The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-12-28

| VINO" W SOY uiun KNOW, ana dtdnF
know what said.
81 see, l stammered, ''the one you
| g-gave me was w-w-worked in red
hair"
peal of laughter brought me to my
senses My discontinue was complete.
fell back In my chair and covered my
face with my hands.
"You do that just like girl" heard
her cry delightedly. "It's exactly what
did when you left me that day in the
school yard, and l thought about my
blunder in spelling. Only covered my
face with my apron"
Presently mustered courage TO look
at her.
"Who made that book mark2" she ask
ed, resuming n serious expression.
"My sister"
what madc YOU do such a thinge"
My admiration for you"
Nonsense
"'There ia tide in the affairs of
men," l muttered, "'which, taken at
the flood -
II have admired you," said, humbly,
"ever since hesitated.
81 was red headed little imp"
mo, went on, profiting by the les
son had learned and speaking frankly.
"Then, to thoughtless, unreasoning
children you We're not attractive"
"Now you are speaking manfully.
Please don't ever attempt to impose on
me again."
"Indeed, never will, if you will for
give me for this"
"You are forgiven" she said kindly.
"But you haven't told me when this
admiration for me bloomed."
when met you on Christmas night
at the dancing party"
"ln other words, you have admired
me for whole week"
looked mt her frankly, honestly. and
meant every word l spoke when / re-
piled; "In those three days have been
crowded enough admiration to offset ten
years of Indifference"
She blushed and lowered her eyes.
1T has not been only admiration" I
went on. For three whole days have
been madly in love with you."
She leaned back in her chair and drew
a long, long sigh.
''You know that speak the truth.
by your past record?"
mo, by my sincerity. You can see it
in every feature; my voice, my eyes, my
whole being"
She sat with her eyes fixed on a spot
In the carpet, occasionally raising them
to mine as though wondering whether l
was worthy of credence.
~ don't believe word you saw"
But l saw that the tide had turned.
that she was wavering. My want of
reputation with her for truthfulness was
certainly great barrier in the way of
my convincing her of my sincerity, but
did not despair, for I knew that what
l said was only too true. For half an
hour continued the attack. she parry
ing every thrust, and continually re-
minding me OF my recent deception; but
the quickest way to convince is to be
really in earnest. and this gave me the
victory.
'It's so sudden, she said.
"We have loved each other for a
week." urged.
"Yours may have been since then.
mine"-
"YoursY"
elias lasted ever since you fought for
me-"
Then knew why had won SO sudden
a victory.
Before took my leave that evening I
caught sight of reflection in the mir
ror. What do you suppose it wasP Il
was Reddie and /, she lovingly resting
In my arms, with her head on my shoul-
der, her back to the mirror, with nv
face toward it.
"Ah." l said to myself, not even
speaking the words in whisper-my
lips were too near her ear. sit is due to
the generosity and gratitude of that
freckled, red headed child you spurned
ten years ago, that you are not getting
your just deserts now"
"Why uncle" said lass of II, 81
didn't know you were that kind of
young man ever"
"Why didn't you marry Reddie!p
asked another.
Perhaps she resumed her common
sense ana thought better OF 1t after all, !"
said the white haired lady at the center
table, her head bent down low over her
work.
"Pshaw," said a matter of fact girl Of
TO- 81 know who Reddie was"
''WhoS" asked chorus of voices.
"Auntie."
Glow could that be, you little goose"
said her uncle, "when auntie has white
hair and Reddie's was red?"
"He's made most of it out of whole
,loth," said the old lady. THAT about
he mirror is ridiculous. II 1 had sup
posed he'd talk about such things
The old lady stopped short, and the
boys and girls all burst into laugh.
+. A. Mitchell.