The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1883-07-26
IT don't quite know" said the young

But, notwithstanding, Mr.. Frank ap
pears to find the charming fair-hairet
girl, who is told off to his care the mex
evening at dinner very attractive; ant
when the gentlemeny rejoin the ladie!
he makes his way straight to the otto
man upon which Miss Bruce is sit
ting. =
'How selfish I am" murmurs Dora tt
herself, as she watches Franks tai
handsome figure crossing the room in
order to turn over Miss Bruce's music;
and somehow everything seems, a little
dull and uninteresting to the girls mind
and heartache accompanied her to
bed that night.
But it is gone by the morrow, and
Dora is her own sweet self; and as days
90 on she resumes her rather neglected
sketching, though by degrees she finds
how often she is without her faithful
friend, and she misses his cheerful chat.
ter and genial laugh more than she will
acknowledge. For Frank Carleton't
TESTING words seem to have come true
and he shows no signs of his evident
admiration for pretty Nellie subsidine
for it is at her side he fingers now.
And there is evidently a good under
standing between them.. for it necess-
itates much low talk and apparent pur-
suasive 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 crisis.
picnic is arranged to be held in some
words few miles from inland, and dur.
ing luncheon on the grass Frank and
Nellie are, as usual, together, and the
girl is in much merry mood that it is ev-
ident she feels very happy. Dora feels
more than ever the foolish position into
which her girlish ignorance has led her
respecting Frank, for more than one re-
mark reaches her referring in no hatter-
ing terms to his conduct. But she de-
mands him on every occasion, and in
such sweet. unconscious manner, that
suspicion ia once disarmed respecting
the state of her heat.
But the effort to disselnble her tlisap-
pointment in Frank sudden avoidance
is too great to-day, and she manages af-
ter luncheon, to steal away entirely
alone, intendingto sketch pretty little
glade she has often visited.
But when sheVreaches the spot she
merely seats herself on the banks, and
gives herself up to her own thoughts,
and tiercely argues out her own unrea-
condolences, as she terms it. But the
process does not appear to be satisfac-
tory, for presently one or two tears force
themselves slowly from between the
closed eyelids, and the girl gives way to
passionate flood of tears.
By degrees the sobs subslde, and the
soothing effect Of the soft, warm air and
subdued quiet around begin to be felt,
and leaning 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 be stands for a moment
looking down at the little figure in it's
Of careless grace with an ex-
preston upon his face that is not exactly
faithful to the memory of Miss Nellie
Bruce.
just then Dora stirs a little, and
weary little sob bursts from the pretty
parted lips. This is more than Frank
can bear, and in moment he is kneel-
ing beside her, and the startled girl is
taken tenderly in his arms, while the
curly head leans for moment uncon-
sciously against his breast.
"What is it? where am II" murmurs
Dora, and looks up so quickly that soft
mustache brushes her cheek. 80 :,
Carleton" she stammers, trying to dis
engage herself: and blushing deeply at
the position in which she finds herself.
"Dora, darling" says Frank, earnest
ly, "what do these tears mean? Tell
me, dear?" and he holds her so firmly
she can scarcely move.
Nothing much" falters the cir, blush
ing again as she recoilects their true
cause. AT least nothing I could tell
you'll" she concludes, as Franks's gray
eyes looked into hers, as if to read her
very heart.
Now, Dora," he says reproachfully,
II thought you and I agreed always to
tell each other our trouble. Do you call
call that looking upon me as your
friend?"
t'But I could not possibly tell you." re-
peats Do1y, succeeding in drawing her.
self away, though her heart beat wildly
at the tender look upon the handsome
face looking into hers. GLOW is it you
are here?" she asks, to change the sub
jet; land where is Nellie?"
i followed you, child" is the reply,
ignoring her latter question. II lnteno
to know the meaning ofthese pale cheeks
I have noticed them for the last two or
three days, and l want to find out if
there is any reason for them. Do you
know what l would give half my life to
know that they did mean?' he says pas
while Dora, a little frightened
falters out timid mo" without looking
at him.
swell, won't tell you yet" he says,
more quietly, "but | 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.
mo" she says, with asmile. go on,
Mr.. Carleton"
"Well," he continued, ''it turns out
that Miss Nellie was few months ago
engaged 70 one of my most intimate
friends, Harry Sylvester, and a rare
good fellow he is too; but they managed
to quarrel over something and the affair
was broken off, though both were as
in love as could be. I hap.
pened to hear poor old Halls
woes at the time, and from putting
two and two together, and
writing letter or two to Sylvester, I
think have managed that all will be
we'll again without any compromise of
dignity on either side. Mrs. Darlington
has asked Harry down next week, and
30 l told Nellie; SO let us hope when
hey meet they will see the error of their
ways once and for all. Why, Dora, how
pleased you look; you care to hear about
) love affair after all" -,
cit isn't that thought you cared-I
mean, Nellie cared"
Were you ealous?' interrupts Frank,
"Dora, my own darling,
s it possible that you love me after all?''
md he takes the sweet, blushing face
between his hands and looks down into
t rapturously.
"Do you know, my dear one, have
owed you since the first week / came
1ere, but you seemed such sweet, calm
title maiden that I despaired of even
making you think Of me, 80. darling,
nay 1 confess and tell you | fell into
5our pretty little plan Of friendship just
% try and see If 1 could awaken any
deeper feeling insthat pure little heart:"'
2. ooh, Frank" says Dora, reproachful-
" lifting her lovely dark eyes to Lis
ace, then dropping them at what she
'eads there, twas that quite tair?"
"Eyerything is fair in love and war"
'eplies Frank, fondly kissing the pretty
Ups softly, with an air Of proud pos
session, Especially when the strategem
,nds in surrender" .s, 49,
And Dora leans back her dark head
against his shoulder, signs contentedly,
md says-nothing.
He Knew Him as q Liar.
Uncle Hank Allen was perhaps the
and most accomplished liar in
central New York. Why, the old mans
7tOriea were m amOOth ~ artistic thar