The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-12-19

"You see it's no use going on like this
year after year. He will only be all the
more angry when he knows it. And l
think l would rather he did cut me off
without shilling than that should live
on In this style, suppose should always
get some friend or another to help me,
and l dare say l could make enough
money to rub along somehow. You are
not extravagant, am sure"
"But, Ralph, dear" pleaded the wife,
don't do it tomorrow. Think how it
will grieve your father, and let him have
one more Christmas Day in peace and
happiness. Don't have quarrel and
bitter words with him tomorrow. Wait
a week or so longer, and accustom YOUR
self to the thought of bearing his dis
pleasure. Don't be rash about it,"
81 don't think it can be said that
have been rash about it," laughed Ralph,
'since have taken three years to think
it over. No, Eva, 1 won't be rash; but
I'll tell the governor tomorrow morning
while my mothers at church, and wen
spend an honest Christmas Day, at all
events"
So it happened that the next morning,
just as Mr.. Yorke, senior, had installed
himself comfortably in his arm chair to
have, ,perhaps, forty winks while his wife
was away, as he gazed into the fire he
heard his sons knock at the door, and
in moment Ralph Yorke entered the
room.
you're early, my boy" said the old
gentleman; and Ralph answered, plung-
ing into the matter at once:
81 came early, father, because I have
something to tell you
'Eh, what?" cried Mr. Yorke, look,
ing keenly at his son. "Out of money,
are you?"
ooh, no, that is not it," murmured
Ralph.
"Thcn YOU must be in love-" said the
astute old gentleman.
"Well, no." Ralph answered, raising
his head, and looking his father full in
the face; ''it is not exactly that either.
The fact Is, father, I'm married."
"Well, what of it?' was Mr.. Ycrke's
only comment.
Ralph stared in utter amazcment. His
father seemed perfectly unmoved. His
face betrayed no sign of anger, and he
was playing carelessly with his watch
chain, as if Ralph had been discussing
his last dinner party. Presently he con-
tinued:
'It is a folly that other men have
committed before you. There is not
much TO be said on the question. Was
that all YOU had to tell me?"
81 thought that was enough for one
morning." said Ralph, disconsolately.
He was bitterly disappointed at his
fathers matter of fact view of the pro-
ccedinS; he had hoped to be able to
plead with him; to describe, in extenu-
ating his fault, Eva's beauty and devo-
tion, and absorbing love for himself and
child; but there was no need for plead
| ing now, and Ralph had felt worse off
than if his father had burst into a tor
rent of reproaches. After pulling at his
moustache rcstlessly for few moments
he said:
"We!l, father, since you are not sur
, prised at my first installment, perhaps
you will be equally prepared for second
piece of information.
"Ycs, dare say am" replied Mr..
Yorke. "What is it?"
"Why, that have boy" murmured
Ralph.
"Of course, of course" his father re-
marked. "There isnothing astonishing
in that, either Really, Ralph, your
marvellous news is very stale"
stale, father?" gasped Ralph in utter
surprise.
"Yes, STALE" Mr.. Yorke replied, look
ing abstrctedly into the fire as he ad-
ded--"I have no reason of course to
doubt your word, but are you sure you're
married?"
II should not be likely to make a
mistake in the matter" said Ralph, with
some pride. II have been married three
years, father"
Hare you, indeed?' observed Mr..
Yorke. "Wel, three years is a long
time, and hope you made no mistake
about your wife. hope she was re-
spectacle kind of a girl. What was she?
IA shop girl or servant?"
"She is as good and noble a wife as
ever brcathed," said Ralph angrily,
"and l can't hear any insinuations
against her 'respectabllty.' Goodbye,
father" he continued, taking up his hat
and buttoning his coat. II can't stop
and hear all this about my little woman,
ana I'm sure, under the circumstances,
yoh can't want me TO dine with YOU
to-day. I'll go back to Eva. A Merry
Christmas to YOU, father, and my love
TO mother"
And before his father had time TO an
swer, Ralph had left the room, and in
second the street door had closed upon
him.
Old Mr.. Yorke sat quietly in his chair,
a curious smile upon his face, aud when