Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-09-23

for which he had sent to town in these
| first early spring days. The lovers
were seldom alone now.
Dora looked upon their guest as her
property. She had long ago laughing
| ly told him how unceremonious had
been his welcome to her, 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 awakening. 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 q mile from
her home she met Dora's horse, rider
less. Pale with terror, she fastened
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 uncon-
scious 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 darling, would
that might have given my life for
yours"
Then he stopped and pressed his lips
to hers. A long futtering sign escaped
them.
"Arthur.' she whispered; Arthur"
II 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 sprang forward.
'DO not be alarmed" Mr.. Mainwar-
ing said, gently, on seeing her. Her
horse threw her [ think there is no
serious injury"
No serious injury. None to Dora,
past healing.
| When, 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 bat
tie.
II 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 as she reasoned came the
remembrance of the one word. CAR
thurw and the tone in which she had
spoken it.
II 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 IL
brary as she entered.
Arthur" she said, II think it is
time that you told Dora the truth"
The mans face paled. She could al
most see him grid his soul for the con
flict, and crush out his heart behind
his honor. Even Dora looked up with
a suspicion of coming trouble.
at is only this, DEAR" Barbara said
turning to her daughter, 'has not Mr.
Mainwaring told you that he was an
engaged man?"
Then she saw that the steel had
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
II must congratulate Mr.. Mainwar-
ing" she said, calling up all her wo-
mans pride to aid, her then fastened
from the room to hide the burst of tears.
The two were left alone
docs she suspect, to do you think?'
she asked, gloating over his torture
"She must know" he answered. II
am ready, Barbara, to fulfill my bond.
Let there be no further delay"
''Will you not, then, plead that |
asked only the pound of flesh, without
drop of blood, and that your life must
pay the forfeit demand?"
'What can you mean?" he asked, in
Il bewildered way.
Only" she said, that [ plead my
cause for yours. Release me Arthur.
| find [ cannot marry you"
Five minutes ago she would have
thought herself incapable of the sacri-
flee, yet here she stood, quiet and
calm, giving no outward sign Of the in
ward whirlpool, nor the torture that
wrung her as she watched the weight
lift from his soul at her words.
You no longer love me?" he ques-
toned.
Il am growing old, with hooking
laugh; and in his blindness he accepted
her words as denial, and went forth
content, little dreaming of the sacrifice
the mother had made for her daugh-
ter's happiness.
A little later he came to her, Dora
blushing, radiant with happiness, by
, his side
"Will you give her to me?" he asked.
II loved her, Barbara, because le was
YOUR second SELF"
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