The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-09-10

But m glnd they aren't going 20 mako
little Miss Bsrbaras pigeons into fric:
assee:"
Three minutes afterward, when little
Ben, the youngest of the family, rushed
whistling out With covered basket; be
was deftly intercepted by the stranger.
Where are you going, Young mar3"
| questioned he in low voice
TO the Widow Nrillees, said Benny;
with note"
Don't 80 there" aaid ihe strange,
800 across the woods TO the hall instead
it is but a few steps further and givc
this card to the oil horse.keeper thcrc:
And hark ye, Tommy"
Benny, sir, please, explained the lad:
"BeDny, then-don let your young
ladies know that you haven't obeyed their
orders, Ill make it all right with them;
and here's silver dollar for you"
Benny darted away, with his fnce ali
smiless and just then up came the old
doctor himself, apologising for having
been so long in finding the dusty old vol;
ume which he carried under his arm.
"But I always lose track of time when
1 get among my books. said he.
Barbara had just come downstairs. af.
ter hurried toilet, which had added d
pink ribbon how to her dress and a cream
colored rose to the heavy black braidS Of
her hair, when she found Liseite In the
little dining room.
Barbara, cried Lisette. 'just look
here Is it enchantment that has been
ct work ?"
For upon the table was spread col:
lation of cold boiled ham, sardines glist:
ening with their fragrant oil, chicken
salad, iced sponge cake, white grapes
and strawberries as large as lady apples.
And slender roll of French bread was
cut in slices on a napkin in the center of
the board, while half a dozen pates dc
foie gras, in their little metallic cans,
stood opposite.
Benny's big eyes, watching them from
behind the lilac bush that shaded the
window, grew preternaturally bright as
he noted their amazement; and at the
sans moment the doctor shuffied in, all
unconscious of his carpet slippers and
carelessly buttoned dressing gown, aud
ushered his guest into the presence of his
daughters.
Here's Mr.. Dulcimer, Lisette," said
he, Barbara, little girl here's our
neighbcr, the young squire. Dulcimer.;
let me present you to my girls Blonde
and Brunette, as we sometimes call 'en9
ha, ha, ha'Y'
And in the midst OF their consierna
ton and perplexity, Lisette and Barbara
were obliged to assume the part of gra-
cious and undistuTbed young hostesses
They all enjoyed their impromp.u
lunch in spite of the mystery that sur
rounded it; and when Mr.. Dulcimer re-:
turned to the hall, they all walked half
way through the woods with him.
"Do you know, Mr.. Dulcimer," said
Barbara, with sparkling eyes. ~ fancied
you naughty aristocrat, who wouldn't
notice his humble neighbors at all r.
"I hope you are disabused of the idea
now, said the young squire, smiling.
lob, entirely !" said Lisette.
"knd, believe me, said Mr.. Dulcimeri
holding Barbara's slim, brown hand In
his a second or SO longer than was abso.
iutely necessary, al should never have
forgiven myself, if through any law of
stern necessity, I had eaten up your White
doves in the shape of fricassee."
And he disappeared into the woods.
leaving Barbara and Lisette looking with
amazement into one anothers eyes.
"Lisette - cried Barbara, breathless-
ly sis it possible that he could have
heard what we said ?"
"He certainly has," Lisette made ans
wer, with comic gesture of despair.
And then Benny was called into tho
witness box, and made to own up that
the elegant luncheon came direct from
Dulcimer Hall, and things seemed worse
than ever.
ave are rightly punished" said Bar
oara, bursting into tears "for our inhos@
pitality. And never-never shall for
give either myself or Mr.. Dulcimer !"
But she did. She forgave both the
criminals before the young moon, now
hanging over the hills like thread Of
silver, had widened into its full shield OF
luminous pearl.
1--WE are friends" she smilingly ac-
knowledged, to Mr.. Dulcimer.
80 far so good. said the young squire.
"But mSy | not hope that one day ws
may bo something more ?"
And Barbara blushed celestial red, and
said "she did not know"
So Mr.. Dulcimer leaves the solution Of
that problem to time. But il is more
than probable that the question will be
settled to suit him.