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

A few weeks had passed. and stood
before the gates of a fine old mansion,
now my own estate-in a Devonshire
village, and looked up the long avenue
bordered by noble oaks. All that my
uncle had died possessed Of was left to
me money and lands. / certainly did
feel the pride of possession in the first
flush of proprietorship-I held my head
erect, was once more even with the
world. The country about was eXcep-
tionally beautiful. Rose hedges bordered
the village lanes-here and there
thrifty farm lay smiling in the sunshine
cottages dotted the hillsides. Every
where the land spoke of care and pros
perity. The house was well preserved,
and filled with solid though quaint furni-
ture. There were hothouses, and all
the inventions of this utilitaIian age
needed for farming on large scale, on
the grounds. ! saw the houses of my
tenants. was lord of the soil.
Once more in London, my thoughts
turned back to my own country and
some unsettled business there. There
was yet work to do, mistakes to correct,
enemies to meet, friends 10 reward.
Among my acquaintance in the me-
tropolis was young German baron, who
had married lovely English girl, and
with whom had passed many happy
hours.
"You must come here tonight" said
the young baroness, one day; Il expect
some Americans whom perhaps YOU
know-the Dufours. The young lady is
exquisitely beautiful; there are two
cousins, / think.
Il did know Dufour, the banker, of
New York." l said, quietly, though my
pulses Auttered with a new thrill of
gladness.
"0h. yes-it must be the same family.
You will Gomez"
"On one condition" said.
| "And what is that?"
'"That you will not speak of me till l
come. As have another engagement,
shall be here late in the evening""
"What! may not even tell the story
of your good fortune?"
"Anything, so you do not mention
my name"
She laughed-hcr quick woman's wit
comprehended, and promising to be very
careful, she said her adieus.
The reader perhaps anticipates. Twas
spoken of as the young man about whose
extraordinary luck they might have
heaTd-the American nephew of an old
Devonslire gentleman who had quar-
relied with his sister, because her marri-
age displeased him, but who at the last
had relented and left millions to her son
but she withheld my name. Later on
came. They were at tea, my host
told me. 1t was standing tea. fiat
ter myself made my DEBUT with sing
ular confessional myself, tca-cup in
hand, face to face with Miss Dufour, to
whom bowed with naughty EMPREssE-
MENT. To see her start, grow white and
catch her breath-to hear her unguard-
cd: "Why, Hair
Well it was almost worth losing for
tune for, that experience.
"NIiss Dufourr' l said, with a chill
ling bow ,..
Pen of mine cannot describe hel dis
comftUe. 1t was almost like terror.
For once the reigning belle, the woman
of the world, was foiled, mortified, ex-
tinguished.
Rallying at last, she tried in some sort
of way to regain her lost power; but !
was in love with the starry eyes and
soul-lt face of her cousin Lucy-had
been ever since that eventful night when
!, looking up from the lower deck and
on one other memorable occasion-saw
her sweet face and heard her speak for
the poverty-stricken and almostbanished
man.
|
We took our honeymoon trip back in
the Persia. Since the failure of the
great banking house of Dufour Brothers.
and the death of tho banker himself,
Lily has had a home with us, for feel
that in some sort | owe to her my
treasure of a wife.
/ =-----------
LHHIGHTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.