The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-15

was dancing with Miss Flo. Even in
that heeting moment saw how tenderly
his strong arm clasped ber--how proud
ly his handsome eyes looked down upon
ber--how flushed with happiness was
her own face, half hidden on bis broad
shouldersi and my heart gave glad, ex-
ultant leap that so joyous future was
assured her.
I we'll knew what was the unexpressed
family wish, for young Mr. Esrle's estates
Joined our Own. They were unfettered,
unencumbered, and in every way splen-
did patrimony.
had turned away from this fleeting
glimpse among the great folks, my old
brain filled with idle dreams of the fu-
ture, when my eyes chanced to fall upon
one who, like myself, was engrossed in
the animated scene beyond us. 1t was
Miss Flo's friend, but, oh, how chaneedl
The mask had fallen from her beauti-
fnl face, The great black eyes fairly
scintillatiug with suppressed feeling we're
fixed upon the two who moved in such
perfect harmony with the music. A drop
of blood was on her scarlet lip, where
her little white teeth bad rested. One
small hand was involuntarily clenched.
Her mouth moved, but no sound issued
from it.
stood transhxed, GOLD bhivef run
ming through me. 1t was this fury, whom
Miss Flo, gentle and unconscious, re-
gnrded MS her dearest friend
OF what stuff might be made her dear
est foe7 l remembered then the look
had seen these same eyes fix upon the
jewels. Was she enyious of my young
lady's fortune? What danger might not
threaten her through this beautiful pam
theressp Aud yet how dared I, a hum
bic servant, utter word Of warming?
Even with these thoughts passing in
quick succession through my mind. there
was SO sudden and instantaneous
change swept over Miss Revere's ex-
preston that l could scarce recall the
other except as the result of some hid
eous coniuring of my own fancy.
Miss Flo was coming toward her, lean.
ing on Mr.. Earle's arm.
returned to my duties with heavy
heart. 1 felt shadow of i'll was pend
ing over us, yet 1 almost forgot it next
day when my young lady's formal en-
gagement to Mr.. Earle was announced.
So loved and protected what possible
harm could come to hef, even through a
womsn's malice?
Ah, my unspoken question remained
not long unanswered 1t bad been all
too natural for those two yonug hearts to
flow toward each other, obeying the life
impulse of both, They had loved each
other as children they knew each other
as though the bond of brotherhood and
sisterhood united them; their memories
circled around the same spot, were haunt
ed by the same objects.
1t WAS the natural sequence which all
had anticipated. Therefore. save Mr..
Earle was with US more constantly than
of old, and that there was a new flush
on Miss Flo's cheek, softer, a tenderer
light in her blue eyes, it was hard to
realize any change. But one was pend
ing less difficult Of realization. The low
ers had constant companion in the per-
son of my young lady's friend At first
MIR. Earle seemed to dislike her; but
Miss Flo's sweet influence and his own
courtesy led him first to conceal this, and
later TO overcome it.
Mics Flo's sweet Influence and his own
courtesy, have said; but there was
more potent reason still in Miss Revere's
marvellous fascination. There was not
one in the whole household it escaped
save myself, and even had to pull my.
self up MANY times with a sharp turn
least l, too, should be blinded by its
glamour. But it was not my old eyes
with which she had to deal.
, Miss Flo, oil trusting and unsuspici
Gus, threw the two she loved constantly
together.
"You must like each other for my
sake" she would say.
Is danger ever SO threatening as wher
t it falls on those who dream not il is Z as.r
The sorceress had the young master
: tightly in her coil ere lie dreamed thai
even silken thread had enfetied him
| He struggled then to be free. The ful
horror of it all overwhelmed him; III
grew pale end haggared-eyed.
But tighter and tighter she drew tn,
bonds and, like bird fascinated by til,
magic influence of her sway.
S Sometimes she would flash suddeI
bewildering smile into his eyes; some
times she would assume pensive coy
nessi sometimes a strange thrill of pas
: sionate grief would seem to sway her.
One of her most wonderful attractions
| was her voice. Even in speaking, on,
2 seemed to listen to low music, but il
i singing it ranged the gamut OF human
D emotion.
One evening-it was in the twilight
o Miss Flo and Mr.. Earle were sitting 10
4 gether, on the broad piazza outside tn,
: long French windows leading into tn,
! drawing room, when just within, from tht
t music-room beyond, arose the words o
e an impassioned song.
!, From the dining-room across the hall
G l could hear the measure, in its wonder
y ful melody; and knew that she who SAM
d 1t was singing to but one, who coul'
It not be dead to the appeal the words con
l veyed.
e Higher and higher rose the exquisit
e voice, trembling with its weight Of pas
sion; and he for whose ear alone it wa
g intended, sat without, girls fair han,
+ olasped in his-a girls fair head restin