The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-09-08

"'-'' , "u W. hishb Wiieu L overheard ms
step-mother and Marian talking. | would
not have listened but heard my name,
The little upstart,' Marian was saying
we must keep her in her proper place
else there will be trouble when old Ar
lciglPs son arrives Yes said her moth.
cr, L viii see to that. You and Mark Ar.
leigh's son shall marry. lie is coming
here to ask for your hand, and there must
be no one to Interfere You see they arc
afraid Of me, afraid will tell some un.
pleasant truths, or maybe''--with bitter
laugh-"win her lovers heart
Yes" said Enrol, with an odd glcam in
his eyes
We'll, | listened, and heard them talk
the affair all over. You are Mark Arleigh's
son."
Enrol staggered as if he had been shot,
and Laure laughed mockingly.
"Oh, know all, you are Eriol Brant
Areigh, and 5ou are to marry my step
sister, and you came here under an assnm-
ed name, and-and-oh, hate YOU"
"IIear me-" he said hoarsely. but she
only crested her head and flashed an angry
glance at him.
"You cannot deny it," II will meyer
speak to you, never look az you again"
And ere he could protest she had turned
and fed. Poor, passionate Laurc, ber
tender little heart was almost broken.
Enrol guessed what she was suffering,
and hastily followed her, calling her name,
but gaining no response What could he
do ? He would wait till morning and 90
to Laure's home; he would see her, and
explain the odd situation in which he
found himself.
On The morrow he went to the Ray home
stead, and was greeted effusively by Mrs
Ray and her pretty blonde daughter. Af-
ter the first glance at Marian, however, he
knew he could never love her, she was
shallow and vain, and far from his ideal.
He thought of a dimpled, ridnte face. with
sparkling hazel eyes and tangled mass of
auburn curls.
81 am in dire trouble" said Mrs. Ray.
after while. "AIy late husbands daueh-
ter has been trial to us all-such way
ward girl. This morning she was missing
and she has gone, Mr.. Arleigb, and left
a note saying that he had gone for good.
and we need not look for her"
''What haye you DONE" gasped Enrol.
his lips paling, while he tried to conceal
his great anxiety.
"What could we do ? | sent John out
to inquire among the neighbors She was
always very willful"
And do YOU mean to let it go at that?"
asked Enrol excitedly, "Why, she must
be found"
They were out in the garden, and just
within sound of their voices Marian stood
at the rose-bushes, culling the fragrant
flowers and listening to every word. Now
she drew near with smile.
''What are you talking about ? Did she
hear Laure's name," she asked. "Oh, you
don't know her or you wouldn't reproach
us Mr.. Arleig'l. Neither of us has power
to influence Ier OF course we will find
her if possible"
Enrol thought of Laure alone in the
wolld, wandering among strangers, lie
was powerless to act until these people
know the truth.
Miss. Raw" he said abruptly, 81 do
know Laure Ray, and was the cause of
her leaving home. There was a misnnder-
standing between u.s."
"What do hear" gaspcd the elder la
dy. while the roses fell from Marians
grasp.
"Yes, | will make full confessions"
said Enrol, though his face bushed a trine.
81 knew nv father and you had arranged
a match between your daughter and me.
Acting on an impulse l came to this place
three months before l was expected that
| might meet your daughter unknown. |
admit 1t was scarcely fair, but | whlse tod
win his love as poor man, not rs the son
of Mark Arleigh; | wanted to test her.
Then met LauIe: the village organist
introduced us, and l loved her at first sight
| was afraid to come mere then lest | should
be recognized, or you would not approve
of my attentions to her. so | met her in the
glen"
"The artful thing" muttered Mrs. Ray.
'No, she is a beautiful, innocent child"
said Errol, his Eyes flashing, "but she over
heard your conversation, and believed 1
had been deceiving her. | love her and
will find her, and when do l shall make
her my wife, for know she is not happy
here.''
Mrs, Ray paled, and cast a sharp glance
at her daughter.
They had lost, but after all, would it not |
be well to conciliate Mark Arlelgh's son.
'We will assist you," she said sweet!y.
"Quite unnecessary" called out a musical
voice: and as they looked up amazed they
saw bright face peering out between the
vines that clamored oyer the tiny window
under the caves"
'Pm up here in the garrett said Laure
shaking her auburn culls. 81 wanted 10 |
see how much would be missed before /
really ran away. But | would have gone
afterward. Its very dusty up here and
smells awfully of herbs and all sorts of
things, and I'm hungry. | guess I'll come
down.
Enrol met her at the door and kissed her |
as eagerly as ii she had been lost for years,
II missed YOU" he said gently. "Oh,
you wayward girl, how you have worried
me. But will remember this when you
are nine foreyer-my wife"
81 am not afraid of YOU, sir,' said the !
wayward girl, as she nestled closer