatening October day was
drawing to close the fiery belt across
the western sky was flaming sullenly
athwart the skeleton woods, and shedding
a sort Of aureole round Ernestine Cady's
| slender figure as she hurried on through
the yellow, rustling drifts of fallen leaves
carrying heavy basket on her arm.
Just as pretty as the rosy Tina Of two
| years since, but paler, graver, and more
sedate. Trouble had besieged the family
since their migration to the grand domains
| Of the Far West Tina had learned the
serious part Of life's lesson, and she had
learned it we'll
She lifted the latch of the rudely con.
structed log house and entered, with as
sumed cheerfulness or her face.
GLOW are you now, father?"
''Better, l think Come to the fire
Tina-you must be- cold ~
''Not bit. Has mother come back ?''
'No; it's very strange she stays Sc
long. suppose Mrs. Ebbetts has great
deal to say, though. don't wonder your
mother is glad to get away from a sick
room for a while"
He spoke little bitterly, and Tina
WINGED as she listened, knowing that her
mother had made an excuse of some neigh
borly errand to dispose in the nearest vii
lage Of such poor little odds and ends OF
gold chains, pins, and rings as yet remain
ed to their diminished estate. Was there
anything wrong in this pious fraud I'll
ma almost felt as if there was.
It was not pleasant to be poor.
''She will be home soon, father" said
Tina. "Only see what a basketful Of
cranberr;es [ have gathered out in the
swamp! This will make the barrelful
and Mr.. Signet has promised to send it to
New York with his. Don't they look ike
red Jewels, father And the money will
buy you new coat"
He smiled faintly.
II think it had better buy my little cir
new dress. Shall I help you to pick
them over Z"
''I had rather do it myself, father, and
you must try to sleep while"
Half an hour later, Tina came through
the room with scarlet shawl thrown oYel
her head, and wistful, scared look IN hel
eyes.
"You are not going out again, my
child ?"
"Only up to the cranberry swamp, faith
er. It isn't dark yet. [ have lost some
thing"
a ribbon or collar, suppose said