The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-08-01
A DARK DAY
by MARY KYLE DALLAS.

The incidents of this little story
occupy but few hours, as the reader
will see, but as the poet says, lovers
measure time by heart-beats," and the
moments of that dark day seemed like
years to me.
l had been engaged about month to
Florance Lane, daughter of Joshua
Lane, head book-keeper with 'Lottner
& Brothers" and was very happy in
deed, for had won my betrothed from
rather an alarming rival-Melville
Lottner, nephew of the head Of the
firm, a handsome dandy and great
catch,
Mr.. Lane was serious gentleman,
bolt upright in his carriage in all
senses, a church member and Sun
day school teacher, and one whose
boast was that he had "no small
vices"
Floeence adored him, and / fancied
that he would make a very good sort
of father-in-law, he was so eminently
respectable.
He shook hands with me next day
and said that had won a treasure, so
that was all right and I felt that fate
had used me we'll.
went to see my Florence every
evening, bought the handsomest ring
dared indulge in to seal our engage
ment, and I resolved to make fortune
for her sake. I often looked at Melville
Lottner with pity. He was poor, no
matter what else he had, in my estima-
ton, having lost Florence.
We had been engaged about a month,
when one evening my little treasure,
who seemed to have had something on
her mind for some days, took me by
my upper vest-button, and looking up
into my eyes, said: edwin, 1 want to
ask you something. know it is not
the proper thing for an engaged girl to
go out with other gentlemen, but just
for once will ask your permission
to do so.
Before we were engaged promised
to go to the Charity Ball with Melville
Lottner. He has written me that he
has procured the tickets and holds me
to my promise. feel as though l
owed it to him to go-may II You
know he has been very nice to us, and
father has been with the firm so many
years. Still, / will refuse to go if you
object"
'My dear Florence" | cried in the
heartiest manner, certainly / do not
object. Keep your promise; do as you
please. OF course should not like il
as regular thing, but"
"Oh, it is the first, last, and only
time," Florence cried. "Of course, if il
were not an old engagement / should
not go even now"
Then We talked of other things, anG
made a great point of being very
cheerful, though somehow I cannot
say really liked the idea. It was MOI
natural that should, suppose, and
felt that should be glad when tn,
Charity Ball was over.
The evening came I sat in owl
room, feeling angry with myself for be
ing vexed and jealous, which was.
went out after awhile; and walked
about the city and met friend or two
and was asked by each one what wa
the matter. Then went home anC
went to bed, and dreamed that 1 saw
Florence dancing with Mephistopheles
and that when rushed toward her anC
tried to seize her by the arm, sh,
vadished in blue flame.
The breakfast bell aroused me from
my first good nap, but it cheered mi
greatly to find note from Florenc
lying beside my plate. It had n,
stamp upon it, and had evidently beer
brought by a messenger.
"Dear little girl" said to myself
"no doubt she knew just what fool
made of myself last night,u
put it in my bosom, for 1 would no
read it before strangers, and ran III
TO my own room to enjoy it there