The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-10-27
A LITTLE GOSSIP.
by MRS. II. COLLINS.

"Haye you heard the news, Ethel? Well,
prepare for great surprise--quite shock.
| may say Van Warrington is going to be
married"
Ethel Rayne's white hand trembled a
little, but she went on fastening the red
rose in her brown hair which just then
engrossed her attention. Mrs Warde, who
was retailing this deleetable bit of gossip,
scrutinized the girl closely, and felt slight
tinge of disappointment.
Dear me! | don't believe that she cares
so much after all, she said to herself.
"Yet everybody thought that she and Van
would be married some day. cannot
understand it,"
81 bope he will be happyH' Ethers low
voice was saying quietly. rs the-the
marriage to take place soon?"
Mrs IVarde started with an uneasy look.
81 really out not to repeat it, my dear
Ethelr she returned, but my nforma-
ton is quite to the point. and consists
chiefly of the fact-this is a fact, Ethel, for
saw it--that he went into Jet & Cold S
iewelry store yesterday aud purchased a
wedding.ring Yes, real bona flde we'd
ding-ring, for lie asked to.look at some as
bold as can be. ] was behind screen close
by and lac did not see me, and never sus-
pected that an one was near, save old Jet
himself who waited unon him. But / heard
all that passed, ard saw him select ring
he had tiny piece Of blue ribbon to meas
ure by and heard him order an inscrip-
tion to be placed inside the ring, ". to NJ.
Now who does that-can that-mean but
Van Warrington and May Stuart? You
know those Sularts who moved out on
to their plantation a year ago? May is a
lures haye ever met. Van was quite de-
voted to her. when she lived in the city. !
should say il must be an affair of long
standing. And, Ethel | overhead Mr..
Jet ask him when il was to come OFF, and
| Van smiled-what sweet smile he has
and what lovely white teeth-aud said the
twentieth Of next mouth. declare, Ethel,
that is not more than eleven days And
here IS Van going about as usual, and none
Of the young ladies know ,he ruth-the
awfut truth. Tie is a base deceiyer."
Ethers red lips curled scornfully.
Nonsense, Mrs. Warder' she exclaimed,
"why should he % about informing every
body Of his approaching marriage if he doe.
not see fit to do so? IPhat DO you think OF
this lace, Mrs Warde? Is itnol exqulsite?''
holding up a mist of dainty white cobweb
as light and airy as fairy frost-work.
Beautiful! Just too lovely for any
thing. All, Ethel, if / were like you
young and beautiful, and with more money
than YOU know what to do wilh-I would
be perfectly happy"
The fair white face grew sad; the girl'i
dark eyes dropped, and there was a tone OF
pathos in the low, sweet voice as sh'
answered;
"Money alone cannot bring happiness
Mrs Warde, and for my part
"A gentleman in the drawingroom t
see Miss Ethel" announced the sewant a
the open door OF the pretty boudoir wher'
Ethel was entertaining her friend.
"Therer' exclaimed Ethel, lightly. 3"
suppose l must go down. VIII you come
Mrs. Warde, Or"
"Thanks, dear, no. '-rlsing as she spoke
''Nly call already has been unpardonabl
long. Bye-byel Don't forget TO find ou
all about the wedding. Adhere, ,ha
stupid servant prtccd the card where