The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-12-24
the door was opened and closed, and be
was gone.


was gone.
1.
"WhRt time Louis has staid r. mur-
INJURED Mrs. Grey, as Mabel entered her
room later. "And here's Harry fretting
because l can't hold him in my lap. My
head is very bad this afternoon, dear.
Can't you keep the little fellow quiet1"
The six year old boy climbed into the
arms which we're never too tired to hold
him, and presently forgot tho pain in his
crippled limbs as his cousin sang to him
sang while she thought her very heart
was breaking.
"Such comfort as you are, dear
niece" resumed Auntie, few minutes
later, "What should 1 do without you
Louis doesn't want to hasten your mar
rage, hopei it would kill me to part
with you"
Mabel stiAed back a sigh.
DO not be troubled, auntie mine, +"
she said, cheerily. I'm not going to
leave you just yet"
"You look doleful about the face, dear
child, in spite of your words and the
smile. Oh, Mabel, has anything gone
wrong with your" H
Il found my manuscript returned,
auntie. when l came home to-day, Just
before Louis called. Isn't it enough TO
make one doleful to receive her rejected
brain labors as frequently as l do.
"How strange that editors cannot see
the merit of your writingsr complained
auntie, who thought her neice the per-
sonifcation of all things great and clever.
Mabel smiled. t
Because there is no merit to be seen,
presume, auntie, dear" she replied
Il must try, try again; but, meanwhile
/ would have been glad if my manuscript
had been acceptable just now, when l
need money so much. There's the doc
tors bill, you know. don't like to owe
cent, but Harry must have attention so
frequently. Oh, dear it is hard times
for US, auntie, but we will hope for the
best"
christmas is coming, too, and what a
slim purse have for my boy this yearl''
Auntie sighed heavily as she ceased
speaking, and Harry, gone fast asleep,
was laid down from the loving arms
which had held him; and then at last,
little by little, as the shadows gathered
closely about the two who sat before the
fire, Mabel told the sad story of herself
aud lover.
There were tears. of course, and words
of sympathy and love from auntie. Ma
bel withheld as much as she corld of her
lovers fault, and smoothed over for him
all she was obliged to relate; but auntie
guessed all the selishness, and loved her
niece the more.
Time passed, November gave place to
December. and the days fast rolling them
selves into weeks brought the Christmas
time near at hand. a.aIts ~,
All this long time no word had come
to Louis from Mabel Anthony. as he had
confidently believed would be the case
ere even one week had passed. 7r'
He had passed her house many an eve.
ming, even going up the stoop for q
glimpse of the familiar parlor wherein he
had passed his twilight hours with Ma.
bel SO very often on his way from his
Office.
He had seen her, all Unconscious of his
watching, sitting before the low CRATE,
the child Harry in her arms, and the fire.
light lighting iuto distiuctness the fair.
sweet face he loved.
How often had his impuisive hand
touched the bell with the thought: "I
WILL go in 1 will confess myself in the
wrong r. ..p-..
But before the bell was pulled would
come the foolish pride and its thought
mo; If I yield she will never respect me
again. Patience Mabel will send for
me soon." 'tt- .s .
SO the Tins had gone by, until at last
Louis had left the city on some business
matter not to be interfered with by love
or love affairs, and some weeks passed
ere he returned. 3ittl,li. Mn
Then it wanted but week before
Christmas time, and the longing for q
sight of Mabel bad increased tenfold.
II am stronger this morning, suntie,
and will sit quietly before the parlor fire
while you are at church."
The glad Christmas morning had dawn.
ed at last, and Mabel. recovering from q
severe illness, which for two weeks pas
had pTostrattd her, was assisted down
stairs by her aunt, who was unwilling L
leave her dear invalid.
you're quite sure you will be com
Portable, dear child ?" asked Mrs. Grey
DO smile, dear, and let me know tha
you are happy"
Mabel readily smiled at her anxious
aunt's request, as she replied;
n I'm happy, annie. oughtnt to
be, after this good change In my fortune7'
holding up an envelope which contained
a check for some manuscript. at last 40
oepted, with also the request that Mis-
Anthony would kindly favor the editor
again" .r.r- .
She and Harry lauehlngly called it q
Christmas gift. and Mabel added with
a laugh, ''at any rate, it is the only pres
ent expect, and mors, dare say. thar
deserve; so we'll make the most of it,
won't We, Harry, and maybe better times
will come by.and-by."
So, finally, Mrs. Grey departed for the
Christmas service at - Church, ,leav.
ing Harry to amuse his cousin, and take
care OF her.