The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-05-29

never supposed that yours was mor'
than an ordinary friendship for Mis-
| Luxmoore. Your cand0r on the sub
ject invites my Conscience, which II
this; with inexprsssible pride l can say
sAat Margaret Luxmoore loves me-
loves me to that extens that she ha:
promised to be no other mans wife
This is the bright side of the picture
hear the reverse, which impart to you
In the strictest confidence. In our FAM
ily, on my mothers side, there is a
streak of insanity; there is no proof
that it still exists; but in one instance,
many generations back, it has proved
hereditary. Sir Hugh Luxmoore knows
this, and therefore has refused me the
hand of his daughter, and forbidden all
intercourse between Us. Were IL not
that Margaret loves me devotedly,
should feel it my painful duty to fly
from the allnrement of her lovely face;
but, thank God! she encouraged me TO
stay in the hope that her father mag
become reconciled to our marriage. 1t
is a hard verdict that he has pronounced
over us, but my darling has sworn to
be true to me. We have occasional
stolen meetings in which to discuss our
prospects, which at present looked
gloomy enough.'
Nevertheless, you are the happiest
man on earth, for you have the certainty
of that girls love. will keep your se-
cret inviOlable, DyRecourt. But this
conversation is to painful for both of
as, so it had better cease. shall be
off soon, now, If you ever care to hear
of me again, this is my address in New
York" And CASTOR wrote few words
on card which Geoffry placed with
the other in his card case. 'Now
good-by, old fellow-I shall not see you
again, probably, as 1 must spend my
last days in the old country with my
relatives in Clare, and shall 60 direct
ly from there"
Good by, Lay, be assured of my
best wishes for your welfare on the
other side of the water"
After few more words of parting,
these two men separated, never to meet
again in thisworld.
X
The day after the occurrence above
narrated, was again alone in my fa-
vorite gotto, thinking, as was my wont,
OF Geoffry Dynecourt. What happi-
ness would be ours could my fathers
prejudice but be overruledt should
never know moments peace, il |
married without his blessing, but GER
taialy my present life knew no element
of repose. l was lncurring my fathers
fierce anger on every occasion that i
met Geoffry, yet each day that passed
without this meeting was one long,
dreary blank for me.
At this point, my reflections were In
terrupted by a shadow falling across
the entrance of the grotto. The next
instant Geoffry Dynecourt seized both
my hands in his, and smOthered my ex-
caRations of delighted surprise by
shower of kisses.
81 have had another proof of my dar-
llng's constancy," he began, and then
be described the interview with CASTOR
Lay. "Bpt Margaret, I have many
gloomy forebodings that you may re-
gret discardlng handsome, desirable
young fellow like Lay for the sake Of
an unhappy wretch such as myself,
branded, as it we're, with the curse Of
his ancestors. Margaret, the thought
that you may one day bless my happi-
ness forever by sharing your fathers
opinion concering me drives me almost
wild at times. AS true as there Is
God in heaven, ! believe that the curse
of insanity died out of our family gen.
ego; but you have no proof of
this, apd your father may convince
you that his judgement is best"
20 GeoHry, how can you distress me
so by these suspicious? How often
must tell you that you are the light
and happiness of my life, and [ would
rather die than give you up2 1t is hard
TO be content with these short, stolen
visits, but brighter days will dawn for
us, l Ggp sure. When word of miae
forbids your presence here, you may
know that j have suecumbsd to my
will; till then, trust me, will you
not?"
~ will trust you foreverl"
But Just then the sound of footsteps
put an end to our conversation, and,
with hurried farewell, Geotfry LETT the
grotto. l then few to meet my father,
who. had just returned from three
weeks visit in the north Of Ireland.
The delight of seeing him again put all
thoughts Of Geoffry out of my mind fer
the present, and we went back to the
house, chatting merrily.
The next evening was dark and
gloomy, with uncea,lng rain. was
sitting alone at my window, gazing out
at the very cheerless prospect, when q,
brought in a sealed envelope,
addressed to me in hurried hand
which ! supposed to be Geoffry's, but,
on opening it, discovered card bear
ing the name "Gaston lay" with a.
foreign address written underneath.
huTriedly on the back were.
the words:-
my DAZZLING am called suddenly away, but
will llsk I W moments delay Tor u parling
word witn YOU. When aud where can see
Youl Answer hnmediateiy."
My hTst and only Impression on read
ing this was one OF extreme anger aud
disgust. knew perfectly we'll that
CASTOR Lay wa' on the eve. Of his de
rfnra fnr A mariaA Wa haA a fnl