The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-09-20

care of himself! 1t is like that cook
allowing herself to starve. You
would almost persuade my patients,
> Miss Dora, to lose faith in me, which
reminds me that am losing precious
time, and must he off. A thousand
thanks for receiving this child shall
see you as often as possible, and shall
now have double indacement in
coming"
Was it all fancy that his voice was
lower "a he uttered this last sentences
and was it all unconscious the pres,
sure Of the little hand Of his hostess
as it lay for a moment within his
own
However that might be, Dora's
heart felt strangely light as she listen
ed to the echo of the retreating wheels
of Doctor Rays carriage.
Cara had been her guest a tort
night, during which time the Doctor
had fulfilled his promise Of devoting
to them all his spare moments; but
these were Very few. The fever was
increasing rather than ahating. Miss
Deane babe fair to have her guest for
a 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
bright smile. The question is
what shall l do without YOU"
The three We're sta nding together
when she thus spoke, but as she
finished Ronald Ray leaned. over, and
in low tone said. SO that Cnly her
ea- caught the words:
Tomorrow when / come l want TO
see YOU alone. l want something to
say to you.
Why-whv 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 spoken
quite thus before. Was it that Cara's
bright presence had renewed her own
youth until in his eyes she had re-
covered it, Surely she might dwell Il
moment on the sweet hope Of which
his wish must form the threshold!
The next day she waited for him in
her own little morning-room. She
had given orders TO the servants that
he should he admitted there. Cara
she had sent for 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, 81 have come to
you to confide to YOU the secret Of nv
life. know that you are frank and
true. Tell me, then, and tell me hon.
estly-am too old TO love AMI TO be
loved ?"
Be still. glad heart-be still f! How
long had her secret been acknowl-
edged even to herself? 1t broke its
bonds now, and burst upon her in
glad, rapturous vision, which showed
the past gray and sombre. the future
in a brilliance which blinded her.
"Too Old?" she said in tones that
trembled spite Of her efforts to control
them. "No-a thousand times no."
He raised her hands to his lips ard
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 it? How could /
hope to hide it except from her? She
suspects nothing. Tell me how I
shall approach her that may not
startle her. She is as yet but child.
You are woman, Dora. Help me 70
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?
"Iou are woman, Dora, help
me!'
These were the words singing in
her ears. Oh! God! mad She not
greater need for help?
you love Cara"
How calm and quiet her voice
sounded, 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
showed her how well 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 which long"
"NaY. sneak 10 her YOURSELF she