The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-02-18

huu 50 you expect clarence always to
be the same devoted lover, MildredP" said
the bosom friend; "you had better get
rid of that faucy, dear. for I've never
seen 1t yet in married life."
Il can trust Clarence" she replied ;
''he is such a noble character"
He is seven years older than you, Mil.
dred wonder il you are his first lover"
Mildred's eyes dropped, and the first
drop of supicion was distilled into the
young heart.
~ have heard little romance" Ida
continued, about him and his cousin
Lucy Douglass--did he never speak to
you about herr"
Never particularly, Ida; l know that
he has such a cousin, but he has never
told me how beautiful she is"
II don't like that. Mildred; she is a
perfect beauty, they say, and the two
were brought up together in their Aunt
Leonard's family. should think that
he would have told you all about his
young days"
Just then the bell rang and the SER
want announced Mr.. Ruskin.
go down. Mildred" said Ida, II
know that you prefer his company to
mine. and have charming book that
want to finish"
Mildred could scarcely analyze her
feelings as she walked slowly down stairs
TO meet her lover, for she had always hur-
ried with bounding steps before. =
She did not believe one word of what
Ida had hinted, but she wished she had
not heard the foolish story.
Notwithstanding, her manner was rath .
er cold; but she did not mean to be so,
and Clarence noticed it,
"What ails you, darlingi" he asked.
II don't know, Clarencej believe I'm
not very WE'LL that's all. "
Then they chatted while, but not as
formerly, and Clarence, unrolling piece
of music, asked Mil red to try it.
1t was lovely song, and she sang it
swoetly, to please Clarence,
At last the constraint wore off, and
under the power of Clarence Ruskin fas-
oiuations, Mildred was herself again.
He stayed later than usual, and when
she returned to her bosom friend, Ida re-
marked:
"You must have had delightful eve
ming, Mildred, for it is nearly eleven o.
clock.
ut was pleasant, Idaj but wonder if
had not better say something to Clar-
epce about his cousin2"
"Nonsense, child!" was the reply. che
wouldn't tell you the truth. for I don't
believe that he has lived to. be nearly
thirty without a love affair. You had bet
Ter be contented, Mildred; perhaps you
wouldn't like to hear more"
The story ranked. however, and she
made the great mistake of concealing
from her intended husband these foolish
runners.
Every now and then Ida dropped her
imprudent words concerning this cousin,
and Mildred wished that she knew what
was really the truth.
She did not know how soon she was to
be brought face to face with this imAgin-
nry rival.
One evening Clarence came with the
intelligence that Lucy Douglass was com.
ing to pay a visit to friend in New York.
Il wish that you knew her, Mildred,
he said; "she is one of the sweetest girls
that ever knew, rave one, and know
that you will learn to love her."
you have never said much about her,
Clarence" !" was the reply.
THAT is true. dear; / have been SC
much engr ssed with my own darling,
that / almost forgot my cousin Lucy.
We were brought up together, and passed
our young days in the same house."
''Is she beautiful, Clarencrf"
Perfectly lovely" was the reply.
accomplished, too9"
Yes: no pains have been spared tc
polish the sweet girl"
"And good, too, Clarepce?"
Eyes, Mildred-truly excellent"
II wonder how you withstood all these
attractions, Clarence, being in the sam,
hou e, too"
Nonsense, MildredI don't like suct
hints, for Lucy to me is beloved sister.
Forgive me, Clarence" she said; "a
didn't mean to hurt you."
On the following week the youpg lady
arrived and Mildred hastened TO call.
II was all true-for Lucy Douglas,
was lovely, and she saw that there was
strong bond of attachment between th,
TWO cousins.
Clarence wished to make her visi
pleasanti and in all the parties made io
NNA " AoAh auh nolSAt hlAhIeu WAS ca
pected to be one.
Don't you see how be remembers III,
old lover said lila; aud poor Mildred
was tormented still by jealous thoughts.
She saw, too, that there was secre
between the two, for she often surprise,
them talking confidently alone. and saw
that Lucy was troubled about something
that she did not understand.
Bu. Lucy's visit came TO an end. ant
Clarence took her home TO her Aunts
staying several days with the family.
Keeping her thoughts TO herself, Mil
dred was still annoyed, when few trust
ing words could have set all right; bu
Ida was always in the way such an un
wise bosom friend.
The wedding-day at length arrived
and Mildred Percy took the sacred vow
of wife TO Clarence Ruskin.
After short wedding trip, they tool
possession of lovely home, aud Mildred
with such noble husband, might hav,