The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-07-15

Height has just led ont TO dancer
Miss Leighton, with that short-siRht
edness which characteriz- IS some women
whetted bis curiosity and interest by pre-
tending not to know while had she, will
the cleverness of Mrs. Bugby Smith, said
"a poor young person whom we invit
for the sake of her father, broken -dowi
gentleman" her nephew might, like Mrs
| Smiths son, have been terrified lest hi
susceptible heart be caught, and he lest
to the altar a charming bride with tha
dreadful bugbear, efter the mother-in
law, father-in-law, rs an encumbrauce
But Carol was not on matrimonia
scent, but rather bent on having a pleas
ant evening, and that with the pretties
girl he could find to help him to it, &C
cordingly, when his aunt did not know
he set to work to find some one who did
and succeeded.
THAT charming creature, to be sure
She is Bertha Ashby, the most charming
girl in all K. Your aunt didn't know
her? But, ahl you have to learn, my
dear boy, all the ladies fear her, ant
know, too, not one will be willing to in
troduce you. But come on will, glad
ly." And. locking his arm within that Of
Carol, John Hall led him to his fate
"Miss Ashby, permit Inc to introduce my
friend, Carol Leighton, the nephew OF oui
charming hostess-Mr. Leighton, Miss
Ashby, the lady we all wish to waltz with
so if you crave that honor, shall repent
my kindly Office"
Miss Ashby extended her fingers, dain-
tily touched those of Mr.. leighton, and
smiled as every young LADY in the room
had smiled upon him that evening. Yet
the touch had thrilled him as no other
had done, and the smile charmed him
80 may Hot ask you to wallz?" he
said, with look that invited her per-
mission TO do so.
"Mr. Hall has made it impossible for
me to do so, even if you were to ask, by
putting his name down for the OF " one
that is mine to give" She smiled alike
on both, and went on, Il am so fond OF
dancing l never say no if the partner
is even passable dancerj for, after all
it is all one cares for in dance"
"Rather an equivocal or ambiguous
remark. said Hall. "Am to under
stand that L"
Now Mr.. Hall is begging compli-
ment. You see, Mr. Leighton, taught
him to waltz, and he isl credit to his
teacher; now judge for yourself; this is
our dance" She rose as she spoke, and
gave her hand TO Mr.. Hall. Il shall see
you again, MIR. leighton, so AU nEvo1R!'
And she foated away.
There was nothing in this interview to
lead one TO suppose that Carol Leighton
should have lost his heart to her: but so
it was We would not have prophesied
on that evening that these two who met
81 casually would ever be more to one
ano her; but in less that six months all
X - said, aside, of course, that Carol
leighton was fast laying the way to be
come the support of Mr.. Ashby, and that
the daughter was agreeable 10 it."
These rumors reached Mr. Ashby, and
he smiled a smile of grin satisfaction.
He was naturally man of good temper,
but even his daughter could not under
stand the frown thHt followed his smile,
nor explain why his voice sounded SO
changed when he said,-
"We shall see"
You hear what the world says, Mr..
Leighton" Bertha's father said. when
Carol made his proposal for the hand oi
his daughter; "that you will have me on
your hands. And you know am an &c
centric old fellow-aud would Bertha,
charms, without money, satisfy bott
heart aud pride, when You might have
the rich Miss Brown for the asking?"
Carol flushed; he had heard the un
bridled tongues OF the people, but he die
not know their cruel words had reached
here; but he answered stoutly,-
II have heard. of course, the gossipl
of the town; but they are nothing to ms
nor l to them. love your daughter
and believe she loYes me aud l am SUR
the father of such a daughter, if he b.,
came one OF family, would make tb'
home all the happier. SO don't reius'
me, sir r.
God bless you, Carroll" said Mr.. Ash
by, deeply moved. You are worthy o
Bertha, my boy"
And 10, in spite Of town talk and Mis-
Leishton's cold W, lounie to Eer niece t.
be, and Car Is fathers formal visit aut
congratulations. the preparations for th'
wedding went on, and the two most in
terested were happy aad indifferent TO al
about them,
About six weeLs before the time tixeC
for the wedding, a house which had stoot
empty for upward of y ar was bough
aud renovated, aud costly furniturc amt
up from town to make it more habitsbl'
still. And K said, after p wing will
questions all tue workmen, aud learning
that 1t was TO be the home OF a ueWl ly mar
ried pair, "ihty gu, s., d poor Leighton
would be JEALOUS of the diff reuce--anC
he might have been just as well { fl if h'
had asked Miss Brown" But Leighton
never once regretted it, nor even troubled
himself to ask questions of the new com
ers. lie would have been glad TO tax,
Bertha to such home instead of TO sim
pie lodgings, but she had expressed her
self satisfied. aud so be was. Thus, wher
his father said, "You might have lived ii
Just such house if you had married th'
girl wished you TO, 'Cdrol bad answer
ed, rather bruskly, Il prefer choosing
my own wife, sir; and with the one
have chosen would be happy anywhere.
And so--all was left as il was. and the
] NE liz, 4 ,.saa -