The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-11-17

his hands. He had really had no idea
of meeting any one there, and had come
for an afternoon of quiet reading, where
he could enjoy the boundless lookout
over the blue sea.
But, singularly enough, as he turned
a jutting corner of rock to gain his fa-
vorite seat, his eyes fell upon the pretty
figure of Miss Leon, sitting in the shade,
with her feet drawn up under her, and
with her hat tossed carelessly off, to al
low the breeze full liberty with her
abundant wealth of hair.
She was not aware of his approach
until he had advanced quite close to her.
"And what are you doing here" he
asked, pleasantly. Dreaming of for
tune, lover, or of far-away countries
which,"
"Neither. I've been dreaming, but
dreaming of nothing" she replied, turn
ing toward him.
"Then you are Just in the mood for
listening to my reading" he said, taking
a seat beside her. T" 1 will bore you with
a little poetry, if l may. If you don't
want me to do so, you know, you must
say SO, and send me away"
"Oh, l do want you to read !" she ex-
claimed, eagerly. Nothing could be
more delightful! Is it Tennyson? And
full of pictures! Do let me look at the
picturesW
She placed her hand upon his arm
and bent her head to look over his shoul-
der at the book which he held in his
lap. Her floating hair swept his face
her sweet breath mingled with his her
damask cheek almost touched his own.
He certainly was not to be greatly
blamed if he yielded to the temptation
offered by this extraordinary opportu-
nifty to kiss very pretty woman. He
turned his head, and his lips met hers in
tender salute, which was all the sweet
er for being brief.
Miss Leon gave a frightened little
scream, and drew back hastily.
Almost at the same moment loose
stone, dislodged from the rock above,
caused Jack to look up. His eyes fell
upon Tom Aldine, with Nellie Trent
upon his arm, standing upon the verge
of the hill, and looking down at him.
Nellie's face was white as marble, and
; both herself and Tom seemed rooted to
the spot in amazement.
I think all parties took in the situa-
ton at a glance, and arrived simultane-
ously at the same conclusion.
Miss Leon blushed, Jack hung his
, head sheepishly, and the intruders, after
standing motionless for an instant, with
drew as silently as they had come.
That night Jack received package
at the hands of one of the hotel walters,
with the intimation that it was from
Miss Trent. 1t contained his letters, his
engagement ring, and number of little
keepsakes which he had given Nellie at
different times.
He could not mistake the meaning of
all that, and he tossed the package OF
letters savagely into the fire, remarking
to himself that they burned with more
"vim" than they read. He tried to see
} Nellie, and explain; but his card was
coolly returned to him, and his efforts
were in vain. Feeling desperate, mise
rable, and ugly, he sought Miss Leon on
the following morning, resolved, since
he was in for it now, to go the whole
figure while he was about it.
He found that charming little lady in
tears. He thought at first it was on his
account, but he was quickly disabused
of that idea.
"Oh, I'm so glad you've GOMEZ she
cried. "What shall I do? Such dread
full misfortunew
} "Is Fido dead? Have you got to GO
home? Or has Miss Jones got new
! bonnet precisely like yoursY" asked
| Jack, with sarcastic pleasantly.
| "Now, don't be provoking" she re-
| piled, pouting her red lips and looking
, up through her tears. "It's worse than
anything that could happen. It's per-
, fectly dreadful. Father will kill me
| when he knows of it-Im sure he will ?
| Jack felt a valorous spirit rising with.
in his breast, and assured her that if il
| came to killing she would find at least
I, one faithful champion to protect her.
"Tell me all about it," he said. Scar
l help you?'
: Then, with many sobs and heartfelt
/ paroxysms of tears, she unbosomed her
S self of the fact that her father had LEFT
3 Newport for Boston on the previous
e day, leaving in her keeping walle
5 containing the sum of five hundred dol
lars. She had put the money carefully
: away in bureau drawer, where, as shl
4 thought, it would be quite safe. Thi
morning MI. LeOu udu WTllIel W Ael
with request to send the money t.
t him Immediately by express. She hat
! opened the bureau, and found the money
!. gone.
e "Stolen z" exclaimed Jack.
"Yes, and II don't know what
? what 1 shall do"
t "Poor little girl ~ said Jack, tenderly
= "If it is gone, it's gone, and it can't b.
helped, so don't break your heart owe
q it any more. There isn't much use il
, looking for the thief in this big hotel
: This was evident, but not very conso
D latory, and was only cause for fresl
: flood of tears, more agonizing than tn
= last. = ...L '....
Father will kill me when he hear
t about it. You--you don't know him
f He's terrible man." .- ..
e "Hush !" said Jack. 81 can help yol
!, out of your trouble very easily. Ii yol
{ will please me by accepting my checl
j for the amount, your father can pay m
l when he comes back. will interced
0 for you then, and besides, if it is no
Y convenient for him to pay it at once, i
9 is no great matter. Any time within
: year will do"
e She frightened up instantly.
: II couldn't think of accepting it iron
Won " she said