The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-04-20
LOVE AND DUTY.


we met. For my sake, Fanny, ifnot 70
your own you should take better care o
yourself?"
Fred Folliott had met Fanny Harrington
face to face
AT first she had colored, and made as i
she would avoid him.
But the encounter was inevitable, and thu
deep pink that overspread her cheek as he
timid eyes met his, betokened that the meet
ing was not altogether disagreeable.
Fanny Harrington was dressed in a sui
of muchworn brown debage, guiltless o
trimmings, and made up after the seamless
of fashions-but she needed not the external
adjuncts of dress to set off the rare, delicate
loveliness of her face and form.
She was tall and pale, with transparent
complexion, family colorcd with rose, blue
eyes, deep and soft as velvet, and dewy
crimson lips, while her luxuriant brown
hair, waved in ripples of Natures only
erimping, was worn in heavy coronet
around the top of her head.
Am pale ?" she said hesitating. "Not
more so than usual, I think. But then the
weather is so warm, and the atmosphere OPP
pressive."
Mr. Folliot had turned and was walking
with her now.
She glanced doubtfully up at him.
Do not let Inc take you out of your way
Fred" she said.
"My way is yours, Fanny unless" and
he looked kecnly into her eyes, "you would
prefer to be rid of my company"
erred, that is hardly iustr'
But you are the strangest girl, Fanny ="
he cried impulsively; 81 can't make you
out all. Sometimes think you don't want
my companonship."
Fanny bit her lips.
" can't help your thoughts, Fred"
"You love me-"
" You know that do, Fred" she answer
ed piteously.
"Then why will you not become my wife
at once? Why will you toll on, wearing
your life away at that sewing machine,when
l stand ready and anxious at any moment
to give you a home and work for lis both
l have asked you the question many times
before, Fanny ask it now for the last time"
a cannot marry you Frcdp uttered
Fanny Harrington with a paling cheek and
faltering voice.
" But why not? You confess that you love
me-"
"Ifwe could always follow the leadings of
our hearts" Fanny began.
And then she stopped.
"No, Fred it is better that we should part
at once. l have no right to ask you to wear
out your life and youth in awaiting my pos
sible future, Your love has been a bright
spot in my clouded existence, and thank
you for it,
"Your words are a riddle, Fanny"
"My life is a riddle" she retorted impa-
tienuy. "And the key is in Gods hands.
Now, goodbye Fred !"
"Foreyer Fanny?"
"Yes, forever"
Fanny" he cried, passionately, "you
know that it cannot be so. You know that
! can no more help loving you than the sun
can help shining You may scorn me and
fling me away, you choose, but l shall be
your faithful slave still"
She stood looking sadly at him.
Heaven bless you for those words, Fred |
But you must go no further with me now."
May not go home with you?'
"No."
"Why not?"
An expression ofpain came over her coun- |
ienance.
Erred you must not question me. You
must only trust"
He turned away obedient to her words.
But as he walked slowly, loosing himself,
as it were, in the great current of humanity,
q tangle of perplexed meditation fitted
through his brain.
81 don't understand her at all" he NUT
tered If did not know that she was pure
and true as an angel, l should think that
some evil was at the root of this strange de
lay and mystery As itis-wcll, don't
know what to believe! Of one thing am