The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-08-25

both directions. A moment later he had
darted to the spot, and, seizing the girls
arm, drew her aside to a place of tempor-
airy safety; after which the rest was easy,
and the young girl saved from bodily harm,
perhaps death itself,
He was conscious of pair of soft brown
eyes gazing into his own, and a pale,
frightened little face, while sweet, tremb-
ling voice faltered broken thanks for what
he had done.
In the midst of her thanks she broke off
abruptly.
''Oh, am afraid haye lost the bundle
that l was carry ingr' she grasped in
frightened accents-''the pretty lace, and
- Oh, dear she will kill me-"
He CLEANED from her at last that she was
in the employ of lady, who had sent her
to purchase some costly lace, to be brought
for the lady's inspection, and ii it pleased
her she would retain it. Gerald turned to
the weeping girl; she seemed only little
more than a child.
do not greYe sol' he said kindly.
''Surely no woman could be so harsh as to
blame you for an accident! And your life
was at stake" lie added, with swift
glance into the pale little face, which
brought the bushes to her cheeks. 'Let
me walk home with youp he added
suddenly.
She made no objection, and they moved
onward, turning soon into the same fash
ionable avenue where his betrothed bride
resided, pausing at length, much to his
surprise, at the very house which was
Mabel Thornton's home.
A little later the door had opened to adj
NIT them. Gerald turned to enter the draw
ing room.
'Say to Miss Thornton that Mr.. Vane is
waiting for her herer' he said to the SER
Yant, who knew him well as Miss Thorn
toms intended husband.
The man bowed and Gerald entered the
drawing-room, while the girl whom he had
rescued FASTENED in search of her employer.
She found her at last in pretty little
apartment which opened from the drawing
room, and was separated by portieres, and,
standing in the drawing-room, Gerald
Vane was an unwilling listener.
The girl told her story in low, tremb-
ling tone.
" "What!' cried woman's voices sharp
and shrill and angry that Gerald started
UP with cry Of CONSERVATION, for he rec
ognized his Mabel usually dulcet tones.
"Do you imagine for moment that can
be imposed upon by such a tale? You
have stolen the lace, but you shall pay for
it. / was foolish to allow you to come here
at all, and now l command you to 90.
Leaye my house at once"
''But, Miss Thornton, am stranger in
the city, and utterly alone. The business
whicli-brought me here is at a standstill,
and can do nothing at present. So,
was glad to have the shelter of your roof, and
sew for you to pay for my board. But |
cannot replace the lace, Miss Thornton
you know that l am too poor. And If 90
away, what will become of me?''
81 don't carel You are nothing to me,
and l do not keep home for the friendless.
You have stolen my lace; you shall go at
once-do you hear me? Leaver
And then the door bell rang again, and
to Gerald Vane's surprise old Lawyer Clay
ton was ushered into the room where he
stood, just as the portieres were dashed
aside, and Mabel Thornton, quite uncon-
scious of The presence of the two men in
her drawing room, ,..made her appearance.
She was pale with anger; her dark eyes
were flashing with uncomfortable wrath,
and one jeweled hand clutched the should
ar of the shrinking, weeping girl.
You shall leave at oncer' The shrill
voice repeated "or-''
She came to an abrupt halt the words
dying upon her lips in grasping cry as her
eyes fell upon Gerald Vanc and his COM
panion.
"Geraldw
He checked hcl with contemptuous
gesture.
81 have heard enough; there is no ex-
PLANTATION possible" he said coldly. 81
came here, Mabel, to tell you that my for
tune is gone, and to release you from our
engagement-an engagement which has
only been mistake"
"You money-is gomez" she grasped,
brokenlY.
"Yesp interviewed Lawyer Clayton,
calmly. "The fortune which General
Clare left to Mr., Vane rlghtfully belongs to
the generals granddaughter, Miss Kath
leen Glare, the young lady whom you have
so grossly insulted."
Imagine the scene which followed
Kathleen had come to the city. knowing
nothing at all of Gerald Vane, and had
claimed her Inheritance, leaving the mat
ter in Lawyer Clayton's hands to adjust.
But she was without money, and so had
found situation as maid and seamstress
in return for her board until the business
should be finally adjusted
And this is how it came about that Ger
aid Vane discovered the true nature of his
betrothed wife, and escaped an unhappy
marriage.
Six months later he made sweet. Kath-
leen Glare his wife, and to the day of his
death he never ceased to be grateful that
he had found out the truth before it was
too late.
PAINLESS DEATH
The use of carbon dioxide has been recon-