The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-11-23
whats the natter,

black as night
sob, Aunt Bliven." gasped Leona
chow can this have happenedp"
81 see through it all plain enough,
said Mrs. Bliven. "You needn't troubl
to tell any lies about it, Leona Parishl
heard what you and Myra were talkinl
about yesterday morning-about the OLE
lady and the bonnet that was shipped t,
pieces and the blame laid on rats It's
very smart, ingenious plan, l dom
doubt; but somehow it don't suit me I,
have such very smart, ingenious folk
about my premises. So, if you please
I'll dispense with the rest of your visit
The horse and wagon are at the door, anC
little Peter will drive you to the depot Al
soon as ever you've packed your trunk.
'But, Aunt Bliven, I never
II told you I'd have no more false
hoods" sternly interrupted the old lady
81 don't know what sort of consciencei
you girls have, in this age Of the world
Be silent, say, and obey me-"
And thus, in all the bitterness OF un
merited disgrace, Leona was turned ouI
OF the house that was beginning to bt
unspeakably dear to her.
James Bliven, when he came home
was thunderstruck.
Mother, for heavens sake" cried he
"what is this? The girl has no place tc
go TO-"
'Let her go back to the boarding
school she came FROM" said Mrs. Bliven
sternly. "I'll have no double dealers ir
this houser
"I'll go after her and bring her back. >
you'll do as you please" said the old
woman; "but il Leonas the girl take
her to be. she won't come with you"
A sudden wave Of despair swept over
James soul as he recognized the truth OF
these words.
Mother" he cried, "youll forgive
herl You'll send for her to return-for
my sake, mother2"
But Mrs. Bliven shook her head.
''No girl that isn't frank hearted and
true can have home herel" she reiter.
ated.
Yet, in spite of all this, the house
seemed strangely desolate without Leo
mas light step and winning smile.
Late at night there was loud knock
ing at the door, 1t was Myra Manton,
come back.
"Things is all right" said she. "They
was frightened more than they was hurt.
Absalom Atkins always was a coward,
and / amt goin to spend any more O.
my time foolin' with 'em, 90 rva come
back. Was you surprised when you
seen Waggy was gone'-The dog" in an
swer to Mrs. Bliven's puzzled look, "that
Cappen Jackson left in my charge.
When seen the mischief he'd done. ]
jest ketched him up and left him to cap
penis sisters, Mary Ann Jackson, at the
cross roads, and afterwards il occurred
to me you might miss him and worry
for fear he was lost"
81 never once thought of the dog"
said Mrs. Bliven, impatiently.
"And the bonnet?" said Myra "rm
powerfully sorry, butt
''The bonnet~ said Mrs. Bnven.
"What do you mean, Myra? What are
you talking about2"
'::You don't tell me you never diskiv-
cred itH' cried Myra. bursting into a
laugh. "Well, do declared Who did
you s'pose done it?''
''Done WHAT"
"Why, worried that ere Leghorn hat
O. your'n into ribbonsl 1t was Waggy,
that's who it wasl Pups L. always mis-
chievous, and think mes the worst j
ever seen. meant to told Deacon Ship
mans boy, that helped me tote my sat
chel to the daypo, to explain it t. ye, but
we was pretty nigh bein' left, and the
furry and fuster driv it all outen my
head"
Mrs. Bliven stared at Myra.
'It was the dog, after all, thenY' said
she.
''La me, who else did ye suspecty'
cried Myra. "Where's LeonaS 1 fetched
home some o. them puce colored poppy
seeds and slip O. rose geranium for her,
cause l knowed-Goodness, what's the
matter with you, ohs What are you
looking at me that way forY'
By the very earliest morning train
James Bliven went after Leona, with q
letter from his mother imploring her to
return to the farm.
''Pm an old woman" wrote Mrs.
Bliven, "but amt too old to own when
I've been in the wrong. Come back, and
I'll guarantee you and me wont have
any more quarrels."
Leona came back, and whom once
again che crossed the threshold she was
James promised wife.
''Mother will be pleased at the engage
ment as I am myself" said the young
man, rapturously.
And Myra's kind eyes shons = cordial
welcome, and Mrs. Bliven herself came
to meet Leona, wearing the simple straw
bonnet with ths jet dagger And the black
ribbon bows.
"It's dreadful becoming" said she.
with complacent glance at the looking
glass, land hereafter mean to get you
to trim all my hats for me, Leona. ."-Hel-
en- Forrest Graves in Philadelphia Sstur-
day Night.