The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-11-09
Single Copies, 8 cts.

And Rylance told the mischief that the
note had wrought. Dexter replied:
never thought of that Calder girl
Why did stumble on her name? 1t was
mere accident, but, o! so stupid of me.
Where Is Gertrude will go and explain;
it is this. least l can do. 0, Adrian, am
80 grieyed, so shocked at my awful blum
derl" Fawant advised me not to do it too.
I will never play another practical joke as
long as live"
Dexter wrote long letter to Mrs Rylanco
explaining his conduct and exculpating his
friend, and mailed it that afternoon. Both
he and Rylance-though the latter would
not own it-waited impatently for a reply
but none ever came. .,.
Gertrude had mourned over her broken
idol and grieved so deeply for her fond hus-
band that by autumn she was quite i'll, and
her mother took her abroad to try what eff
feet winter in Italy would have.
While in Florence, early in December,
Gertrude and her mother met Mr.. Farrant.
Mrs. Woolcroft, finding that he knew none
of the particulars of the trouble between
Gertrude and 5drian, gave him brief out
line of the matter, and he, Of course, at
once explained the mystery. When con-
WINGED Of the truth of Mr.Farrant's state
ment, Gertrude was very much distressed to
think that she had left Adrian so hastily,
even though appearances wero so much
against him. She insisted upon returning
home at once, although they had been on
the continent but three weeks, and poor
Mrs. Woolcroft was obliged to start on
another sea voyage before recovering from
the effects of the first.
Learning on their arrival at home, that
Adrian was living in their former home
quite alone, save for an old cook, Gertrude
went Immediately there.
1t was late in the afternoon, and she sat
down in her accustomed chair by the win
dow to watch; as of old, for Adrian's return.
Her heart was beating rapidly her checks
were flushed with anxiety; how, she said
to herself thousand times in the half hour
of solitary watching, will he receive me?
viii he ever forgive me Has he forgotten
me? o, has he learned to love another
AT last the familiar figure passed the win
dow, his key was in the latch, and in a
moment more he was in the back parlor.
Forgetting that, as the front room was
dark and the back one brightly lighted, she
could see him much palmer than he could
behold her, Gertrude stood motionless in the
her agitation making her
powerless to move.
Suddenly Adrian turned and saw her.
For an instant he thought it was some cruel
jest, ,Pnd he exclaimed
Why have you done this ?"
thought-don't be angry, Adrian. I
Will not come back again." answered Ger
trude, meekly, her voice trembling and her
eyes blinded with tears.
Forgetting that she had laid aside both
hat and seal skin jacket, she started for the
door as rapidly os her sbally limbs would
carry her. But before her hand fairly touch
ed the door-knob Adrian was beside her.
Gertrude" he exclaimed, eagerly, ais il
you? No trick? No ghost2 Why did you
,ome?"
" wanted to see you'll Never mind,
will go; l will not trouble your"
"No, no! You must not 60 Trouble me,
lid you say? My only trouble is your abb
ence, my darling. Did you get Dexter's
etter? And did you come back Voluntarily"
lsked Rylance, excitedly, not waiting for
IN answer, as he dried the tears from her
yes and banished the pitiful quiver from
Ter lips with long, loving kisses. DO you
believe now that l never loved any one but
precious wife ?"
And the next day, at Mr.. and Mrs. Ry-
anee's second union, Joe Dexter took VOW
which he kept never to play another
PRACTICAL joke.