Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-29
toontinuel from first page.l

you ?'' he said.
Yes. Miles," replied Ralph. impatient
~ do put BY that Flooding 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 impulsiv'
fellow | am. Oh. Miles, if only haC
your GOODNESS and reserve I'm afraC
I've unconsciously gained the affections Of
the school-master' daughter"
Miss Fairfield-the lady that was here
just now ?" inquired Miles.
Nor roared Ralph. "iIow could you
suppose such thing? | mean Dora, lit
tie Dora-dear, gentle, sweet little Dora.
To think OF it, Miles She was "A mere
child that one couldn't help petting and
caressing. You certainly must remember
her well. She sang, didn't she insyour
choir ?"
Miles looked at his friend, and heat
gradually gathered in his eyes, in his
voice; even the forefinger that rested in
huge book CT legal lore trembed.
go, on, he said, calmly. "Of course
she sang in my choir. do remember she
sang in my choir. | do remember her
well. Go on.
$50 onp' repeated Ralph. "lt's all
very well to say go on but what am |
to do Her sister has just told me that
she's wasting away. You know she's del
icate any way, Miles, and she can't bear
my departure from there. Dear, dear lit
tie Dora p
"Do you mean TO say that Dora FItield
is actually i'll in-in your behalf p 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? Dear little rose of the wild
wood Ito think that should have unwit-
tingly won her lover
Miles grew visibly paler.
1T seems to me can remember now
he said, closing the book, and leaning his
upon his hand. THAT when she tainted. in
my arms that night, it was after the sud
den mention of your name"
Painted ~ cried Ralph Il never heard
of that. Why didn't you tell me ?"
81 never talk OF those things" said
Miles, coldly ''but as corroborative teS-
tmony, ii is, of course, valuable"
"What am | to do ?" exclaimed Ralph.
"She mustn't perish, Miles; that would
he terrible. Wouldn't you go to her at
once if you were in my place ?"
A smile OF icy bitterness touched the
lips OF Miles Van Dorm. Yes" he said,
coldly, If | were in your place, would
60 to her."
Ralph started to his feet. Twill you go
over. Miles," he said, 1.-The first thing IN
the morning, and ask Jane-Miss FIiied
to 60 down with me? I'm afraid the
shock might be injurious to Dora. Jane
can tell her, you know. You'll 90, won't
you, Miles ?"
1t was matter of wonderment to Miles
afterward how he was induced TO do such
thing but certainly he did find himself,
after sleepless night. at the door OF
James clearinghouse. and actually sent
up his card by the servant.
Jane arose early that morning because
of anxious thoughts that also drove sleep
from her eyes. Slowly and ploddingly
she went on with her toilet,
look OF despair shaping itself in her face.
For the first time in many years prayer
forced itself from her lips. Let this cup
pass from me" cried poor Jane. Don't
let Dora dier'
And at that moment "a servant knocked
at the door, and put card in her hand.
Jane started and turned pale as she read
miles Van Dorm y She went down
stairs, firmly persuaded the whole thing
was dream.
Miles got upon his feet when she came
in, with the awkward conviction that his
presence there was AN intrusion, and his
errand an mpertinence. 81 am sent here
by Mr.. Peyton," he said, briefly, ''to ask
IL you Will accompany him down to your
house In the country, this morning. He
proposes starting AS early AS possible"
LAS minister ?' cried Jane. docs
he dare TO think Of Fastening the poor
child's doom by telling her she is going
to die Great Heavens !" said Jane, be-
coming more excited. ''lie can do
her no possible good. There is only one
person 10 The world that can" Jane
paused abruptly.
The slumberIng heat in the eyes of Miles
Van Dorm leaped into blaze. And that
person is not, then, Ralph ?' he asked Gag
erly.
why, the monstrous egotism of the
fellow !" said Jane, laughing with the air
vi one to whom laughing Is unfamiliar
''Of course it isn't. How could he
dream Of such thingPn
lit Is natural sometimes to fall into err
ror," said Miles, gradual agitation be-
traying itself in his odlnarily cold meas
ured tones. 81 have myself been driven
70 think of this subject; it has, entirely
against my Judgment, absorbed much OF
my time. Since that night Miss Dora iain-
ted have found it Impossible to keep her
from my thoughts. You will pardon my
determination 70 discover this party who
can be OF benefit toy our young sister il
confess TO you, Miss Fairfield" Miles
paused; u sudden impulse OF passion
swept all his rhetoric, He went over to
Jane. II love Dora" he cried; II love
her with my whole heart aud soul. Now
tell me, who is this party OF whom you
speak ~
Why, then, God bless you, Miles Van
Dorm |! said Jane, the tears bursting FROM
her burning lips yes that party is your
SELF"
These tears, seemingly wrung from an
unwilling source, melted the heart OF
Miles Van Dorm. Miss Fairlield-Jane, -
ne said, 'lt has not been my fault that
Dora has suffered. | have not dared To
think OF love; it has not been my plan OF
lne. 1t did not seem possible did not
know--n
.sRut vau knoxu noun ea;d -. IN.