The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-07-21
WilIful Loretta.
BY MRS. E. II. HoUGH.

RY MRS. E. II. HoUGH.
"Jack, don't you think this is getting to
be something of an old storyP"
She is the prettiest little creature in the
world, with bright, piquant face all
smiles and dimples, eyes like twin blue
bells, and rippling, willful mas of golden
hair encircling the lovely, sparkling face
with perfect aureole of imprisoned sun
shine.
She is curled up like kitten in the
roomy depths of large rocker, the witch
ing face lifted just far enough to enable
her to send half-deprecating glance from
beneath the long, curling eyelashes up at
Jack Ayre-faithful, big-hearted Jack
who has been hel friend, champion and
lover ever since she was toddling little
fairy of six willful, imperious summers.
He is leaning against the back of her
chair, looking down upon her with world
of devoted admiration in his honest, brown
eyes-a look that undergoes swift change
into one of painful solicitude and even
alarm, while his firm lips tremble slightly
as he answers her.
"What is it that is becoming an old
story, Retta?"
For just moment Loretta Dane hesi-
tates with visible embarrassment i'll her
manner, and her eyes dIoop away from the
earnest gaze she feels upon her. Then the
ruby lips curl in pout half coquettish,
half resentful, but wholly capricious and
| perverse.
"Why--you see-it has been just you and
all these years-and-of course like you
ever so much, Jack-but-but-it' got TO
be such an old story, that am afraid if we
were TO go and get married, l should be
tired of it before great while--wouldn'
you, Jack?"
Dead silence for a moment. Jack stands
looking down at her with face out OF
which every trace of brightness has van
ished-his dark eyes full of bitter, passion
ate pain, his firm lips drawn tightly to-
gether
Little tickle butterfly that she is, she
has held the dearest place in his very hear
of hearts for years, and to give her up is
like facing the bitterness of death itself
But strong as the love he holds for her il
his honor and pride, and they will not suf
fer him to keep her bound for an instan
to an unwilling pledge.
SIT would never haye been an old stor
to me, LORETTA" he answers presently
''Or rather, an old story far sweeter an
dearer than any new one could eyer be
But ii it has become so TO you, let it en-
here now: you are free"
! She has been twirling round on her pref
ty, plump finger, in a half-nervous way,th
dainty torquois ring he had placed ther
with such fond pride six months befor'
10 and just as the last words pass his lips
10 slips from her careless hold, and rolls
" his feet.
III Without word or sign save the deeper
ing of the pallor ON his cheek, Jack stool
and picks it up and puts it in his pocket.
ar Goodbye, Loretta" he says, holdir
out his hand.
She looks quickly up with faint litt
s, gasp.
ST There is something in his tone til
warns her that he is drifting further out
her life, that she can't consent to let him G
Not goodbye, jack" she faltel
Wen be good friends of course, and "
will come and see me just the same as
no -p
''Never the same, LORETTA" he answC
almost sternly. "There can be no ha
i"' way compromise in this matter. II y
send me away from that place | have
cupied in your heart and life, the sepel
tion must be final-absolute. If bel
what you call good friends means tha
wish you every happiness in life, will
so. But il would be worse than madn
IN me to continue to court your society,
risk the intoxlcation that prevades "
smiles Your words, your every action, wi
4 Che goal to which they would point is
"A ever beyond my reach-it is worse IL
a cruel in you to ask it. From this hou
A must look upon you and regard you as
y prospective wife Of some other man-i
-, to his rights l must offer no invasi
iii Good-byeW
~ Half frightened, half ashamed, yet
ried along by her willful caprice, Lor'
C suffers her hand to lie IN his for brief
- slant with no lingering pressure on ell
side.
Then he turns and is gone, while
buries her face in her handkerchief
burst of impetuous tears.
cts, The paroxysm passes quickly, howe
and drying her tears she sits upright, d
ing one resentful glance toward the doc
pr ''Let him go off angry if he wants
'0i' she exclaims. sitting sob. II dom
lieve he cared tor me after all; and at
rate am free now"
&c. She draws letter from her poeke
letter two Gays old now, but which has
sc the leading factor in this movement on
- ,.l raaHa il lhrOnul