The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-09-17


And when die be love cnrapt IN bliss
Rcsanctihcd In heaven by such kiss.
Eric Maclay.
HER PROMISE.
Old Abner Marsden moved uneasily
in his big armchair Seems TO me
Luce is a mighty long time getting that
water" he muttered as he rose and
hobbled to the end of the cottage porch.
He put aside the vines that screened the
view and looked down toward the lower
end Of the gardon, where a cool spring
! gurgled up from the earth. "Well, if
she amt tallSn agin with that pauper,
Ang Rowland" growled the old man.
"Luce! Say, Luce, want your he
called.
"I'n be there in minute, father,
called back comely girl of eighteen.
who stood near the spring chatting with
plainly dressed youth of about the
same age. She reached for the pail of
water which Angus Rowland still held
in his hand and said with a smile; II
must go, Ang. Father wants me-"
at seems to me, Luce" said Angus
as he gave her the pail, "that your
father always wants you when he sees
me around. He hates me for some rea-
son, but if its all right with you can
stand it,"
Lucia looked troubled as she said,
"Goodby, Ang," and turned toward the
house.
Old Marsden was an extremely litter
ate man, but in business ventures he had
always been successful, and now, though
a confirmed invalid, his head was full of
schemes and devices, and he used to sit
for hours at a time planning measures
by which his hoard Of wealth might be
increased. Lucia took after her mother,
who had been "apowerful good woman"
so people said.
Luce said the old man as she ap-
peared at the door, II want this to be
the last of your talking with that good
for nothing slout, Ang Rowland. The
idea of a likely girl like you talking
friendly with such trash! l won't have
it, and if he don't steer clear Ill give
him something to remember me by
and the old man shook his cane vigor-
ously.
81 do not see why You should dislike
him so" said Lucia. "He has had hard
time getting along, but that isn't his
fault"
ellis father was cut out to die in the
poorhouse," yelled the old man, "and
why didn't he die there?"
Because Lucie answered, "Ang
worked hard and took care of the old
folks"
Her father scowled. cold Rowland
was intended for the poorhouse, and no
good comes of fightin Providence. He
died without a cent, and so will the
young feller. But that amt the point;
there are plenty Of fellers round here
that has money, but there amt many
sech gals as you be, ! reckon, Why.
Luce, you have the choice of the town,
and it's your solemn duty not to be
RASH The miserly features Of the old
man relaxed somewhat as he admired his
daughters comely face. He experienced
a kind of fatherly affection for her, and
was even willing to spend money freely
that she might make a good appearance.
Whenever he saw her dressed in some
new article of apparel he would mutter
to himself, "It's all right; it will all
come back; l know good investment,
for l have made a good many-yes, a
good many"
A few evenings after the event above
mentioned Lucia was walking in the
garden when she heard some one tap
, lightly at the gate, and in the moonlight
saw Angus Rowland. "He wants to see
me, she thought as she hurried through
the ilacs to the garden path. "Father
will miss me if l am gone long said
Lucia ON approaching, "but we can
visit for minute"
I Luce" said Angus, Il have come to
i say goodby. Your father says for me
to keep away from You because l am
poor and he doesn't want You to marry
u pauper. Well, am going away foI
five years, and when come back I'll
: be rich-rich enough TO suit your father, .
he exclaimed excitedly, striking the
fence a heavy blow with his fist.
? Il don't care about you being so rich, 3
said Lucia. I'm like you just as well
if you are poor, but don't stay away ST
long" ana she looked beseechingly int
his face. "You may have bad luck, yor
know, and not earn very much money
after all, but I'll think just as much oI
you, Are you going far?" she asked
| looking down at the ground.
u ITO California" said Angus, "and
know just what shall do when / ge
s. there too. Father often told me Of
valley in California where all sorts O
fruit viii grow almost without cultiva
ton. Father wandered down ther,
when he was ont among the mines, an,
being used To "a fruit country he knew
just what a wonderful place it was
rs He'd have gone there himselfif his sick
le ness hadn't come on, but he told M
Y about it time and again, and he gave m
this little map and Howland took al
old torn paper from his pocket, and care
s, fully opening it pointed out by IN
d bright moonlight which broke through
the trees the colorado of his hopes an,
IT. ambition. "That valley is mine, sail
ne he, "and l am going there and plan
trees"
"Lucew called old Marsden from tn
house, where be your
"Here ] am, father" Lucia replied.
"Wel, it seems 10 me that you are
mighty long time gone, cried the oil
D., man, "but come to the house, for youn
Hinton is here and wants 10 see you.
Lucia saw the Uaubled look that cam
into Howland's face and hastily mm
INJURED; "Fatlier wants me 10 MARI
him, but l won't; III marry You. Bes
and write often and don't stay SO long,
she pleaded as she raised her face for
farewell kiss.
q. The next morning old Marsden said {
es his daughter with an iHquisitive lool
nj "Young Hinton didn't stay long la
to night, did llf;'
-b "No," answered Lucia, mot Yer
long"
T. "Did he ask You to have him;" addC
the old man.
Eyes, father, he did answered Il
10 cia, "but / told him / couldn't"
So. Told him sc couldn't" scream,
the old man. 'Why couldn't yer
. Because / don't love him, said Il
daughter, looking her father steadily
the eye.
"Loye him, Lucel / tel ye peop
don't marry for love. They marry
make a good thing, When they get n