The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-28

Nv 90No MO - NAS
table one day, and to those who know the
young lady spoken of the announcement aP-
pears to give universal satisfaction. .
And who is Miss Bruce?" asks Frank Of
Dora Grey, by whose side he is sitting.
Zone of the loveliest girls you ever saw in
your life" puts in Mr.. harrington before
Dora can reply; land just your style, old
man, l should imagine"
Frank Carleton looks at Dora, and repeats
in a low voice, meant for her ear alone:
Just my style. Can my fate be approach
ing already"
."Perhaps,'' is the only reply, given in
equally low tones. "Do you hope it may be
so2'
Il don't quite know" said the young man
gently. Il have nv friend, you know, Dora."
But, Notwithstanding, Mr.. Frank appears
to find the charming, fair-haired girl, who is
told off to his care the next evening at din
ner, very attractive; and A@hen the gentle
men reioin the ladies he makes his way
straight to the ottoman upon which Miss
Bruce is sitting.
How selfish l am,' murmured Dora to
herself, as she watches Franks tall, hand
some figure crossing the room in order to
turn over Miss Bruce's music; and somehow
everything seems a little dull and uninter-
esting to the girls mind, and a heartache
accompanied her TO bed that night.
But it was gone by the morrow, and Dora
is her own sweet self, and as days go on she
ACodilCS Z dlICT ICSICCICo OhCbChihBf
though by degrees she finds how often she is
without her faithful friend, and she misses
his cheerful chatter and genial laugh more
than she will acknowledge. For Frank
Carleton's jesting words seem to have come
true, and he shows no signs of mis- evident
admiration tor pretty Nellie subsiding, for
it is at her side he fingers now. And there
is evidently a very good understanding be-
tween them, for it necessitates much low
talk and apparent persuasive eloquence on
Franks part; and somehow the thought OF
those two will persist in obtruding itself on
Dora'S mind, no matter what she is doing.
At last matters come to a crisis. A picnic
is arranged to be held in some woods a few
miles inland, and during a luncheo on the
grass Frank and Nellie are, as usual, to-
gether, and the girl is in such a merry mood
that it is evident she feels very happy. Dora
feels more than ever the foolish position into
which her girlish ignorance has led her re-
speeding Frank, for more than one remark
reaches her, referring in no very flattering
terms to his conduct. But she defends him
on every occasion, and in such a sweet, an
conscious manner that suspicion is at once
disarmed respecting the state Of her heart.
But the effort to dissemble her d%isappoint-
ment in Franks sudden avoidance is too
great to-day, and she manages after luncheon
to steal away entirely alone, intending to
sketch a pretty little glade she had often Wis
tied.
But when she reaches the spot she merely
seats herself on the bank and gives herself
up to her own thoughts, and iercely argues
out her unreasonableness as she terms
it. But the process does not appear to be
satisfactory. for presently one or two tears
force themselves slowly from between the
closed eyelids, and the girl gives way to a
passionate flood of tears.
By degrees the sobs subside, and the sooth-
ing effect of the soft, warm air and subdued
| n1iaf ar0nnA houin To ha fn1f aud lpQnInU
her uncovered head against the hard trunk
of a tree she falls fast asleep. So fast, indeed,
that the sound of advancing footsteps does
not make an eyelid culver; and when Frank
Carleton reaches her he stands for a moment
looking down at the little figure in its atti-
tude of careless grace with an expression
Upon his face that is not exactly faithful to
the memory of Miss Nellie Bruce.
Just then Dora stirs a little, and a weary
little sob bursts from the pretty parted lips.
This is more than Frank can bear, and in a
moment he is k~neeling beside her, and the
startled girl is taken tenderly into his arms,
while the curly head leans for a moment I'M
consciously against his breast.
What is it? Where am II" murmurs Dora,
and looks up so quickly that a soft mustaChe
brushes her cheek. e
'Oh, Mr.. Carleton" she stammers, trying
to disengage herself and blushing deeply at
the position in which she finds herself.
Dora, darling" says Frank, earnestly,
"what do these tears mean? Tell me, dear"
And he holds her SO firmly she can scarcely
move.
Nothing much" falters the girl, blushing
again as she recollects their true cause. AT
least, nothing / could tell you" she con-
cludes, as Franks gray eyes look into hers,
as if to read her very heart.
Now, Dora" he says responsibility, II
thought you and l agreed always to tell each
other our trouble. Do you call that looking
upon me as your friend?'
But l could not possibly tell you" re-
peats Dora, succeeding In drawing herself
away. though her heart beat wildly at the
tender look upon the handsome face looking
into hers. 'How is it you are here?' she
asks, to change the subject; ''and where is
Nellie?'
Il followed you, child" is the reply, ig-
noring her latter question. 81 intend to
know the meaning of these pale cheeks; |
have noticed them for the last two or three
days. and 1 want to find out if there is any
reason for them. Do you know what | would
give half my life that they did mean?' he
says passionately; while Dora, a little fright
ened, falters out a timid No without look
ing at him:
more quietly, "but 1 will let you into a
secret that will interest you, about Nellie
Bruce. What is it, child? Are you cold or
faint?' for Dora started and closed her eyes.
NO" she says with a smile. GO on,
Mr.. Carleton"
well" he continues, sit turns out that
Miss Nellie was a few months ago engaged to
one of my most intimate friends, Harry Syi-
vester. and a rare good fellow he is, too; but
they managed to quarrel over something,
and the affair was broken of, though both
were as desperately in love as could be. l
happened to hear poor old Halls woes at the
time, and from putting two and two together,
and writing a letter or two TO Sylvester, |
think that | have managed that all will be
well again without any compromise of
dignity on either side. Mrs. Darlington has
asked Harry down next week, and so | told
Nellie; so let us hope when they meet they
will see the error of their ways once and for
all. Why, Dora, how pleased you look; you