The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-01-01

sweetheart and allowed himself to DO bound
in silkcn fetters by an exceedingly clever
young woman.
He dare not tell Nellie, whom he still
really loved, that he had all but plightod
himself TO another; that, laithless to his
vows, lac had allowed himself to dritt into
the current that led to maelstrom which
was to swallow up his honor his manhood.
He longed to break with either, but not
with both The chains that bound him
were too solid to wrench away more than
one set Of links. Which should he renounce,
his old love or his new2
On the one hand was the passionate love
Of pure, trusting girl, who loved him with
her very soul. On tile other, The seductive
charms Of woman who knew him so as to
attune every note to the proper key, and who
artfully played upon the whole gamut of the
yielding mans weaknesses
The torture became uncomfortable. How
ard could no longer bear it, and one gray
dawn--he had paced The roadway oil night
he resolved upon seeking safety in flight.
He fled.
The blow descended upon Nelles head
with terrible, awful weight. II crushed her.
For many months the llghtof reason ceased
to burn, and the unfortunate girl moped her
young life away William Allen, at this
piteous sight turned almost to stone. He
had no word for mortal man or womdn. He
remained silent and absorbed, and the vii
layers learned to respect his silence as the
outcome of his ghastly sorrow.
BY degrees Nellie returned to light and
life, but wretched. She endeavored to take
an interest III her father, in her surround
ings, and made bold effort to do her duty,
but the failure was horrible and the girls
LII -. g1, L.,
rible pressure. A few months and she was
unable TO leave her bed and il is at this
crisis in her existence that my story opens.
- ~
Doctor Blyther, hoping against hope, stood
manfully by his patient, and learning that
the "Nancy Lee" had arrived at Bedford,
sent dispatch to Alfred Howard, if he was
still amongst the crew, 10 hurry to Home
dale "ior life and death"
"Hou are just in time" painted the doctor,
as he erased the young sailors hard hand.
"Nellie Allen is dying for love Of you. A
few hours more and her heart was broken,
whether you love here not you must come
and see her"
"Gocd Godi but DO love her; I always
loved her; | love her now ten thousand
times more than ever did"
"Come along, then, AL; always said you
were an honest chap, and Al-tho widow,
Mrs. Irwin"
"Don't speak of her" said Howard stern,
ly.
As the physician opened the door, Allen
was seated by the bedside of hischld, hold
ing the white, waXen fingers In his.
"You are not wanted" he said, without
turning his head; "she's gone"
The doctor sprang to the bedside, eagerly
caught her wrists-eagerly placed his hand
over her heart.
elixir with me that will bring her TO life"
Allen wearly shook his head,
Doctor Blyther administered few drops
of brandy to the girl, and then exclaimed
Nellie, have good news for you"
The girl raised her heavy lids and gazed
at him.
every good news, capital news, the best of
news.
The girl clutched his hand.
"What is it ?" she murmured.
dts about AL Howard"
"I know. Speak !"
"IIe's on his way home. He's in New
Bedford hes in New York-he's-"
"In Homedale ?"
eyes; but be calm, my child, be calm"
81 am calm."
Giles true to you-always was true"
The girl closed her eyes, pressed her
hands to her forehead and murmured:
"Can this be true?"
Allen said never word, but watched the
doctors lips as if to trace the words coming
from them.
at is true. He's coming soon to see
you"
ooh, now, NOW p exclaimed Nellie, a great
joy Illuminating her face.
"Al l!-say, Al, come ~ shouted the doctor,
The young man bounded into the room.
Three months from that date, and Nellie
Allen became Nellie Howard
William Allen is an altered man, and
gossips at Joe Littsom's like the best of them.
lie is usually occupied by one or more Of
his curly headed grandsons.
ANY day you are passing through Home
dale, observe the bright frame house on the
right hand as you pass out of the village.
1t is surrounded by large garden, and is
the very embodiment of cleanliness and
comfort. That is the residence of Mr.. and
Mrs. Howard.