The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-03-01

10 ~,
was cleared away, ana or. 1yrer nae
gone down the road to the village, Sam
uel Dale, after some diiiiculty-for th,
girl of late had been shy of his company
procured an interview with Susie Bar.
clay.
ut has been on my mind to speak to
you, SUSIE" he said, "for a week. but
you would never give me the chance
You know how matters have stood be-
tween us these three years. We have
kept company together ever since
came TO Barclay Farm, and though I've
never asked you to name the day, |
think you've known my mind well
enough. l am not man of many
words, and l haven't the wit to fatter
you with soft speeches, but | love YOU.
Susie Barclay. viii you take me for a
husband this day month";"
ia, Mr.. Dllel' said the girl, with a
toss of her pretty head, 'lIow you startle
mel Take you for a husband, indeedl
am too young to marry this long while
yet. am sure l don't know my own
mind three days together. And l am
afraid l shouldn't make you a good
wife, and it's better for both of us to
wait while, and
He interrupted her: "Susie, have
courted you three years. If wait long
er, it will be to see another man carry
you off in a month. You've known me
long enough to learn your own mind
n bOut mo Won ,,,,,ct 20 Iro 49,, -. -
you must let mo CO."
Il am sure you are free to go if you
like" she said flushing; there's no.
body to hinder you. You have no right
TO speak TO me like that. am not your
servant, Samuel Dale. l never prom
ised to marry you, and perhaps 1 never
will"
'You tell me that" said the Soung
man, bitterly, latter keeping me in
hand all these years! Susan Barclay.
are you going to play me false, that you
may marry a man you never heard OF
three months ago?"
"Who told you was going to marry
any one?'
'Do l need to be told? Haven't |
watched you since the day that man set
his foot in your fathers house? And
because l trusted you, and thought
you'd known me too long to be taken
with newcomer, you carried on your
counting before my eyes. You false,
hard hearted grill But no, you never
were that. It's only that this smooth
faced coxcomb has bewitched you. Oh.
Susiel can't you tell him there's an hon.
est heart that's loved you true these
three years, and so with frank word
send him paoking2'
''If it's Mr.. Tyler you are talking
about" said Susie Barclay, "you NAV SET
your mind at rest, for there's nothing
but friendship between u.s. He's never
so much as asked me to marry him; but
he's pleasant, civil spoken gentleman,
that doesn't call people names behind
their backs; and I'll not stay here to be
scolded, Samuel Dale; and I'll die an old
maid before I'll marry the cross husband
you will make"
"Is that your last word to meP" he
said, sorrowfully. "Then l have my
answer. and Barclay Farm is no place
for me, though thought to spend my
days here. It's manners for the old love
to go when the new love comes. Well.
good night, Susie. 1 wish you well.
though you've given me a sore heart to
carry; but curses on the man that's come
between me and my girlr'
She stole sidelong glance, and when
she saw how his ruddy cheek had turned |
pale, and his mouth was set in a gloomy |
resolute expression, her heart softened |
toward him. But she did not put her |
pity into words. She listened to his slow, |
heavy steps as he mounted the stairs to |
MS chamber, till the gate opened with a
sharp click, and she heard Thomas Tyler's |
brisk tread as he came up the walk. |
Then she ran to the kitchen glass to ar.
'ange the knot of pink ribbons under her |
,hin, and thought no more of Samuel
Dale that night.
The poor fellow could not sleep for his
lching heart; and when, an hour later.
lis room mate came in, whistling softly
o himself, with his black eyes shining,
samuel Dale lay and watched him from
between his half closed lids.
The man took writing materials from
lis trunk, and was soon blIsily at work,
'ending closely to his task. He appeared
o be making a copy Of letter spread
'ut before him; and when it was com
,leted, and he held up the two docu-
nents side by side, it seemed to Samuel
Dale at the distance where he lay that
he work was well done, for the copy
night have been mistaken for the orig
nal. Mr.. Tyler scanned the result of hi.
abor critically, nodded his head once OF
vice in appreciation; then, locking the
'apersi in his trunk, betook himself to bed
II.
The farmer was twice surprised the
ext day. Samuel Dale announced hi
Intention of leaving the farm when hi
ear was out, and his daughter, with
miles and bushes, informed him that
he had passed her word, provided he
'as willing, to take Thomas Tyler for a I
ushand.
"Why, Susie" said the old man, "you
trike me all of heapl Sammy Dale
as been waitin' for you these three
ears. and you are as good as promised
D him, you know. I've reckoped al
long on him an you hitchin' horses, an
arryin' on the farm after was under
round"
Father, never promised to marry
amuel Dale. Living together in the
anne house, couldn't we'll help his )
eeping company with me; and perhaps
might have thought so-'E 'Etimes should
ke him well enough 70 take him for .
isband; but that was before I knew
+. Tyler, Ill marry the man of my
loice, father, or I'll live and die an old
aid"
Then came coaxing and tears, and the