Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-09-03

"But you're not tired of me, are vouPn
Cara asked, when her guardian limited
something of this. /
"No, indeed" she answered, with a
bright smile. "The question is-what
shall do without your"
The three were standing together
when she thus spoke, but as she finished
Ronald Ray leaned over, and in a low
tone said, so that only her ear caught /
the words;
"TO-morrow when l come l want to !
see you alone. Ihave something to say |
to you.h
Why-why could she not hide the tell
tale blood which so deeply dyed her
cheek as she bowed her ASSENT In all |
these years he had never spoken quite
thus before. Was it that Cara's bright |
presence had renewed her own youth, |,
until in his eyes she had recovered it? |
Surely she might dwell a moment on the
sweet hope of which his wish must form
the threshold
The next day she waited him in her
own little morning-room. She had given
orders to the servants that he should be
admitted there. Cara she had sent for
q drive.
Her heart beat fast to suffocation as
ut length she heard his step. He crossed
the room with his firm tread to where
she stood, and took both her hands in
his. ...
"Dora," he began, 81 have come to
you to confde to you the secret of my
life. | know that you are frank and
true. Tell me, then, and tell me hon
estly-am l too old to love and to be
loved?n
Be still, glad heart-be still! How
long had her secret. been acknowledged
even to herselfP 1t broke its bonds now,
and burst upon her in u glad, rapturous
vision, which showed the past gray and
sombre, the future in brilliance which
blinded her.
"Too old?n she said in tones that
trcmbled spite of her efforts to control
them. "No-a thousand times moi"
He raised her hands to his lips and
kissed them. 1t was the first time his
kiss had touched them.
"My friend, he whispered, low, ''you
have guessed my secret, have you noLP
You have seen it? How could | hope to
hide it except from her? She suspects
nothing. Tell me how shall approach
her that may not startle her. She is
as yet but child. You are q woman,
Dora. Help mel"
Was she still standing upright? About
her were the crushed ruins of her castle,
which scarce sixty seconds before had
lowered to the clouds. The noise of the
falling fragments had stunned her. Had
he not heard? The dust which had arisen
therefrom blinded her. Could he not
see?
"You are woman, Dora. Help me!n
These were the words ringing in her
ears. Oh, God! had she not greater
need for help?
"You love CaraPn
How calm and quiet her voice sounded,
even to herself
"Love herP All, Dora, you who have
never loved can little guess how muchm
She laughed then. Something in the
words amused hers something that
showed her how well she had kept her
secret-an old maids secret.
"Talk to her." he went on. "Tell
me if she feels, L she will ever feel, for
me that for which long"
"Nay, speak to her YOURSELF" she
answered. "She scarcely can deny you,
pleading your own cause
"You think so? Then | will come to-
morrow. GOod-by! God bless you'll"
At last she was alone. The knowl.
edge came with long sigh of relief, as
some hours later the "Good-nightsn had
been said, and Dora could face the mis-
cry the morning had brought her. How
lOng-how very long ago it seemed! She
drew chair beside the open window,
and sank into it heavily. E
At that moment faint tap sounded
on the door, and golden-crowned head
pushed itself through the space whereit
was held ajar.
"Pleasc let me in, dear Miss Dora"
said young voice. 81 can't sleep and
| want to talk to YOU
Then, without waiting further per-
mission, a little, white-robed figure
glided in and sank on the stool at her
feet.
The moonlight showed the fair, up
turned face, and was it only the shadow
resting on her own soul which made the
older woman fancy that graver express
sion was upon it than its wont? She
softly stroked the bright hair.
ell have something to tell you,
Miss Dora," the girl went on, after Il
little pause. 81 love you 50 much that
| would like that you should hear it
first. But tell me tristan l still q
child? And do you not think that chill
dren, as Ronald calls me, can love?"
"You love, then?"
Almost breathlessly she put the ques-
ton. Her own pain was swallowed up
in the Joy that, at least to Ronald,
his love would not be returned to him as
bitter Dead Sea fruit.
eyes, love-" said Cara. 1t was
such funny accident, our meeting. 1t
was two years ago. His regiment was
stationed at the same town where | was
at school. He is only Lieutenant, but
he is so brave, so handsome My own
dear father was an officer, you know. |
think remembering that made me first
care for him." ......
Then Miss Deanerecovered her breath
GA Lieutenant Who is this man? OF
whom are you talking?'
ellis name is Harry Linden. lIewill
be here next week He is coming down,
he writes me, TO ask my guardian,
formal permission to marry me. Oh
Miss Dora! do You think he will refuse
or be angry? lie is so old, perhaps he
, will have forgotten that he, too, once
i was young.