The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-01-20
why, Cleo, little Cleo, I never thought

|
but you were happy. i"
"Stopl Make me no excuses; you
come with them too late. All ask OF
you is to leave me-to keep out of my
sight, 10 which Black is hateful. hear
your sister calling me to carry the farm
hands dinner for the last time, thank
heaven! Tomorrow / 60 foreverw
"Stopr
Stepping hastily forward to bar her
egress. William Black laid his hand
heavily on her shoulders. and the passion
that leapt mp into the chill face startled
the girl into obedience.
You shall not go, for Cleo, little one,
1 love you better than my hope of hcav.
enl did not dream of il until now-un-
til l was about to lose you. Wait; I am
not poor, and will take you away. now,
to the great cities you long for. Forgive
my neglect all these years-be merciful,
little Cleo
He had thrown his arm around Ter
and drawn her close TO his side, looking
down with hungry eyes into the pale face,
but wrenching herself free, Cleo replied
mockingly:
"What! marry you, Will Black? lam
not the dog to lick the hand that as
struck me. Marry, you, and continue to
be slave-a pensloner to your bounty ?
Never!'
Defiance rang through the girlish voice
and without word or sign William
Black, pale as death, turned away and
descended to the stables, and, in a few
minutes, the rocky road around the cliff
resounded with the pounding of his
horses hoof beats.
Cleo Lynn knelt before her picture Of
fering up fervent prayer to heaven to
sanctify it, then stood a minute bidding
the dear old loft, whereI she had spent
the few happy moments of her life coed
bye, and ran across the back garden bare
headed, an unwonte1 brilliancy in her
eyes, a flush on her piquant elfsh face,
into the great, clear, odorous kitchen,
where Mrs. Black awaited her angrily,
impatiently.
Take these pals and be off with you,
you lazy, careless"
"Madam!"
1t was not the tone nor the word that
made Mrs. Black jumpaup with a'.slight
shrek, but the flash in the eyes that was
almost murderous, and so out through
the glaring scorching noon sunshine Cleo
Lynn .went-for the last time.
II am so tired of this struggle for fame
and crust of bread"
Il thought long ere this to wear q crown
of laurel, but, instead, it is one of thorns
and cypress.
1t was poor room.
Every one has seen such rooms in
squalid houses, without warmth, cheer,
comfort, though it was bitter cold.
A woman's form with arms outfung,
the gesture of despair, the same figure
last seen fitting across the hot dry fields
back OF Mrs. Blacks farm house, Il o Ugh
thinner more poorly clad.
Lifting her face at length against the
grey streak of twilight at her one window
the once round checks were thin, the
hair dishevelled, and the eyes strained
and unnatural in expression.
Destitute, friendless. and almost
blind"
Slipping her hand into her dress she
drew out vial of darkish fluid, holding
it up between the light and dim. din
vision.
There came sound of steps up th'
rickety stairs, then rap, firm, quick. a
her door.
! "Come in!"
The door swung open, and man. tall
muffied iu 3 great. .coat, entered, and hal
crossed the bare floor.
5 Rising, the girl leaned her claspeC
hands on her chair waiting.
"Miss Lynn?"
She bowed her head, the white hand
: suddenly clutChing the chair back, ic
!, cold.
II saw one of your paintings at th
e Academy, and wish to purchase it-th
e one called The Cow Boy"
: "What are your terms?"
k The girls. voice as she made answer
was so hoarse. andi unnatural that sh
scarcely knew it herself.
o "Whut are you willing to Rive2" lear
IS ing forward little in the dim light, wit
IT numb, chill fugers!interlaced, while tn
II tall naughty figure seemed dancing wild
ly, undiguifedly.