The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-02-28

knew what might happen.
"Shell never ruin her dear grandpa" i"
sobbed grandma.
All, it was hard to bear-bitter hardi but
now there was no help from it. took the
ring from my bosom and laid it on my palm,
and told them it was Evan Locke's, and /
had plghted my troth to him. And grand
ma called me deceitful wench, and grand
father looked as though his heart would
break.
That night kissed the ring and prayed
Heaven that he might love me always. In
the morning it was gone, ribbon and all,
from my neck. looked for it high and
low, but found no sign of it. And be-
gan to fear the loss Of that dear ring was a
sign that would never marry Evan Locke.
The days passed on and he never came near
me.
ooh, it is cruel of him." I thought, "to
hold sich anger for hasty word he had
provoked. When spoke it he must have
known loved him so."
And grandma would scarcely look al me
now, and grandpa sighed and mourned and
talked of the work. house, And l thought
should die of grief among them.
One day grandma says, "it seems that
your sweetheart is not over fond of you or
over anxious to sec you,"
"Why not ?" said I.
"Where has he been this month back?"
"Busy, doubtless" said l, with smile,
though thought my heart would burst.
"Perhaps you know all about it," said
grandma, "you are going with him, may
be-"
"Where 7" said 1.
She went to the door and betkoned wo-
man who sat there-Dame Coombs-who
had come over with eggs
"I heard you rightly?" she said. "You
told me Evan Locke and his mother were
making ready fot voyage"
"They are going to Canada. My son; a
carpenter, and a good one, though l say it,
made the doctor box for his things. The
old lady breads the new country, but she
goes for the doctors sake. There's money
to made there, they say. That's what takes
him."
~ told you So" said grandma.
~ don't believe it, said l.
"They've sold the house and gone to Liv-
erpool to take ship; and you may find the
truth yourself if you choose to take the trou-
ble," said Dame Cootnb5. "I'm no chatter
box to tell falsehoods about my neighbors.
And she went away in wrath.
And still would not believe it until l
had walked across the moor and had seen
the shutters fast closed and the doors barred
and not sign of life about the place. Then
gave up hope, went home all pale and
trembling, and sat down at grandmother
knee.
"tt's true" said /.
"And for the sake of a false lad you'll SEQ
your grandfather ruined and break his
heart, and leave me, that have nursed you
from a babe, a widow"
looked at her as she sobbed, and found
strength to say
"Give me whoth you will, then, since my
own love does not want me-"
And then l crept up stairs and sat down
on my bedside, weak as though had faint
ed. would have thanked Heaven for for
getfulness just then, but it wouldn't come.
The next day Squire Turner was in the
parlor as my accepted lover. How pleased
he was, and how the color came back tc
grandfather's old face. And granny grew
so proud and kind, and all the house was
aglow and only l sad. But couldn't for
get Evan-Evau whom loved so-sailing
away from me without word.
I suppose they all saw looked sad. The
Squire talked of my health, and would
make me ride with him over the moors fol
strength,
The old FOLKS said nothing. They knew
what allied me only our little Scotch maid
seemed to think there was aught wrong
Once she said to me;
"What ails ye, MISSY Your eye is dull
and your cheek pale, and your Draw grand
lover canna make ye smile Ye are ma that
i'll, either" t.. ..u
"No, l am well enough" said l.
She looked at me wistfully.
"Gin ye'd tell me your all, might tell
ye a cure" she said.
But there was no cure for me in this lone
world, and | couldn't open my heart to sim
pie Jennie.
The days rolled by and was close on my
marriage eve, aud granny and Dorothy
Plume were busy with my wedding robes.
l wished it was my shroud they were work
ing at instead.
And one night the pain in my heart grew
too great, and went out among the purple
heather on the moor and there knelt down
under the stars and prayed to be taken from
the world. "For how can 1 live without
Evan % asked.
Ispoks the words aloud, and then started
up III dAlilSutg ioi NuolS Nv my bluc Nub an
elhsh little figure, and l heard cry that al
first scarcely Thought earthly. Yet it was
but Scotch Jennie, who had followed me.
"Why do you call for your love now 2"she
said. aye sent him frae ye for sake O. the
young Squire"
"How dare you follow me ?"
But she caught my sleeve.
''Dinna be vexed," /" she said. 'Just bide q
wee, an answer what speer. It's for love o.
YOU for I've seen ye waste like the snae
wreath in the sun since the Squire wooed ye
Was it your will that the lad that loved th,
ground ye trod on should have his rinl
again2"
"What do you mean ?" said I.
"I'll speak gin lose my place" sdid Jen
ny. al rode with the mistress to young DR.
Locke's place past the moor, and there sh,
lighted and gave him a ring, and what sh,
said know not, but it turned him the tin
O. death and said he, There's nae drop o
true bluid in a woman, gin she is false An
he turned TO the wall an covered his eyes
an your granny rode home. There, tits al