The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-04-26


come TO pass. Think, Mira, how diamond
would flash on your finger instead of that
plain gold ring Beside, there's a great
deal Of flirting done in high life. You
wouldn't be expected to bestow all your
sweetest smiles on your husband"
"Neliie, dare you intimate that might
be untrue to the man marryY"
"Hush you silly little goose. No, moth
ing of the kind only you might have a
mansion, carriage, and servants, and still
enjoy young society Mr.. Grafton would
naturally seek his company among the old
er class at social gatherings"
Mira's cheeks still burned, but che re-
piled:
al doubt whether could adapt myselfto
such circumstances. might do so many
awkward things my husband would be
ashamed Of me-"
But Mira could not quite shake off the
impression of Nellie's words. Since she
come to their happy home she had not seen
Harry alone for Eve minutes. Nellie was
always sure to be present. though she and
Harry were much alone together.
How elegantly Mr.. Grafton dresses ~
sand Nellie, one day, as they watched him
go down the path. Don't you think,
Aunt Kate that Mira might turn. one other
beaux over to meH" laughingly asked the
subtle girl.
dyes, provided you could fancy her re-
jected."
al am willing to take either, and bind up
his broken heart"
al think Mira laws no claim to Mr.. Graf
tom" said her aunt, little severely.
Before she could say any more Harry en-
tered, having just thrown away the stump
of cigar atthe door. The smell of tobacco
smoke tainted the air as he came in. He
was dressed in light gray suit, very becom-
ing, Mira had always thought; but just
now she was comparing it with Mr. Grafton's
fine black broadcloth, his calf skin boots
with Grafton's patent feathers, his gray vest
with the immaculate white, and his brown
hands with the soft fingers of the rich man.
GLOW unfortunate that you should come
just when we were going to dissect you and
Grafton" said Nellie, gayly.
"Ah! then had better retire"
"No; we can defer it till some othert time.
1t was only aunt and +. Mira is invincible
firm as q rock," she continued, moekng-
ly.
"And you, Nellie?"
ooh, l change with every handsome face.
| never could love the same man more than
six weeks" And she cast an admiring
glance upon him.
And as no one replied she continued:
al am going back to the city next week."
watching Harry closely as she spoke.
"Why, Nellie, your visit is only half
avor " said Mira.
eyes, bat am tired of playing the agree
able to your two beauX."
| Then as another whim took her, she left
the room and did not return that evening.
Mrs. Cone went to the kitchen and Mira
and Harry were left alone. Harry drew a
chair to her side and sat down.
"Why do you encourage NJ. Grafton in
coming here?"
al don't; he simply comes and goes be.
cause he chooses
"You admire his fine clothes, his wealth
his city mansion, and only prefer me be-
cause he is a little too old"
"Who says SOP l have never used such
language"
"Nelle says you favor him with youl
company more than you do me since she
came"
Would you believe her in preference tc
me, dear Hary?"
al must say see very little Of. you late
ly."
" Because she is always present and does
the talking when you come. She never
answers the bell if she knows it is Graf
ton."
"Why do you allow him TO Gomez"
ale is an old friend of pas, and it would
be awkward to tell him to stay away"
"And you mean to let him come, To keeI
two strings to your bow? You must choosc
between US"
"oh, Harry, how can you be jealous o.
an old gray-hared man? Do you suppose
that care for him ?"
"Then dismiss him"
e" How can dismiss him before he pro
poses? might 10 presuming too far to dc
that"
"And you wish to retain his favor? Their
l will bid you good evening" and without
even a kiss upon the sweet lips he wal
gone.
"oh, dearl Mr. Murray, how you frigh
tened me !" exclaimed Nellie.
al might have whistled but l feared my
fawn would fly away, so come by stealth
She was sitting in a deep shade in {
grassy lane near where Harry was plowing
aud had been expecting him to come FOL
the last half hour,
"How came you here alone 2" lie asked.
DWELL, Mr.. Grafton just went up TO tL'
house, and knew Mira would not leave
so slipped away to have a little fresh air
1t is not everybody who has leisure to do
his courting in the forenoon"
IIarry's brow clouded.
"Does she care for him ?"
Z" Oh, he is wealthy. Rich men MARI,
whom they please. If you had Grafton
wealth he would be no match against you
" Do you think she wishes our engage
ment broken p
al think if she was FREQ she would marrl
Grafton"
"Then l will release her."
There was a look Of triumph on Nellie
face as she entered the house an hour lat,i
aud found Grafton still there. He gtayed /
dinner, and Nellie took occasion to whispe
! 10 her cousin
al don't wonder that Harry is jealous.
] think he would like TO be free, but of euurs