The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-06-03


forcing him to acknowledge the impossi
bility of natures standing still.
The daughter was fair counterpart Of
the mothers beauty. As she looked now
shyly extending to him Ler hand, as IL in
depreciation of her unceremonious en-
trance, so had Barbara looked, when tx-
tendii h,r hand in farewell, as though
she would have said, IL am forced into
it by a stronger will than mine"
An uncomfortable sensation rose mp in
bis breasts dumb warning against the
lnevitable-au uuacknowledged desire to
retrace life's pathway and conquer time.
Meantime the young girl pouted the
full, red lips,a ,as she thought her mothers
friend strangely absent; aud when he at
last forced himself into few words Of
greeting, they fell upon dull, undheeding
ears.
Then she had gone. The lovers were
alone again, but he no longer opened
wide his arms, but instead, drew chair
to her side, that they might discuss more
nationally.
"You must teach Dora to love you" she
said to him next morning, Il want first
to reconcile her to my second marriage
before startling her with its possibility.
Tell me>-do you think her like me2"
"Y9ur second self"
"Ah, l am so gladl You will love her,
then, for my sakeP"
To love and be loved! Over-easy task
set by irail woman in her blindness. 1t
must be Mr.. Mainwarihg wlo must be
Dora's companion in her daily ride. Mr..
Mainwaring who must teach her to man.
age the cockle-bout-for which he had
sent to town-in these first early, spring
days. The lovers were seldom alone new.
Dora looked up at their guest as her
property. She had long ago langhingly
told him how unceftinonious bad been
his welcome to her, and he had wooed
and won his absolution.
Sometimes Barbara sighed as she
watched them together, while she sat
alone, but she gave to the sigh no namo,
and thought it tribute to the vanished
years.
One day came her awaking. Dora and
Mr.. NIainwaring had gone for their after
noon ride, but it had extended beyond
Its wont. and she had grown anxious and
gone out to meet them, striking into the
forest path which was their favorite way.
Half mile from her home she met Dora
horse riderless. Pale with terror, she
hastened on, when she suddenly stepped,
rooted TO the spot Almost at her feet
knelt the man her heart had loved always,
and in his arms he held Dora S unconsci-
Gus form.
my love! my lifer' he said, each word
being borne distinctly to her ear; speak
to me opce-just once! On, Dora, are
you hurt2 My darling, would that 1
might have given my life for yours!''
Then he stopped and pressed his lips
to hers. A long futtering sigh escaped
them.
Arthur she whispered; arthur
"l am here, dear" he said.
And then he laid her down ont of his
arms, as though, with returning life, he
remembered the duty it brought with it.
The mother splang forward.
do not be alarmed" Mr.. Mainwaring
said. gently, on seeing her. 'sHer horse
threw her. think there is no serious
injury.
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
account Barbara shut herself up within
her own room to fight her battle.
Il cannot give him up" she moaned.
"He does not know his own heart. He
will forget this child, and she-she can.
not love him"
But even as she reasoned came the re.
membranee OF the one word, arthur
and the tone in which she had said 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 Ii
brary as she entered.
arthur" she said, II think it is time
that we told Dora the truth"
The mans face paled, She could al.
most see him grid bis soul for the con
fiict, and crush out his heart behind bis
honor. Even Dora looked up with sus,
picion of coming trouble.
1T is only this, dear" Barbara aid
tuning to her daughter; has not Mr..
Maiuwaring told you that he was an en-.
gagged man?"
Then she saw that the steel had struck
home. The child answered nothing as
she turned two wet, reproacbiul eyes
towards him, who dared not meet theil
gaze. Until this instant she had moi
known that she possessed heart. She
learned it now to her cruel cost.
II must congratulate Nr. Mainwar
ing" she said, calling up all her woman's
pride 10 her aid, then fastened from the
room to hide the burst of tears. The tvs