The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-10-11

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and leaning her uncovered head against
the hard trunk Of Il tree, she falls fast
asleep. So fast, indeed, that the sound
Of advancing footsteps does not make
an eyelid quiver; and when Frank
CareltOn reaches her he stands for /,
moment looking down ut the little iig-
ure in it's attitude Of careless grace
with an expression upon his face that
is not exactly faithful to tho memory of
Miss Nellie Bruce.
just then Dora stirs a little, and q
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 into his arms, while the
curly head leans for a momont uncon-
sciously against his breast.
| what is itp Where am I?" mur-
murs Dora, and looks up 50 quickly
that soft mllstache brushes her check.
| 'Oh, Mr.. Carelton," she stammers,
trying to diseDgage herself and blushing
deeply at the position in which she
finds herself
| Dora darllng," says Frank, earnest
ly, "what do these tears mean? Tell
me, dear" And he holds her 50 firmly
she can scarcely move.
| Nothing much," falters the girl,
| Dlushing again as she recollects their
true cause. "At least. nothing could
tell you," she concludes, as Franks $
gray eyes look into hers as if to read
her very heart.
| NOW, Dora, " he says reprOachfully,
VI thought you and agreed always to
tell each other our troubles. do you
call that looking upon me az your
friend?''
but | could not possibly tell you, ;"
repeats 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 1t you are here2" she asks, to change
the subject; land where is Nellie2n
VI followed you, child" is the reply,
Ignoring her latter question. 81 intend
to know the meaning of these pale
cheeks. have noticed them for the
last two or three days, and want to
llnd out II there is amy reason for them.
do you know What l would give half
my life that they did mean?'' he says
passlonately; while Dora, little fright
ened, falters out a timid "No" without
looking at him.
"Well, l won't tell you YET" he
says, more quietly, "but will let you
into secret that will interest you, about
Nellie Bruce. What is it., child? Are
you cold OF faint?" for Dora started
and closed her eyes.
No" she says, with smile, s.Go
Oh, Mr., Carelton.
WELL" he continues, 'tIt turns out
that Miss Nellie was a few months AGO
engaged to one Of my most intimate
friends, Harry Sylvester, and a rare
g0od fellow he is, too; but they man
aged to quarrel over something, and
the affair was broken off, though both
were us desperately in love as could
Well be. L happened to hear poor old
Ha's woes at the time, and from put
ting two and two together, and writing
q letter or two to Sylvester, | think |
have managed that all will be we'll
again without any compromise of dig
nifty on either side. Mrs Darlington
has asked Harry down next week, and
50 told Nellie; 50 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 care
TO hear about Il love affair after all.n
"lt isn't that thought you cared
mean, Nellie cared-'
"Were you jealous2" Interrupts
Frank, passionately. Dora, my own
darling, is it possible that you love ne
after all?' and lie takes the sweet,
blushing face between his hands and
looks down into it rapturo,lsly.
DO you know, my dear one, / have
loved you ever since the first week |
came here, but you seemed such a sweet,
calm little maiden that despaired of
making you oven think of me, so, dar-
ling, may [ confess and tell you l fell
into your pretty little plan of friendship
just to try and see if could awaken
amy deeper feeling in that pure little
heart"
ION, Frank" says Dora, reproach-
iully, lifting her lovely dark eyes to his
face, then dropping them at what she
read there, 'was that quite fair?"
'.EveryLhing is fair III love and war;"
replies Frank, fondly kissing the pretty
lips softly, with all air Of proud posses
SION, especially when the strategcm
ends III surrender"
And Dora leans back her-dark head
against his shoulder, sighs contenLedly,
and SlyS-nOthing.