The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-07-07
Dora finds to her satisfaction, that in walks
or drives Frank seems ever at her side, as

One day she laughipgly remarks the fac!
but he merely says, quietly:
~ prefer friends to acquaintance, Dora
II you are tired already OF our bargain, sal
so; but tits only natural that, under thu
circumstances, / shouldlchoose your society
rather than that OF any one else"
So the two wander about together con
tentedly, though not unnoticed, for man!
are the giances and little inuendoes they
have to encounter, much to Dora's express
ed disgust, as she freely discusses the mat
ter with Frank.
at is too utterly ridiculous" she says
angrily, as they were one day. walking
through the wood; as II we were bound e
be talking a lot Of nonsense about love just
because we are alone together"
"Ridiculous, indeed" calmly asserts
Frank; "wait until Mr.. and Miss Right ap'
pear, and we 60 off with them respectively
then these clever people will see the differ
ence-eh, Dora%
Dora's heart gave q sudden jump, but
she answers in her usual gentle voice,
though she is rather silent during the re-
mainder Of the walk.
81 am expecting Miss Bruce down here
tomorrow, so warn all those Of your gem
tleinen who still possess that useful article,
a heart, to guard 1t well, for Miss Nelly is
fascinating pussy"
So says Mrs. Darlington at the luncheon
table one day; and to those who know the
young lady spoken Of the announcement
appears to give universal satisfaction.
aAnd who is Miss Bruce?" asks Frank oil
Dora Gray, by whose side he is sitting.
"0ne Of the loveliest girls you ever saw
in your life, put in Mr.. Darlington, before
Dora can reply; "and just your style, old
man, should imagine"
Frank Carleton looks at Dora and re.
peats, in a low voice, meant for her alone:
Gust my style. Can my fate be ap-
preaching already?"
"Perhaps," is the only reply, given in
equally low tones. "Do you hope 1t may
be- so?"
81 don't quite know" said the young
man gently. "Ihaye my friend, you know,
Dora"
But, Notwithstanding, Mr.. Frank ap-
pears TO find the charming fair.haired girl,
who is told of to his care the next evening
at dinner very attractive, and when the
gentlemen rejoin the ladies he makes his
way straight to the ottoman upon which
Miss Bruce Is sitting.
allow selfish an" murmers Dora to
herself. as she watches Franks tall, hand
some figure crossing the room in order to
turn over Miss Bruce's music; and some
how everything seems little dull and un-
interesting 10 the girls mind, and heart
ache accompanied her to bed that night.
But it is gone by the morrow, and Dora
is her own sweet self; and as days go 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 chatter and genial
laugh more than she will acknowledge.
For Frank Carleton's testing words seem TO
have come true, and he shows no signs OF
his evident admiration for pretty Nellie
for 1t Is at her side he fingers
now. And there is evidently a good under.
between them, for it necessitates
much low talk and apparent persuasive
eloquence on Franks part; and somehow
the thought OF those two will persist in OBJ.
truding itself on Dora's mind, no matter
what she is doing.
At last matters come to crisis. A
picnic is arranged to be held in some woods
q few miles from inland, and during
luncheon on the grass Frank and Nellie
are, as usual, together, and the girl Is in
such 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 respecting
Frank, for more than one remark reaches
her, referring in no hattering terms to his
conduct. But she defends him on every
occasion, and in such sweet, unconscious
that suspicion is at once disarmed
the state Of her heart.
Butthe effort to dissemble her disappoint-
ment in Franks sudden avoidance is too
great to-day, and she manages after lunch
con, to steal away entirely alone, intending
to sketch pretty little glade she has often
visited.
But when she reaches the spot she me.
rely seats herself on the bank, and gives
herself up to her own thoughts,and fercely
argues out her own unreasonableness, as
she terms II. But the process does not ap.
pear to be satisfactory, for presently one or
two tears force themselves slowly from be-
tween the closed eyelids, and the girl gives
way TO passionate food Of tears.
By degrees the sobs subside, 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 tree, she falls fast asleep.
So fast, indeed, that the sound OF advancing
footsteps does not make an eyelid duiver;
and when Frank Carleton reaches her he
stands for moment looking down at the
little figure in its attitude 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 little, and q weary
little sob bursts from the pretty parted
lips. This Is more than Frank can bear,
and in moment he Is kneeling beside
her, and the startled girl is taken tenderly
into his arms, while the curly head leans
for moment unconsciously against his
breast.
"What is Il? where am II" murmurs
Dora, and looks up so quickly that soft
mustache brushes her cheek. sob, Mr..
Carleton" she stammers, trying to diss
engage herself, and blushing deeply ut the
position in which she finds herself,
"Dora, darling" says Frank, earnestly,
"what do these tears mean2 Tell me,
dear7" and he holds her so firmly she can
scarcely move.
"Nothing much" ialters the girl, blush.
ing again as she recollects their true cause.
"At least nothing could tell you'll" she
concludes, as Franks gray eyes look into
hers, as II to read her very heart.
"Now, Dora," he says reproachfully, ~
thauoht Won and | agreed alwaVa IN fell
each other our troubles. Do you call that
looking upon me as your friendY"
"But 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 look
ing into hers. GLOW is ityou are here?"
she asks, to change the subject; and
where Is Hellieq"
~ followed you, child is the reply, ig.
noring her latter question. ! intend
to know the meaning Of these pale cheeks
! haye noticed them for the last two or
thraa DAYS and I u,ant IN And nnk n thapa