The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-11-20
NOBLESSE OBLIGE.

'Oh, Hnll J.!
"Well, can't help 1t. Why does
she come to spoil everything ?" Don't
l know how it will be ?-always Miss
Ashurst to be considered, taken about,
included in everything. No more drives
and boat'rows. just you and me, Amy !;
no more evenings on the doorstep. l
DECLARE I've great mind to go over to
Uncle PhiPs at Goshen for a month"
Now, Phil. please" (coaxingly).
" 1t won't be so bad as you think. Be-
sides, you may like her very much. Moth
er says her mother was the greatest
beauty in Connecticut.
"She isn't beauty. though; III bet
on that. A talking, writing, society
woman-i hate the kind. Amy, will
yoh go opt for row? Well have one
more while the boat is all our own"
This cOnfabulation was held on either
side of the Widow Mauran's gar1en
gate-a model gate for purposes of con-
veisation, jpst high enough and wide
enough TO accommodate two pairs of
elbows and allow the owRers of the ell
eyes. Phil smiled into Amy's as he
swung widp the barrier. He offered
his arm, she took it, and they saunter-
ed down to the shore. They were
picturesque couple to look at. Tall
Phil, in spite of his momentary i'll tenn
per, possessed frank, handsOme face,
lit with fine eyes and the sweetest of
smiles; while little Amy's modest, wild
flower beauty was exquisite in its way.
Second cousins, intimate friends, all
but declared lovers, it was pleasant
matter of course that they should be
always together ard it spite of Amy's
disclaimers she was at the bottom of her
heart as sorry as Phil at this interruption
to their tete.a tete--as sorry,or sorrer
for blended with her regret was the in-
stinctive apprehension of o girlish heart,
which, pledged ip fact though not ia
name, grieves with the unspoken dread
that some other woman may yet pass
by to snatch from her very lips the
coveted untasted cup in whose depth
lies, or seems to lie, all the best sweet-
hess of coming life. 1t was comfort
to have Philip so cross about it, how
ever and in the effort to soothe him
she, woman-like, forgot her own
annoyance, So the evening ended hap
PLY.
Next day brought the expected guest.
Amy's first glance set her heart To
quaking again. Never had she seen q
woman ih the least like this. Rose
Ashprst was cue of those born encEan.
tresess'sIwho reign not only by intention
but by right. Her beauty would have
been remarkable had pot her charm
been more remarkable. Her wit and
talent we're balanced by sweet good
humor which pei Vadcd every word and
act, and favored all with fascination.
Tact, culture, and perfect sGlf-posses-
sion which verges upon self. forgetful-
ness lent their aid to complete her at
traction. And all was real. There
was no pretense about Miss Ashprst.
The kind looks WHICH Deamed from her
beautiful eyes sprung from . kind heart.
She threw herself into the interest of
every human creature who approached
Der with a warmth born of true sym-
pathy No wonder she was popular.
Popularity hardly spoiled her. She re-
eeived her daily ovatiOns as matter of
course, half indlfferenIly, half CRATE
fully, but always with a modest grace
which enhanced the effect. A danger
GUS woman this to bring into pFopin-
guilty with susceptible youth. Poor
Amy
But Amy, toa felt the charm. The
dazzling brown eyes which had bewltch-
ed so many hearts worked their spell
upon hers at once and she lent delight
ed aid ip settling the newcomer and
her belongings. This month in PemIge-
wasset was Q sudden whim of Miss As
hurts, She wanted quiet and place
to write in, and the old homestead in
which her great. grandmother was born
seeming TO meet these conditions, she
wrote to offer herself as an inmate and
Mrs. Mauran, who was glad TO add to
her small income by an occasional
boarder, gave pleased consent. All
manner OF pretty things came out Of
the trunks to adorn the simple cham
Der. Miss Ashurst could not live With
out artistic surroundings, and travelled
always with photographs, SIX etches,