The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-01-26

"I-I am not perfectly happy" faltered
Meta. "oh, Aunt Cecy have been think
ing about the future-of all the long, long
years that lie before me. And don't think
l ought to marry Mr. Julianp
"Why not?'. demanded Aunt Cecilia,
with a face hardening into stone.
al do not love him. confessed Meta, in
voice that was scarcely audible!
"My dear, that is all right" soothed Mrs.
Vail. "tove will come in due time, never
fearr
But Meta shook her head "I would
rather not marry himp she persisted. al
will tell him so p
A slight spasm shot over Mrs. Wallis we'll
powdered face.
"Metella," said she, "you must merry
him. Your uncle's honor is involved. l
had not meant to tell you this, but your own
conduct has made it inevitable. Mr. Julian
has advanced to your uncle money in large
sums-money that has warded off ruin"
"Then it is as people say-a mere case of
bargain and sale" retorted Meta, bitterly.
al am barted to save my uncle's commercial
standing"
Mrs. Vail burst into tears, carefully
staunching them, however, before they had
time to plough a briny chasm through the
"Bloom of Youth" upon her cheeks.
"Mcta," sobbod she, "would you see your
uncle ruined ?"
Metella Vail turned away, sick at heart,
with feeling that it would be in vain to
try to stem the current of destiny.
" l may as well make the best of it," said
she to herself; "but oh, why, why did
ever say yes?"
1t was two weeks before the wedding day,
and Metella Vail had accepted an invitation
to "German"-the last party she was to
attend before her bridal. She arrived rather
late, and no one was IN the ladies' dressing
room. Even the female attendants were
peeping at the dances over the flowcr-gar-
landed staircase. She was arranging her
own dress, when she heard the voices of two
ladies in a small adjoining room, where tea
and coffee were served to such as wished to
partake of them before going down stairs.
al really think some one ought to tell
her." said old Mrs. Pepper.
"Thoso Vailsw would any ofthem sell their
souls for piece of silver, 'retorted Miss Jey-
kill, "and the girl is just as bad as any Of
'em."
"But she can't know that he is q lunatic'
argued Mrs. Pepper.
Trust her for that. dare say she means
to clap him into an asylum as soon as she
has chancer' said Mrs Jeykill, sagely.
MS it true that he strangled his first wife
ii one of his mad fits?'' asked Mrs. Pepper,
while Meta stood still and breathlessj the
warm blood seeming to turn to ice within
her veins
"Its true as gospel" said the other, "and
eny other man would have been hung for
it. But the Julians are rich and money is
like charity-it covers multitude of sins
Pm glad I'm not in Miss Wallis place, that's
all !"
And the two old ladies went down stairs.
Metella Vail stood there, shuddering and
pale What awful risk was this into which
she had so nearly plunged? What dizzy
precipice had she blindly approached? And
her uncle and aunt-like an inspiration it
flashed upon her that they were doubtless
well aware of all this! How, indeed, could
it be otherwise? Aware of it all-yet willing
to sacrifice her youth and beauty to their
own ends
One instant she stood considering. Then,
wrapping the swan's-down bordered cloak
once more around her head and shoulders,
she hurried down to the door, and gave
directions that her carriage should once more
be called.
"Drive to No. - Wilmerden street."
said she.
Harry Fame had been busy at his painting
all day, and now, in the evening, he was
sketching in a background with his trim
little old mother reading aloud to HIM For
Harry had resolved to give up all the gay
society which had resolved itself into moth
ing but apples of Sedan for him, and devote
| himself to Art alone.
Presently the little white-capped maid
came in, with a perplexed look on her
plump face,
"A young lady, ma'am," said she, "in
pink lace and roses, asked for Mr.. Fanew
And Metella Vail followed her little an
nouncer into the room, with large, luminous
eyes and face as pale as ashes
"Meta !" He started up.
"Yes, Harry" said she, "I have come to
you. VIII you take me back to your heart
after allthat have done and said?'
And then she told him what she had
heard.
"IfI 60 back home they will make me
marry that man." she said, wildly. 'Oh,
you do not know what an iron will my
Uncle Rollo has And-and l have no
other friend to turn to, than you in all this
wide city,"
al can tell you how to preclude any such
possibility" said II lrry Fame, quietly, while
bis mother was chatting Meta's ice cold hand.