The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-08-08

trelIis as he spoke, and, dimly tracing
the coveted member, he forcibly pos
sesSed himself of it, while his other arm
stole softly around her slender waist.
With an air of timid surprise. all unlike
the usual spontaneous demonstrative-
ness of Mary Norris, the young girl
dropped her head and murmured:
'I-I-did not think"
"You did not think 1 loved you? Is
that it my sweet girl? Well, 1 do sin
cerely. Rut, Nary, I am no adept at
love making, and I presume 1 am very
brusque. Yet, will you be my wife?"
"Surely you cannot mean it? You
have never shown me the slightest pref
erence." was whispered back, as her
head dropped still lower.
Never shown the slightest prefer
ence? Is it possible that under my
careless and light exterior you did not
detect more serious meaning. But
am waiting for an awnser," and he
tent down to catch the timid eyes"
The night was moonless and dark
SO much so that the doctor could not
see, as he longed the blushing face
Of his Mary. He kissed at random,
and being determined to leave the seal
Of betrothal on her lips, kissed first her
ear, then her cheek. and after meander-
ing all about, at last settled upon her
sweet lips, which were turned tempt
ingly upward.
"God bless your he whispered.
Tomorrow evening / may come and
see you, 1 suppose, and then we can
adjust our happy future?"
Just then the shouts of some lasses
who had been chased out of the back
door and around the gravelled walks
by their rustic admirers startled the
lovers. DR.. Collins kissed his affianced
again, and dashed away before he was
discovered. Of course he "walked up
on air." and it is quite likely his pre-
scription for the invalid was a little
mixed. But after he had gained the
quiet of his own room, he lay awake for
long time rejecting upon the stupend-
Gus stephe had taken. Somehow he half
regretted that he had been so hasty and
he communed with bimself.
81 am afraid he thought" that my
mother and sisters will think her little
hoydenIsh. But it cannot be denied
that she is beautiful and shrewd, and
II transplanted into more refined soil
will improve. How she seemed TO melt
when she found ! loved her, and how
changed her manners. confess I ex.
pected her to accept my wooing with
her old time half defianta and saucy dash.
But 10! she became sweetly womanly
tender and gentle. l could feel her
plant form tremble and thrill in my
arms. and her timid yes was given
with a sob. By Jove! l had no idea
the child loved me so much; and / shall
always be good to the sweet girl. She
shall be the very apple of my eye."
With this resolve, DIR. Collins foated
into dreamland, to rehearse over again
the little love passage in the rustic porch
OF Mrs. Goodwin and beneath the twin
ing morning-glory vines. The follow
ing day passed for him with feaden feet.
He longed to see Mary Norris Ia her
new character of his affianced bride.
That she would be gentle and sweet
with him, now that they were engaged,
he did not doubt, and he felt he should
like her better whena trifle toned down.
So the early shadows of evening found
him at the door OF the Norris mansion.
Mary was.at the plano. He could dis
tinguish her voice in some peculiar
strain. No doubt this was only a ruse
to cover her natural confusion. A SER
want showed him in, and he instantly
discovered that Mary was not alone.
A masculine friend from neighboring
village was devotedly leaning over her
and turning the music. The closing of
the door announced him. Mary start
ed up from the instrument, and without
the slightest deepening of the roses up
on her cheeks, and as simply and ma
tural as ever, came forward, greeted
him, and introduced cher friend Mr..
Cummings"
The hot blood surged into the cheeks
of the doctor, and he attempted to ex-
press his disappointment and ardor
with one eloquent glance, but 1t fell en-
tirely short Of its mark. As IL uncon-
scious of their near and new relation
to each other, Mary Norris ran on in
her merry jest and railery until he be-
came thoroughly out of humor, and es-
poused the contrary side of every ques-
tion, and at an early hour took his de-
parture. When In the hall, where the