The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-12-29
RIDGWAY, PA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1870

fed out of her wits as she was, true to
instincts as item -gatherer for the COM
munity at large, she noted the circum-
stance and having little bone to pick
with l. ttie, whom she very much dis
liked, she impaired the matter to her,
with few variations, under the promise
of eternal secrecy. .t
"It was natural, perhaps; you know
everybody expected Cicely and he'd
make a match, once; and / s'pose they
both thought their timed come"
Lsttie was angry, jealous, but skep-
tical. Whenever she thought of it, her
vain, tickle little heart swelled with re-
sentiment; some way, when she happen
ed to be thinking about it, her cousin
came in, and that was very often. He
was discreet young man, half aston
ished at himself at finding the old love
revived, and desperately unhappy be-
cause Lettie was engaged. 1t also oc-
Cured to Lsttie that, compared to this
Adonis, blonde hair, beard, and all,
John, with his compact, muscular figure,
looked trife coarse. There was no de-
nying that; but he looked triAe grand,
too.
John had moped all the week. This
was something new for him of late.
Why could he not forget that one mo-
ment of bliss, so long, so heavenly sweet I
In vain he called himself to task in
vain he threw all his energy into bust
ness for five minutes at time in vain
he strove as resolutely as he could to
put aside his uneasy thoughts.
Ever and anon he gave downward
glance, as if to assure himself that there,
on his bosom, that dear face had rested
and ever the pitiful eyes seemed uplifted
to his. What should he do? He must
be honorable.
Lettie out with the whole matter one
day. 1t was after Yorke Harris had
been sitting i'll a melancholy attitude,
listening as she played the few simple
airs he remembered Of lang syne.
John came in Just as Yorke had gone
out, saying to himself, as he pretended
not to look,
80 that's the fellow"
Poor John He had never dreamed
of this, and the blood rushed to his face.
What could he say. what could he do,
but the most awkward things imagin-
able? 1t took him so completely by
surprise, that, leaning one hand ON the
slender table full of nick-nacks, the
candelabrum, with its hanging pendants,
the card-basket, and every thing nova
BILE went to dancing with the sudden,
furious trembling and tingling of his
nerves.
Lettie's conduct on this occasion arose
to the verge of heroism. She even
thought of Yorke's handsome face and
his great love for her, poor fellow! 1t
was her one little romance, and she de-
termined to be generous.
"You needn't answer, john" she said,
making herself as tall and stately as pos
sible 81 presume it is true. OF course,
from this time our engagement is ended,
and perhaps it is better for both of us.
I'm sure it is for me-" she added, little
sting of a laugh at the close.
But, Lsttie-" stammered poor John,
more and more confused; and if Lettie
wanted revenge, why, she had it in wit
Messing his very visible modification
his dumb anger that he was unable to
defend himself as he knew he could and
ought to.
Never mind, Mr.. Saunders" she said
at last. 81 don't care the least bit III
the world" (She knew it was fib.)
" You won't want to stay, l suppose
and l promised Mr.. Yorke Harris that
would go to the theatre with him. He
is going to take me over in the Colonel's
carriage"
1t was seven already, and three miles
to the city, John thought on receiving
this strong hint. How he posses sed
himself of his hat, how he got out of the
house, he never knew but he did know,
as the hours went on, that he was glad
to be free. The sweet thought of Cicely
was no burden now, and he said to him
self dozen times, Thank Godl
John did the best thing he could do
under the circumstances-hada a long, de-
licious talk with Cicely some days after
ward. Perhaps the trial did them both
good, for Cicely made a solemn VOW
that she would never be little hypo-
critic again, but tell the truth in all sin
cerity OF heart and John went about as
It he had been vouchsafed a glimpse of
paradise.
Miss Cribbins, the spinster, hugged
herself whenever she saw Cicely's happy
John pshawed and
hot in the face, when some
times the scene of L.ttie's dismissal
iashed across his mind, for he was not a
title proud. Yet that did not hinder
lim from being the happiest man alive
Lettie was quite as pleased as either
Of them, for she had transferred her at
ections easily to the fascinating Yorke
Harris, who carried her off IN triumph.
So Cicely became Mrs. Saunders before
he end of the year, and the old grand
prediction Was fulfilled, though |
t took an earthquake to bring it about.
-Hdrper's Weekly. EI.wf .,
RuSiuoSS Man