The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-10-13
SELECT STORY.
THE YOUNG REPROBATES.

that he was putting on canvass, "she
don't love me She can'tl No woman
ever treated man 30 if she cared two
straws for him"
But it vas not of Maid Marian he
was thinking; it was Dolly Brooke,
the pretty girl whose mother had
rented the old brown-brick house at
the corner of the street, and whose
eyes were so blue aud sparkling, and
yet so cruelty cold.
He had been introduced to her and
met her a great many times that
winter. He had even danced with
her at the Bluc-bell sociables, held her
hand in the Caedonians, and stood
beside her in the Virginia Reel.
He did not think from her manners
that she absolutely dislked him, but
he was very sure that she did not care
for him. And this unreasonable young
artist made himself miserable accord
ingly.
"She is such darling" he said to
himself-"such human rosebud, with
coloring in her hair such as Titan
never dyeamed of, and eyes that Sal
vator Rosa would have painted in
ulta-marine with sea-blue shadows
But what is the use of my incoming
about herr I'd better accept Ray
mond's offer, and go to Rome with
lin, even if had to starve there in a
garret. Art will perhaps smile on me,
but Dolly Brooke never will
/
bing away at "Maid Marian's" round
nose with heart as heavy as if he
were moulded in lead
While at that very moment Dolly
Brooke Cher Christian name was Dor
othca) was dusting the parlor at home,
with her head tied up in a blue cam
brio sweeping.cap, and her lovely
cheeks heightened with true feminine
exercise; while Norah, the help, stood
meekly in the doorway with scrub.
ping brush in her hand
eyes, if you please, Miss ?" said
Nora. "a letter from Mike-an' you'd
please to answer it, Miss, for not a
single worrud can write"
Dolly LETT off polishing the base of
the little statuette of Ceres, and looked
at Norah with pretty puzzled ex-
preston of countenance.
"But, Norah,' said she, show alb.
surd all this is How can l answer
Michael's letter? How shall know
what to say to him."
"Sure MISS said Norah, her honest
eyes lighting up, sand that's easy
enough, Just tell him, in fine, scholar
ly writing, Miss, that l love him with
all my heart. That's what l want him
to understand, Miss; for sure, he amt
quite in his mind about it, an he's
way off in County Roscommon, Ire.
land.
every WE'LL" said Dolly, half smil-
ing at the idea, "I'll try. Come to my
room in half an hour, Norah"
And Dolly inexorably locked out her
two little brothers who were enraged
at their being debarred from "the fun
of hearing Norah's love letter."
"Go about your business, boys" said
Dolly, severely. "It's no affair of
yours
Johnny and Billy looked indignant
| ly at one another.
"We'll serve her out !" said John
ny.
"We'll let her know!" enigmatical-
ly responded Billy.
And these young lads, with their
chins balanced on the garden wall like
Raphael's cherubs, betook themselves
to throwing stones at the cat, while
they consulted as to the special variety
of Nemesis which should be visited on
Dolly's unconscious head
'Tve got it," said Johnny, shifting
his leg, at last.
sch !" said Billy.
"We'll make an April Fool of her !"
shouted Johnny.
"Yes but how ?" said Billy.
"Ah,h !" said Johnny. 'You always
was softy, Bill. I'll tell you by-and-
by
"Now, Norah," said Dolly, seated at
the table, with the fresh sheet of paper,
the new steel pen and stand of violet
ink before her, "how are we to begin
Dear Mike 2"
''Sure, MISS" said Norah, who was
standing respectfully near the door,
with a clean calico apron, "an' amt
that too plain like? Make it little
sweeter, Miss-the saints be good to
you An just tell him | love him true
though haven't told him so before,
an I'll be constant to him to the
wurrelds end TheleT
Every well !" said Dolly contracting
her brows. "Keep still for a few
minutes-very still, mind "
| And Norah, shifting her weight
from one foot to the other, scarcely dared
to breathe, until at last Dolly flung
aside the pen and pushed back hel
chair, reading out what she had com
posed with all the grace or rhetorical
effect
"Will that do?' she asked.
And Norah, clasping her hands in
delight, answered:
"Och, Miss, an book print itsel
couldn't be finer! An if yen sign il
| ioui oWl Iiuc lONe, NIKE IL KNOW
who it is, true and certain.
"There is mammals bell r. said Doll,
suddenly, "Run, Norah, Wen in
close the letter in an envelope and
post it after dinner, There has beer
quite enough time wasted in love-lette
writing already"
And then she sat down and fell int,
sort of half conscious reverie.
"All the girls have lovers" she sal,
to herself even poor Norah, WHO car
neither read nor write They all hav
lovers except mel Oh, wonder-ho,
it would seem to have a lover?"
, And instnctively her thought
: wandered off to Belton Bellew, tn
handsome, pale'browed young artis
whose studio was on the next street,
"Ah,' she pondered, be thinks c
nothing but his art He has no tim
to dream of lovel And if he had,
am scarcely vain enough to fancy tha
he would care for mel"