The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-07-20
NOT PROVEN.

few feet of her, watching her efforts
with much amusementand a vast amount
cf admiration, stood Thomas Mildmay,
handsome young muscular Christian,
attired in tweed suit and felt hat
Suddenly, the latter burst forth
"It is the rector's daughter,
And she has grown go DEAR 80 dear,
That would be the jewel
That trembles in her ear"
"Don't be absurd, Tom" interrupted
the lady. "You are a gallant gentle
man, truly, to see female in distress
and not aid her,"
"Have I not offered six times at
least, May, and been refused 2"
"And will be again, sir. This is the
most lovely piece of holly 1 have seen
this season, and i am determined that
no other fingers than mine shall touch
it, until give it to dear Jack when he
comes this evening. They don't grow
holly in India, do they, Tom9"
"No, think not"
"Thon it will be a welcome Offering
to an English heart Oh, how glad,
glad, very glad, I shall be to see the
dear old fellow !"
eff you speak so enthusiastically,
May, 'pon my word, shall be jealous, 7"
remarked the gentleman.
Jealous-you and of Jack Non
sense. Why, Tom, l love him like a
brother We were brought up, you
know, as children together"
$50 he told me, May, when we met
in India, and he gave me the letter of
introduction to the rector. Indeed, !"
proceeded Thomas MiIdmay, still in
sbecting the gathering of the holly,
which porsistently clung to its parent
stem. ''he spoke so necessarily about
you that fanciod"-
"Pray, what, sir2''
"That there existed deeper affection
than brothers and sisters, May"
(Which shows how you were de-
ceived. Talk of women jumping at
hasty conclusions Men are thousand
times worse. There, after all, you
must lcrd me your knife, Tom; the
branch will not break, it is so tough. "
Thomas Mildmay produced it, again
Offering his services, which, notwi;h
standing tho obstinacy of the holly,
were again rejected.
"Cut upward, not downward, May,
he cried, suddenly stepping forward;
"the kuife is sharp"
The warning came too late; the keen
blade had flashed through the tough
tiberS and penetrated Mays white, slen-
der fpger.
IL was not very serious cut, but
sufficiently so to cause the blood to
leap forth. The cry she uttered was
echoed by her companion, whose arm
quickly encircled her dainty waist, as he
caught her hand in his.
COB, dearestl" he exclaimed, in con-
cern, "why did you not permit me9"
Because" answered May, little
pale, 81 said no one should touch this
branch but myself, Tom, and no one
shall. But see - aud, quaver in her
voice, she held the holly toward him
'there is blood upon it ! 1t is a bad
omen."
He glanced at the bough, and truly,
fallen on it., as bright as the berries
themselves, were few crimson drops.
"Rad omen, May2" he laughed,
wrapping her wounded finger in his
handkerchief "what childishness
Why, you are absolutely pale! 'Pou
my word, your concern for Jack is al
ready making me jealous"
"Don't lett do that, Tom" she said,
gravely.
"Why not9" He smiled, amused at
her serious tone.
"Because, Tom, you are, I believe,
the best tempered man l ever knew;
butt
"Butg" he questioned, fondly re.
garding her.
"t I'm sure you love me SO truly,
that We're you jealous OF any one, L fancy
you wonld not pe accountable for youi
action.
He caught her in his arms and pressed
kiss on her smooth cheek.
"My d'rling, you are right, he re-
piled, grave i'll his turn. elf thought
7 should lose you, or another was seek
ing to win you from me, L think l should
either kill him or myself"
"Now you are talking pure nonsense,
Tom, dear. Let us goin, " she laughed,
as, taking his arm, they moved over the
crisp, frosty lawn to the quaint old rec
tory, q very Jack-in-th -the-green of ivy,
which encircled its highest gables. But
even during the embrace, May had kept
the holly branch from coming in contact
with Thomas Mildmay, and did 50 still.
Was this an omen, too
The clear winters morning had given
place to bleak, wintry night, and the
SHOW utlSllSu buafp anu cuJLllg III tle
faces of the rector and his oil pnpil,
John Westmacott, as they walked along
the drear Scottish road from the railway
station to the rectory.
"Now, Doctor" said Jack, merrily,
"let me take the reius while you tell me
all the news. Remember the road Z
Aye, every stone of it, as if had trav,
eled it but yesterday. How kind it was
of you, on such a night. to come your
self to meet me How Jolly feel tc
see old Caithneas again What song is
that May used to sing about there being
no place like home Neither is there.
And how is May a-bless her heart
Older, of course-and prettier, IG
swear"
"Well, all the change you will find il
her, Jack, is for the better and l have
one piece of news that will surprise you
perhaps, but think I'll leave it for May
herself to tell or your own eyes to read.
Why did John Westmacott start anc
grow nervously anxious for that news
and no otheri
"Nay, DOCTOR" he remarked, ere
member how long I've been away. Dom
tantalize me. What is iti Does it con
cern-concern May2"
"Not so much, Jack. She is engaged
to be married"
"Married |"
John Westmacott gripped the reins SC
sharply that the horse reared. 1t gave