The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-01-06
How She Came to have Him.
BY MARY REED cRowBLL.

q So you won't have me, Nellie ?
You are sure you won't marry me ?"
Pretty little Mrs. willard looked
meditatlvely out of the window into the
quiet village street, as il among the
leafless trees and on the frost-bound
landscape she should find the answer
to Horace Levison's question.
Then, after moment, she turned
her face toward him-a face as fresh
and fair in its peachy bloom as many
young girls ten years her junior.
IL atn-afraid l can't, Mr.. Levi
son."
Mr., Levison looked her straight in
her bright blue eyes, such lovely blue
eyes, soft as velvet, and the color of a
violet that has blOomed In the shade.
"You are-'afraid'-you can't, Mrs.
Willard 2 Answer me another ques-
tiOn-yes-or no-do you love me ?"
She bushed and smiled, and looked
betwitchingly.
"Why, llr. Levison, mean Harry,
of course l lo-like you'll always did,
ever since l first knew you, years and
years ago."
"When viii Willard won the prize
all we fellows were striving for So
you liked me then, Nellie, and you like
me now? Then why won't you mar
ry me You've been a widow for
three years now. Isn't that long
enough to mourn the virtues of the de-
parted 2"
You wicked. man As IL three
hundred years could teach me to forget
poor dear Wilson"
Her bright eyes reproved him sharp
ly, and he accepted with good grace.
Granting the truth Nellie, that your
deceased husband was good fellow
and loving partner, / still cannot see
why you refuse me. That is the subs
ject under consideration at, present,
Nellie | Why won't you marry me 2"
Then Mrs. Wizards face grew little
paler, and her plump, fair hands
trembled.
Because, Harry, because Wilson
Willard made me promise never to mar
ry again."
STUFF and nonsense What If he
did ? A lad promise is better broken
than kept"
Mrs. Willard twisted her ring uneasi.
ly, and looked at the Illuminated WELD
of the stone.
81 know 1t is," she said, slowly,
"but"-
Mr. Levison looked earnestly at her.
"Yes-'but' what, Nellie ? In all
respect l say it-poor Will is dead and
gone, and you've been true to his mem
ory all these long years, and what has
he 20 do with you now ?"
81 know" she said again, meditative-
ly, "but- but, Harry, he made me
solemnly promise never to marry again
under penalty of his everlasting dis
pleasure. And-don't be angry with
me, Harry, will your But l almost
know he would appear to me -
The lovely blue eyes were lifted In
such pit GUS appeal to his, and the
pretty little widow made such a nerv-
GUS little nesting nearer to him, that
it was the most human thing in the
world for MIR. Levison to put his arm
protectiugly around her and assure her
he was not angry with her.
$50 you believe he would haunt you,
Nellie, if you broke your promise 2 A
sensible little woman like you to verit-
ably believe in such supersttiOus fol.
de-rol And after having waited for
you ten years of your married life, and
three of your widowhood, you condemn
me to hOplessness fOI the sake of such
a chimera-for the sake of such shad-
ow of your husbands ghost II
And Nellie looked imploringly at him
. gain, and her lips quiyered, and the
tears stood in great crystals GU her long
lashes.
"Oh, Harry, how cruel you arel You
know / love you better than all the
world, only-I dare not marry again
Don't be angry-please don't be angry
with me -
And Mr.. Levison looked down at her
lovely face, and assured her he never
could be angry with her, and then went
away, heaping silent maledictiOns on
the head of the defunct husband who
had been tyrant enough to burden his
lovely young wife with such a promise.
The last sunset rays were flinging
their golden and scarlet pennons on the
pale, blue-gray sky sitting-roOm when
Mr. LeyisOn opened the door of his cozy
sitting-rOom, at home, TO be met by the
laughing face and gay welcome of a
young gentleman, who had evidently
been making himself at home while he
waited.
"Heigho, Levison Surprised to see
me ? How are You, old fellow-how
are you ?"
Mr.. Levison stared a second, then
greeted him warmly.
Erred Willard Where, In the name
Of goodness, did you spring from
Why, l thought you were not to sail
FROM England for a good six months
get, Old boy, bless you, I'm glad TO
see you, although, for the instant,
confess l was started-yOu are the liv-
ing image your brother Wilson, We've
been discussing ghosts, you know"
Young Wizards eyes cleaned mis-
as he interrupted irrever-