The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-10-30

her to picture he had once seen, IN
which gifted Spanish artist had ideal
lied Spring as maiden in floating azure
robes, with disheveled hair entwinet
with blossoms and nyraid of birds en-
circling her head.
What a change came upon Roy Carl
von's face as he watched and meditated
All the listlessness and cynicism van
ished; his lips smiled, his eyes bright
ened, his gaze, riveted on that blue
draped figure, grew soft and tender and
earnest; he was absorbed--lost.
Thrice had a light football passed him.
and he never heard; he did not move
when it ceased beside him, until the
breeze flung a fold of snowy gossamel
over his arm; then he started and real
lied for the first time that he was moi
alone.
At first he saw but the drift of white
robes, the gleam of golden hair; then
as his eyes became accustomed to the
hazv,light, he shrank with a cry:
"Agdthd !"
Following the bewilderment and sur
prise, came look Of horror and scorn.
why are you here?" he demanded
in low, intense tones. 81 thought We
had parted forever. Is it not enough
that you robbed me of honor and hap
piness? My God, woman, the sight oi
you drives me nearly mad. Why could
you not let the past be buried?"
He turned aside and covered his face
with his hands. The voice of the
singer had ceased; but the woman be.
side him spoke, and there was nothing
in her low, musical accents to warrant
the shudder that thrilled his frame at
the first word.
"Oh. Roy, be merciful; you do not
understand me. l have not come to
mock you or make you miserable.
come to-beg for pardon"
"Pardon-you? All! you have heard
of my prosperity, you wish to gain"
"Stopl you misjudge me. tell you
am repentant, wish 10 make amends
for the wrong did you-to live better
life. was foolish, reckless. Oh! Roy,
my sufferings have surely wiped out my
sin. If you knew how much have
endured. Look at me; am not
changed? Is there no impress of misery
upon me?''
She raised her face in the moonlight
and stood rigid and silent; but moon.
light is deceptive, and does not reveal
the shadows and lines on q human
countenance.
Roy Carlyon saw only brilliant little
| figure in white gauze and silver, a pret.
ty painted face with eyes that might bt
earnest, but lips that he knew were
false.
"You don't believer cried the woman
clasping her hands. "Oh, how shall
convince you, how redeem the faith
lost?'
"You can never hope for that" Ii,
answered sternly.
Roy, you will send me from you
oh, do not! do not! Try me; let M
prove my sincerity. The worst Grimm
al, when he truly repents, should b.
given chance of redemption. Must
be denied? Roy, love you"
''IIow dare you? Love!--the word i
proclamation from your lips. Enougl
Of this; let us part"
She stood one moment in silence, ,thel
leaned forward and clutched the lac
window draperies that fiuttered in tn
breeze.
Look, you love her, the girl who wa
singing. l read it in your eyes. Yo
would be kinder to me did no one stan
between us. She is my rivalr'
Roy grew white TO the lips and hi
brown eyes glittered.
do not speak of herr' he said i
tones of suppressed passion. "Rival
A woman who is despised can have n
riN Nal save in one more unworthy tina
herself"
'But you do not deny you love her?
"Whether do or not, it can make n
difference to you"
lie turned away, but the figure /
Q gauze was kneeling at his feet, with he
p jeweled hands closed upon his arm.
Q Roy, Roy, for Heavens sake, b
9 kind to me! Remember what we wei
a once to each other; think what | ha,
Y gone through. You know | must ha,
/ suffered, or would never have crushe
S down my pride and come to you. Hel
on my knees l beg of you to try IN
!, only try Inc. will be true and faitl
full"
"Do not make scene, Agatha" 1
. said, with a cold, incredulous smil,
''you were always an adept at actini
but l am too keen critic to accept a
sumption for reality"
Roy, do YOU know what your refusI
: meansP"
"Yes, can guess" he answere
; wearily. "You will force me to recos
nize you; bring upon me the scandal
had hoped TO escape, drive ME from th
place, and"
"No, no. again l say you misjude
me, So would have done a year agC
but now"
"YOur nature is the same"
: She realized then that it was usele.
to plead with him, and with flush o
her face she rose and stood erect.
Her eyes, rowing round, fell upon
figure that was approaching the 10
window where Roy Carlyon had latel
stood, and as she saw the sheen of azuI