The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-08-26
.hese early spring days. The lovers

Dora looked upon their guest as their
property. She had long ago laughing
ly told him how uncercnonious had
been his welcome to her, and he had
wooed and won his absolution.
Sometime Barbara sighed as she
watched them together, while she sat
alone, but she gave to the sigh no
name, and thought it Il tribute lo the
vanished years. .-- -l- .
One day came her awakening.
Dora and MIR. Maimwaring had 9one
for their afternoon ride, but it had ex-
tended beyond its wont, and she had
grown anxious and gone out to meet
them, striking into the forest path
which was their favorite way.
Half a mile from her home she met
Dora's horse ridcrlcss.
Pale with terror she fastened on,
when suddenly she stopped, rooted to
the spot. pit
Almost ut her feet knelt the man
her heart had loved always, and in his
arms he held Dora's unconscious
form.
"My love! my lifcw he said, each
word being borne distinctly to her
ear, "speak to me once-just once!
Oh, Dora, are you hurt? My dar-
ling, my darling, would that l might
have given my life for yours!"
Then he stopped and pressed his
lips to hers. a long, fluttering sigh
escaped them.
"ArthurH' she whispered; CAR
thurw
II am here, DEAR" he said.
And then he laid her Il own out of
his arms, and though, with returning
life, he remembered the duty it
brought with it.
The mother sprang forward.
'Do not be alarmed" Mr.. Main
waring said, gently on seeing her.
sIIcr horse threw her. 1 think there
is no serious injury"
No serious injury! None to Dora,
but Barbara knew that her wound
was past healing.
When, u few. hours later they know
that there was no need for anxiety on
her own account, Barbara shut her.
self up within her own room to fight
her battle. t7t3 aa
Il cannot give him up" she moaned.
Gle does not-knew- his own heart.
He will forget this child and slle-she
cannot love him." gi-aa a..l
But even as she reasoned came the
remembrance of the one word CAR
thur!" and the tone in which she had
spoken it.lliag,l .slf s sla
81 will try her." she said, and for
the first time in her life came a feel
ing of bitter resentment even against
her child. sa.s8-
They were sitting together In tho
library as she entered. h a.a.a
"Arthur!' she said, Il think it is
time that we told Dora the truth"
The mans face paled. She could
almost see him grid his soul for the
conflict and crush out his heart behind
his honor. .,..15et..-...- .7..s I'll. +
Even Dora looked up with suspi-
cion of coming trouble. .l'-.,
at is only this DEAR" Barbara said,
turning to her daughter; .has not Mr..
Mainwaring told you that he was an
engaged mani"
Then she saw that the steel had
struck home. The child answered
nothing as she turned two wet, re-
proachful eyes to him who dared not
meet their gaze. Until this instant
she had not known that she possessed
a heart. She learned it now to her
cruel cost. a"f L.i-i
81 must congratulate Mr.. Main-
waring," she said, calling up all her
womaIis pride to her aid, then hast
ened from the room to hide the burst
Of tears. ls-- a4l luc.. Har..t ltt
"Does she suspect, do you think?"
she asked, glo;iting over his torture.
"She must KNOW" he answered. "I
am ready, Barbara, to fulfill my bond.
Let there be no further delay" lIua
will you not then. plead that 1