The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-03-31
In the Face of Death.
BY MRS. f. II. HoUGH.

VI would cling to the man [ loved. and
be faithful to him, through EVIL report and
good rercrt-in the face of death itselfr'
Elaine New ellis was not a handsome face
but the expression that animated it with
the utterance of those low-spoken but
earnest words, gave it a charm that was
better Than beauty; and one of the two
young men who oyer heard the words, turned
and bent glance of quiet scrutiny upon
the slender figure of the girl who stood
leaning against column of the porch. a
few ct distant, her hands clasped loosely
IN front of her, her face slightly uplifted
with the rapt expression of one inspired.
Her sister Mildred, a really pretty girl,
some three years her senior, gave utterance
to light, tinkllng laugh.
Really, Elaine, had no idea of elicit
ing such burst of eloquence by INV casual
remark. did not suppose you had turned
your attention to thoughts of love yet"
II have not committed myself to apv
such statement" replied Elaine in tone
OF mingled resentment and chagrn, at hay-
ing been betrayed into an uuwonted warmth
OF expression before her somewhat cynical
sister, who, although she wore a diamond
ring on her engagement finger, seemed to
consider it eminently proper to scoff at any
evidence of the tender passion in any one
else, 81 was simply speaking on general
PRINCIPLES"
Dear me, If you can command such an
amount Of eloquence on general principles
yon would really become positively heroic
when 1t came to a particular instancer'
was the half-mischievous, half-mocking re-
sponse. 81 don't wonder yours was the
prize competition at school; you must be
possessed of very high order of romance! I!
Now don't go away offended" she contin-
ued, as Elaine turned quietly but decidedly
away, Il was only joking
But the apology came too late. Without
any other sign than resentful fash of her
dark eyes, and heighteuiHg of the VIVID
bloom on her cheek, Elaine passed into the
house.
Not until the door closed behind heI did
Clinton Hayward withdraw his gaze.
Then turning to his companion. he said
in half-amused, half-earnest tone:
THE little sister of your bride elect
seems to be quite an intense young lady.
She has been so demure thus far that did
not know she had so much fire and spirit in
her."
"She is Quixotlc and romantic, of course,
but the best-hearted little creature in the
world, withnl," said Robert Deane. good
humoredly, tossing away his cigar as he
spoke. She is lust home from boarding
school, YOU see, with her head full of ro-
mantle vagaries, and no more idea of the
conyentionalities of life than a kitten,
When she becomes toned down in some de-
gree, and takes on little polish, it will be
great Improvement to her no doubt, but
l do not think she will ever quite come up
to her sister Mildred for quiet, well-bred
grace, and an utter absence of any of those
explosive tendencies"
"You are in duty bound to think so at all
events" remarked Clinton, with a laugh.
And after all, it takes all varieties 10 make
up the sum Of human life, you know: too
much of one kind, however excellent, would
be apt to become monotonous. But as we
have both finished our cigars. let us go over
aud entertain your lady-love. Miss Elaine
has evidently deserted us Tor the night"
He did not know that the girl whose
name he uttered so lightly was at that mo-
ment on her kness in her own room, her
face, crimson with passion and shame,
buried in the counterpane Of her dainty
bed, aud sobs shaking her slender form
from head to foot.
IL was only three weeks since she had
returned home from her boarding a
warm-hearted, impnlsive, and yet diffident
child, to find her sisters lover, Robert
Deare, there on visit together with his
friend and old-time college chum, Clinton
| Hayward.
There was no beauty in her face to at
tract any special admiration from him. but
she had met his friendly advances with a
shy grace all her own; and it was not long
before he noticed that the demure little
face could grow radiant at times with a
bright, keen look that furnished fitting
index TO the free, brave soul within and be-
hind it; spirit of sterling honesty and in
tegrity that would not stoop 10 VII, adula-
tion or friendship by any conventional sub
terfuge or Establishment whatever
And while he was interested aud amused
by the Original little creature" as he was
fond OF terming her, the girls fresh, ardent
receptive nature was, all unconsciously at
first, drawing in the intoxicating but SO Of
ten fatal breathings Of that influence which
becomes the one controlling force Of wo-
mans life.
nature as prouG as it was ardent, was,
however, her shield against any outward
and unsought manifestation Of her jealous
ly guarded secret; hut the presence of that
magic power in her heart unconsciously
tempered her actions, her words, her whole
dsmeanor, lending a gracious. womanly