The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-03-10


then Maude, Lizzie, and even Kate, cur
baby.
Nell, the prettiest, smartest, sweetest
of all, bad off-,s in abundance, speut
two winters visiting Meg. and. by all &C.
counts, captivating hearts by scores. but
coming back to be the life and brightness
of our home.
"There must be one old maid in every
family" she said; and when suggested
my eminent fitness forsthe position. she
smiled loftily, and said, "Mr. BROOKS
says you are the household angel. SO
please let rs hear no more nonsense"
There's Aunt Jane, too" replied,
mildly.
Belle" she said, severely. "will you
stop talking nonsenseP Aunt Jane, in
deed!'
1t really did seem as if Nell was in
earnest about a single life; but. after all,
she was only twenty-four, and looked
about seventeen, when, one day. who
should walk into the Parsonage parlor, as
coolly as if he had left it the day before,
but Chris.
We were all there as he came in, but
before he he'd spoken to Aunt Jane / saw
that Nell had vanished.
Did Chris see her run out Of the door
as he entered the front window?
think he did.
There was subdued twinkle in his
eyes as he inquired for my iufrmities.
not at all consistent with his words of
sympathy.
Presently Nell came in, with O qniet
smile of greeting. and perfect com os-
ure Of manner, but Chris was match for
| her.
1t was as good as play TO watch those
two. so completely did they ignore The
fact that he was o discarded lover who
had been sent away by her cruelty.
They conversed easily and gracefully
--Christorher's African experienced 8,
varied by the descriptions of the family
weddings. the new homes, the brothers.
in-laws the children. and a thousand d
other details, in which our caller tx-
pressed the greatest interest.
After that he dropped in as of old,
making himself agreeable and useful to
everyone in the house. especially tender.
as he evel lad been, to me.
Indeed, 1 found myself wondering
sometimes if he was going to take Ntll's
mockipg advice, and, oil the others he.
ing appropriated, offer himself to ME.
He took me for long drives in his
mothers pony-carriage, and was always
ready to hear of Nell's conquests, show.
ing no jealousy, but great deal Of
amusement, over her ccquetries.
''She was boru coquette!" he said,
once; land yet nobody can call Nell
vain. 1t has been n matter of course
with her to be admired ever since she
could run alone"
'She is our beauty now, as of DID,"
answered; and Chris assented cordially.
Il have seen no face so winsome since
left home" be said; but he spoke with
the frank admiration of brother, and
gave no token OF loye-sick swain.
Had bo outlved his love, / wondered,
aud came home to prove to Nell that hei
days of tyranny were over?
I.think Nell suspected that he had.
Always even.temrered. Nell became
htiul and capricious; bright and Laugh.
ing when Chris was with us, often sill, nj
aud sometimes gloomy when she thought
herself unn Iticed
She lost her color, and caught hel
more than once rubbing her cheeks wheu
going down stairs to see Chris, and she
was snappish and deeply repentant there.
for dozen times a day.
"What ails Nell?' Aunt Jane asked me,
anxious for her darling. She eats moth.
ing, Belle, and am snre she does moi
sleep we'll. wonder if it woul do hel
any good to spend few weeks with
Ktte?"
Nell, on being consulted, caught eager
ly at the suggestion, aud hurried hel
wardrobe into her trunk, as if answering
a sudden life or death summons.
She made 10 farewells. but fitted of
so abruptly that it made us all stare with
surprise.
"Elinor was always impulsive," paI
said.
And Aunt Jane only answered, "But
bless me, didn't mean to drive the child
out of the hcuse!"
Chris said nothing, out l was certain,
ly convinced of the reality of his whis
kers. so ferociously were they pulled al
the evening.
But the next day Mrs. Gilmore sem
over a wee note of dire distress.
Chris had been thrown from his horse
and the doctors feared some spinal in
jury.
Aunt Jane went over at once, aud cam,
back with grave face.
: 'He is badly hurt entirely uneon
1 scioas, she said.
II Nell's departure was sudden, lie
. return WAS not less 40.
did You take of your hat at Katesi
! li-q1irsd. wilh nill A..Ieasul. Tut rs