The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-09-07

and as frOthy as bowl o SOapSuds, ana |
brimful O. mischief into the bargain.
And Ellsworths only a mortal man,
after all. Frances ought to have mar
ried him a year ago, when he wanted
her to do So only she wouldn't leave us
until we'd paid the mortgage on the
farm and got even with the world"
"But, Qbed, what are We 10 do? /
can't tell herl" sobbed the old lady.
"Nor /. neither. There's. no help for
it, wife; she's got to find it out for h,r-
self"
And he let his wrinkled forehead fal
into his hands with a groan.
Just then the door opened
A tall, slight figure came in like
gliding shadow.
"Tve heard it all, father, " said Frances,
"and you mustn't blame either Stephen
or Lizzie. lit was only natural. He
has grown tired of waiting for me. And
Lizzie is very lovely. 1 can't blame any
man for wanting to make her his wife,
shall go to Albany, all the same, and
tell them not to mind me. You know
with rather forced SMILEY, "people al
ways said was cut out for an old maid
here at home all our lives, can't we?"
And here poor Frances broke down,
and cried bitterly.
"Don't mind me-" said she. 81 shall
| be quite used to it after a while"
1t was brilliant January afternoon
| the ground covered with snow, the sun
shining with Arctic splendor, and all the
streets musical with the joyous chime of
| sleigh bells-when Frances Crest arrived
at Mrs. Rigney's house in Albany.
| "Why - Francie - Crest" calculated
the good lady, sis this your"
81 came to surprise Lizzie, Aunt Jo-
sie," said the traveller, smiling family.
"Well, it will be surprise" said Mrs.
Rigney. go right up, dear. She's in
the parlor with
"With Capt. Ellsworth"
elbow on earth did you know" cried
the comfortable elderly lady. "Has she
written to your
"No, not word," Frances answered.
"But know it all, nevertheless"
She went ON and knocked at the par
lor door.
"Come inp' called Lizzie's sweet So
|
ening of her heart, she obeyed.
Was that little Lizzie standing by the
fire, one dainty, slippered foot on the
fender, her cleaning silzen gown held
up by slim white hand, while her eX-
qllisite profile was outlined against the
ruby velvet of the lambrequin?
She looked more like a princess
fairy queen. In this atmosphere OF
change and happiness she had fairly
blossomed out like rose in mid June.
And that tall figure in the shadow be
yond-
"Frances! Dear, dear Francesp
In a second Lizzie was in her arms.
"You got my letter, love-the letter
wrote to you yesterday-the letter tha
told you all?'
81 have received no letter, Lizzie.
left home early this morning. But
where is Capt Ellsworth"
"Here-right here before your eyes
Come here, Clarence, and let me intro
duce you to your new sister, for we arr
, engaged, Frances, Clarence and l. Tha
is my mysterious secret"
The tall figure advanced with mill
| bOIV VI btluUC.
| 1t was not Stephen at all, but taller
younger, less impressive looking man.
, Frances bowed in bewildered way.
"But Stephen, where is Stephen?" sh
r | asked.
"Gone down to Woodfield, Francie
: after you. Because he says he mean
there shall be double wedding if there
, | to be a single one, and he declares h
won't wait any longer for you to mak'
up your mind. And how puzzled he will
be, to be sure, when he finds the bird ha
: ! fownl Are you very much surprised
Frances? But, you see, Clarence is il
o the regular army; not a mere militi
captain like Stephen. He is stationed il
f Florida, and he was spending his leav
of absence with his cousins here in Al
bany; and so, of course, couldn't hel
] getting acquainted with him, becaus
r Stephen came here every day to tai
! about you, and Clarence always cam
O with him. And-Yes, Clarence; g
away now and get the flowers for tn
o evening reception at Miss Birds, for I'v
! got so much to say to my sister,"
She dismissed her handsome love
, with the nonchalance of a queen, am
then showered caresses anew on Frances
"Isn't he splendid, darling?" she cried
"And only think, | owe it all to you; 70
if it hadn't been for your sending m
n here, never should have met him a
all. And we'll telegraph to Stephen a
: once, and you will consent to be marrie'
a at the same time with me--won't you
/ dear?"
!. eyes," said Frances, her eyes brim
o ming over with blissful tears, II will!
f Helen Forest Graves in Philadelphi
: Saturday Night.
: The gigot or leg of mutton sleeve, a
in one piece, and with its fullness at tn
- top wrinkled around the arm, is th
= growing favorite with the Paris dress
- lrar.o