The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-08-04
Single Copies S Cents.

/ ago,
"What-.alone?"
'No-with that Mr.. Talbot, of course"
"But he has gone to New York"
''To New York; oh, no, you must b,
mistaken. He could not possibly hav,
walked 10 Mrs. Iawrence's and back il
time"
Tom Allen had grown pale while th,
young lady spoke.
"Rose," he said, ''are you sure of wha
you say? Mr. Talbot has certainly gone
back TO New York. I saw Effie come in
here early this afternoon, on my way to the
office. On my return just now, l heard
that Mr.. Talbot had rushed off to New
York in hurry, and l thought 1 would
come on the chance of finding Efie, and
take her home"
SIT is very strange" said Rose, '1t was
almost dark when they went away. WHAT
time did Mr.. Talbot start?"
''He took the six o'clock express"
"And they left just before FIVE. asked
Effie to stay all night, but she refused"
Tom was already putting on his coat
again,
There is something strange in this" he
said. "Rose, l am going over to Mrs. Law
rence's at once. That man could not have
left her alone in the storm. Could She"
Gould she what?" asked Rose, looking
at him in alarm. 80 Tom, you don't mean
to think that she has gone with him?"
81 don't know what to think" he ans
wered. 81 only know that shall be very
wretched until l find out what il means.
! must 90 atonce." Then in answer TO her
appealing look, eyes, l will let you know
what find out" and he hurried away from
the house.
Aliens rapid strides brought him, in spite
of the storm, TO Mrs. Lawrence's cottage,
in wonderfully short time. His summons
at the door met with quick response, the
lady opening it for him herself.
"Oh, Tom, am glad to see you." Then
peering out into the storm, "but where is
Effie?' sa-aiss,
"Effie is not with me-" replied Tom,
coming into the house and following her
into the cosy sitting room,
"That is very strange" said Mrs. Law
renee. "Then suppose she will stay at
Crews all night, but did not expect to"
"She is not at the Greys'" Allen ans
wered.
And now, as Mrs. Lawrence looked at
him, she was struck with the strange ex-
preston of his face. His worst fears had
been corroborated by not finding Effie at
home, and the anguish of his heart could
not but look out of his eyes.
"What is it, Tom?" asked Mrs. Law
renee, anxiously. "Where is Efie?"
81 do not know. She left Mr.. Grey's
about five o'clock with Mr.. Talbot,
"And You did not pass them on the
road?"
"No," then with an effort; "Mr. Talbo,
has returned to New York"
"You do not mean that you think Efiic
went with bim?" she said, very slowly.
"Mrs. Lawrence, do not know what TO
think" groaned Allen. "Effie is not here
she is gone. Where is she?'
"Not with him, Tom, not with himl
Pm sure of that" cried the lady eagerly.
"She has stopped at some of the noighbors'
or returned to Grey's. No, Tom, 1t cannot
be that she would leave me so." Then in
moment she said almost wildly,-"You
must find her, Tom. She cared for you;
she did not like him. There is some strange
mystery; but, oh! my darling girl would
not desert me so cruelty"
Allen was half convinced by her energy.
l will do my very best to find out about
ii at once" he said. "If she is in the
neighborhood will discover her; If she
has really gone with him, some one must
know it,"
Then followed brief and earnest con-
sultation, Mrs. Lawrence suggesting SUCH
places as Effie might possibly have gone to,
and then once more Tom went on his way,
this time armed with lantern. Out into
the night again, the red glow of the lantern
casting strange CLEANS across the snow and
lighting up the fakes for moment, as they
passed across its radiance.
He had plunged on with fiery eagerness
for some half mile when a faint sound
caught his ear, like the distant sound of
his own name:
''Tom! Tomp'
He listened moment. Was IL a fancy?
No, il came again muflied but louder
"Tom! Toni Tom! Help me! help me! |!
Tomp
He knew the voice now, and cried out,
his heart bounding with eager delight
"Where are you, Efiiep Effie, my dar-
hng~
"Here, Tom, under the snow"
He was by her side, presently, and bend
ing down over the drift that contained the
little form he loved SO dearly. She was all
covered with snow, so completely that he
would meyer had seen her, even In the day
time.
so Tom! Thank God you haye comet
saw you after you had gone by, but could
not make you hear. have been watching
for you ever SINCE"
"My dear little girlp'
eyes, Tom," and her arms were around
his neck now, 81 loYe you so much! and
you will forgive me for flirting with any
body elseP"
"of course 1 will, my dear. But how
came you here?'
"Iie insulted me, drove him away and
tried to come home alone, but 1 fell and
sprained my ankle. 1 can't walk-and.
Tom Pm afraid you will have to carry.me." I"
Garry you? To be sure | will. you
dear little child"
And so presently he set of, bearing his
recovered pet in his arms, Efie carrying
the lantern. 1t was slow work travelling
thus through the snow, but they reached
the cottage at last, and then what re-
ioicing there was, and what merry
Christmas was next day, when all met at