The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-08-16


that Granville Ferguson was usurping
Herbert's place. He was far handsomer
man, wore finer dress, had diamonds spark
ling upon his shirt-front and little finger,
lived in handsomer chambers, and was the
pink of courtesy. And yet Carrie did not
like him.
On the day when Ellie so willfully per-
sisted in accepting Granville Fergusons es-
cort to the Park, Herbert was coming To
spend the evening, to try some duets. But
Ellie said, Herbert and the duets could be
had at any time, while skating was lux
ury to be seized whenever the opportunity
occurred.
So, when Granville Ferguson, in his
jaunty overooat, with tiny bouquet in the
buttonhole, made his appearance just before
sunset, he found Ellie with the new brown
cashmere and seaskin hat waiting for him.
She had put the crispest rufIies into a ruff
and lined with blue silk aud the bewlder-
ing blue bow under her pretty chin and her
hair was in the pufiest of golden curls dnder
the RIM of the cap. When the ornamental
water, brilliantly illuminated by the moon,
was reached, Gllie'G feet could scarcely keep
still to have the skates fastened.
They We're well matched upon the ice, for
there were few of her sex as graceful and
expert upon skates as pretty Ellie Wilson,
In her eager excitement she overlooked, en-
tirely lor:ot, that the party her escort had
promised to meet did not appear, and she
glided among the groups gathered around
her, nodding now and again to friends or
acquaintances, sparkling and happy.
She was becoming tired, and turned to
suggest to her companion a few moments
rests on the bank, when she saw him ac-
costed by two men, who, without skates
were standing upon the ice near him. They
were not near enough 10 her to hear the
conversation, as she had darted off few
minutes before for long sweep on the glas-
sy surface of the lake, supposing Granville
Ferguson followed beside her.
1t made her uneasy to see him walking
away with his new companions, leaving hel
alone in the crowd around her, She knew
that it was getting late, and already the
concourse of people was thinning rapidly
There was a long walk to be taken, and she
was growing conscious of curious looks di-
rected toward her. Granville was no longer
to be seen, and her loneliness was becoming
unbearable, when her friend, Mrs. Morrison
with her husband, skated to her side.
"Don't faint, Ellie" her friend began
eve will take care you. You must go tc
our house tonight"
"What has happenedP"
"Granville Ferguson has been arrested"
"Arrested p cried poor Ellie, with white
lips, for the handsome scamp had won more
than passing interest in her heart. {" Fol
what?"
"Passing forged bill. He is one of {
Western gang the police are seeking. Come
you must go home with us, and we viii
send you home early in the morning"
"But Carrie"
"She will be frightened, no doubt, but i
will be for a few hours only"
And Mr., Morrison, seeing the gathering
palor OF her pretty face, hastily sought {
cab, put Ellie into it, his wife following.
In the meantime Carrie, in the quie
dress she always wore, thinking regreIlull.
that finery OF any kind would only make
more conspicuous the disfguring scar upoi
her face, waited for Herbert. She could nu
help little thrill of pleasure at the though
. of quiet evening alone, for aunt general.
nodded in silence over her knitting, Sh
had faithfully tried to keep Ellie at home
! that having failed, she could enjoy the eve
ming, Ellie was very exacting of her lov
er's attentions, If lover he was, keeping hin
= beside her constantly; while Carrie, as wa
habitual with her, kept in the back grounC
. dering why she could never jest and froli
4 with Herbert.
n The little mantel clock was striking eigt
.f when he came. Aunt Fanny, who ha
: been all day shopping in the keen winte
IS air, had yielded to the drowsy influence {
p the warm room, aud was quietly asleep j
:, her arm chair but Carrie was awake an
h went forward to meet her visitor.
Il al am very sorry Ellie is out" she sal
"but III try the duets with you if yc
e wish"
/ look of pleasure flashed into Herbert
y face, but shy Carrie, looking down, missC
'e it.
o. "But you usually have Ellie"
"Ellie does not sing as well as YOU d
Her voice is not as good, and she is cdrele;
. But before we try the duets, sit here lit
while and talk to me. SO seldom see y,
alone.
10 She sat down, wondering little at Il
~ request, but the wonder grew deeper as He
II bert talked to her. Little by little the tru
RI, came home to her that Herbert Brand,
n. was glad, not sorry, to find Ellie gone, th
~ the words her sister had spoken in jest, su
ad posing them far from any truth, were |
deed fact , and that it was her own pla
d. face, not Elles pretty one, Herbert came
cd see. In words whose earnest truth cou
be not be doubted Herbert told her how
I'M gentle sweetness, her useful, cheerful !
N, had won his love, and that his hope Of hG
ie. piness for life rested upon her answer to
II. simple, unmistakeable question that come
10 at last.
Id "Will you be my wife, Carrier Can y
MT give to my keeping the happiness of yc
he life, believing | will earnestly endeavor
guard you from every sorrow. know
,s- am not worthy-no man can be worthy
IN Of such a treasure as ask, but l love y
at darling, love YOU"
en He knew his love was returned when
#. shy but happy eyes were raised to his ov
,r. Yet involunterily one little white Ia
y was raised to cover the dis6guring Sc
rec Tendery Herbert imprisoned it, and pres
ms. his own lips upon the cheek.
,ly "Let me help you to forget that" he wi
to pered.
tho They talked long and earnestly, ct
4. l.e.