The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-02-15
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oLesl ana Whitsown beside her mother
sewing and s smile
WIN ~. say" she began, after oonsld.
~, 1ence, "do you think Il would he
FOR Mr.. Chorley to come here and
w1oh tho place for his grandfather's
Rllr
"Why, no. child" said Mrs. Bertrand.
"But you know he could not do il
openly, on account Of his former trouble
with Mr.. Harton. So he would have to
remain concealed, and work quietly.
Should you disapprove very much Of
such coursef'
"It is not likely he will come, Dora.
Why do you seem so interestedf'
''f think he will, mamma; indeed, ]
have seen him"
Mrs, Bertrand gave a sudden start,
glancing around almost as il she expected
to see him, too.
"where is her" she asked. "SureIy
not in the village7 It is well Mr. Harton
- away"
"He is here in this house, or rather In
the tower, and wishes to see you"
sTo SEQ mel When did he comet Are
you sure it is he, Dora7'
s'Quite sure; he looks 80 like the pict-
ure Of his father. And now do net be
frightened, mamma, while l tell you the
whole story and Dora came and knelt
beside her mother, while she repeated
the incidents Of the morning, leaving
out much of the alarm she had expert
onced.
Mrs. Bertrand was greatly surprised,
and quite undecided what course to pur-
sue, but Dora pleaded so warmly in Mr..
Chorleys behalf, that she at length said:
IL think we might manage 1t but for
Jane"
"But Jane is very trusty when one
really confides in her. i think she would
be proud of having a secret to keep"
So presently Dora went to summon Mr..
Chorley, who succeeded in deepening the
good impression the young girl had be-
gun. He-was very manly and straight
forward, and when he repeated his
fathers dying charge Mrs. Bertrand be-
gan almost to believe in the possibility Of
q will being found.
They were still talking earnestly when
q shadow passed the window, Dora
sprang into the hall, closing the door be-
hind her, and found an old friend, but
most unwelcome guest, entering the wide
doorway. She stood quite still, her face
paling visibly.
my darling Dora, have frightened
you almost to death, have not5" said the
gay, pleasant voice of Olive Hsrton.
81 was not expecting you-when did
you returnP
"At noon, and couldn't wait, wanted
70 see you so. We returned sooner than
We intended, and Clara's lover came with
u.s. She is to be married Immediately.
And your mother-is she quite wellP''
'Improvirg all the time. Excuse me
q moment, Olive, dear, while 1 go and
prepare her for a visitor. Come in the
parlor."
''No, I'll sit here" and Olive took one
Of the chairs in the hall.
There was no mode of egress from Mrs.
Bertrand's room save into the hall, and
consequently Mr.. Chorley was a pris-
Oner. After a moments consideration,
Mrs. Bertrand came forth with her
daughter. and all three entered the par
lor opposite.
AQOh OClAGFO yOu dAO u Wv W
sec me-" Olive said, with an embar-
raised laugh. "You did not use to make
such company of me-"
Both Dora and her mother tried tc
place their guest at ease as rapidly az
possible, and Mrs. Bertrand judged thii
would be more readily done by leading
her to talk of her journey. In few
moments Olive launched into a lively
description of all she had seen, and ex
pressed her delight in the approaching
wedding; "only," she ended with, 81
don't like Clara's lover, and am afraiC
never shall"
Mrs. Bertrand gave her some gentle
motherly advice, but Olive soon changed
the subject by inquiring what Dora haC
busted herself about the last three weeks
After this there came little awkwarI
hull, and Olive rose to go.
'Oh," she said, pausing in the hall
''have you seen the tower ghost yet
Dora2 Come, let US take turn in tn
old rookery."
Dora would fain have declined, bu
Olive pushed on in gay unconcern. l
was well her eyes or suspicious were no
very acute, or she would have discovered
some traces of Mr.. Chorley's recen
search. Dora fairly trembled, and wa
thankful when they reached the hail.
81 may as well take the key home,
suppose" Olive exclaimed. "Papa nigh
happen to ask about it,"
"oh. mot now, ;" said the frightened Dora
al want it a few days longer"
every well. But how oddly you act
Dora; and first you are pale, then Grim
SOn-what is the natter"
''Nothing;" and Dora laughed to hid
her agitation, walking with her compan
ion to the end of the garden, and prom
ising to come over early the next morn
ing.
''It is too bad" Dora said, vehemently
when she returned, "that the Harton
should have come back just now"
81 must be expeditions in my search,
returned Mr.. ChOrley. "If you will no
be frightened, think that I should Ik
TO work little tonight"
Both ladies consented. When Jane N
turned she was informed Mr.. Allingha1
Chorley had come TO search the toWe
and desired the strictest silence on tn
matter. He accepted Dora's invitatio
to come down to tea, and Jane declare
in confidence to her young mistress q
she was washing up the tea things ''tha
she almost hoped Mr.. Chorley would fin
the will, he was such a nice looking
pleasant young gentleman"
The next morning Dora spent with he
friend Olive, and all the afternoon sh
kept the tower door fastened lest som
unlucky mischance should betray Nj
Chorley. He worked assiduously, searcl
ing for private drawers, false bottoms I
the old chests, and took down the pane
ing in the study. But, as he had to T,
place everything, his progress was not &
rapid as he could wish.
On the third day Dora was alarmed
seeing Mr.. Harton walk rapidly up Ii