The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-10-23

morning greeting.
"Yes-I am twenty years old to-day"
she says gayly. 81 begin 10 feel the
weight Of years. And what a ball It is
going to be, to be sure"
He smiles.
Heaven grant that your whole life
may be as cloudless as now" he says
tenderly.
mo guardie"-the girls eyes are up
lifted to his own, with a solemn light
in their depth-''p pray ratherithat l may
be enabled to bear my burdens bravely,
whether there be clouds or sunshine.
Pray that may always have one true
friend in whom to trust-one true, firm
heart"
"Amcnr he says fervently.
That night is gala night-a red-let-
ter night in the annals of the neighbor-
hood.
The Dinsmore mansion stands upon
a sloping hillside not far from big,
bustling city, and the inmates enjoy the
pleasures of both city and country life.
Isca Arlington is as proud as she is
lovely. She has been reared in an at
mosphere of pride, and she puts great
faith in an unsullied family name, long
lineage, and illustrious ancestors.
Her father had died five years previ-
Gus; her mother was drowned at sea,
when Isca was but babe.
The name of Arlington stands among
the first in the land.
Tonight, at her birthday-ball, she is
lovely beyond compare.
All in white, costly robe of lace like
fairies handiwork, with pearls about
her white throat and aims, and in the
masses of soft brown hair, dressed in
becoming fashion,
Arthur Dinsmore sees her promenad-
ing down the long vista of brilliantly
lighted rooms, leaning upon the arm of
Lee Grosvenor. the son OF wealthy
and aristocratic banker from the neigh
boring city.
A strange, wistful expression steals
into Dinsmore's dusky eyes.
How handsome they are-that we'll
matched pair.
Lee Grosvenor, slight and graceful,
with his blonde, smiling, high-bred
face; naughty face it. is, for the Gros-
venors are among the first in the land.
Arthur Dinsmond checks little sigh
that will hover near his lips, and turns
quickly away, look of patience grow
ing in his eyes.
" 1t is WELL" he says softly to him
self. "She is SO fair and young, and
life lies before her full of glorious posi-,
bilities. 1 am old-old compared with
her, for size is twenty and thrty-fiye,
But ah! wonder if he will ever love
her as-I do ? wonder if his love will
stand the test of clouds aud adversely I?
If his will prove to he the one true heart
on which to lean of which she spoke to
me this morning? Darling Isca-if she
were to dream of my secret, would she
turn from me-my proud, dainty darl-
ing ?"
Yet he looks stately and handsome as
he stands watching her, whirling now
through the sweet " Mon Reve" waltz
her partner, Lee Grosvenor.
Her eyes are full of sweet light as
they meet the blue eyes bent upon her
face, and the long lashes droop in con-
fusion.
The music sobs itself into silence, and
Lee Grosvenor, bending his handsome,
blonde head, says pleadingly
LET us go into the conservatory,
Miss Isca. 1t is cool and refreshing in
there"
She knows what is coming, and that
he is leading her thither for purpose.
She intends to let him speak, but her
heart is not half certain of its answer.
There is haunting look in pair of
deep. dark eyes which follows her in
memory always she cannot shut out
| 'h"N iOCh VI oeih iNllOdNhs
She seats herself upon a silken divan,
and Lee Grosvenor proceeds to tell his
story-"tAe story of his thralldom."
1t is done, and Isca Arlington has
been asked in marriage by one of the
proudest, haughtiest, most exclusive
men of the great city, man who can
excuse sin and condone crime sooner
than any accident of birth or fortune.
. Her eyes droop, and then she lifts
! them TO his face with sudden resolution,
and scarcely knows herself why she
makes this unexpected reply:
: "Give me until to morrow, Mr. Gros-
venor," she pleads. "I-really, have
thought SO little upon the subject of
marriage, and your words frighten me, +"
He presses his mustached lips upon
the soft, white hand.
81 will wait until tomorrow night for
my answer" he says passionately.
"Heaven grant, my peerless darling,
that it may be yesp'
And then the music walls forth again;
Isca remembers that she is to waltz
with her guardian, SO she rises with
alacTity.
They have crossed the threshold of
the conservatory: the music is surging
far away in distant room, but the
apartment into which the conservatory
opens is thronged with gay guests.
just as the two emerge from the at
nIosphere OF flowers and FLASHING foun-
tains, there is subdued hustle in the
entrance hall of the house; a moment