The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1893-10-07
LOVE ON A WALL.

LOVE ON A WALL.
The little back yard presented novel
appearance. The frost was on theground,
and tho one skeleton tree In the corner
extended its leafess branches like gaunt
arms IN various directions.
A wooden post was stuck in the cen
ter Of the gravel square, its purpose
Ynguel at a few yards distant stood a
man practicing at broadsword exercise.
Sergeant Major Boyne, pausing from
fis exertons, addressed some one sitting
on the wall to his right.
oAre you cold, Mollie?"
mo, thanks; it is warming to watch
you.S
The sergeant continued his evolutions.
One-two-three-fo right One
--two-three-four; leftF
The girl clapped her hands. The SER
Reant repeated the performance.
Elbow jolly you look, cousin Jackr
Noble cried as the cuts and thrusts whis-
tied through the air.
'soo 1p' the sergeant queried solemnly
regarding the post in the middle of the
ground
you know that you look nice" she
said severely. Don't pretend"
&c returned the weapon to its sheath
aud booked at the girl critically.
you know that you look nice, Cousin
1ioiliep he said, with mock severity.
0onit pretend You are the prettiest
"a in Linbridge. All the men at the
bngraoks say that Of You"
eDo theyY" she cried with gasp. 81
am 80 glad"
sGladS Silly girl What is their opin-
ION WORTH"
sAs much as yours, suppose" she
answered.
"Oh, Of course"
she leaned against the wall and re-
fastened q buckle. She bit her lip and
tapped the red bricks with her heels.
''Gergeant Travers came off worsted
among the men the other night, heard.
'@rhe odds were all against the one, as
usual, she said, Your barrack jokes
are seldom funny
Hs laughed. why do you care for
him, MollieqD
~ don't"
can right, Mollie,' he said in tone
that indicated "all wrong"
"It's getting late" she remarked.
"They are setting the tea tray"
"shall ! help You DOWN.
Her toes We're on level with his chest
as ho fronted her. She carefully scru-
tiniged the height from the ground.
"No, thank you."
"Oh, all rightl' be responded, with
the same dubious infection.
She heard his spurs click over the
frosty ground. She watched the patch
Of scarlet merge into the gloom ana re
appear in the lighted room of the house,
Then the tears trickled down her cold
cheek and froze there.
A boy was spinning top in the next
garden. She leaned toward him.
"Little boy" she whispered, "give me
a push"
The little boy, mounting an inverted
bucket, "pushed" and heard a muffled
thud on the other side Of the wall
Every girl in the little garrison town
who possessed an invitation to the non.
commissioned officers ball was prepar-
ing for the evenings festjvity.
Molhe Henderson pirouetted round the
small limit of her chamber, gauzy be
ing IN white. The circumscribed mirror
had been tilted up and tilted down, only
q quarter of her form being visioned al
one time.
The edge of her skirt and white satin
slippers were undergoing reflection when
her youngest brother shouted through
the keyhole;
'sYou'ndo, Molliel You'll beat Georgins
Webb hollowp
"Oh, Bobby, darling, doyou think so7'
she cried, opening the door,
SPositive. Here are two boxes, Cues
ones from the sergeant"
Each box contained spray of flowers
She held the red roses admiringly.
"Dear Molie, please wear my flowers,
was penciled on sheet of paper bearinI
- name of Sergeant Travers. Tn
of the valley were accompanied b,
scrap OF paper From Jack"
(which shall wear, Bobby?' she ask
ed excitedly, laying the roses and tn
ltlieA together against her bodice.
"Both," the boy replied promptly.
"Oh, can't. think think the re-
looks better ON the white. The lilies ar
trihe insipid, and yet-oh, must wea
the rosesi the red looks lovely"
She turned from her brothers inspeC
ton, with the roses clustered at he
breast.
"stunningl Now stick the lilies /
your hair"
"But they would look awful, Bobby.
"What's the odds? Cousin Jack Nigh
feel hipped if you don't stick 'em som'
where"
'Don't be so sillyl The men hay
nothing to do with the flowers
She gathered her gloves and fan {,
lgether and fastened ont Of Bobby
sight.
''Wel, = soliloquized the juvenile mai
II guess I'll keep my money in my pocl
ct before I'm soft enough to waste it o
the Tirls."
SLid you receive the lliesF Sergear
Major Boyne asked, while he and h
partner stood aside from the dancers fC
a moment.
~ Eef ttaAh YOU NEA4 AAAAIAls
ssYou are not wearing them"
"These roses arrived at the same tim
IL thought their colorvas such a pret
ty contrast for my gown
alt is very pretty"
"Are you annoyed, Cousin Jaclly"
"Not at all, Shall we finish thi
valseF"
@Yo-es."
Later on Travers claimed Mollie for
dance.
slow good of you t9 wear my fov
ers, he murmured.
Many Of the men lounring about Il
room envied the little rgeant as /
pas q with his partner Her face W,
flushed. Her dark eyes shone Brilliant,
II am tired" Molhe said suddenl.
They went TO the end of the room, whei
portion was screened off. He took h,
fan, waiting it for her while they talke
Il wish were rich enough 10 mar
you, Molhe."
"suppose the colonel refused his Co
sentf"
"Wen, we could run away and g
married"
'TYou darent."
"Oh, yes, dare, sweet little Mollie
hsWhispered. IL dare do something
you"
''That IS very brave Of You. Willy'
fetch me an icei"
The smile ON Mollie's lips faded
Travers disappeared round the scree
She closed her eyes wearily.
afNT-r1a.fn WTF. .e-..g..,t -