The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-06-05
Paul RaymOnd's Engagement

1t was dreadfUl-too dreadful She threw
herself down on that little four by seven
bedstead in the not much larger hall bed
room, tightly clasping the shawl around
her, more for something to hold than any
other reason. Though a fireless room in
midwinter is not the most cheerful place in
the world, it might have been an ice house
which luckily it was not-for all outward
impressions the girl was likely to receive,
for the hot tears streamed from her eyes as,
in utter abandon of grief, she lay there, un-
conscious of the loud, dscordant iangle OF
the lunch bell that, pealing through the
halls, made her start nervously. But she
did not alter her position or prepare...t to de-
scend from the airy heights of her room to
obtain any midday refreshment.
No; here at least she was at home, safe
from scrutiny, censure, eriticism-free to
indulge in her own feelings, if she could be
said to have any. But for this paroxysm
she had felt so stony, so steeled against
everything and every-no, not till now
against everybody. Now she was, though.
Paul was false; while he was true, what
matter if her pathway was not "strewn with
flowers" if the road was rough,i the weori-
ness of mind and body in the endeavor to
make both ends meet was sometimes almost
too much to bear2
He had been heS friend, kind consider
ate, something of a tease, too; but it had
always brought the smile to her lips, the
laughter to her eyes. They were not en-
gagged, but he had given her in many ways,
the devotion of lover. She felt, at least,
she had trusted him as dearly valued
friend, while he had paid her that defer
ence that man gives TO the one occupying
the first place in his heart. Was it an easy
thing to resign?-never to see him againP
The tears flowed alresh as she lay there,
alone, uncared for-ior once needless of
time, tor once letting her heart and soul as
sert ITSELF
At times she would pace the floor as if TOO
impatient to live; then throwing herself on
the bed, the floodgates of her soul would
open as she lay there, humilIated, crushed.
Then as she grew calmer, more from eX-
haustion than any will of her own, the past
rose up before her.
She saw herself in her happy careless
girlhood, her every wish gratfed by her
parents, who gave reluctant consent to her
rather hasty engagement TO one who at first
fascinated her with his attention, then as
months passed, grated on her finer sense in
every way, unknowingly. He fretted at
something. When she broke the spell it
was with a sense of relief but worded very
courteously, that he gave her up. Poor
child! she never knew whether his love or
pride was piqued the most. This opened
the Pandora-like box Of mislortunes.
Soon after her father, always delicate,
succumbed under the combined influence
of fading health and fortune. His death
and subsequent disasters utterly crushed
her mother, who became an invalid, requir-
ing every care and attention. Rose watched
over her with the utmost devotion, never
allowing her TO feel the want of fortune,
never thinking Of herselftill at her mothers
death her empty purse reused her TO con-
tinued activity for herself. Since then the
days had sped on, her life scarce anything
but struggle. Her friends-the old-time
Summer friends-she rarely met in "this
Winter of her discomfort" till one day, late
returning from the office where she had left
an article (for, poor child, She wrote litue),
she met Paul Raynor He had been a
guest at their house in the old happy times,
She never asked any one to come and see
her now where she wac living, at a second
or third rate boarding house, but somehow
before he left her he had her address, she
didn't know how.
An evening or two after that he came and
then be grew to be such a good friend-so
kind and thoughtiul-she unconsciously
looked to him for all her enjoyment. What
wonder she lelt like stricken deer when
Emily Phelps the mischieyous daughter Of
a manoeuyring mother, came rushing into
her room with
"Haye you heard the news? What do
you think, Miss Rose, of Paul Raynor being
engaged"
The treaeherous blood mantled her nee.
"What-no-what do you meauY
hayn't heard"
This was the moment of triumph for the
malicious girl. She had seen Paul Rsynor
going in and coming cut with Rose. She
had endeavorsd 10 faseinate him, but he bad
refused to be yictimized spitefally she had
resented IL, and now she glogiei In ,hil me-