Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-10-13


However that might be, Dora's heart
felt strangely light as she listened to the
echo of the retreating wheels of DR..
Rays carriage.
Cara had been her guest fortnight,
during which time the Doctor had full |
filled his promise of devoting to them !
all his spare moments; but they were |
few. The fever was increasing rather |
than abating. Miss Deane babe fair to |
have her guest for long visit.
But you're not tired Of me, are
you?" Cara asked, when her guardian |
limited something of this.
''No, indeed" she answered, with a
bright smile. '"The question is-what
shall I do without your"
The three were standing together
when she thus spoke, but as she fin
ished, Ronald Ray leaned over and in
a low tone said, so that only her ear
caught the words:
Tomorrow when come | want to
see you alone. I have something to
say to you"
Whv-why could she not hide the
tell-tale blood which so deeply dyed
her cheek as she bowed her assent? In
all these wears he had never spoken
quite thus before. Was it that Dora's
bright presence had renewed her own
youth, until in his eyes she had recov-
cred it? Surely she might dwell a
moment on the sweet hope OF which
his wish must form the threshold.
The next day she awaited 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 a drive.
Her heart beat fast to suffocation as
at 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, Il 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 | too old to love and to be
loved?"
Be still, glad heart-be still! How
| long had her secret been unacknoWl-
edged even to herself. 1t broke its
bonds now, and burst upon her in a
glad, rapturous vision, which showed
the past gray and sombre, the future
in brilliance which blinded her.
''Too old?" she said in tones that
trembled in spite of her efforts to con-
troll them. "NO--a thousand times
no y
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
not? You have seen it? How could
[ hope to hide it except from her? She
suspects nothing. Tell me how shall
approach her that l may not startle
her. She is yet but a child. You are
u woman, Dora. Help me !"
Was she still standing upright?
About her were the crushed ruins of
her castle, which scarce sixty seconds
before lowered to the clouds. The
noise of the falling fragments had
stunned her Had he not heard? The
dust which had arisen therefrom blind
ed her Could he not see?
"YOu are a woman, Dora, Help
me !"
These were the words ringing i'll her
ears. Oh, God had she no greater
need for help !"
"4Ou love Cara p
| How calm and quiet her voice sound
ed, even to herself.
Love her! All, Dora, you who
have never loved can little guess how
much !"
She laughed then Something in the
words amused her; something that
81, or,oJ I,or I, Cyrr 11,ol1 che bod lya,Ot n OIL,
secret-an old maids secret.
''Talk to her." he went on. Tell me
if she feels, if 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
tomorrow. Good-by. God bless you !"
At last she was alone. The knowl-
edge came with long sigh of relief. as
some hours later the "GOod-nights"
had been said and Dora could face the
misery the morning had brought her.
How long-how very long ago it
seemed She drew a chair beside the
open window, and sank into it heavily.
AT that moment faint tap sounded
on the door, and a golden-crowned
head pushed itself through the space
where it was held ajar.
''Please let me come in, dear Miss
Dora?" said a young voice. 81 can't
sleep, and l want to talk with you"
Then, without waiting for permits
sion, 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 shad-
Ow resting on her own soul which made
the older woman fancy that graver
expression was upon it than its wont?
She softly stroked the bright hair.
II have something to tell you,
Miss Dora" the girl went on, after q
little pause. II love you so much that
l wOul ike that you should hear it
first. But tell me first-am / still a
child? And do you not think that
children, as Ronald calls me, can lover"
"You love, then?'
Almost breathlessly she put the
question. Her own pain was swallowed
up in the JOY that at least to Ronald
his love would not be returned IS him
as bitter Dead Sea fruit.
Eyes, I 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 a lieutenant,
but he is so brave, so handsome! My
own father was an officer, you know. /
think remembering that made me first
care for him"