The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-01-17
How / Ended.

llUI IU ulluUu,
1t was one Of those cold, dark Novem.
Der afternoons when the daylight all
goep soon after three. A chilly kind of
white mist was hanging about, and the
trees In the square were shaking OF
their few remaining leaves, as though
they were at last convinced that the
poor. black. shrlvelled things were no
ornaments, but rather a designation.
Ny knitting had cropped idly on my
knee. and was thinking. My pet was
sitting opposite, thinking or dreaming
too. her deep eyes full Of the golden fire.
light, her oval face framed by her rich,
black hair.
She was all had, for our family had
dwindled and dwindled until there were
only three represents atIves, and between
me and those two others there was a
long-standing estrangement
The old house was wonderfully quiet.
Outside was the usual hum of tho city
trafac, distant nearly quarter of a
mile inside, no sound but the purring Of
my cat and the flutter. Autter of a fame
in the Are.
A loud, energetic ring at the bell
startled us both.
why, auntie, said Mabel. "you are
asleep"
who can il be?" wondered. It's
not my day, for II is not likely 10 be a
caller If It is, we must have tie gas"
Directly after the room door was
opened, and name was announced that
took my breath away.
Mr.. Armitage."
Jane ushered in a figure of which at
drst could only see that 1t was one OF
the stronger sex, with an erect, almost
naughty carriage Of the heal.
For moment / thougl 1t il was my
brother himself, as rose to my feet, all
trem bling; but Mabel stirred the fire to
. bright blaze, and saw dark eyed
young man, not like my broi her, but SO
like some one else used 10 know, that
forgot was a withered old woman,
and almost unconscious sly breathed the
word:
Lionel"
'Yes," he answered. taking both my
hands in his strong grasp, Lionel
Armit7ge; and this, then, Is Aunt Doro-
thy. What tiny little aunt lt is.
He bent down and kissed me, a pro-
ceedinS that gave the queerest eensat on.
/ could not have spoken to save my life.
II have come as a peacemaker, aunt"
he went on. using II at title as though he
had seen me at intervals ever since he
was born. to make up the family quar-
rel; though, upon my honor, now
think Of lt. hadn't the ghost OF an
Idea what it was all about, However,
my father begins to feel that be is get
ing old, he doesn't look 1t, though He's
as upriglt and handsome as ever he Was.
Well, he thinks it's time bygOnes wrre
bygones, aud volunteered to come and
see II you were of the same opinion"
II should have been glad to have been
reconciled any time these twenty years,
my DEAR" said, wiping away a few fool
ish tears. But better late than NJ yer.
am very, very glad. Sit down. Lionel,
and talk to me here, by my side. You
are not bit like the ArInitages, Llo-
nell"
:" No; am generally supposed TO be a
kind Of reproduction OF my mothers
brother. who died quite young. was
named alter him, you know.
Yes know"
"Twenty years, aunt; what q pity IL
seems. For my part, l think family
qrarrels are an awful mistake. Do you
know 1 seem to hA q q reeolle .tion of
you. though the last time saw You
wrs II tie chap Of six or seven. / had
an idea you were very tall, by the
way"
Where is Julius--your father
mean2 Is he In town.
mo, he's down at the Did place Sthe
20 Vn house is wrapped In brown holland
at present. I'm putting up at Dray-
tens"
=" My dear boy, you mustn't stay al { he
he tel. have two or three spare rooms.
Do make this your home while you are
In town d" sad, persuasively, but was
almost surprised at the slscrity Of his
Rcquiesenoe.
With the greatest pleasure; nothing
aould like better, Aunt Dorothy" he
ga d.
And how does you mother look?' I
Asked next. "Is she as energetic as
ever2
he Winced.--s-~
"She was taken from us two years
ago. he said. In low voice
was too shocked to speak. never
locked at the papers, or this news would
have been no surprise 20 me. For IT,
tie while we were silent
There was a great deal to be talked
over, however. and the hours few by
more quickly than ever, though they al
ways fiy terribly fast
Il must be going, he said at last.
THAT was Slx o'clock that struck. /
say, aunt. wasn't there some one here
with You when came ini'
That was Mabel Verde. Lionel; the
cause OF the quarrel" And peered into
the gloom. never baving notIosd when
she slipped away.
How? What do you mean?
well, my dear. II was like this.
When was q little more than forty,
there was certain Mrs. Verdis, poor
seamstress. who did plain sewing for
me. She had been my housemaid: she
left me to marry q wretch who deserted
her, aud left her to support herself aud
her Ygar-oid bahy So faU Nl and !