The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-06-12

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and wrote me cold little note in which
she informed me, in beautiful Italian
hand, that our engagement was at an
end, | was absolutely petrilied with
amazement. How often she had talked
of love in cottagcl How eloquently de-
clared that, failing fortune or failing
health, and even honor, her heart would
be true to itself and me; her love the
shield and the reward. l could not be-
lieve it was possible. tried to see
her, but was always repulsed. wrote,
but received no reply. / haunted her
walks, her drives. She never looked at
me.
Desperate and disheartened, l cared
not what became of me- For weeks l
moved, ate, worked like an automaton.
l was at my worst when a note came
from young LAWYER, formerly my chum,
and good fellow TO boot:
"DEAR HAL.-There is splendid news
for you. Come down to the Office as
soon as you can. Yours, FRED"
What news was there that mattered
anything to meP Iscarcely cared to obey
the summons. That evening Fred
stopped me on the street.
"Why didn't you Gomez" he asked.
"Of course you got my noteP There's
millions in itr
millions in what?" interrogated.
Pounds, shllngs and pence. hap
pened on an advertisement in an Eng
lish paper yesterday. I've heard you
say your family name was Preston; that
there was some coolness between your
mother and your English relations Now
here is certain Halstcd Preston, Esq,
who has just died at the age of seventy
two, and he leavcs-well, enough and
plenty to the son of his sister, who mar
ried Thomas DeLong, in America.
OF course he must be your uncle, and
they are searching for the heir. So you
see you are wanted.'
l looked at my much-worn suit. For
a moment my heart beat as if it would
leap from my body. Now, if this were
true land knew had an uncle Halsted
Preston in Devonshire-I was named for
hlm). l was the peer of any bankers
daughter in America.
keep quiet about this matter, will
you?' | asked. Don't let 1t get in the
papers just vet. / have good reasons
for asking it, Above all don't talk
among your friends. have nothing TO
do but to start at once"
You will let me help you?" he said.
"Not cent. l took an oath that, so
help me heaven, would never borrow
again. 1t has nearly been my ruin once.
l have enough to take me there and
back, steerage. If on arriving there !
can establish my identity, money will
be easy enough, and l shall have in
Cured no obligation. I'll go just as !
am"
In less than three days I had plenty
of proof concerning my identity-my
mothers marriage certificate being the
most important paper: had engaged my
passage-steerage- the Persia; and,
desiring to be knowr to no one. enjoyed
my peculiar position with the zest of one
superior to circumstances.
Did my heart throb faster, when on
that beautiful night l saw the face of
the girl loved. Well, yes, for a moment
or two. But had also learned to de-
spise her character too thoroughly to
give way to sentiment. If l had not
quite conquered my infatuation l was
master of myself.
She, over there, in her rose-colored
reveries, specializing upon the possibility
of winning duke at the lowest in that
marvellous London; /, in the steerage,
though kindly cared for by my sailor
friend.
smiled as l wondered what her
thoughts could be just now. was more
than anxious to know her opinion
through some available means, and TAX
ing advantage of my friends permission,
| haunted the upper deck nightly.
For some time l was disappointed.
At last one evening she came up on
deck, a young lady following, carrying
her shawl and pillow. They came
quite near where sat, my face to the
sea, watching the wonderful gold-and-
crimson CLEANS what mingled with the
ripples and wayelets left in her wake by
/, our good ship.
Now, are you quite well fixed?'
asked the young lady, who l suppose
was her companion.
Yes, thanks. Sit down. wish to
ask you something. Have you found
ont about him yet?"
} "NO, indeed. How can l talk Of IL?
Nobody knows him but You and !"
Strange that we should meet here
of all things, and he in that holrid
place"
Nothing strange, if he is poor" said
the sweet, low voice of the other.
Il hate poverty! besides" her
tones fell, her words were iraudible.
Il hope you will never be sorry" was
the answer.
"Sorry" with scornful laugh. "He
has certainly lost his beauty" she
added, with a bitterness in her voice
that l had never heard before, and in
which only her pride spoke. lone can
never tell in these business troubles
how far dishonesty will lead a man.
Probably he is running awayw
pulled my hat lower over my face,
which was one burning flame. longed
to turn upon her and upbraid her with
her treachery, but controlled myself,
''Neverg said the other, with empha-
sis. "How can you speak of such a
/ I 1 l.,lg 1t. i Z