The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-07-01

| HNAAAN N~NNN-'@N'-'
tirely too attentive for a man already be
trothed, vas soon whispered here anC
there by gossiping tongues. But had
unbounded confidence in him, and never
upbraided him upon the subject, think
he would have snid much more to me or
this, our last evening together, but see.
ing how his words hurt me, he remained
moody and silent for awhile; then. TAX.
ing me tenderlv in his arms, he kissed
me goodnight, and, murmuring some
excuse about leaving me so early, was
gone. never saw him afttrward.
Next morning it was found that he and
the enticing beauty had gone together
whittier, no one knew, net even Freds
parents. who were ovt rcome with grief at
the conduct of their once noble boy. Af-
terward / heard of his marriage and his
mothers death. Then l worked day and
night and tried TO forget my sorrow, aud
two years later Daisy came to cheer my
lonely life.
Bnt sharp tinkling of :be bell stop.
ped my revery, and I fastened into the
shop, where was confronted by gen.
tleman-a rather unusual occurrence
very tall and very broad he was dressed
in q suit of gray, wore gray hat, and
his hair, muStache and long beard were
tinged with gray. He asked fer some
trifie, and, while mixing his selr ction,
watched me narrowly; but he paid for
the article without saying anything fur
ther, and lmssed cut jnst as two or three
other customers come in.
For some time wgs occupied. When
again at leisure, I happened to think of
the stranger-and of Daisy! 1 hastened
to the window to call the child, when
there stood the "gray gentleman" talk
ing pleasantly with her. I called to her
to come in. She obeyed, and the gentle
man followed her closely. l met them
inside the store door.
pardon me, ma'am, but whose child
is this?" inquired the stranger.
1 felt my checks burn painfully, but
promptly replied
"Aline, sir" and, turning to Daisy
whispered; "Run up stairs, dear, until
cal you"
Your child?' he questioned again.
"Yes, sir; just the same rs mine" said
l, trembling violently, and busying my
self about the counter. But you are
stranger to me, and have something to
attend to-" And pointed significantly
toward the door.
''In one moment" he returned, quiet.
ly; "but l must know. Wasn't she left
with you some eight years ago2"
l Was looking steadily into the mans
face; something in his yoica betrayed
him, and now the eyes grew strangely
familiar. reeled forward. and would
have fallen at his feet, 1 do believe, though
l never tainted in my life, had not bis
strong arm we'd me.
Sidney, he whispered, "have grown
so old, ugly and gray, that you have
really and truly forgotten me?"
Yes; it was indeed Fred, come back
again! His wife had eloped with Span
lard, and died ON her voyage to Europe,
less than three years after their marriage.
"And l brought my little motherless
babe aud laid it at the door of the woman
who once loved me, knowing of no other
to whom could trust the wee burden"
explained Fred. 1T may look like
cowardly thing to have done, yet my
motives were pure. knew your lonely
life, and that, could you learn to love the
child, she would Save you many heart
ache Is it not SO? My punishment has
been almost greater than could bear"
continued he, ''Aud now, Sydney, you
will not deny me one look at my child,
and then, if you wish it, l will go away
and never return any more. But listen,
Sidney, dearest. as 1 arose to call Daisy;
Il have not been idle all these years.
have a home and many comforts which
| offer you-you and the child. Will
you, can you, forgive the bitter past, and
come and live with me-be my little wife
just as we planned in the day long past?'
couldn't mistake Fred's old manner
now. So l just laid my head on bis
shoulder, kissed his bearded cheek, and
said
"Yes, Fred; We will OF with you"
So we had quiet wedding in the old
church two months later, and everybody
was surprised to see the little shop closed
and its mistress gone away on a wedding
tour; for they had all given her up as all
iIretrievHbl cid maid.
u