The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-06-30

| eHco OF OJnerS; ana tnon the Lady
Blanche seemed TO seek fot occasions
to tease her lover. II he was gay she
rallied hirh.-if he was sad she pitied
him. land IL he was both In the same
hour, as often happened, she vowed
that men were fickle, but that Cousin
Claude was most tickle of all.
II the willful helress favored any
sultor, it was the proud Lord of Walth.
am. He was still Id the prime Of life,
and at the head Of the baronage; and
Lad long loved Lady Blanche. Every
one said that the gay beauty, ali along,
had made up her mind, wien she grew
weary of flirting, to wed the Lord of
Waltharn. Certainly her manner to-
ward him grew more cundescending
daily; he now filled the post at the
bride rein which Claude once occupied,
and often during the evening the pair
were left together, as II by that tacit
consent on the part of the company
with which lovers are avoided. Claude
was Jealous, though be fancied no One
knew 1t; and his wit found vent at the
expense Of Waltham, who was rather
dull; but, on these occasions, the Lady
Blanche Would fly to the aid of her
suitor, and ih general discomfit the as
sailant.
1t was the hight before Claude's de-
parture. No one could be more un=
happy than he had been for the pre-
ceding fortnight, against hope he had
yet ventured to hope, and single re-
lenting word from his mistress would
give rise to the most extravagant
dreams; but the chilling Indifference or
merry railety of the Lady Blanche had
at last cured him. On this occasion he
WAS the gayest Of the gay. They were
talking Of d contemplated journey Of
the fair hostess.
II think Of going around by the bor-
der. 1t is long since 1 saw it. What
say yot to it, Consin Claude ? You are
as merry as q singing bird to night, and
would be ready, I suppose, to advise
me to rush into lions den.
"You surely JEST" said he, with
eartiestness. "The border is very un
quiet, and you would ruin great risk Of
being made captive"
"Why, the mans suddenly becoti1e
as tlmorons as q monk" said Blanche,
but she blushed slightly notwithstand-
ing.-"Think you, noble gentlemen,
that a lady Of England may not travel
In her native realm without fear of cap.
ture 2-What say YOU 9''
''I thinkJ" said the Earl Of Waltham,
with naughty glance at Claude, "that
the Lady Blanche may travel anywhere,
If she has valiant knights for her es-
cort and for one offer my poor sword
to defend her,"
''What think you of that, Claude ?"
said the lady, trlumphantly.
"My Lord of Waltham is d brave
gentleman" said he, with a low bow,
"but think has never crossed lances
with the scots. won my spurs against
them, and know the people: and ! still
adhete to my opinion that it would be
dangerous for you to undertake that
route at present.
The Lady Blanche hesitated, for this
earnestness was not lost upon her. In
deed she had, at first, proposed the
contemplated route only in Jest, but
feminine whim, or some hidden motive,
had made her persevere In 1t on hearing
Claude's disapptObatlon. She was now
again in doubt. Claude saw his advan-
tage. Lady, "he said eagerly" "I know
you will not gol Indeed, ask 1t as a
farewell favor" He was surprised into
speaking thus; the instant he had done
so be saw his error. The Lady Blanche
colored, and then said, with slight curl
of the lip-"Ohl we forgot that Sir
Claude Marston was used to debating
FOR lady's favors. But, perhaps" she
added looking laughiDglv around on
the rest of the group" he thinks we
may lay our injunction on him, as out
cousin, to go with us, and having no
taste for those Scottish broad swords,
would persuade US to travel south ward.
But never fear we are knights
daughter and dread no foe. SO we ALB
solve you from all duty to us, land while
you 60 to play at silken tournaments
our Lord of Waltham, with our squire
Sir John Neville, will bear us thro' the
Douglas lances."
The cheek of Cluade Durned like fire
at tEls gallant speech but the speaker
was lady, and he could take no notice
of 1t. He bowed.
" so be it," he said, with difficulty
mastering his rage and then turned
on hls heel and walked from the room
The Lady Blanche had, perhaps, gone
further than she had intended, for she
changed color, but added quickly ant
gayly-
Did you ever see such ferocl6u,
Animal And he was once, too, a;
dainty and well behaved, you eau all
testify, as my pet greyhound. What
! can be the matter with Cousin Claude2'
, The young knight was boiling witt
! Indignation az he reaHhed his room. L
I had been the first time he had beer
publicly sllghted for the stupid Wal
. than, but what elsei he now asked him
) self, could he have expected
: Fool, fool, that / was, he said, a.
D he strode to and fro In his apart ment
? She thinks. or affects to think, am
t coward. By st. George, only wisl
, that dolt Waltham had dared to add |
t syllable, l would have made him eat hi
: words"
3 He chafed thus for nearly half al
t hour then his passion, in part, ,subsid
Y ed.
o 1t was dream" he said, SO dream
: cherished In spite of thousand Tebuffs
Q but 1t Is over. Yet, Lady Blanche,
, cannot see you fall victim to your owl