The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-04-23

JACKS SWEETHEART.

"Aunt, you must listen to mel The
proud head is thrown back and tho blue
eyes aro flashing like sapphires in the
sun. II will not marry Mr.. Chester
despise himl You know well that if he
had no money you would never admit
him to your housed Oh, aunt, | never
even dreamed you were so mercenaryw
81 am not--for myself It is for you
child-it is of your future that l am
thinking | must die some time, and you
know the conditions of my husbands
will make It impossible for me to leave
you one penny. Could you bear poverty
after enjoying all the pleasures which
wealth can give? All, child, it is hard,
bitter opponent to battle with when one
is so young and lovely as you areJ'
II have a profession, aunt. l shall
not starve. And even if had no way
of earning my bread would not marry
q man whom detest for his money"
"Perhaps you and Jack Dunraven
have resolved to try poverty together"
suggests Mrs Thornton,
There is the faintest suspicion of a
sneer on the handsome mouth, but she
is too well bred to allow it to become
anything more than a suggestion.
"Poverty with the man l love would
be happiness compared with blghted
life. Aunt, do you believe in mercenary
marriages.
"Why noti / married the man my
parents chose for me- q man they knew
could give me everything my heart de-
sired, and rs whose wife would be n
queen in society"
"Were you happyY
/ The handsome brows contracted lit
tie.
eyes, child-what an absurd quos-
ton"
"Ah, aunt, / don't believe i'll You
were not as happy as you could have
been. Do you really think that | would
be happy as Mr.. Chester's wife? Let
your heart speak"
But the inscrutable mask is on her
face again; that instant's agony is over.
She had cast off the young lover who
had her love for the wealthy suitor.
Well, the world is no wiser
"Why should you notT she says.
"You would be mad to reject him, Beth.
he can give you every luxury-more
even than | can. He is old, true, but
that is nothing he would exchange
his wealth for your youth and beauty.
You could do no better Even l, with
all my ambition, would be satisfied with
such marriage. Yon have done bril-
Eantly-exceeded my hopes. But you
must forget Jack; ho is poor, he could
never make you happy"
"Is wealth, luxury, pleasure all onC
must live for? Is love to have no place
in ones life at all?' cries Beth.
Mrs. Thornton shrugs her beautifu
shoulders.
"When one is young ones heart is ap
to take the lead in ones life" she says
"You are young, what is to be expected
Mr.. Chester will be here this evening
see that he receives the answer h
should"
With this she sweeps gracefully away
throwing significant smile at her nice
as she closes the door.
"Ah, Jack" said Beth Russell, softly
II will be true to you till death-througl
poverty, through everthingl You doub
my love now, but some day l will prov
to you how even a society girl can love
1t has been bitterly cold all day, an
for the first time perhaps in many week
the street corners are deserted. A warn
house and warmer fire is every stra
pedestrians goal. And now, just q
! dusk, as the lights are just peepin
through the gathering gloom, a fine, Gu
ting snow begins to fall.
The usual crowd at the little static
is dispensing; the hustle and excitemer
caused by the arrival of the throug
a passenger train has subsided and the o.
Is orator is left once more TO herself,
e She closes her key with little snal
+ goes up to the blazing fire in the hug
N ugly stove and holds out her slend'
e hands to its warm radiance.
"The petted darling of wealthy hon
and innumerable friends in a commC
serge gown She laughs softly al
i rubs one hand up and down the sleeve
her dress 81 wonder what Mr.. Chest
would say were he to see me nowl A
poor aunt, wish you could have live
But perhaps it is best as it is, and l a
glad-glad you could not leave me o.
dollar. Poor, proud Jackl When
hears that IL, the supposed heiress
= am poor, even poorer than he is, will
\ come to mo-theng"
The door opens and slams, letting in
cold gust OF rain, wind and snow.
"Ah, Lem, is that you?" she sa
brightly, as young giant OF q fellC
comes toward her, shaking the snC
J., from his clothes like a great dog, "HC
could you remember me on a night Ii
this? And no overcoat" she exclain
"Why, you will freezer'
, His handsome face lights up Will
Is smile that displays a dazzling row
teeth.
perhaps / stopped in to get warn
he said roguishly, "and not 10 see you
ALL Why, it was only yesterday tha
saw you"
fy Then the brightness dies out of
face, and some Of the youthfulness G,
with it.
"Ah, what an eternity that has seen
TO me- he says, his eyes dark W
earnestness. Every minute spent aW
, from you is blank. | never knew wi
lt was 70 count lhe minutes peIoIe y
came, never had this restlessness
- fore, but with you am calmi you qu
me- just one glance from your eye
that is enough"
She lays one soft little hand on
powerful brown one.
"Poor Lenu" she says softly. Il
sorry"
Ho turns away and draws 0ns hs
across his eyes, then smiles at her
almos, his usual light hearted fashiol
by the way" be says, Il am afr
the bridge across the river just bel
here will not hold s02 tonight if it il
loaded rs usual Well, I'm Off y
be back TIN, way in an hour 70 help
keep away he cold"
He buttons his coat about his thI
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