The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-18
pretty contour of the small, bent head,
nd the slender, well kept fingers.

Wpll KCDU U0geTS,
An irresistible desire seized him to
make her look up. Bending down, he
stretched out his hand, and suddenly
how it happened no one could tell-his
hand was caught in the machinery. In
an instant all was confusion; in an in
Slant the works were stopped, the
wounded member extricated, but all
bruised and bleeding.
Eleanor's fingers bound up the lacer-
ated hand in her own small handker-
chief, the master thanking her cour-
teously; then he drove away in his fine
carriage, and did not come to the mill
for several days.
Some time after the mill operatives
had half-holiday. Mr.. Falconer, rid
ing slowly through the woods near his
house, noticed the futter of woman's
dress, rode closer, and saw the outline
of a figure; then galloping to the stables,
left his horse, and walked RAPIDLY in
the direction of the light dress.
Nor was he mistaken. Under the
shade of wideSpreading tree, her hat
off, her lap full of early wild flowers,
the sunlight falling through the leaves
on her bonny brown hair, sat Eleanor
Eliot. A small boy, about two years
old, lay with his head in her lap, laugh
ing and throwing his legs about pro-
miscus," while she pelted him with the
blossoms.
"Ohw she cried, kissing him, "you
dear, good little man, what a comfort
you are to me-"
The leaves rustled, and Mr.. Falconer
came into view. The girl put the child
off her lap, and rose to her feet.
Don't let Inc disturb you," he said.
You made pretty picture in the sun
light, you two. This is the first time
have seen you since my accident. Let
me thank you for your promptness that
day. have your little handkerchief
yet," with an infection in his voice that
was new to Nora and that did not please
her. How could she guess that her
winsome eyes and coldness had piqued
and interested the master as none of the
willing advances of fair and wealthy
neighbors had donep
He was surfeited with hattery. Nora's
GOODNESS was welcome stimuiant-ay,
more welcome than even he knew him
self.
You are perfectly welcome to any
thing l did," she replied, coldly. Then
there was a silence.
"Who is that childP" asked Mr.. Fal-
coner, feeling rather snubbed, making a
motion to pat the little fellows head {;
but he shrank away, hiding his face in
Nora's dress.
"His name is Willie Marshall" an
swered Nora, quickly. "His father is
the man you horsewhipped and dis
charged some months ago, and since
then he has never done a days work
can't get it to do. The whole family
are living in one room, almost starving.
Many night this poor little creature
has. gone to bed hungry. Can you
realize what it means to be hungry
starving you, who have so much, who
have never known want or the SEM
blance of a wantp Oh, Mr.. Falconer,
where God gives so much he surely will
require much! You will have to an
swer for a great deal one of these days.
Your men, with their wives and chill
dren, are living in novels that you
would not let your dogs occupy. Those
novels are yours; they are paying you
rent for them. The ventilation is
wretched, the drainage is simply mur-
derous. Some day fever will, must
come, and many souls will be hurried
into eternity, and you will have to
answer for them all. Oh, surely, rich
mems hearts are like neither mill
stonesm
Her face was flushed, her eyes were
shining with unshed tears; she looked
lovely. Mr.. Falconer drew closer.
Tell me what to do" he said, SIM
ply, trying to keep down a great rush OF
feeling. "What shall l do for Mar
shall? How can l help himP Tell
me-"
"Repair the injustice you did!" cried
Nora, eagerly, drawing q little back.
Give him employment, at once, before
he is quite mad with his misery before
the brave mothers heart is broken, and
the poor little children entirely forget
the taste of decent food. Pray, do it,
Mr.. Falconer, you owe it to them"
Gilbert came swiftly close to her, his
hands outstretched, his eyes bright, Il
ft cling stronger than himself-a feeling
he did not stop TO analyze-urging him
on.
:" will, Nora, he cried eagerly" l
will without fail tomorrow. Now ask
me something more, my darling.
would do much more than that for
YOU"
He caught her hands tight in his. In
an instant Nora wrested them away.
:" How dare youP" she cried, in Blaze
of anger. "How dare you touch me ?
Go away, Oh, you are a had man. l
hate you"
"Don't be so unkind to me. Nora. ~
he pleaded. unabashed. Indeed, / am
in earnest. 1 do love you. If you
would only listen to me-if you would
only love me little"
"Don't insult me any further" she
cried, stamping her foot. "Love you?
Why, l hate you! hate you! hate you!
There"
"Hate me, do youP" Gilbert's face
was drawn and white. In an instant
his arms were round her, crushing the
slender figure close, while he laid q
warm, passionate kiss on her lips.
Then as he let her go, Now" he said,
hoarsely, forget me if you can, hate
me if you dare. Wherever you go,
through your whole life, you shall never
forget me; that kiss shall lie on your
lips and make you love me-"
Nora was deathly pale.
"You are right" she said, SLOWLY,
with an effort, and, oh. the utter scorn
and contempt in her voice. II shall
never forget you as the most un-
principled, dishonorable man l have
ever had the misfortune to meet, and |
perfectly loath myself because you have
touched me. l hope l may never see
you again" and, catching up the whim-
pering, frightened child, walked rapidly
away.
True to her word, Eleanor did not
meet Mr.. Falconer again, as she left
Brinsley by the afternoon train, going as
quietly as she had come, no one know