The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-03-17


horse, riderless. 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 Doras unconscious
form.
my love! my love!" he said, each word
being borne distinctly on 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 fluttering sigh escaped them.
"Arthur!" she whispered; "Arthur!"
And then he laid her down out of his
arms, although, with returning, life, he re-
membered the duty it brought with it.
The mother sprang forward.
"Do not be alarmed" Mr.. Mainwaring
said, gently caressing her. "Her horse
threw her. think there is no serious in
jury"
No serious injury! None to Dora, but
Barbara knew that her wound was past
healing.
When, few hours later, they knew that
there was no need for anxiety on her ac-
count, Barbara shut herself up within her
own little room to fight her battle.
II cannot give him up," she moaned.
He does not know his OWE heart. He
will forget this child, and she cannot love
him"
But even as she reasoned came the re-
membrance Of the one word, "Arthu r." 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 own child.
They were sitting together in the library
as she entered.
T. :<,A
told Dora the truth"
The mans face paled. She could almost
see him gird his soul for the conflict and
crush out his heart behind his honor. Even
Dora looked up with suspicion of coming
trouble.
1T is only this, dear, Barbara said, turn
ing to her daughter; "has not MIR. Main
warning told you that he was an engaged
man?"
Then she saw that the steel had struck
home. The child said nothing as she turned
two wet reproachful eyes to him, who dared
not meet their gaze. Until this instant she
had not known that she possessed heart.
She learned it now to her cruel cost.
II must congratulate Mr.. Mainwaling, I"
she said, calling up all her woman's pride
to aid her, then fastened from the room to
hide the burst of tears. The two were left
alone.
"Does she suspect; do you think?" She
said 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 I asked
only the pound Of flesh, without drop of
Of blood, and that your life must pay the
forfeit denland?"
What can you mean?" he asked, in a
bewildered way.
"Only," ehe 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 sacrifice; yet here
she stood quiet and calm, giving no out
ward sign Of inward whirlpool, nor the tor
ture that wrung her as she watched the
weight lift from his soule at her words.
''You no longer love me?" he questioned.
Il am growing old!' with a 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 daughters 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 she was your
second SELF"