The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-01-07
A HAPPY NEW YEAR,
" Listen, Maud. Listen I"

Listen, Maud. Listen I"
Ernest Bril- sley stood with one hand
upon the shoulder of his beautiful sister
while the other was raised in an attitude
of expectation.
Floating on the still night air-their
clangor softened by the distsnce-for the
old church -steeple was more than mile
away CAME the sweet janglirg of the
bells that we're ringing out farewell to
the oil year that lay dying"
1t was on broad veranda, overlook.
ing a spacious garden, that Maud Brins-
ley and her brother stood on that New
Year's-tve. The air was frosty, but not
breath of wind stirred the leaves of the
laurt l-trees below, while high up in the
sky an almost full moon poured forth n
flood of silvery lustre.
"Listeu!" said Ernest again, in his
deep grave voice. I'm few moments
now the past year, with all its j'ys and
sorrows, will be ended, Will you, Maud,
allow another year to find you still harsh,
unforeiving, and implacabl, =? Beri ard
-"
:, Do not name him!" cried bis sister,
vehemenily, though her voice shook a
little; "Ernest, you plead in vain. can
never-never forgive him"
"Think once again. Remember he is
my friend. Yes, although he has given
you goad cause for your T, sentiment l
call him still my friend. How much he
Geplorcs that one rash act, and all the
consequences that have flow, d from it. 1
know iull well. And, Maud, LIE loves
you-loves You still"
Maud did not attempt to speak when
her brother paused, but she made an inn
patient gesture.
i repeat it, Maud, he loves you still 4;
and incredIlous as you mny be, he has
always loved you. See him once more
let him, with bis own lips, plead for
your forgiveness. 1t will be hard, know,
for you to overlook the pust--I know that
we'll. But the year is dying, Maud; let
your resentment die with it! Let us in
good truth welcome the advent of hap
py New Year,
"No, mol" she said slowly; ait is i'm
possible! We are pa.ted and so we must
remaiur
She shivercd as she spoke.
"Maud, dear ore, yon are cold. Let
me fetch yen another wrap"
81 will not be "A moment" she said,
quitting his side hastily. L can fetch
cloak, and be back again almost di-
rectly."
AS she spoke she fitted through the
half-slass door opening upon the veran-
da, and was lost to sight. It was not the
cold however, that made her shiver, but
the recollections of the past that thronged
upon her; and she hurried off to fetch
the cloak herself, in order that she might
have an opportunity to recover her equa
nim'y, and steel her heart to listen un.
moved to her brothers further pleadings
No sooner had the door closed than
Ernest took sudden step forward, and
leaned over the iron railing of the bal.
cony.
"Bernnrd !" he cried. in suppressed
voice-"Bernsrd r.
At the summons a dusky figure step,
ped ont of the shadow of a clump of laur.
els, where he bad been standing unob,
served, and paused in the gardcn-walk
below.
"You have heard all ?" said Ernest, in
terrogatively.
"All r.
He spoke in deep detection.
''If could plead your own cause said
Ernest, you might have a chance; and
see, fortune fayors you strangely. Come
gently up the steps, and stand here in
my place-here, near this pillar. In The
shadow she will not for a moment notice
the exchange, then will be your oppor-
tunity; make the best you can of it.
Quick quick she comes =
A wild hope spraug up suddenly in the
lovers breast, and influenced by it, he
hurriedly ascended the stone steps. Hard.
ly had hs taken up the requisite position
and Ernest disappeared, ere the door
opened and Maud came forth.
Brief had been her absence. yet Maud
told herself it had been sufficient for her
to conquer the weakness which had as
sailed her, She was calm now-sbe was
sure she was quite calm-though the
palms of her hands were burning and
her eyes aehed.
But she would hear no more upon the
that she was determined.
As she opened the door she looked
across the veranda where she had left her
brother standing, and there OF course she
thought she saw him still.