The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-11-22

small white velvet casket, and quietly watch.
ed the maneuvers of old Mr.. Redmayne
who was very hard to suit in the selection
Of dining room clock "A pretty affair oi
gilt and ormnlu, and who finally hurried
out, commanding that the clock should be
sent, fright awayr'
D." I'm sure don't know who to scnd-all
the messengers are out /" muttered the per-
picked proprietor.
"Let me take it" said Edward Tracy step.
ping forward.
"You, Mr.. Tracy?'
A few words, spoken low and earnestly
in his ear, served To change his blank as
tonshment to smiling assent, and in less
than fifteen minutes, the aristocratic Mr..
Tracy was enactlng the lowly role Of porter
TO a fancy-store.
Nearly an hour had elapsed, since Mr..
Redmayne ordered home his glttering little
clock, ere he hustled up the front steps Of
his house. Hardly had his football echoed
on the marble vestibule, ere he stopped short
in listening attitude.
"Whose voices do hear, Jenkins ?"
Please, sir, it is the man come to put up
the new clock yon sent home"
"Miss Grnce is there, too?"
"Yes, sir, she was directing him."
Mr.. Redmayne listened obviously, the
tones of the young voices, as now and then
they floated down the broad staircase, con-
veyed rather different idea.
al must zee about that" quoth he, throw
ing down his hat and gloves, and hurrying
up TO the scene OF action.
The clock man and Miss Grace were stand
ing suspiciously close together-the clock,
yet enveloped in its paper wrappings, lay on
the table. Grace grew rosy as a sunset sky,
and retreated TO the other end of the room !;
Edward bravely maintained his grouud.
"Where would you like the clock set up,
sir?" he asked, demurely.
Clock, sir? you are an imposterl you
know no more about clocks than dol What
have you been hugging my daughter for,you
young scamp.
al don't see what gives you such an i'm
preston, sir" returned Edward, coolly.
"How do you account for that D. shouted
the wrathful Mr.. Redmaync, pointing tri.
umphantly to slender chain of gold that
usually enclasped Grace's fair neck, but now
Silent, mischicvous little witness y hung to
the shaggy sleeve of Edward Tracy's great
coat. "How came her trinkct there?"
For a moment there was silence; this cir
cumstantial evidence was rather too con-
vincing. Then Edward spoke bravely out,
smiling even through his trepidation.
"Sir, there is no use in further dissimua-
tion. l love your daughter; can give you
unexceptionable references as to my worth
and l mean to marry her."
You-mean-to-marry y-mv-daugh-
ter" gasped Mr.. Redmayne, in mingled
wrath and dlsmay,ns he made a fierce move
ment toward the speaker. Grace hung Wild
ly to his arm, however, and the momentary
impulse was checked.
"Come back here tonight; you young
reprobate ~ he suffered, and II! give you
an answer that will be quite sufficient!
Edward bowed silently and withdrew.
Mr.. Redmayne sat musing sadly in the
library. So his little Grace-his own eve
lamb b-was willing TO leavo him, and 60
forth with stranger-this was his reward
for years of love and tailhfulness. Care,
precaution, forethought, were all in vain
the new love had swept away the old ten
derness. Well, we'll, it was the way OF the
world
Just as the bitter drop was stealing down
his cheek, obscurlng the fire-light for an in
slant, another shadow crossed his vision.
Grace had glided in, and was kneeling tear
fully beside him, her fresh cheek close TO his
wrinkled temples.
dearest papa, love you as tenderly as
ever. Don't grieve because another has
found place in my heart. And, papa"
"My little Grace /"
"Rcmember the time when you first plead
cd for my dear, dead mother! Go back to
the past-let the old, old time be my inter
cessor I"
Through the mist of tears rose up fair
girlish face-the face Of his lost Alice
through their prismatie radiance he saw tbs
tall grass waving round low green grave.
How it softened the bitter thoughts that had
just been pdlsiug through his brain. Long
after Grace had stolen away, he sat there
rapt in musings.
al too was young once"
The clock-that identical time piece-had
chimed seven, before Mr.. Redmayne Aered
tho room where Edward was waiting in
fsvered imPatienee.
"well, young man :" he said in an injur
cd tone, "f've been thinking over your de-
mand. You gave my Grace a Pearl ring,
to-day. shall settle the matter by maxi
ing you a present of at least equal value,
and then expect you'll go Peaeeably about
your busnessW
"But sir"
Mr.. Redmayne held up his finger meuac.
iuglv. "Not a word !"
He turned to the door and opened it, Like
fair vision, Grace glided in, with eyes of
sapphire light, and lips trcmulous, yet smil
ing, sill clinsibs TO her fathers arm as II
half disposed to retreat.
Take her, Edward = said the old man,
"take her, and cherish her as tenderly as I
4 L. a.