The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-10-27

He raised her hands to his lips and
kissed them. 1t was the first time hil
kiss had touched them.
"My friend,' he whispered, low
"yop 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 child. You are
a woman, Dora Help me p
Was she still standing uprig ut
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 q woman, Dora. Help
mel"
These were the words ringing in her
ears. Oh, God had she no greater
need for help p
"You love Cara"
How calm and quiet her voice sound
ed, even to herself.
"Love her All, Dora, you who
have never loved can little guess how
muchl"
She laughed then. Something in the
words amused her; something that
showed her how we'll she had kept her
secret-an old maids secret.
Talk to her." he went on. .sTell 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 l will come
tomorrow. Good.by. God bless you II
At last she was alone, The knowl.
edge came with q long sigh of relief. as
some hours later the od-nights'
had been said and Dora could face the
misery the morning had brought her
How long very long ago il
seemed! She drew chair beside the
open window, and sank into it heavily
| AT that moment faint tap sounded
on the door, and . golden-crowned
head pushed itself through the space
where it was held ajar. a1''e5 0ss
Please let me come in, dear Miss
Dora" said young voice. II CAM
sleep, and want to talk with YOU"
Then, without waiting for permis
sion, q little white-robed figure glideC
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 grave,
expression was upon it than its wont
She softly stroked the bright hair.
have something to tell you
/ Miss Dora" the girl went on, after 8
little pause. II love you so much tina
woul ike that you should hear i
first. But tell me first-am I still {
childf And do you not think tina
| children, IS Ronald calls me, can lover
"You love, then?'
4 Almost breathlessly she put tn,
question. Her own pain was swallowed
up in the Joy that at least to Ronald
his love would not be returned (. hin
a. bitter Dead Sea fruit.
Eyes, I love-" said Cara. ut wa.
such . funny accident, our meeting
It was two years ago. His regimen
was stationed at the same town where
was at school. He is only lieutenant
but he is so brave, 80 handsome! Ny
own father was an officer, you know.
think remembering that made me firs
Ecare for him. IA asss
.. Them Miss Deane recovered he
breath.
"a lieutenant! Who is this man
OF whom are you talkingi"
His name is Harry Linden. III,
will be here next week. He is coming
down to ask my guardian's formal per
mission to marry me, Oh, Miss Dora
do you think he will refuse or be an
lgryf He Is 90 old, perhaps, he ha
forgotten that he, too, once was young.
Bitterest mockery Of Fatel So old
: lshe said and not yet forty year
crowned his brow.
Once again she met Ronald RI,
s alone, q he came next day to plea
Z his cause. He listened with = white
drawn face, while she told him Of thu
other secret with which Ahe had bee
! entrusted, meanwhile sparing him il
q the telling III she could.
& In her tender plying for his wounC
& abe forgot that hers, too, bled.
b You have been very kind,D he saiS
. vhsn ihs had hnished. I'll am "a
q that she never suspected the truth.
y vii not - her to-day. Tomorrow
~ will DO strongss,'
s He turned ~ = ne gained IL