The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-12-27

'One thing more / must mention, and beg
you to try to forgive, and that is the insult
which l offered you in that mad hour, by
thinking of giving you the fruits of my gam
bling | know your pure and honorable
nature would recoil from accepting anything
got by iniquity. You would rather live ina
garret in honesty, than in palace built by
fraud. 1 know that and l have thought
since, how grievously it added to my wrong,
to permit myself to be biased by the consid.
Grafton that might win comfort and luxu-
ry for you, by yielding to the gam
bler's sin and folly.
Il feel that have no right to use any old
expressions of endearment to you in this
letter yet you are so dear to me and ever
will be, that | can scarcely forbear. Pray
overlook all that have said or done of an
erratic nature of late, for my mind has
been in such whirl that have scarcely
been able to keep the mastery over it, nor
can now. I haven't even the perceptionte
judge whether 1 am doing the right and
best thing in going away; yeti don't see
how can do otherwise or better. Sol go.
My darling think kindly of me, if you can.
Z and pray for me, as | shal ever for you.
Aud believe me still your true friend,
HENRY CARLETON
To describe poor Dora's feelings as she
read this letter would be impossible they
It were Of so conflicting nature. AT one time
S something akin to disgust possessed her,
IS then the tenderest pity. Now, she felt des-
! pairing and helpless again, courageous and
o strong to do something supernatural to
l. avert the threatened separation. why did
n not Harry have confidence in me, and tell
II me of this long ago? she asked, with an in.
i, jured feeling that brought the tears to her
eyes. Something might have been done
~ but now, it is too late, and he has left me no
y opportunity to do anything but suffer bitter
'' ly and in loneliness.
~ In few moments the uppermost feeling
H. was one of complete forgiveness aud yearn-
Dy ing love. q must save him from going ?
''' she said, starting up with sudden energy.
Il! He is undone in mind and body now, scarce
ly knows what he is doing, and he may die
'a' this trouble may actually kill him, Or,
~ although he is honorable and upright now,
eo' he may in his loneliness be drawn away to
~ evil, and come to ruin But he shall not |!
III" He is mine and | will not let him drift
49,. away from me to danger. Dear Harry ]
know your repentance and remorse are sim
- cere and because you have wronged me-
49, shall I, therefore, set myself up above you
as superior and immaculate, and think you
unworthy of my forgiveness and love No
Ay' that is not the part have to fulfill towards
IsI you. | have to be your true friend for eve
-. and manifest the love which 'thinketh NJ
~ evil, beareth all things, never faileth.' Min
has been no fancful, ephemeral affection 70
you it has been, it is, love strong as deatt
"N and nothing but death shall take you fror
,erv me-
Nv She stood with clasped hands and close
at eyes for moment or two thinking deeply,
rapidly forming her plans. Then she pu
was on an old black bonnet and thick veil, an
ate fastened the warm shawl which she had pr
do. around her while reading the letter. St
~ was startled to see how white her face an
fool lips were, when she looked in the glass, an
bIe feared she would not be able to escape col
on. cerned inquiries. But going down stairs 81
who encountered her youngest sister, fairy-lil
NV little creature of five years, and in wishir
yere her happy Christmas, and in admiring Il
hear stocking full of wonderful things which Il
With little lady had found at her bedside tn
vely morning, Dora recoVereu oneery mann
me and smiling expression, which were SUI
k of cent to prevent her pallor being regard
pos- as anything more than the effect of cold.
no On entering the breakfast-room she foul
cave breakfast ready, and the family assembl
med for morning prayer as was their wont. 'YC
on are not going out before breakfast, Dors
dred said her mother in surprise.
able q very much wish to go, mar ma dear,
ted) please don't object said Dora earnestly.
for. have little Christmas GRAND to perfol
,ye which is rather urgent and | shall feel
10 to much better satiafed to start out on it
rive. fore breakfast l will promise to make
ask. for the temporary fasting at dinner-tin
nany she aided gaily.
IN if Il don't like you absent on your Il
nate Christmas morning at home,' said her fat
ould er, gently, as he turned over the leaves
from the Bible.
,lo N 4 will stay to prayers, papa, she sa
hrr. seating herself near him. But never nj
Tho about breadfast this morning. 1t will
oord der me too long,
sor. In the exeacise of the simple family W
are snip Dora felt Gained sand strengthen
She rose up with hopeful heart, and sn
lness iugly wishing short goodbye, set out on
from Christmas errand. No questions were q
f out ed. Dora was so in the habit of going
a one alone to see nfrm and sick people, VIII
alton she called her pensioners. that her wish
God, 90 thus urgently on a Christmas morn
rs re- excited no suspicion.
Is are
have CHAPTER III