Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-08-04
DOLLY's I.OvER.
BY MRS. E. BURKE COLLINS

Dolly Thorne was In trouble. Her
pretty face looked very sad, and her
bright eyes were misty with unshed tears,
as she bent her head over the sewing ma.
chine thar lovely June day.
The golden sunlight etreamed In
through the windows of the pretty sitting
room, where the yellow roses clambsred
thrusting their perfumed heads ia and
nodding gayty, as though TO say
"Cheer up, little Dolly /! Lie 10 toe
short to speudia weeping ~
But Dolly refused 70 be comfortcd
even ifshe had understood their mute
language, which doubt. 1t was all sc
hard for her, who had never known real
sorrow before yet 1t was quite an old
story.
Her father, who WAS hard working
farmer In the little country town of In
gleside, had become indebted 10 Il neigh
Tor large amount, fully expecting o be
able TO pay the sum ut the last of the sea
son But unfortunately, the crops the yeal
previous had been universally failures, and
when the day for payment dawned, tar.
mer Thorne had given his creditor mort.
gage on his farm The time had nearly
arrived wien the mortgage In turn mus
be paid, or the place must Pass from tht
hands OF Its present Cwner, and 1t had
been In possession of the Thornes from
time immemorial. Dolly was bori
In the great, old-fashioned house, and
every raf.er WAS dear to her. Tsere hel
mother had died, leaving 10 one but
Dolly to cheer the heart OF the desolab.
husband, when she had passed away.
And there, also, Dolly hal first mel
Charlie Dexter, who had called to trans
act some business with her father ant
had fallen In love with the sly, brown
eyed maiden, almost ath rst sight.
A stranger at Ingleside was Charlie
Dexter, for his home was In Boston here
he Was employed as clerk In banking
house. Poor, you see, all the same he
was prince In DoIly's eyes, who had
given her whole heart into his keeping
a case OF unconditional surrender Oh both
sides.
And now-now comes her fathers
creditor, Jonas Deriug, who proceeds t.
unfold to Mr.. Thorne way In which the
obnoxious debt can be settled, aud the
score wiped out. With characteristic
Mr.. Dering goes on To inform
Mr.. Thorne that he has nephew living
In Boston, who is to become his sole heir
In the event of his death, and rs Mr.. Der
Ing is worth half Million, or there
abouts, said nephew will be handsomely
provided for.
He further informs Mr.. Thorne that az
his hopeful nephew has fallen in love
with Dol!y's fair face, from a photograph
which he had encountered somewhere,
Mr.. Dering proposes to bring about a
between the two young people,
In when case all liabilities will be con
sidered cancelled.
For the old man loves lis nephew with
al his heart. He has never married,
and the young man is tis only sisters
,hild, who dyinrt, left him to his uncle's
care, and Jonas Dering considers no sac
ri6ce for his n0phew's welfare too great
to be made.
Sitting at her sewing machine, working
away busily, Dolly lad listened while her
Iather had told her all listened With in-
iignant protest in her heart.
pll never do it ~ she exclaimed, Z"
nave promised to marry Charlie Dexter,
md Pll die in the poor-house before
break my word A nice sort of man he
must be, this nephew ofMr. Dering what
S his namo, father :"
Dering has never mentioned it,"
the old farmer, "and it's no
natter, dear, since you are not going to
You're right, too, Dolly, only
only, The glanced about him helpless
y" had hoped to end my days on the
Did place, that's all %
Dolly grew very pale, and her heart
smote her with remorse and pity. She
owed her father dearly, but then she
owed Charlie Dexter also, and the girls
heart was torn with conflicting emotions.
What should she do What was her
iuty
"God help me !" she moaned. "and
tell me what is right"
She closed her sewing machine, and ty-
ing on her white sun-bonnet went out into
the orchard, thinking that a breath OF
fresh, pure air might revive her dropping
spirits.
1t was very good panaeca and Dolly
found 1t so as she walked down the long
path by the hedge which separated the
orchard from the large farm adjoining,
pausing at length under huge apple tree,
where she and Charlie Dexter had often sat
and read aloud from their favorite au-
lhors.
She hesitated, and cry of surprise
floated from her lips. For tall figure
arose from the seat which had been made
under the tree, and extended both hand
in welcome.
Dark aud manly, though not really
Charlie Dexter stood Before
her. Dolly laid her head upon his shout.
der, and sobbed the whole story Char.
lie listened quietly, biting his lip mean
while, rs though TO repress some strong
emotion.
" And what will your answer be my
darling 2" he asked, when the story wa,
lin ished.
+" can never marry him." she walled.
q am promised to you Charlie, yet
with little gasp" how can l see my
father turned adriit Ia his old age 1t
will kill him ~
A heavy football aroused them, ere
Charlie could reply, and glancing up,
they saw farmer Thorns coming slowly
toward them.
He looked older by years than before
his blow had befallen him. He greeted
Dexter cordially; he had always liked
him, and approved his daughters choice.
"Glad to see you Charlie |" he ex-
abruptly" butt" he continued,
e has Dolly told you 2"
Charley Dexter bowed in the atfirma.
tive.
:" will not stand In the way Of her du-
ty," he observed, quietly, as he arose to
cave the spot. A" Goodbye, Dolly p
Then, as he saw the look on her face, he
paused.
" came out here to call you, my
said her father. ~ did not
know that Charlie was here, but you see, my
dear, Mr.. Dering Is In the house; he is
waiting to see you, Dolly"
The girl arose with oalmness.
81 will go p she said, and-and ia
Their, will do my duty. could never
be happy at your expense. Twill consent
TO this marriage for your dear sake.
Charlie I" and she turned her sad, little
face toward her lover, "can you ever