The Republican journal., 1876-01-06

laShloneu KIND That people LnfOFe upon
and lived with 10 q ridiculous old age.
Jane said sit" all through the letter,
then became so terrified with this little
monosyllable that she tore the paper into
fragments, sent telegram to her torewo-
man, and started in the afternoon train
for home
Dora looked so beautiful to Jane that
she could not pursuade herself she was at
all out of health. Her eyes shone like
sapphires. and her cheeks wore So bril-
| liant y glow that Jane took courage, and
began to believe that all would yet be
we'll
For week or two Dora seemed to gain
strength again. James sharp yet genial
| company was like a tonic to the falling
health of the child, and she was even able
to 90 to church once more. But her step
was faltering and slow ard the powerful,
imperlouS notes that had once filled the
| church with rare rich melody were lost in
q faint sweet shadow of their former
selves. Tremblingly and low they fell
| upon James listening ear, and smote upon
her heart till it was like to burst Then
the pitving glances of the good country
folks, the danties showered in upon her
| day BY day for her fanting appetite,
above all, the unearthly beauty that
| sccIned to shape Itself about Dora before
James terrified eyes-all these drove the
poor woman to desperation, and she
found herself praying for relief in any
shape. She wished from the bottom OF
her neart that this man Van Dorm loved
Dora as the poor child was foolish enough
to become u pray to a hereditary malady
simply because this one strong element of
her life was thwarted.
But Jane could find no proof Of this
either in the past or the present. lie had
simply been civil, perhaps kinder to Dora
at times than to others, because nobody
could help being kind to her.
But how to inveigle this fellow to Dora s
feet? 1t was a most unpromising and
hateful task. What an aggravation to
misery to plot and plan for a result that
will only be bearable as u means of say
inc life ! AS fur as all those bright dreams
of James went, it would snuff them out
like the eNtingnisher of q candle. But
life, sweet lite, must be saved from the
wreck. Ii that were cver-past for Dora,
then would it be worse than worthless to
Jane.
vi Nbul Sc llt IilSll UlllCIb iiluol DC lllol-
ey This was the lever that moved the
world Miles Van Dorm was ambitious ;
he was also poor, struggling. hemmed in
with difficulties on all sides. Jane could
afford to pay well for the overthrow Of her
own ambition, and thus foster that of
Miles Van Dorm
She went to town, and from thence
drove ont to the parsonage OF Ralph Pey-
ton, which was but short distance from
the suburbs of the metropolis.
Entering the snug little study, it gave
her u singular shock to see the shapely
form of Miles Van Dorm bent over a huge
volume of legal lore. She expected to
see him, and really chose the evening for
her visit to favor this presumption; but,
nevertheless, to have thus before her this
leshly agent the tatcs had chosen for her
discontinue cave her \ shock OF dismay.
Calm and cold always seemingly well
dressed, whatever the material or cut Of
his personal appearances 1t was credita
ble--amazngiy so--lor u Van Dorm lie
seemed politely lesirous Of news from his
late abiding place. but kept his long front
finger on the page of his book, and glanc-
t'l loiiSIISlN GiiiIHCl NOM IllllS w uIiht
At last Ralph's step was heard in the hall,
and Immediately upon tho Young minister's
entrance he turned again to legal study
lie bowed politely when Jane left but
looked to Ralph to do the honors OF her
departure.
Jane paused at the outer door.
"ltalph, she said, II came here with q
purpose but my heart failed me- The
fact is, this is u terrible blow to me"
"What is a terrible blow, Jane ?'
"Why this foolish madness of Dora's. |
don't believe, mark YOU, she's dying for
love, but she's naturally delicate, and has
been spoiled all her life. Whatever it IS
she's wasting away, Ralph, and [ emit
bear it; it kills nc. You know, don't you,
Ralph," said Jane, with her foot on the
step of the carriage, "that all have will
be hers sometime? and it's no paltry tritle
| can tell you.n
Then she drove away, leaving Ralph
gazing after her with almost q ludicrous
air of bewildermcnt. lie walked with 4
slow, halting step to the study. and sank
into q chair with u heavy sigh.
Miles looked over inquiringly.
''IIave you heard any thing TO disturb
you?n he said.
Yes, Miles, y replied Ralph, Impatient
ly. "Do put up that plodding OF yours,
and give me some advice. You know |
boarded in the school-master's family when
preached out there"
Miles nodded
well you know what an impulsive tel-
low am Oh, Miles, if only had your
coldness and reserve! I'm afraid I've I'm
consciously gained the affection OF the
school-master' daughter y
Miss Fairfed-the lady that was here
just now ?" inquired Miles
mo =" roared Ralph GLOW could
you suppose such a thing9 | mean Dora,
little Dora - dear, gentle, sweet little
Dora TO think of it Miles. She was
Il mere child that one couldn't help pet
ting and caressing. You certainly must
remember her we'll She sang, didn't she,
il your choir?"
Miles looked at his friend, and q heat
gradually gathered in his eyes, in his
voice; even the forelinger that rested in
the huge book of legal lore trembled.
go on," he said, calmly. "Of course
she sang in my choir | do remember her
we'll. Go on"
"'Go on >" repeated Ralph. ''It's all
very we'll to say Go on but what am
to do2 Her sister has just told me that
she's delicate any way, Miles, and she can't
bear my departure from there. Dear,
dear little Dora! +"
''Do you mean to say that Dora Fair
field is actually i'll in-in your behalf -
said Miles
'Her sister told me SO just now, and
she ought to know. What was She to do
This confidence is excusable on her part,
Miles; she idolizes Dora. How can she
help it F? Dear little rose of the wild wood
to think | should have unwittingly won
her love!"
Miles grew visibly paler
"lt seems to me can remember now" ?"
he said, closing the book. and leaning his
head upon his hand, ''that when she faint
ed in my arms that night it was after the
sudden mention Of your NAME"
Fainted!" y" cried Ralph; Il never
heard Of that. Why didn't you tell me :"
81 never talk of those things" said
Miles, coldiy; ''but as corroborative tes-