The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-02
HHE PERILQ BRIDGE,


that. Sky threatenng-a regular storm
brewing-one could see that at glance.
She stood, all flushed and excited, in the
curtained bay window, her fair face cloud
ed. her blue eyes flashing, her breath COM
ing quick and fast.
He stood at her side, stern and pale, his
hands clenched exeitedly, his dark eyes full
Of mingled sorrow and passion.
"Alliep
John Ansleigh's voice was low and in
tense with feeling.
at is all your fault, remember" he went
on with an effort Of calmness. al have only
requested you kindly and geutly-and a.
your betrothed husband, surely have some
right-to desist from the foolish flirtations.
Why, Allie, you were flirting last night with
that Mr.. Mayne, whom public opinion pro-
nounces a-a-I can't tell you, only that he
is not proper company foryou. my darling"
Johns voice lost its angry tone, and grew
very gentle and tender. "You know that
this would not trouble me SO ifyou were not
denrer to me than my own life. Say you
are not angry with me, sweetheart7"
DR.. John Ansleigh bent his handsome
head, and his dark eyes gazed into Allies
blue ouesa
But the little lady was in contrary mood
that morning. She felt like anything but
meek submission to the will Of her lover,
even though she knew that all that he had
said was true, and prompted BY his loye and
care for her.
Allie Ray was an orphan, and an beiress
too, just released from the restrictions OF
boarding school life. She had lost both her
parents in infancy, and had passed the
eighteen years Of her life under the care Of
hirelings, and later, at fashionable school.
And, pure as flower, she had grown up
amidst weeds.
She bad been belroihed to DR.. Ansleigh
for nearly year, and was now under his
mothers care, passing a few weeks at a
watering place.
Society pronounced Allie heartless dirt
but she was merely thoughtless, careless
girl, plunging headlong into the unaccustom-
ed gaieties about her with all her heart.
Surrounded by scores of admirers, no won
der her head was nearly turned with ad-
miration and hattery.
John Ansleigh's words had touched her
pride. Did he then imagine that, because
sho was careless and happy, that she was
shallow aud silly, and needed a guiding
band?
She mentally resolved to cut Mr.. Mayne's
acquaintance that very day but then John
should not have the satisfaction of thinking
that bis words had instlgated the step. John
had no confidence in her love, she told her.
self. Well, let him think as he pleased.
All the girls defiant spirit was in arms
and when John, at last, fearing that he had
wounded her sensitive nature, attempted tc
set matters right between them, no wsr
stricken dumb with amazement as she turn.
ed upon him face that was white and angry
her blue eyes fairly scintillating,
you've said enodgh, John Ansleigh r
she cried, passionately. "I can see now the
the mistake have made. We were
never intended for each other; we are mol
suited. You want wife that will obey you
like a puppet-a woman with no will ol
mind of her own "a perfect 'Griselda. And
| can never submit TO tyranny in any form
The man love must trust me and since
you have ceased to do that,we are best apart
l give you back your freedom"
"Allie, stop"
DR.. Ansleigh was white as a statue.
"Do you mean what you sayY You de-
not love me then, Allie ?"
The girl was thoroughly aroused now, ,ant
regardless OF consequences.
"Noi" she cried, msdly, al DO not Low,
you any morer'
She dashed aside the heavy curtains tha
draped the bay window, and was gone. Anc
| just then a man arose from the lounginl
chair beside the window, where she haC
been ostensibly reading, and sauntered slow
/ ly away.
II was Mr. Mayne, and there was a curl
Gus smile on his sensual lips aud an cyl
light in bis gray eyes.
"Listeners hear no good of themselves, :
he muttered. "WeIl, maybe not but a
any rate, know which card to play next
Piqued and angry at Ansleigh, the beauty
will turn to me. III play the heart broker
lover, step in before her anger against th,
handsome doctor has time to cool, 'strik,
while the iron is hot aud Pm mistaken !
I'm not engaged to Allie Ray and her 6ty
thousand dollars before the sun sets ~
"The best made schemes O. mieo aud mel
gang aft sgleep
Blu. Mr.. Msyne had forgotten that
For long time John sat in the bay win
dow, his head bowed, staring his misery il
the face, Could it 10 trasf Allie love.