The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-03-10
UNDER A SPELL
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.

'DoaAe, what is II that troubles you so?
Won't you tell me, dear?'' said Natalie
Ward, pleadingly, as she bade her lover
goodnight at the gate. you have not
been like yourself since-not for two OF
three weeks" and there was pathetic lit
tie quaver in the sweet, girlish voice as II
broke off abruptly, in a half-frightened
way, before the words hat had sprung to
her lips could find utterance.
"Trouble?" he echoed absently. "There
isn't any trouble, Natalie. You are giving
way to some foolish fancy, my little girl"
81 hope so, Doane, hope 1t is only that.
But"-and there was sharper thrill in the
low, sweet yoice-'I have thought some
times. of late, that perhaps you were be-
ginning to regret our engagement, and
and | ought to release you from it. For
you know, Doane, l am only poor girl,
while you are the richest
'NatalieW
lie had been listening to her in bewil-
dered sort Of way, his handsome brown
eyes staring down upon the graceful little
figure leaning against the gate-upon the
sweet, fair face lifted to his with such a
troubled, pleading look in the big gray
eyes, as il he scarcely understood what she
had been tr}ing to say; but now, with q
sudden movement, he caught her in hi;
arms and drew her closely to his heart.
Natalie, what foolish, wicked thingt
are you saying, child?" he exclaimed, will
passionate vehemence. "You shall not re
lease me from my engagement-I won't b,
released; and you must never dream of ut
tering such a horrible threat again. Yol
are to be my wife. Natl belong to you
and"-with an odd, iitful little laugh
remember this, little girl, you must neve
give up to any other"
There was something in the deep. i'm
FASHIONED accents of his voice which sound
ed almost like prayer and the girl locke,
up wonderinsly into the handsome fac
bent so close to hers.
"Do you love me so well, DoaneP" sh
asked, the old happy light coming back t
the bright gray eyes, and the gay, winsom
smiles, so long absent from it, playing ono
more over the fair, pretty face.
eyes. do love you, Natalie" he an,
wered, very earnestly, as he kissed tn
sweet lips. 81 have given you the trues
purest love of my life. You must neyt
doubt that, dear"
Nat gave the promise willingly enouel
1t was so sweet to have the clouds whicl
for few weeks past. had hovered over Ii
sunshine of her love, swept away by Il
truth aud tenderness which she read
unerringly in her lovers handsome face.
So, with all her doubts dispelled, and II
dark-eyed, beautiful siren who had cause
them quite forgotten for the time. Natal
;. stood talking In her old bright, happy fasl
ion with her lover; and when she ksst
him goodbye at last, it was with perfe
trust and confidence, although the partir
was to be for many weeks.
For Doane Greyson had been called |
the death of relative to dis'an city, AN
as here were many business matters to
settled which would require his piesen'
there, he bad come this evening TO tai
leave of his lovely little sweetheart, &
Y several weeks at least.
my true, sweet little Natp be mutter'
to himself as he went away at last, wi
her fond, conhding words still sounding
bis ears. Heaven give me strength to
faithful 10 you, my darlingp
And he shut his tssth hard together Al