The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-08-10

experience, that its inhabitan are those
terribly wise people Dryden speaks of,
who depend on exercise for cure, and
take long walks instead of doses. Well,
this is of course, as we all know, a dar-
kened age Max but I doubt whether
YOU will find it much better in Austria
lia. I know that / would not care to
break up my old home and my old friend
ships on the chance. What do you say,
Lettice 2"
at suppose, Max" she said, looking
up at me with little gentle smile upon
her lips, that this is the way you have
chosen for fortunizing your own life
according to your old idea that each
does it for himself"
Eyes, Lettice, this is the way have
chosen" 1 answered, taking my tea with
a hand that never shook, though its
pulse beat wildly.
Frank and l walked home that night
very silently. think we had never be-
fore passed along the narrow, quaint
old streets after an evening spent with
Letttce, without talking of her, and of
the home she made so bright and happy.
But when we entered our own silent
room we hesitated, as if unwilling to
separate so.
MAX" began Frank at last, STOPPING
down to push coal into the shoulder
ing fire, "this house seems dreary enough
to return to even with you. What will
it seem, wonder, when you are gone ?"
cit depends on who shall live here
then, dear fellow" 1 answered. "No
house where you and Lettice live could
be dreary in any way
could see the scarlet rush into his
face even before he lighted the gas.
Then he turned to me with joyous eyes /;
and leaning on the chimney piece asked
me laughingly when would come back
and prove that for myself.
II will come" said, quite cheerfully,
"in-let me see-in twenty years, per-
hsps."
"Oh, nonsense, Max" he cried, in his
quick earnestness, unconsciously laying
one hand upon my arm you will come
for my wedding"
For your wedding :" 1 echoed, as if
the words spoken so simply had bewild-
cred me. "Frank, does she really love
you?"
"Why, Max, old fellow, never
saw you so nervous before. Are you
afraid that 1 am deceiving myself-or
that she is deceiving me ~
"No-never afraid Of that. You know
she loves you, Frank Z"
"Yes, Max, 1 know it."
"Then will come-unless you marry
within ten years time"
Franks whistle of astonishment broke
into hearty laugh. "A nice little
waiting time you allow us, Max. We
shall certainly have had leisure to think
it we'll over" s,-
eff you don't marry until then," 1
went on, laughing tool will come.
If you do, you must have your big
brother represented and 1 will come to
you for holiday in ten years time"
"Ten years !" mused Frank ; what a
weary time to look on to, unless one is
anticipating happy future"
"As you are, dear fellow" inter-
rupted, hastily. "Now let us go to bed.
This has been long day, and tomorrow
brings its own work. Good night"
Remember, Max" said Frank, in his
generous, of-hand way, as he took my
hand, "I do not take your half OF any
thing without repaying you its full
value, though may have to work off
the debt by degrees, and not one farth-
ing of savings do 1 touch"
"All right" I said, laughing little,
though my eyes were growing dim. 81
will take sufficient for all my expenses !;
but you can never be my debtor. We
both start fairly. 1 am going out to
fortunize my own life; and you are
staying at home to fortunize yours. We
will both do our best, and then-how-
ever little it may bet will be well
done. Good night, once more"
Day after day, until the very last
hour came, had shruuk from bidding
farewell to Lettice. Then just went
to her as had gone many and many a
time before, standing and chatting idly
in the pretty room where we had often
been so gay together.
"If Frank is to drive here for you in
time to catch the express, you allow us
very short time indeed" said Mr..
Oldfeld.
"And yet it is long goodbye" ad-
ded Lettice, jestingly; "you are not
coming home for long, long time; are
you, Max {"
frank and 1 have made an impor-
tant arrangement about that" 1 an
swered, trying to jest too, because l
fancied che would understand what he
had asked me to do. 81 am going to
stay ten years unless he wants me-"
"If he does not want you, you prefer
staying out there Z"
"Yes. What prospect is there of any
one else wanting me 7"
AZ suppose none" she answered, quiet
ly, "as you say so; but we shall all be
glad to see you when you return. Not
that you will care for that either, for
you care for nothing, you know, except
fortunizing your life"
Her words, in their quiet, simple scorn,
stabbed me to the heart.
"This is a wide world, Lettice,"
said, sand world which even yet /
have not fathomed."
"But you expect to do so in Mel
bourne?"
81 hope So"
With an odd little laugh she changed
the subject; and very soon Frank drove
up to the gate. Mr.. Oldfeld and Amy
went out and stood beside the dog cart,
talking to him, while followed more
slowly. Lettice came with me, and
stood a minute under the bare old lime
tree, with the winter sunshine on her
bright young face. And I-looking
down upon her-knew that this picture
would dwell in my heart through all my
lonely life.
Her jesting scorn was all gone now
only her eyes were little puzzled. and