The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-12-29
the white teeth but her good angel had

the white teeth /; but her good angel had
deserted her.
II could survive it," she said, coldly,
flashing glance into his face which he
could not be supposed to know was halt
anguish, half resentment, and all plead
ing. Then one of Cicelys old admirers,
who had been watching his opportunity,
came round, and Cicely talked as fast as
she could, and smiled, and was coquet-
tish, without knowing or caring what
she did, persuading herself that she was
Furnishing John.
So she was; but John was proud,
and-he said it himself-mad clear
through.
Miss Lettie, shall see you homer"
Cicely heard the question, saw the old
blackboard wiped clean for the morrow 3
algebra, heard the long-legged singing
master dismiss the school, and answered
something her old admirer SAID with
closed teeth. For moment it seemed
to her as if she should die, she turned so
cold-such deathlN faintness came over
her.
"Say, Cicy, I'm going with Tom Bent
ley" said Rob, stretching his curly head
past Ned Waters, the old admirer, who
had retained his seat.
"No, Rob, you must go home with
me-" said Cicely, holding her hands to-
gether hard to keep herself from trem-
bling.
"Why, amt john"
al shall be most happy to see you
home, Miss Cicely," said Ned.
"That's jolly" cried thoughtless Rob-
after the manner of boys of that age
and before his sister could speak he was
gone.
If Cicely wept bitterly, and tossed
and turned on restless pillow all that
night, she had the poor satisfaction OF
knowing that it was all her own fault,
that she had triHed with an honest
heart.
"He overlooked my harsh words" she
sobbed he came after me; oh, if l had
only waited and now 1 have driven
him from me forever"
1t seemed so. John did not come
again. Cicely bore her heartache in pa
tient sileLce, but grew very white and
sad and it began to be whispered round
that she was disappointed. 1t was like
walking on live Goals to Cicely, when
she thought of that inevitable gossip.
She tried her best to be brave. Every
Sunday she met John, who sat at the
further end of the deacon's slip. Every
Sunday she went home with heart as
heavy as lead, for there, sometimes Just
before her, walked John with happy
Let Davis.
One Sabbath she returned from church,
pleaded head ache, and went up into
her own room. There she had a battle
with herself. Her heart bled, her spirit
tainted, her soul cried out for strength,
but no strength came. She had heard
that day from one, the certainty Of
whose knowledge she could not doubt,
that John and Lettie Davis were en-
gagged to be married. The wedding was
to take place in a couple of months, and
her informant was to be one of the
bridesmaids.
Everybody thought at one time it
would be yon," added the news-giver;
but l fancy Lefty always liked him"
Poor Cicely the terrible intimatlon fell
like thunderbGlt on her heavy heart;
for all along she had been hoping
against hope. She was stunned, fright
ened at her own apathy when the truth
was forced upon her. Her John, so be-
loved, to marry another! Would God
allow it? Had he forgotten his deep,
manly passion-his vows? But then,
whose was the faultI
Il sent him from me, and the punish
ment is just" she cried to herself walking
blindly on, while her friend enumerated
the pretty things which Miss Lettie was
going to the city to buy.
Every day after that Cicely had to
fight over the same old battle, till it
seemed as if her sire myth Was nearly ex-
and her will powerless. Every
body noticed that Cicely looked i'll, that
she had lost her spirit-those at home,
who saw her daily, being, as usual, the
last to take notice that there was some
hing wrong with Cicy.
Deacon says you're growing thin,
leary," her grandmother ventured to re-
peat one Sunday morning, when Cicely,
according to her usual custom, sat down
by the old lady to read to her.
The bright head bent yet lower till it
rested on the old lady's knee.
"Cicely, child. you are crying" said
ler grandmother; and then, after long
pause, Is it Johul"
"Oh, granny" sobbed Cicely, g the
light girl stands between him and me
Don't you rememberY But they are both
ooking the other way, not as you said,
and tit will kill me-"
The trembling old hand fell on her
shining tresses.
81 tell you, deary," said the solemn
I'D voice, John will never have the
light girl. Don't break your heart, little
owe. l say it again, you'll marry John
yet. l feel it in my bones. I've
always felt it,
"No, granny" murmured Cicely, wip-
ng her eyes as she lifted her head ;"they
ire engaged. They will soon be married
md II am very weak and foolish.
hall feel better-when it's all over. Then
III try and he reconciled; for, granny,
t's all my fault" I'll .r.E
What a morning it was Through the
open window such wealtn of beauty, such
liter quiet The wide, grand expanse
If heaven, untouched by a single cloud
he hills sleeping in the ruddy sunshine.
The bees droned lazily among the flowers,
breaking the bee Sabbath with impunity;
he trees stood motionless against the
blue of the horizon. Never had
is azure seemed SO perfect.
Gurus sort o. day; weather-breeder,
guess" said the aged deacon, as he
lifted his Bible, old like himself, aud