The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-12-30
Select Sturp.
NEW YEARS NIGHT.


pane, and turning saw his aunt beckoning
anxiously. She raised the sash when he
had drawn nearer, and said: "Where is
Cora, Mark? Have you seen her p
"No, aunt; but [ have just come from
my room. 1t is very tempting evening,
and I dare say she is walking about the
grounds somewhere"
1t was tempting evening; the melan-
choly hour of sunset was nigh, and the
west, towards which he glanced, was a great
mass of flames, and even old Aunt Alice,
following his gesture, paused for moment
to admire. But the thin and slight old
lady shnddered; the wind was rising and
she felt the chill
"Cora is very reckless" she said, still
pausing. II don't think she has any con-
eeption of ear-and-Mark, | wonder if
| might venture in search of her. You
will give me your arm ?"
"We'll make her out without difficulty,
| am sure, little walk will do you good, ="
said Mark Croxton, with alacrity. at is
almost a spring evening, and not a bit like
Christmas holidays"
So persuaded, but still distrusting, Mrs.
Croxton withdrew, and closed the window,
and in a short while, well wrapped up,
joined her handsome nephew on the lawn
II am vexed, with Cora, and think she
might mention when she is going out; but
young people don't pay their elders much
respect nowadays. 1t was very different
when | was girl, and | don't think was
less Independent There are tramps and
all sorts of characters in the neighborhood-
some gypsies arrived yesterday l heard
and Cora's conduct is highly imprudent."
Mark, as in duty bound, defended Miss
Cora Ailsworth, his betrothed, and avowed
with truth that he was not at all alarmed
about her. But Aunt Alice was not really
relieved until she deserted the young lady
in question approaching them.
Miss Ailsworth took her scolding with
great good humor. She had been all the
way to the village-Middlefeld, the drow-
sy-for letters, and here was one from
guess whom? She extended the small
envelope, which Aunt Alice seized impa-
tiently and opened, and through her gold
eyeglasses, read.
"From my graceless Mark, said the old
lady, lowering the sheet to her side and
looking away disappointed; land of course
he can't come. Can't spare me day even
at Christmas" she added, with something
almost like faint sob.
"Well, never mind, aunt, said her
nephew; "Mark, you know, hates the coun-
try; SO dull for a town man.
$50 dull, dear? | don't see. We are
to have dancing tonight and dancing to-
morrow night, and those other amusements
l heard you and Cora planuiug-and I
thought there was great deal in contem-
plation. Well, if he would not enjoy him
self doa't wish him to come | can't
| can't understand his eajoyments-they
tell ME very disquieting stories about him,
If he were like you, Mark, as much in na-
ture as in names" she said, looking sadly
on her nephew @You are more my son
than he.
She had had her dream about that grace
less young fellow who was a source of so
much anxiety. IF be and Cora had liked
each other But it was not to be,
"Like me in name he is indeed, laughed
Mark; "but as unlike me in nature as pos
sible. At school they called him the
BLACK Mark, and me, Mark the perfect
man, out of the Bible, you know, and
that's how we were distinguished. | was
an awful prig, I'm afraid-a sort of mix
ture of Quaker and Puritan, while he was
as reckless and disorderly almost as-as-
as Cora here"
"What do you mean, sir?" cried Miss
Ailsworth, and even Aunt Alice laughed.
at is fair hit, Cora" said the latter.
"You certainly need to cultivate more care
ful habits. l found your diamond earrings
on the parlor mantel-piece this morning;
and your watch-where was it Rosina
found your watch last week ~
II don't know; but it might be any
where" replied the beautiful young lady,
with rather scornful smile in Marks di-
rection. II should hate to be perfect.
Some peoples virtues are more hateful than
other peoples faults
"Very well, Miss Ailsworth, >" said Mark,
serenely, 4Some day you will meet with
serious loss, aud, though don't usually
rejoice at misfortunes, / shall ON that oe-
casion give my feelings free vent.
Swiftly the winter twilight approaches,
and though the sun had not quite touched
the western hills, there were already the
signs and tokens of the coming night
Mark Croxton accompanied the ladies