Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-09-30

though she would have said, "I am
forced into ii by stronger will than
mine"
An uncomfortable sensation rose up
in his breast-a dumb warning against
the inevitable-an unacknowledged de-
sire to retrace life's pathway and con-
quer time.
Meantime the young girl pouted the
full, red lips, as she thought her
mothers friend strangely absent; and
when he at last forced himself into a
few words of greeting, they fell upon
dull, unheeding ears.
Then she had gone. The lovers were
alone again, but he no longer opened
wide his arms, but instead, drew a
chair to her side, that they might dis
cuss more nationally.
You must teach Dora to love you"
she said to him next morning. 81 want
first to reconcile her to my second mar
riage before startling her with its pos
sibility. Tell me-do you think her
like meP"
Your second self"
"Ah, l am so gladl You will love
her, then. for my sakep"
To love and be loved! Over-easy task
set by trsl womanin her blindness. 1t
must be Mr.. Mainwaring who must be
Dora's companion in her daily ride. Mr..
Mainwaring who must teach her TO
manage the cookie boat-for which he
had sent to town-in these first early
spring days. The lovers were seldom
alone now.
Dora looked up at their guest as her
property. She had long ago laughingly
told him how unceremonious had been
his welcome to ner. and he had wooed
and won his absolution.
Sometimes Barbara sighed as she
watched them together. while she sat
alone. but she gave to the sigh no name,
and thought it tribute TO the vanished
years.
One day came her awaking. Dora
and Mr.. Mainwaring had gone for their
afternoon ride, but it had extended be-
yond its wont, and she had grown
anxious and gone out to meet them,
striking into the forest path which was
their favorite way. Half n mile from
her home she met Dora's horse rider
less. Pale with terror, she hastened on,
when she suddenly stopped, rooted to
the spot. Almost at her feet knelt the
man her heart had loved always, and in
his arms he held Dora's unconscious
form.
"My love! my life!" he said, each
word being borne distinctly TO her ear !;
"speak to me once-just oncel Oh,
Dora, are you hurtP My darling, would
that l might have given my life for
yours"
Then he stopped and pressed his lips
to hers. A long futtering sigh escaped
them.
Arthur" she whispered Arthur
" l am here, dear" he said.
And then he laid her down out of his
arms, as though, with returning life, he
remembered the duty it brought with
it.
The mother sprauR forward.
"Do not be alarmed" Mr.. Mainwar-
ing said, gently, on seeing her. Her
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, n few hours later, they knew
that there was no need for anxiety on
her account, Barbara shut herself up
within her own room to fight her battle.
81 cannot give him up" she moaned.
" He does not know his own heart. He
will forget this child, and she-she can
not love him."
But even rs she reasoned came the
remembrance OF the one word, AR
thur!" and the tone in which she had
spoken It.
"I will try her," she said, and for the
first time in her life came feeling of
bitter resentment even against her
child.
They were sitting together in the H.
brary as she entered.
Arthur" she said, 81 think it is
time that we told Dora the truth"
The mans face paled. She could al
most see him grid his soul for the con
hict, and crush out his heart behind his
honor. Even Dora looked up with a
suspicion of coming trouble.
1t is only this, DEAR" Barbara said, ,
turning to her daughter; "has not Mr..
Mainwaring told you that be was an
engaged mane"
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.
muat ron 0ra tutaia Mr. Matoxz.v-