The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-09-01
FOR HIS SAKE.
BY LIZZIE NJ. MULHAREN.

eyes express as much. Why should l de-
ceive you-what could be my reason for
saying what 1 have said did l not know 1t
was true?'
Maud Branksome's laBis hazuli eyes
rested full on the young mans disturbed
face as she spoke.
81 do not know your reason. .Maud-only
this do know; you have spoken words
that were you man l would not listen as
calmly to"'
81 spoke in jest, perhaps" she laughed,
warmer flush staining her cheeks.
"Was it a jest, Maud, or-or has Evelyn
Mannering another lover? That was your
insinuation."
Under her long, g,sweeping lashes an exult-
ant light crcpt into the girls eyes, the next
moment she let them rest full upon his
face.
"What have said will prove, if you
come with me this evening at s O'clock"
81 will go with you,'' he answered slow
ly, "to prove to you that you have mis-
judged my promised wife"
Six months before Evelyn Mannering had
come to the Denver homestead as goyerness
to little dark-eyed boy, the grandson OF
the naughty mistress of it, the only child
of her daughter, who had given her life for
his.
1t was said that Anna Denver had re-
ceived some great shock before the little
ones birth-one thing sure, she had been
found white and unconscious by her young
husband, anil from that day till the day of
her death she had never been the same,
her death which came three months later.
William MasteIson, her husband, had
married a year after her death; but accord
ing to promise given, he left his boy with
Mrs. Denver.
To their stately home Evelyn Mannering
had been welcomed more as guest than a
governess, for she and Annie Denver had
been bosom friends at school, and when
Leigh Denver fell in love with her, and
asked her to be his wife, his mother made
no objection, though she would much rath-
er his choice had fallen on Maud Brank-
some, her husbands ward, and who lived
with them from childhood.
Raised with Leigh Denver, Maud
Branksome knew the one failing of an 9TH
erwise generous and loyal nature-jealousy,
and she saw it in him now. despite the
cold, proud surprise of his manner.
She laughed low and mockingly.
THAT have misjudged her? For your
sake, let us hope so. If so, you will for
give me. Leigh?'
With gesture of impatience he turned
away, then returned to her side.
81 will hold you to your words, Maud.
This evening at eight O'Clock; and yet
Maud, do not for moment be led into the
error Of thinking that, for one moment,
doubt the honor and truth of Evelyn Man
nerlng."
The girl shrugged her shoulders, half
scornful light shot into her eyes.
Despite his efforts to hide it, she knew
her words had told.
Slowly but snrely she had sown suspicion
in his heart, and at length it had taken
root.
81 do not blame you," she said; ''you
have the Denver pride, but you will believe
me when"
'You prove it," he said.
Then, without another word, he turned
away and left her standing there, the warm
flush still on her cheek, the scornful light
still in her eyes.
Left alone, the girl walked swiftly up and
down the room, her hands clasped tightly
together.
"How he loyes herl how he loyes her
and IL am nothing to him. All, heavens,
l could take her life, but her happiness
must content me. All, God! if 1 should
fail! But no. She is paying him for his
silence, for Leigh Denver's sake, and for
che sake of the proud woman who idolizes
her little grandson"
She drew slip of paper from her pocket.
"Meet me at the old oak at eight o'clock
must have the money at once. REGIE."
She laughed low.
''More will be there than fair Evelyn"
she said; "he is the man, and Well the
woman was in the shadow. l will leave
myself at the loophole of escape"
Up and down the broad, old-fashioned
garden-path Evelyn Mannering was walk
ing, a broad hat shading her delicate face,
the hght wind tossing the soft curls that
clustered round her neck and brow.
A beautiful girl, tall and slender, with