The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1870-10-14

An he slgued, KNEW IL,
then added, gently. ''How would
you like to be always warm and we'll
fed?-to have everything soft under.
foot, and no wind to keep you awake
at night? Could you fancy it for a
moment p
She shook her head. No she could
not.
Shut your eyes,'' said the old
man, tremblingly, "and try. I shall
describe it to you as we'll as I can. "
She obeyed, and he laid the pic
ture before her in as bright colors as
he could muster. When complete,
disclosed the postmistress' kind pro.
posal.
"My darling,' he faltcrcd, when
hc had scrupulously satisfied his con-
science, "you didn't guess I was
bringing such good nows with me,
did you? Car you believe you have
only one more night to spend in this
poor place one more night to be
miserable?'
Dot was silent for some time.
Strange" she said, musingly,
but there she paused.
Child,' said the old man, "I'll
90 with you to the door. tomorrow
but I'll not 90 in. [ could not bear
that. [ couldnt t stand seeing your
face when you learn for the first time
what poor little bcggar you've been
all these years, unbeknown to you.
I'm far too wretched a creature not
to like that frock best. I'll not keep
you minute. Do you underestimate
Dot nodded. It was difficult to
guess what was passing through her
mind.
''Now," said he, tendcrly, Ego to
bed. The time will pass quicker
sleeping than any other way"
She obeyed; but before lying
down drew near the old man and
threw her arms around him without
a word. 1t was impossible to dis
cover what lay behind those sober
brown eyes. Tom stationed himself
beside her till she fell asleep. The
fire died out, but the moonlight
through the small window
shone upon his motionless form in
the same place. Night passed and
the gray dawn appeared, yet he new
er moved nor closed his eyes. He
could not bring himself to leave her.
When, she awoke, bis face was the
first sight that greeted her.
"Dcar,' he said, checrily, "only
few hours now. Aren't ycu very
happy p
Their scanty morning meal, con.
sisting Of the remains of last nights
supper, was taken in silence. When
finished, Dot put on her shawl and
arranged her shabby. thrcadbarc gar
ment to the best advantage. Tom
watched her without a word. The
two then descended the stair into
the street. Suddenly he turned,
and, pointing to the house, whispered
to her
''Don't it seem impossible, now,
you could have been happy in such a
place ? and strange that you didn't
know you were miserable there till
last night =
When they reached the postmas-
ter's house sac left him. lie follow
ed her eagerly with his eyes till the
door was closed.
Il shouldn't wonder," he mutter-
ed, as he paced up and down, elf
she were to forget me after all it
would be only natural wouldn't it ?"
and he appealed to himself as to a
second person. Receiving no reply,
he continued g 1t would be very
wrong if she didn't like what's warm
better than what's cold, and what's
beautiful better that what's ugly |!
Very bad taste ! l could't grudge
it to her could l ?"
BY this time he was again in front
of the hoasc. He stopped, involun-
tarily, and, closing his eyes, stretch
ed out his hands toward it saying:
"Goa bless little Dot, always"
When he looked up she stood by
his side, and the door was shut. He
bent over her with infinite tender
ness.
"My darling" he said, "I'll not
keep you; Say one goodbye, and
then CO."
But the child had slipped her hand
into his.
just little way up the street, !"
she said.
8" No, rcally"' exclaimed he, de-
lighted.
They reached the corner, and he
"a few steps further,'' persisted
she.
"No. really ~ repeated the other,
astonished.
g! want she said, as they drew
near the house, "just to 60 up and
give last look d. you mind ?"
They mounted the stair, and he lin
gered at the door.
Why should you?' he urged,
sorrowfully.
Wouldn't it be better to say
goodbye here %
She pushed gently past him and
entered.
"Yes,' said he, sadly watchin 9
her face, "you didn't know till now
how wretched it was, did you?"
Dot turned to him and hung hel
head without speaking. There was