The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-01-14

getnef uoWn the tangled garden path. At
last Stuart Harlsnd turned. and his dark
eyes met Lucis's with silent question In
their depths. She shook her golden head
slowly, sadly.
at iSuseless, sweetheart" she said, soft
ly. have spoken TO the mother. wished
TO prepare her for your Intended interview
to- morrow; but, Stuart, Il is quite useless
quite. She will never consent to our
marriage; and-I cannot blame her, poor
little motherl 1t would be separation for
us both, perhaps forever. Oh, Stuart,
StuartP'-the golden head went down upon
his shoulder, and the sweet voice broke in
to sobs and tears-"I cannot giye you upp'
And you shall not" he murmured,
tenderly. we will wait, dear love-
II shall be old and gray and ugly" she
was beginning,
But he stopped and kissed the sweet, red
lips.
''You may be as old as Methuselah, and
gray as a badger-ugly you never can be
under any circumstance, little woman
but vou shall be my wife just the same.
will never give you up"
And so their troth was pledged anew ;
and Stuart Harland went heme through
the silvery moonlight with tender smile
upon his lips, and his dark eyes shining
with happy light.
ii wonder who this fellow can be of
whom Lucia told me tonight he queiied
as he walked along. ''It is new arrival
here, who has purchased Beechwood-g
old place-and Lucia says she met him last
summer while she was away in the Vest
teaching school. A rich western merchant,
and-by Jovel who is that?"
A tall, dark form doomed up before him
in the moonlight; an elderly man, at sight
of whom Stuart involuntarily halted.
"Mr. Harland, is II not?" began the
stranger, quietly. II would like few
words with you, sir, if you please
Stuart bowed.
GAS many as you like, Mr.. -"
"Dyssrt. Ny name is Mark Dysart,
Stuart Harland. did you ever hear that
name beforep"
Never to my knowledge, until tonight"
the young man returned quietly. "Can
serve You In any way, Mr.. Dysart?"
'Yes, love Miss Lucia penelle. II you
were out of my way she might learn to
care for me; and am sure that once my
wife she would love me, for would be so
kind and tender to her that could not
fail to win her in time. Mr.. Stuart Har-
land, understand that you struggling
young artist, poor and proud. Oh, you
need not get angry, did not mean any in
suit; was speaking for your good. / will
make you this proposition; agree to pay
all your expenses to Italy where you can
perfect yourself in your art. will do more.
| will make your name famous; for, no
matter how fine an artist you may be, the
world will never believe 1t until some rich
and influential man says 80. | will do all
this for you; will make you the richest
and most famous artist of the day upon one
condition.
"And tbat2"
Stuart Harland's voice trembled.
"Is-that YOU resign all pretensions to
Lucia Denelle's hand! That you 30 away
and leave { he coast clear. What do you
says"
Trembling like leaf, pale as marble, his
great dark eyes blazing with indignation,
Stuart turned with uplifted hand
"Only your gray hairs deter me from
ch astising you aspeu deseryeP' he ground
out the words between his set teeth. "Out
of my path, Mark Dysart, or l shall forget
myself, and strike you down at my feet.'
SOFTLY, softly, young man" cried the
other, lightly. ~ meant no harm. was
appealing to your worldly wisdom, but
sec. Young man, give me your hand! |!
have applied a severe test, and find that
| was right in my belief. Come home with
ME Stuart Harland. have story to tell
you.
Two days afterwards Mrs. Dcnelle saw
upon Lucia's white forefnger magnifi-
cent diamond ring.
The red blood rushed TO the widows pale
cheeks in sudden Hood.
Was Lucia going to be sensible after all?
my dsar''-a dubious glance at the
rina-"I think you ought not to conceal
anything from your mother. Is 1t AL set
tied, Lucia?"
YES, mammA-all settled; and | am the
very hsppiest giil alive"
Aud the white arms went around Mis-.
Deneles neck, and Iucia's lips were
pressed against her mothers.
Mamma, II is all SO strange! | can
scarcely belieye it even yet But" she
stopped short, blushingly prettily, "they
are coming"
They" proved to be Stuart Harlsnd and
Mr. Dysart.
Mrs. Deuells looked profoundly surprised
as the two men, Arm-in-arm, entered the
cool, airy room where she sat
my dear Mrs. Denelle," began Mark
Dysart, at once, 81 have wonderful news to
tell you! This young man here, Mr.. Stuart
Harlsnd, is nay dead sisters only child,
and. being next Of kin. he will be sole heir
TO my possessions. | have proved his
worth, tempted him with everything that
the human heart can erave-rlches, fame,
power-if II lie would relinquish his claim
upon your daughters heart. But he spurned
my every offer. and would have punished
me for my audacity had | not been an old
man. Mrs. Denelle, this has all been a
plot OF mine from the first. | wanted to
prove Stuart Harland's worth. desired
to make sure that he was the Dobls, honor
able. upright iuan that Lucia believed him
TO be--a man who cannot be bought. am