The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-10-13

AND so she sat down ana wrote II
all over again as nearly as she could
recollect the impassioned phrases, in.
closed it in an envelope, and directed
it, circumstantially, to Mr. Michael
Mullaney. Blaney Hill, County Ros-
common, Ireland"
And then she herself carried it to
the post-box on the corner, directly
under the window of Mr.. Bellows
studio, while Billy and Johnny, in the
wood shed at the end of the garden.
were giggling over the first copy of
poor Norah's tender effusion.
"Well kill two birds with one
stone," said the precocious Billy, whose
rancor had been heightened by Dolly's
refusal to give him three helpings of
raspberry-jam at dinner. "Well make
an April Fool of that Bellew fellow
that comes prowling around to see
Dolly, and well play a jolly game on
her y 7u
And Johnny, sitting hugging his
knees on the floor, chuckled aloud at
the prospect.
The first of April dawned chill and
bleak, and showery, like anything but
the bright precursor of spring, and Mr.
Bellew was just settling to work on
"Maid Marian" when the postman
raped loudly at the door, and letter
directed in Johnny's school-boy chirog-
raphy was handed in.
Bellew broke it open in some be.
wilderment, but his face lighted up
when he saw the well known writing
within. What had he carried scrap
of Dolly's writing-the mere formula
for some social game which they had
played at her house-around in his
breast pocket for six weeks not to
know it now?
"MY Own SWEETHEART it read, 81
am resolved at last to cast aside all false
pride and confess how dear you are to
me. If it lowers me in your opinion l
can but accept my lot In silence: but
if you will write to tell me that your
heart indeed responds"
(Norah had especially exulted on
this particular expression, as being
'just exactly what she wanted Mike to
understand y
Il shall be the happisst girl in
America. Ant so sign myself
FOREVER Your Own TRUE Love"
Which latter somewhat abrupt
fashion of ending had also been the
result of Norahs fervent entreaty.
"Hell like it best, Miss" she had
said-''he will indeed"
Bolton Bellew read the letter over
once, twice, three times.
cam | dreaming7" he asked him
self. "The sweet darling-she has
read my secret soul must have worn
ny heart ON my sleeve for DAVIS to
peck at! Write, indeed l will go to
her at once-thls hour this very sec
ond !"
And, leaving "Maid Marian" star
ing at the uncertain sunshine with only
one side of her left eyebrow painted
in, Mr.. Bellew rushed straight to the
old brown-brick house, where Dolly
was trimming her hyacinths, at the
window, in bewitching little pink
gingham morning dress, with black
velvet bows fastened on it here and
there.
"Mr Bellew!" she exclaimed with
the prettiest surprise, as honest Norah,
with her face one broad smile, showed
him into the parlor.
"Dolly! he exclaimed breathlessly,
holding out his hands-"my own dar-
ling!"
Dolly turned pink and then pale.
II don't understand you, Mr.. Bellew,' -
said she.
Mr.. Bellows countenance fell.
"Didn't you write this letter?' he
demanded, holding it out, with a
blank expression of face.
"Yes," said Dolly, glancing over the
familiar words in extreme amazement.
II wrote it. But-but | don't know
how it ever came into your hands!"
"You sent it to me" said the artist.
"No, / didn't" cried Dolly, bursting
into tears ''As if could ever send
such letter as that to a gentlemen
II don't know how you could think
so i'll of me as that!
dolly" faltered poor Belton Belew,
didn't you mean it? Don't you really
care for me?"
"Whether meant it or not, don't
signify" sobbed Dolly with her face
still hidden behind her pocket hand
kerchief.
"Oh, but it does !" said Mr.. Bellew,
gently obtaining possession of one OF
her hands. "Because, Dolly, l love
You dearly! and if you won't love me
back, very little, | shall be wretched
all my life! | don't think | ever
should have courage to tell you this
darling, but now | feel so brave that
am determined not to leave this place
without defiuite answer"
How they settled it nobody ever
precisely knew, not even Billy, who
had his mischievous ear glued agains
the key-hole, in gleeful anticipation
of "a jolly row" But he scamperet
down stairs, three steps at a time, t
where Johnny was labelling lots O
"April Fools" for the decoration o
the backs of casual passers-by;
"Johnny," said he, "the thing hasn'
worked at all. She wasn't mad wort
a cent. He kissed her, as sure a
you're alive, and she kissed him back
and he put ring on her finger!
"Pooh!" said Johnny, "Tve n
patience with such trash Look here
Bill, I've painted fourteen of 'em-
don't you think that'll be enough 2"
| When Mr., Bellew went away, fee
ing as if he were treading on all
Dolly came down into the wood. shec
where her younger brothers eyed he
like convicted criminals,
Boys" said she, "rve found yo
out. | saw Billys writing on the ou
side of that letter which was mailed /
Mr., Beilew."
at was only an April Fool an,
howl" muttered Billy, turning red.
mo fellow thinks anything of that
added Johnny.
"Iou did very wrong" said Mi
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