The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1872-04-18

| u"V'pe' o'iVe', toow tHe pTOH0rcu
arm, and walked very carefully home.
wa-1s.
Ned Ralston had been hsr. dev ted
lovst for more IbaBsix mooths-reaJy y
at any m ,ment when sh. would ALLOW
him to lay name and fortune at her
feet; but up to this time she had kept
him at such q safe distance, that he
had been unable to decide whether he
had sptlicleut ground for hope, or
whether he must make up his mind to
suffer defeat.
For Dolly Fairbanks had host OF
admirers. aud more than one amoug
them waitel only for a word of eu-
courage mcnt to be at her feet also
If there was one in the train she
would be willing to see in that position.
she kept it bravcly to herself, AMI
went on her way, merry and gay,
sweet Dolly Fairbanks still
Her cousin Dora was at the win low
when she came homc, and watched
with Inward curiosity the air of devo.
tion with which Ned Ralston bade her
good.by.
Z" Is it all settled, Dolly ?" she ask q.
ed, as Dolly knelt before tho fire to
warm her fingers.
"ls what sctllcd?' Anl Dolly
turned impatieutly round to face her
cousin.
" The matter Of lover sail Dora.
laughing. Mrs. Brodie said you
wold never have Ned, but have
thought, all tho time
DO hush. Dora. You will drive
mc crazy. You know, as well as DO
that Ned Ralston eau never be my
lover"
"lt looks like il, a; any rate" Dora
continued. And you might at least
have the grace to feel sorry for all
these poor fellows who want You and
cant have you"
Dolly dropped her eyes, aud let her
blushing face say very plainly, Can
[ help it ?"
There comes Mark Bradbury up
the street said Dora, settling herself
comfortably before the window, "and
he looks as if he had been fed on sour
grapes for fortnight. | wonder what
eau be the matter with him ~
Dolly didn't wonder at all, but she
stole on tip toe up behind her cousin,
aud looked ever her shoulder ut the man
who loved her better, she be iieved
than all the lovers she could count on
her pretty fingers.
" lie is round. .shouldered, and he
has dreudfully homcly nose" said
Dora, socmnly.
Dolly's lips qnivered ominously, but
she would not say o word.
" Blonde hair aud blue eyes Dora
continued saucily. "lt's no wondgr
you cant eniurc him, Dolly. He has
quite charming mouth, though,
What pity his"
"Dpra Dalton, you haven't grain
of SENSE " No eyes in the world are
half as beautiful ~ blue eyes, and a.
TO blonde hair. it is my admiration"
ooh" said Dora, comprchensively
The word was a little one, but the
smile that vent with it meant vol
umes.
Mark Bradbury had been walking
very fast, but as he came opposite
that particular window, he looked up
suddenly, and caught sight of Dolly's
blushing face.
There was something in her face
that made him think he had puuished
himself unnecessarily that afternoon,
and stealing another look at the rosy
checks ald smiling mouth, he ran up
the steps aud rang the bell.
Dora sprang up, dropping an armfuI
of gay colorcd woods over the carpet,
and went to the door.
is Dolly-Miss Fairbanks iu ?"
Mrs. Fairbanks is in the nursery,
as Master Bobby has tho Group. Dolly
is in there" she added, holding her
head to the half open door. GO
right in, aud l will 20 aud see if Mrs
Fairbanks eau come down" And
sue vanished, laughing, up the stair
way.
lie opened the door softly, and wen
in. Dolly was down on the a,or
gathering up tho scattered skeins oil
wool.
"Cau I help you, Dolly p he asked
kueeling down beside her.
"No, indeed" she said, quickly
1T is Dora's work, and sho dropped