The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-04-04

J ihNOli'o uuh' tauu iiotEh " 'bo oH'iSS 'h"'
had been gradually accumulating over
his head for the past two years.
He received a hearty welcome. and ex-
cellent dinner, and even better advice,
the third.clsssed blessing being, by the
way. so long prutracted that it was not
until late in the afternoon that he was
able to imprint the farewell kiss on the
old lAdy's cheek, and begin his retreat
from her hospitality.
But at so sharp pace did be urge the
sorrel mare that the sun was still in the
/ heavens when the centre of the forest was
reached, and he pulled upat spot which
had been n favorite enc with him from
childhood.
Our memories are loyal to the law OF
association; and as the Lieutenant fas.
tened the mare to tree little from the
/ highway, and then threw himself on q
grassy knoll by spring, a panorama OF
his young lite before epaulettes and am-
bilion's dream had come to dazzle seemed
to rise before him. His ;ruant days. when
without furlough he had stayed from
school with certain booD companions, the
hours he spent at this very spot, the fun
of splasuing the waters Of the brook in
one apother's faces, or buil1ing dam a
bit below the fountain sources, with faint.
est manifestations of that engineering
skill that was to score him high at the
academy.
But how could he chase away such
thoughts long ere they brought him to
the time when the eyes of Jennie Hanlan
seemed blaoker and brighter than the
eyes OF the other girls, and his bashful
glances were answered by yet more ard.
ent ones, until, when he fiually essayed to
rival her boldness she would turn away
and smile rs sweetly elsewhere, and he
ewoke to find himself head over heels in
love with the greatest firt in school?
But es they grew older lie was certain
Jennie improved, until one bright morn
Ing-tho very brightest of his life--the
pas; was all secured by that letter of all
letters, that answered his enA4mmable
epistle from the academy, and assured
him that she, Jennie Hanlan--thougbt.
less. wayward Jennie Hanlan would be
his own true sweetheart for ever and ever
amen.
How much longer this young man of
twenty.three would have suffered such
communions as these TO drive his aunt's
advice from his head was never teste d,
for just Il en- step was heard, and with
IL an other, aud remarkably gruff voice
announced that they would stop there.
Almost instinctlvely the Lieutenant
kept very still but n natural curiosity led
him to peer through the foliage where
the travellers had seated themselves. They
were not specially refined or attractive
brace OF tourists, or such MS would make
congenial company in back alley on q
dark night, il one might judge from ap-
pearances. 1t shouli be said that they
were dressed in considerable better style
than the model tramp, but tbeir clothes
seemed to speak rather of former splen.
dors than Of future hopes; Of a setting
rather than rising sun. But their con.
versa:ion was decidedly more interesting
than themselves.
He was trim-cut youngster, wasn't
he?"
"All brass buttons are" came The surly
answer.
"And so sweet on the girl that 1 goi
j-alous-er, Jack?"-wilh heroic effort
to arouse bis companion from s,uppr.
Bat jack appeared wrapped In thought
aud so wns the Lieutenant. great ligh
was shining ont from n most unexpected
source. Hurry Lrnders stood for the
"brass buttons" and Jennie II Htnlan was
out riding with him, aud the bitter sus
picions of last night returned with ten.
fold force.
Nov, Jack, you nre a bit euvious oi
mel" said the more talkative one. with a
grim sense OF the humorous which Jack
didn't seem to appreciate.
was wondering what the time is"
1t seemed an innocent and reasonable
manner of wonder. bnt his companion
looked Mt him irqrrringly. Jacks
answering glance appeared to satisfied
him
"It'sa 60, Jack; but hate TO frighten
the girl"
70; course" answered Jack, with an
oath; "She might cut your acquaintance.
or refuse your hand at the next dance."
The Rrimness of the remark brought a
loud 'Ha! hal" from his companion,
which Jack Instantly suppressed with
his soowling looks.
TIE idea that the gay young cavalier
and object Of bis passion would soon be
that way seemed to furnish food for re-
Election for all three, and the old silence
Of natures spot came back. 1t could not
have lasted long, but it seemed a full age
to Lieutenant Stockton.
Again the coy glances of Jennie Han.
Ian were stealing towards him, and then
she was beseeching him TO defend her.
When had he dreamt of greater privi-
lege2 When would his sabre go gayly have
leaped from its sosbbard? But his arm
sbrdnk back now, as there was pollution
in the cause. He was asked to re-sstab-
lish the throne of treachery and crown
the queen of ccquettes.
He would clre no more for Jennie Han.
Ian than for any human being, not so
much as for the begRar Slong the way;
and yet suppose he didn't-what theu9
What mattered it ali? And he stole 10.
wards the sorrel, unfastened her, and felt