The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1897-09-01

tranknegs and unaffectedness of The
young schoolmaster, and Lesbia (
sympathetic womanly ways had
induced Jack Macdonald to repose
many a brother-like confidence IN
her.
He confded his grievance to her
now IN his usual frank manner.
Mr.. Healey Thinks" said he,
that while his son has been in
London, he and Alice have been
coming to an understanding as
he calls it"
Jacks face and voice said unut-
terable things.
'Oh!" said Lesbia Moore, aud
her own face fell little. But,
quickly recovering herself, she
smiled, and cried gally, Don t
despair, Mr., Macdonald; perhaps
i'll Mr.. Healey's mind the wish is
father to the thought.
Jack shook his head.
II am afraid there is no hope
for me- he said ruefully.
Seeing how really downcast he
was, Lesbia composed her face in
to sympathetic gravity.
You must hope for the best, -
she said. "There is no knowing
how things may turn out. But
We'll talk it over another time, -
she added; 81 have been an un-
considerable time over my shop
ping, and must hurry on now.
Hope on, hope ever, Mr. McDon-
add"
With parting nod and smile,
she turned and crossed the bridge.
Jack Macdonald, strode on into
the town, there to enjoy in the SO.
clety of friend his customary
Saturday evening respite for sohoo
boys and exercise books.
Lesbia had now three miles and
a half of the high road before her
She walked along swiftly, not st
much because she was in hurry
to reach home as because swift
motion was natural and enjoyable
to her. She was o tall and grace.
full girl; her face, irregular in fea
ture, had the charm Of perfect
health and beautiful color, and it
great expressiveness and the shin
ing intelligence i'll her dark eyes
made 1t slngularly attractive. tn
road did not present many fea
lures of interest. It was bordere(
on either side by low hedges, be
yond which stretched miles of leye
pure land, with only here ant
there q group of trees or a sligh
undulation of the ground to break
the monotony. Yet there was
charm in the wide, free sweep O
earth and sky, and just now, q
| this autumn time, which was prod
| igally rich in color, the low hedge
and the few trees were bright Will
red and yellow russet foliage.
AS Lesbia sped along under th
open blue sky, her thoughts wer
busy with the news Jack Macdon
aid had just communicated to her
''Poor Macdonald!'' she said t,
herself. "Poor boy!"
Lesbia knew the story of jack
love for Alice Kingley, Mr.. Hea
} ley's beautiful niece. Last yea
Alice had spent the whole summe
at Brierton Vicarage, and as ti1er
was constantly friendly intercours
between tbeVicarage and the Gram
mar School households, Alice an
jack had seen each other alinos
daily during the three months G
the girls visit. Long before til
summer was over Jack heart wa
won, and he had reason to hop
that Alice was not indifferent t
y him. They had met once more 8
a London concert III the winter c
the same year, when Jack was q
home for the Christmas HOLIDAYS
and Alice had made use of the or
portunity to tell him that sh
should probably visit Brierto
again III the summer or autumn {
, the following year On that shyl
spoken communication of Alice
Jack had been building vast hope
All the year he had lived on Il
anticipation of her coming. No
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