The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-09
straight, black brows and keen, kindly eye,


SO slightly as be saw the pretty, girlish face
before him, as serene and dignifed in its
grave, business-like conposure as though
its owner were eight-and-ffty instead Of
eight and-ten.
when will you look at the place, Miss"
"Rayner /" supplemented Viva.
"Miss Rayner. Shall we say tomorrow
at one7"
cat two, IL as convenient"
"CertainlY. Two, if preferable"
Then be held the door open as courteous
ly as though she wore sealskin and dia-
monds, while with quiet grace she bowed
slightly and passed from the room.
Aud Clifford Chandos went slowly back to
his chair, softer light in his eyes, and act
ually for once in his life forgot to relight his
cigar.
The day came at last when from the stuffy
city house, the Rayners moved to the pret-
ty, roomy, raftered cottage, where honey.
suckle and wild roses struggled at their own
sweet will over roof and porch.
And Viva, coming home from the dusty
city three evenings in the week, pale and
tired, frightened and laughed her own low,
happy laugh at the sight of ber mothers
face-grown young again-at the window,
at Dick and Jessie's boisterous laughter.
1t wss curious all the repairing that cot
tage needed after they moved in. 1t was
more curious that their quiet, handsome
landlord should insist on supervising it all
himself
He grew into their simple lives in those
days. Mrs. Rayner came TO think the CHEEKY
voice better than any pedicine,the children
TO shout Justify at sighg of him, and Viva to
listen for the sound of his firm fCotstep on
the garden path.
One evening, when the soft May wind
was swaying the 'lody-fngers," as the chill
dren call them, over the door. Viva snatch
ed up her hat and stroled down to the pret-
ty rustic gate.
Just a little more tired than usual after a
desperate struggle to teach an irritably OBJ
tuse pupil the mysteries of crotchets and
quayers and demi-semiquayers.
She stood there, fair, girlish figure in
her soft white dress, great bunch of blue
meadow violets at her slender throat and
waist. The scented wind gently loosened
tho dark-brown hair and blew a ftful drift
OF rose-Joom iuto the pure, pale face.
Very rrettyS
Well, Clifford Chahdos thought SO, at all
events, as he came along the uneven coun-
try road with his light, firm football.
"Good evening, Miss Rayneri'
She turned suddenly, the laint flush deep
ening to carnaton.
"Good evening, Mr.. Chandosl"
think person can give one very toll
cradle shake hands without holding ones
fingers quite a minute. But apparently
Mr.. Chandos thought differently.
"Miss Rayner, will you come for walk
just little way down the road There
is a show place there should like to have
you see."
He asked pleadingly, hurriedly, as though
fearful of a refusal.
"Is it farP"
"Eo," eagerly "quite near. Besides Mis-
Viva, have something to tell yOu--or
rather, ask YOU"
They were already strolling slowly on
She paused and looked up in vague alarm.
ITO ask Inc, Mr.. ChandosP"
"Y,s. Viva, want to ask you to leav,
Rose cottage"
Was he mad2
"To leave Rose cOttage!" she repeated
blantly.
She stopped short, and looked up at hin
With brown, bewildered eyes.
care you not satisfied with US as tenants
What will mamma say 2"
~ did not ask your mother to leave Ros
cottage"-and his voice was trembling ant
low-"I asked you!"
"Me? Why, Mr.. Chandos--"
She broke of abruptly es she saw the lool
in the eyes Of the man regarding her. Sucl
a look as would make more successful WOO
ers in the world to day--a look Of passion
ate love and resolute determination 10 hav
her in spite of herself.
, "VIva, my darling-my darling" b
cried, all the mischief in his voice swep
away in his fiery earnestness, won't yol
understand love you very dearly, Viva
and want you for my wife t''
ayes Il understand" she said, simply.
= 81 am not rich man, dear, but woul
give my'lifs to make you harpyi"
She booked up at him with bright, out
shining eyes, and though her checks fame
hotly, shs said, in her gentle, straightlor
ward, girlsh way:
81 would be honored 10 be your wife we.
you penniless, Mr.. Chandos"
2 "Mr. Chandos I" sternly. "Littls wifi
say Clifford 3"
And, her hand In his, she said Il, simply
4 "Clifiurd I"
In short time they paused before ma.
l sive entrance gate and pretty gothic lodge.
: "This is the great place of the neighboi
hood, Viva. Shall We go up and look Q
it?"
u They paused at the great stone steps of a
u ideal country seat, stretching, verandahec
. portiooed, with huge stone lions on guard 4
. the door.
"Come in, deari" holding out his han
9 with a curious smile.
II "Bu. the owner?"
al go with bis permission"
Then, passing the servant at the door, b
led her through rooms where the might
touch of Midas was softened and made pei
feet by the mightier touch of taste. ThR
a conservatory where birds and flowers wei
drowsily falling asleep, and mar bic statuL'
j.. CLEANED pa'elY forth from tropical, dusk
hooks.
7" nT,,s n hsndao,nn rIana Jaar ;.pJk "A .