Smyrna times., 1882-01-25


the little hand Of his hostess as it lay.for
a moment within his own 2"
However that might be, DOra's heart
felt strangely light as she listened to the
echo of the retrcating wheels of DR. Rays
carriage.
Clara had been her guest a fortnight,
during which time Dr. Ray had fulfilled
his promise of devoting to them all his
spare moments; but they were few The
fever was increasing rather than abating.
Miss Dean bade fair to have her guest for
long visit.
I" But you are not tired of me, are you ?''
Clara asked when her guardian limited
something Of this
No, indeed she answered, with
bright smile. "The question is-what
shall do without you p
The three were standing together when
she thus spoke, but as she finished Donald
Ray leaned over and in low tone said,
so that only her ear caught the words:
Tomorrow when come l want to see
you alone. have something to say to
you"
Why-why could she not hide the blood
which so deeply dyed her cheeks as she
bowed her assent? In all these years he
had never spoken before Was it that
Clara's bright presence had renewed her
covered it? Surely she might dwell
moment on the hopes of which this wish
may 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. Clara she had sent out
for drive.
Her heart beat fast to sullocation, as at
length she heard his step. He crossed the
room 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 my
life. ! know that you are frank and true
Tell me then and tell me honestly--am
too old to love and to be loved?"
Be still glad heart-be still! How long
had her secret been acknowledged. even
to herself? II broke its bonds now and
burst upon her in a rapturous vision,
which showed the past gray and sombre,
the future in 4 briliance which blinded
her
" Too old! = she said in tones that trem-
bled, spite Of her effort to control them
"NO-a thousand time NOT
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
nave guessed my secret, have you not2
You have seen it! How could l hope to
hide it, except from her? She suspects
nothing. Tell me how | shall approach
J her that | may not startle her? She is
!, yet but child. You are woman, Dora,
help me!'
} Was she still standing upright? About
} her were the crushed ruins of her castle
| which sixty seconds before lowered to the
clouds The noise of the falling frao-
ments had stunned her. Had he not
heard? The dust that had arisen there
from blinded her. Could he not see?
: You are woman, Dora, help me!'
J These were the words ringing in her
ears. Oh, God had she NOT greater
need Of help?
You love Clara?"
} 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 show
ed her how well she had kept her secret
an old maids secret.
Talk to her." he went on. TELL me
If she feels, if she ever will feel for me,
that for which I long"
Nay, speak to her yourself" she an
= swered. She scarcely can deny you plead
, lag your own cause"
, You think so? Then will come to-
, morrow. Goodbye. God bless you!"
At last she was alone. The knowledge
came with a 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 golden crowned head
pushed itself through the space where it
was held aiar.
r Please let me come in, dear Miss Dora,
! | want to talk with you"
! Then, without waiting for further per-
mission, little white-robed figure glided
i'll and sank on the stool by her feet.
, The moonlight showed the fair upturMed
face, and it was only the shadow resting
upon her own soul made the older woman
= fancy that graver expression was upon
it than its wont.
t II have something to tell you, Miss
, Dora" the girl went on, after little
t pause. " love you so much that would
/ like for you to hear it first-am | still
d. child? And do you think that children,
as Donald calls me, can love?"
/ "Hou love, then 2"
Almost hreathless she put the question.
D Her own pain was swallowed up in the
t JOY, that, at least to Donald, his love
: would not be returned to him as bitter
g Dead sea fruit.
8 "Yes, love" said Clara. 1t was such a
Q funny accident, our meeting. 1t was two
years ago His regiment was stationed at
0 the town where | was going to school.
: He is only u lieutenant, but he is so brave
1 SO handsome! My own father was an
D officer you know. | think remembering
1 that made me first care for him."
Then Miss Dean recovered her breath
1 "A lieutenant! Who is this man of
whom you are talling?"
!, His name is Harry Linden. He will be
e here next week. He is coming down to
D ask my guardians formal consent to
) marry me. Oh, Miss Dora! Do you think
z he will refuse or be angry? He is so old,
) perhaps he has forgotten that he too once
80 was young.
Bitterest mockery of fate 80 old ~
) she said and not yet had forty years
crowned his brow.
- Once again she met Donald Ray alone,
"A as he came next to plead his cause. He
s listened with white, drawn face as she
d informed him, she meanwhile sparing
4 him, in the telling, all she could.
In her tender pity for his wound, she
r forgot that hers, too, bled
q "You have been very kind" he said,
,f when she had finished Ell am pIad