The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-04-12

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| lures"
"No, no"
You do, else you would not do IT, You
speak as il il were pleasure to me to decide
between two loves, both inspired by nature
and both pure in the sight Of God you act
as if were free from pain--as if | were in.
flicting an injury upon our family out of q
desire for revenge |"
"0h, Emma, you wrong me-you do not
understand mew
Understand you! It is you who have
no idea Of my feelings 1t never occurred
to you to suggest a pleasant ending to a
doubtful project, to hope that my father may
forgive me, that Robert may besprospercd
r that may be happy Oh, moi these thing
never came to your mind. Enough am
weary of such consideration
She left the room, leaving Ada to sob and
weep by herself.
The sisters were Numerically opposite in
disposition and temperament, Ada's eau.
tious mind could never comprehend the i'm.
pulse of Emma's soul, the ardent longing,
of her heart, or the delicacy and sensitive.
ness of her nerves, and hence Ada often
wounded when she meant to comfort. But
her love for her sister was pure and strong
her solicitude intense, her regrot that cir.
cumstances had thus combined so keen as tc
disturb her whole nature. With her head
resting upon the chair where Emma had
sat, she wept as if her heart would break
her form quivering at intervals, her hands
clasped firmly together.
Suddenly sharp knock sounded upon the
door.
alt is father Oh, what shall do now p
she exclaimed, starting up in alarm. "
must shield Emma can't betray her, and
yet He knocks again! l have no time
for thought"
Hastily wiping her eyes, she opened the
door. The old gentleman entered, a look OF
mingled wonder and suspicion upon his
long, spare face.
You have been crying, Ada. What
for 2"
The maiden twlrled one of her bracelets
nervously, and gazed steadily at the floor.
" Why don't you answer me? Have you
lost all respect for me, that you leave me
alone in the evening, and then disturb me,
with high words, as am on my way to my
chamber, to say nothing of this stubborn sii.
ence which it pleases you to assume just
now ?"
Ada flushed red, tears sprang to her eyes
again, and she tapped one loot restlessly.
where's your sister?" demanded John
Royce, his vexation increasing.
In her room"
Her room % repeated the old man, elc-
waiting his brows. " Pray how long is it
| since she had a room by herself? You Low.
ed one another well enough when you were
children, to share the same room, and now,
when you are women, you find one room too
small. All! crying again You've quarrel
ed with each other, have you ?"
Ada nodded her head sadly.
"Shame! shame upon you both Can you
learn nothing by years? If not, why do you
live? Bring Emma to me at once I'll sec
-I'll see why you Gght--you have always
lived happily until now Why do you hesi-
tate ?"
"I-I don't know"
"What ail's you, girl? What means thi:
trembling?"
Nothing, papa-nothing III go al
once"
Ada fastened from the room. In the
meantime Edwin Royce come in and spoke
to his father; but the old gentleman took nc
notice of him whatever, and wondering as to
the cause of this strange conduct, the young
man leaned against the bureau, and waited
forcircumstances to develope an explanation
Presently Ada came in, leading Emma by
the hand.
John Royce arose, and noting Emma's pale
face, her downcast eyes, and her sorrowful
manner, said to himself " Poor child hel
feelings have been deeply wounded. Ada /!
very thoughtless." Then he spoke aloud
"My daughters, this is new and morti,
flying experience. Never before have
known of disagreement between you-nev.
er before have heard such loud words as on
this night. Emma you shall explain it,"
"We-we misunderstood one another
she answered family. 1t was very hard for
her tn force out the false words. Ada hurt
my feelings, and retaliated but 1t is pass.
ed now-we have have forgiven each other
let it CO."
"Not so. must know the cause" said
the old man, gravely,
Ada pressed Emma's hand neither knew
what to say. 1t was a trying moment
John Royce was growing impatient, when
by a superhuman effort, Emma forced a
smile to her features and throwing her arm.
around her fathers neck, said;
"Dear papa, do not urge us What mat
ters it about the cause, as long as we have
been reconciled? Surely, you must know
that cause for feminine difference is q
very triaing thing. A bit of lace, the coloi
ofa ribbon-anything, in fact, is ground
enough for a dispute when ones feelings are
excited. Of course we are sad Ada and
and we want to talk it over before we sleep
Kiss me good; might now, and leave u.s."
"Ah, you rogue you can coax your old
father into anything"
ooh, if | only could" thought Emma
resting her head upon his shoulder, whil
eontending emotions disturbed her mind anc
/ heart.
stroking her hair fondly, he called her hi'
darling, and then kissed her gently, Hi
kind words only increased her pain, and de
pite her efforts, tears came to her eyes.
What, crying again, my dear?" he said
with tender sOlictude.
"0nly because you are so good to me,
she murmured. "Now kiss me again
there Goodnight, papa-good-night"
He moved awayj she sprang forward
threw her arms around his neck again, anC
earessed him with all the tenderness Of {
child. He held her close TO him, wonder