Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-03-10
DOLLY AND !.

When l first started in life, 1t was N
the small establishment Of Mr.. Brusle,
stationer.
II was not a very remunerative situa-
ton. but old Mr.: Brusle was kind old
man, Mrs. Brusle a nice, talkatlye old
lady, and Dolly Brusle often came into
the shop and stood behind the counter
beside me.
Dear little Dolly; she had brown
eyes, and a dimple on her chin, and she
sang Ike a prima donna.
Old Mr.. Brusle and my father had
been friends. and l was not servant
only, but privileged friend as well, and
all the excuse l needed for staying
every night was given in the words:
'Iwant TO hear the singing
Well, any one might have wanted to
hear it. for that matter-not merely a
boy who was in love.
Things went on III this way for three
wears. when. one afternoon, old Mr..
Brusle, shutting the drawer of his desk
with bang, said:
It's no use, Tom, l may as well give
in. I'm not making a penny, and l
shall break up the business. The old
woman and l can manage on what VIC
have. with only one child, and can
rest and stop fdgeting. suppose
Dolly can teach a little too, and she
can have some fnery in that way But
the old shop is a mockcry, and I've
known IL good while
So that WAS the end Of that Arcadlan
Gmc.
The stock and fixtures were sold out,
aud the shop was altered into parlor;
aud l wrote to my uncle in London,
WHO had promised to take me into his
business if l wished it, and he telegraph
ed.
Come next week.
And then, one day, 1 asked Dolly 10
walk down into the meadows, and see
if the blackberries were ripe.
We took two little baskets, and the
berries were hanging plump and large
and purple,black but before we picked
one, drew her to quiet place under
the great chestnut and put my arm about
her waist, and SAID:
Dolly, you know just how feel to
you, don't you' You know L love
you.
She nestled up to me little Closer
and 1 took both her tiny hands in mlne'
viii you wait for me little while,
Dolly?' L said. will you think that
am doing my best all the time to bring
the day nearer when 1 can ask your
father to give you to me p
Yes, Tom, III wait
And then we picked the blackberrleS'
and went home through the meadows.
wen not speak of 1t yet, Tom,' said
Dolly. AT home, 1 mean; they think
me such a child yet. l don't want TO
break the charm. IN time they will
guess that Pm a woman ; and they like
YOU, Tom co., r.
to 90.
God bless you!' said the old man.
Ipressed my lips to Dolly's forehead.
In that moment of parting, the old
folks thought it only natural.
And then l was gone.
Nv trunk had been at the station ior
hours.
| heard the whistle of tie train; l
saw the red glare of the monsters eye >
| heard the snort and the tramp,
He was ready for me, and the CITY
and its whirl awaited me.
For a while | was bewildered in the
CITY. then very busy, then flushed with
the prospect Of being rapidly advanced,
and of being able to ask Dolly to be my
wife SCORER than 1 expected.
| wrote her joyous letters.
She wrote pleasant ones back to me-
We did not make them open love-
letters. but both understood the love at
the bottom Of them.
And so the months gllded by.
For the Grst half year had no holl'
day.
Then a grudgingly given week was
granted me, and 1 visited my friends
aud had glorious time.
Dolly was lower than ever.
She walked over to the station will
me when l lett, leaning on my arm.
The train had not come in yet-th'
one for London. but the other had Sc
down some passengers from the city.
One, stout gentleman OF thirty-hve
dressed in fine style, having given hi
portmanteau TO a porter, advanced u
Dolly.
'How do you do, Miss Brusles san
he.
She held out her hand shYly.
| How do you do, Mr.. Holly' Tom
this is Mr.. Holly. Mr., Holly, Mr.
Hearn.'
He bowed; so did L. But the fello'
had such an air with him that hate
him.
How did she know him'
had never seen him before.
who is hep asked 1, in a whlspe
\ as the porter, called Mr.. Holly back 4
directions.
He has something to do with u
r opera, think, said Dolly.
Then came the shrek Of the whist
at the station.