The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-11-15
Maud's Love Story.

| y
long, pulsing July day was come IN it
sunsettng, and the fervent heat that crown
ed the sunshiny hours since early mornin
was giving way to soft westerly breeze
that stirred through the trees, and lifted tn
short waves Of hair off Maud Templeton'
sweet, upturnHd face, as she looked wistluly
thoughtfully, in Neal Howard's eyes, tina
were holding an expression Of half frown
ing, half-appealing displeasure
81 would not have believed it of YOU
Maud have been so happy, so perfect,
content and rested, in your love for mel
have been 50 impatient for the time wher
our engagement should terminate in mar
riagei and here, now, you cody, calmly tel
me that, unless have better prospects, you
think it prudent to indefinitely prolong oui
engagement
He spoke sternly, eagerly, and he bent
his handsome head toward her in way he
had of doing whenever he was specially in
earnest.
She listened, her sweet, grave eyes looking
at him patiently.
"You would see l am right, if you only
'0ould see, Neal. As it is, you make only
just enough to take care of yourself; then
how would 1t be when you were saddled
with the extra expense of a wife? As we
are, | am we'll enough cared for, and we
can be very happy as lovers-only until !
can see my way clear to come to you, dear
and not be burden, as would be now
Do you understand ?"
Such loving, appealing look as she gave
him. But he curled hislips haughtlv.
"Do | understand? ? Perfectly Poor peo.
pie have no right to be happy, and you don't
care very much for poor husband"
"Oh, Neal, don't be so harsh You know
you kno'0 love you; and no other one in
all this world, rich or poor, will ever heal
me tell him SOP
He was sufficiently convinced by her ar
gument to be angry at its correctness so he
ShFisT: -" -''""id~-a- 90 if in sarcastic dis.
"You prove your words very accurately
Women who love, generally desire not tC
prolong their engagement. Or perhaps you
haye some practical suggestion to offer"
A little, faint, deprecating blush bloomed
on Maud's cheeks.
II did mean to tell of a chance for you
Neali but you are so sarcastic and-cross."
"Not at all! Cannot fellow ever be il
earnest? What is it, Maud ?"
She sent shy, anxious glance to hi
face.
at is the formanship in the Manhattan
Mills, Neal, and the salary is"
Mr. Neal Howard's eyes flashed out hi
disdain, and he compressed his handsom
! lips second. then interrupted her.
"You seem to forget at least lay claim
to the position of a gentleman !. Maud
foreman IN fac tory Thank you prefe
my present position as tutor, even at tn
risk of your lispeasure."
She colored deeply and yet the look sh
gave HIM was eloquent with love and wo
manly sweetness.
al want you to do just as you think best
Neal. only mean that do think maj
is bound to do the very best he can for him
self"
$50 he is; but not at the sacrifice Of hi
seli-respect. A foreman in factory Maud
I'm astonished -
"Very well, then, dear; consider hav
said nothing to annoy you. As said Il
the beginning, will patiently, cheerful
wait, until"
He interrupted her hotly:
"There shall be no waiting You do ne
love me, you mean to rid yourself of me a
gracefully as only a woman could do. Yo
are iree-you will not be annoyed by havin
to wait for me |"
And he plunged away into the it'll
woody dell near where they stood, and h
quick, angry footsteps went crashing throug
underbrush and over twgs, as Maud stoo
where he had left her, her face pale an
dazed, then ptifully flushing as the he
| t'dTs Tusneu 10 heI eyeo'
ale is angry with me, and mean I
we'll He will come back-I know be wi
come back, when his anger cools, and adm
that was right, or, at least, innocent Of o
fence.
And she went slowly back To the iarI
house, the scarlet strain fading of her face
= "Mr. Courtenayj"
Neal Howard uttered the name in su
Drsed sort of way, as leaping lightly over
! thick, low hedge Of tangled honeysuckle,
came full upon Fred Courtenay and h
sketehing paraphernalia, under the shaC
of a big tree.
The handsome young artist lifted pa
Of black eyes, that were just little depr
E eating in their smiling expressing.
"Tm sorry to have been 50 stupidity ne;
at hand, Howard, declare but what WI
fellow to doT I'm sorry, pom my wor
that was an eavesdropperj and yet, How
ard"
Mr.. Courtenay hestated and locke
thoughtful.
Neal frowned. He wasn't as pleased
he might be To know that this stylish eli
gentleman was a perfnrce confident of h
: and Maud's liItle lovers tiff.
: 81 tell you what wus thinking-wh
- struck me the moment heard you sPea
Howard, let me do you favor, to atone,
l can, for having been third party IN yo'
little conference"
{ Howari's face was not cleared even as
intimated his willingness In know what Il
"iavnr" was that Ferdinand Courtenay cou
: do him.
: "From what heard, Howard, take
that You would not refuse a chance-a lai