The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-03-17

suggestive of fierce restraint. He was a
strong man with strong passions, and pos
sessing an iron will TO control them.
"Will YOU sing for me that song you sang
when first you came to visit us?" he asked.
81 have presentiment that 1t will be the
last time shall ever hear your voice, and
want TO remember it. 1t we're a pity 90
forget the sweetest thing one ever heard,
would it not, little one?''
A dry sob rose in her throat. Beatrix
Evelyn was childish in appearance only.
Choking down her misery she turned to
the piano near.
Quiveringly at first her sweet voice rose,
then went steadily on to the end.
"''Tis Ill to break the bands that God decreed
to bind,
Yet still are we the children of the heather
and the wind;
Though far away from home, oh, 'tis still for
you and me,
That the broom is blowing bonny In that
north countree.'"
"Pm afraid you'll have to do Europe on
trust, old man," exclaimed Rick, entering.
81 can't find your filthy lucrep"
II will 60 find 1t myself" then turning
as he stood on the threshold, Goodbye"
he said. 'It begins to snow. See that
Beatrix is well wrapped, Eric"
Then he was gone, and Trick shivered.
''Tll be blamed II he isn't more fit for a
lunatic asylum than a bridal tour"
grumbled Rick. "Well, / can imagine
pleasanter positions than carrying the pug
dog, and receiving the sarcasms of my fu-
ture sister-in-law, can't you, cousinP'
Trick made no return in words, and was
strangely silent during the long drive to
Eaton Pines.
1t was whlm Of the whimsical, wealthy
bride that the marriage should be per-
formed at midnight. but on their arrival
dancing was in progress.
About ten o'clock Rick came up to his
cousin, There was a somewhat troubled
look on his pleasant face.
~ have a message-a telegram for you,"
he whispered. Zone of our servants Just
brought it over. Come into the conserya.
tory and read it,"
1t was from prominent doctor IN New
York:
"Your fat her dangerously i'll. Come i'm.
medlatsly il you would see him alive"
With low cry she lifted her eyes tc
Erric's face. She swayed, and would have
fallen had not some one caugh. her. II
was Paul. She hardly needed, but Eric
briefly explained.
81 will drive her over to the station" hi
said 1--WE can catch the midnight train. .
VERY well. There is no use speakin:
| about it; it would but create disturbance
and can easily explain afterward. Hitct
Black Bess into my cutter, Eric, quick al
possible. She is safe animal"
| A few minutes later, wrapped in furs Il
the eyes, and nearly distracted, Trick wa
lifted into tho waiting cutter Eric wa
about to accompany her, when his brothe
called him aside, and both returned to tn
house, only one returning moment later
Even through her anxiety she fcl
grieved. Why bad Paul so cooIly parte
with her?
Rushing to her eyes the tears froze there
She had no desire to speak, and Eric ap
parently was in The same mood.
Silently and tediouslY they drove agains
the ever increasing storm. Wilder an
more furious it became, deeper and NOR
drifted the snow.
"We shall never get there" cried Trick
wildly. at must be near midnight, now.
And her tortured mind went back to th
mansion long left behind. In a few mir
utes Paul would be married, perhaps. Pei
haps he was married already. Behind he
in life lay the might-have-been of happ
ness. Before-God, what was before
Her beloved father
Black Bess had stood still as if bewildel
ed. Through grove near the wind moar
ed in painful accents.
care we lost, Erric?" she cried. "Wh
don't you speak? why"
He leaped from the cutter and weI
quickly forward.
Black Bess stood quivering in her track
, Presently he returned to her side stoo
|, there, the wind bowling aud driving abol
them both, the snow falling fast and taste
at is useless. We can go no furthe
3 she has lost the road" he said.
At the voice Trick uttered cry and to-
: the veil from her face.
"Paulp' she cried. "Where Is Erril
Why did you do this mad thing?'
because was made. l wanted to s.
s you, to say last word before we parted
forever. Forgive me"
"Where is Erric?'
LOCKED safely up in the cloakroom u
e less they have liberated him before this"
y grimly.
Is "What will you do?"-dazedlY. "Y'
cannot be back by midnight to-"
+ 81 had not intended 10. Indeed, | a
= not sure ever intended going back at a
But marriage can be postponed, dea
cannot. knew II 1t were possible for a
" one TO get you TO zudwick In time for /
Is midnight express, could. have faile'
lighting match to see bis watch-fal
u ard speaking IN kind OF bitter despa
10 at Is half past twelve, and" he continu
passionately II am glad Am not marie
n' glad l am with you, darling. come wi
'u mayF'
or '''Hushi Oh, what will doS What {