The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-02-17

should have been, for there at distance
sat Joseph Tregear, looking at her with
his great blue eyes, making her blush
and inspiring her with the desire of sink
ing through the floor.
On leaving the porch, after dismissing
her flock, Margaret found Joseph Ire
gear and Tom Po'glnze pretending to
read the inscriptions on the tombs. At
the sound of her step, Tom raised his
head and advanced with friendly ned,
while Joseph remained still, but fixed
those great blue eyes on her.
"Gooj morning, Tom" said she indif-
ferently; show are your"
Polglaze was replying as they neared
Tregear, when Margaret stopped. Ire
gear still held back, trembling in his
heart, and apprehensive of his rival. -
Margaret, however, was so apparently
calm that he was beginning to think her
heart as hard as her native rocks, when,
holding an adieu to Polglaze, she very
naturally and very quietly put her hand
on Tregear's arm and said:
II am very sorry kept you waiting;
I can only spare you half ON hour for a
walk"
1t was the first time she had ever
shown a preference, and Polglaze now
knew that he, too, was tout of the race. !"
His face changed to an ashen hue, and
he tottered off with detected looks. but
with clenched fists.
Tregear squeezed the small hand that
had been 80 unexpectedly put on his
arm, and led Margaret .away for the
promised walk, which, it need scarcely
be said, was unconsciously heightened
into an hour. When Margaret once
more arrived under her parents roof it
was not alone that she came. Hence
forth another had also right to join her
there.
Tregesr knew the price that must be
paid for Margaret's love. He knew that
Polglaza would not give her up without
contest. Nor was it long before the
battle was commenced, for that very eve
ming, as Tregear was leaying the house
of the Powheles, he was attacked by bis
rival With him it was but wcrd and
n blow.
Joe Tregear, you've crossed my steps
and now I'll be revepged on your"
So saying Polglaze struck a blow
which would have felled an ordinary
man. But Tregear was quite mattel
for him, and the two fought long anG
desperately. until separated by the rura
policeman, who threatened them with
legel proceedings.
OF course Margaret was one of the frs
to hear of the battle. Distressed beyond
measure she went to her lovers parents
where she found him in a most unpre
sentable condition. A few words sooi
explained the position of affairs, whel
Margaret burst into tears and blamed
herself for showing ber preference S,
stupldly.
Margaret. replied her lover, "do no
take it to heart. I'd rather be fighting
him again than see your tears"
"Leave me alone q minute. Let m
overcome II is"
Eyes, dear heart!" said Mrs. Tregear
don't ye take on in this way. Thes
tinmen are regular yighters; but thi
Tom Polglaze is the mortaciousest wight
er that ever zee.
"Yes, Margaret, that's true. 1 kne'
the day gained your love / should fin
an enemy. Bnt cheer up. cheer ny!
. fancy he will not attack me again in
hurry, for know he docs not at thi
moment look u bit handsomer than
B do"
And so saying, he laughed the matte
lightly away, until Margaret too bega
to smile through her ,eags.
On the following day, when the tw
= rivals went to the mine, their appearance
caused many jeering and cOutemptuou
r, marks, for the tiumen were in hopes {
goading them ON to renew the battle.
P .lgldze had. however. found an aC
. versary worthy of his strong arm, an
was not so ready to strike the FIRST bio
AS be had been the night before, he col
tented himself, therefore. with doublin
y his fists and saying that the time of vel
geance would come.
+ Months passt d away, however. Tr,
q gczl recovered from its unwonted O.
citement, and matters took their usui
C course. The mines were worked. ol
seams were used up, and new veir
opened out; but though the battle ha
. not been renewed, Joseph Tregear au
y Tom Polglaze had not shaken hands.
THIS caused Margaret no small anIi
'r ty, for down there in the bowels of Il
earth an unseen blow with pick mig
A destroy the happiness of her life. 81
often begged Tregear to leave the mine
re but he said he had good prospects of b
ing appointed engineers assistant, al
10 as for Tom PolRh z,'s tbreat--why,
u had not the slightest anxiety on accou
b, OF that.
At length new shaft was to be open