The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-06-30


anxious for your enjoyment. And the
villain laughed mockingly. He took up
the infant and held him forth to her.
II must dress myself first" she said
soberly.
"Indeed you shall go as you are.
Here's Your shawl SArtl'
"Are you going to take uo?" she falt-
cred.
At which his loud laugh rang out.
"Not I. 'Taint fruit season; besides,
don't like rlums."
Il won't stir one step in this way; I'll
call the neighbors, she declared.
"Do, if you dare"
She was too afraid to perform her
threat. Then seeing she did not start,
he took her by the wrists, and she found
herself and baby out in the cold,
She crept under the wood-shed, aud sat
down on pile OF boards and cried. Mis-
cry had shown her bold front before
now it overwhelmed her. Her boy stirred
in her arms, and she wrapt the shawl
carefully about him. She sat shivering.
II some team would only come by and
take her, just as she was, to her fathers
house! She would spoil the merry max
ing, of course, but they would not care
for that. But no one came. Everyone
is happy but me. she thought with sup
pressed bitterness. "What have done
to deserve it?"
Her husband came out presently and
locked the door. Then he looked up the
rold and down. She shrnnk into cor
ner behind the boards; he did not see
her and passed to the barn whistling.
She heard him swear Ht the horse as he
saddled it. Then he mounted and went
of through the snow.
She crept out Of the shadow. How to
get iuto the house was the question.
He would not be back before noon she
knew. She tried the doors; they were
all fastened The windows raised with
difficulty from the inside; it was hope
less task TO open them from the outside.
Besides she could not put her baby on
the snow to make the attempt. His lit
tie hands were cold; he woke and cried,
and she was too chilled to soothe him.
, At last she thought of the diuing-room
window. Beside it was door opening
on the piazza; fragment of glass had
fallen from one Of the lower panes, an6
if she could thrust her hand through she
might unbo!t the door. No! it was toe
small fissure. Away she went to th,
wood-shed again, and she found a broker
barrel hoop. with which she sped bacl
as fast as her benumbed limbs woul,
> carry her. This happened to hit th
:. bolt; she gave vigorous push and hear
it slide. She rekindled the FIRE and sa
down to think. After this experienc
y she must leave him; it was evident tha
he wished it. But how notifying to G
back SO! Turned away by her husban
with SCOTS and jeers!
y She dressed her baby carefully; theI
was time enough. He should look hi
best at the Christmas feast, If he was th
heir to an unhappy home. Then sb
10 donued her own best garments and mad
up bundle to carry with her. As ST.
!" busted herself thus her heart felt lighte
1t seemed to her as if she had shaken Q
sro s.,h haI htl NJ aiO OH te
ne her with iron.
III Come, baby. we must startr 81
said to The child, who cooed in retui
30 and made a dive at her bonnet with h
10 at fingers.
She walked along the snowy road wi
.o' light footsteps until the first two mil
oe we're passed. Then she began to tu,
head aud wish that some team won
's' come al ing; she should beg a ride: d
re- she saw none. The sky was blue owe
~ head. the sun shone brightly. The lef
nj less branches of the trees were freight
'as with soft snow which glistened IN 4
clear sunshine. The air was crisp al
m. cold, but still. 1t stuug her cheeks in
ier ruddy fame as she walked.
1t was hard walking. The road "
In indicated ouly by a pillow line, whG
a'e hoofs had been before her. The snt
Ter covered her ankles, iucrustiDg her stoc
'p' ings with considerable pieces. which s
wn paused from time to time to pick.
led was pleasant day 10 those who walk
an or rode for pleasure. As for Nancy. I
ect recollection of the morning clothed |
her spirit with darkness. darkening /
g. whole future.
ar The short afternoon waned, night
nto ere she reached the village. Her fathe
life farm lay a mile hey ond. Her lin
er. aohed with cold and fatigue her
'eT- cried; she had eaten nothing since mo
nd' ing. Her whole soul seemed poising
ath self on the wings of despair.
me Always when we think our last NJ @
Is reached there Rlimmers a respite
ars yold. We cry out in our extremity q
,m. make our frantic plunge. and lol We b.
nth wsded the brook. We grope ale
and blindly; aud it is only when We calm {
pre-. faIntiug fears to look back that we
irst tn , method which has guided us TO
lie surrr footing.
A light now became visible to
the stricken wanderer. II came from
nc fathers many windows, ray after 7
ION which urged on her weary feet /
-. tAnce shortened itself unaccountal
low Sh stood before the doori
he'd What plight she was in! Shoul
be sp'il their sporty She lnokel over
The snoSy fields and shuhdered. They "
,ice playing 'blind mAn's blua in 81
Peal after peal of laughter came To
an cold and silent on the dnor-stone.
a. wts ashamed to GO iu-asham-d to
=, that her husband bad ssut her 30.
erly TIE door suddenly opened. Sar
stop little by looked ont. and With or,
,ipg fear slammed It 10 again. He thou
han ho had seen ghost.