The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-04-25

upNn ana ofleu over tbe CONTAMINATION
Of the very hopes which / had cherished
so long.
But, despite my tears, our reception
went on aud it turned out to be n great
success. The best people in town hon
ored us with their presence, and every
thing, thanks to Mrs. Vanborough's fore.
sight, was carried out in the most lavish
and elegant manner.
"By George" said Jack, Ghis sort Of
thing is jollier than the old farm. l sc
now, little wife, that you were right, al
ways right"
would ten times rather he should
have upbraided me for what had done.
The winter that followed was exceed
inglY gay. We were invited everywhere,
and our house was constantly filled with
guests. Balls, soirees, kettledrums and
the opera. seemed 10 engross every hour.
Jack and seldom had qniet moment
together. yet be seemed to enjoy it with
his whole heart.
When spring came our last surplus
dollar had been expended, and we were
solely dependent on Jacks monthly
salary,
The warm weather oame on, and baby
soon fell i'll. hoped day by day that
Jack would say something about going
| back to his fathers for the summer, but
he did not even hint Rt such thing.
The days grew longer and warmer.
The sun shone down with pittiless
splendor, and the paved streets seemed
like heated brass.
Our fashionable friends Huttered off
like summer swallows and we were left
almost alone.
Couldn't you manage to make little
trip to the seashore, my deaI2" Mrs
Marlborough had suggested, and Jack
had caught at the idea with eagerness,
1--WE might, Nell. 1 think we can,
I'll try and borrowa few hundreds some
where.''
"Oh, Jack, no, NOT l sobbed out in
my remorse and despair. Il won't go
to the seashore. You see how i'll baby
is. Oh, Jack, ask your father to let us
return home.'
."Ob, you wouldn't be satisfied, Nell,
if we went back. 1t is dreadfully stupid
down there these summer days, with the
haymaking, and the reaping, and all that
sort of thing. Ws should never be able
to endure it now"
SAID no more. The long, bright.
burning days wore on, and our bills ran
up higher and higher, and baby's little
breath seemed to grow weaker and weak.
err and poor jack himself began 10 look
dreadfully i'll and worn. And one after
noon lie was sent home in carriage
quite unconscious, stricken down by @
sudden fever.
put my pride aside then and wrote q
letter to Jacks father.
Jack and baby are both i'll, aud We
are sick aud tired of this life. Pray for.
give US, and let US come home"
The very next day the dear old gentle
man arrived, but the bailifls aud the
officers of the law were there before him
r The rumor that we intended to leave
town got out, and our creditors rushed
in, anxious to secure the lions share o.
our effects. The Brussels carpet, tht
handsome furniture and costly bric-a.b brat
all went under the hammer at disas
trously low figure.
Never mind" said my father.in,law
not shadow of reproach on his kim
old face "let them squabble over it i
they will. We must get our sick onei
; home"
As we got Jack into the carriage ant
with his poor hot head upon my face
and baby in my arms, turned m!
back upon the scene of my short-livet
triumph.
ave are going back to Cherry Hill.
said the old gentleman. as in the dnsk o
the golden day we drove through tn,
dewy stiffness of the mountain raviue
"The old home has been waiting for yol
all these months. was pretty sure you'C
want to come back"
o could not utter one word in answer
q A great full moon was rising above th,
mountain peaks as we reached the house
Not the smallest thing was changed
, The great red roses bloomed on th,
q terrace, the bees droned in their hive anC
, aud the cattle bells twinkIed in tile barn
o yard. The doors stood wide open. w,
, carried Jack in and laid him down in th,
, broad, breezy room that had been oul
a bridal chamber.
! He opened his eyes aud drew deep
0 quivering breath, as the mountain breez,
touched his throbbing head.
, "Nell, where are your" he said
"Surely this must be homer
al am here, Jack. answered through
my tears, "snd this is home, dear ole
Cherry Hill"
Thank Good!' he murmured, aud fell
back upon the pillows, and saw great
tears trickling slowly from beneath hit
closed eyelids.
Beyond the open window in the silver
glory Of the rising moon. the old grand.
father sat, with paby at his feet, hall
hidden in the rank, cool grass. and even
at that late hour the pigeons came fut.
tering round her as of old, and she
screamed with rapture as she clutehed
at them with her thin white hands.
rose softly and fell on my knees be-
side Jacks low pillow.
"Oh, Jack, sobbed II have been
wicked. Forgive me, Jack, forgive me.
am so glad to bs at home again"
Hi moan fa.a r,rauy radfant apd bis