Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-09


feel to see them comfortably settled.
Only Dolly remains in the old nest.
and as time goes on the shy, untidy
child blooms out into fair and grace
full maiden. l have always been called
the flower of the flock, and Dolly,
they say, resembles mo.
When Dolly is sixteen years old.
Lord Westwarren succumbs to an at
tack of gout, and am left a wealthy
widow. | 60 home to spend the year
of mourning in retirement, and to wait
with eager impatience for the time when
l can take off my widows cap.
1t is about eight weeks after my hus-
bands death, and Dolly and | are sit
ting in the drawingroOm, now shabby
no longer, | with novel in my listless
finger, and my sister-busy child-cut-
ting out flannel petticoats for the snuff
fy old women of the neighborhood.
Frances. she says with her mouth
full of pins ''Do YOU remember Rob
ert Bernardo mean the Robert Ber-
nard who went away to America be-
fore your marriage. You used to hlrt
with him. you know"
Do l remember Robert Bernard? A
great wave of color rises to the roots OF
my hair. and open my book hastily.
regardless of thu fact that am holding
it upside down.
Yes, Dolly" say. Il do remem-
Der Mr.. Bernard. Why do you ask the
question:"
because he is coming home" Dolly
answers. And they do say, Frances.
that it's to look for wife-as if he
could not find one out there! dote on
American women"
You have only seen one American
woman" | say, Grossly; land because
she was rather nice. you infer that all
the rest resemble her. You are like
the Cockney, who. having seen red
haired woman with cross in her eye
in an hotel in Boulogne, came back and
told his friends that all French women
squinted and had carroty hair. Blythe
bye, Dolly. think shall take off this
cap" l add, as gaze at myself at the
| mirror.
at does seem pity to hide your
long hair" acquiesces Dolly, and SO
the ugly thing is discarded, in spite OF
my mothers gentle protest. Nobody
minds mamma but Dolly. who is alb
surdlv old-fashioned in her ideas.
NV little sisters news have set my
| heart beating as it used to beat when
Robin looked at me. He is coming
back, and, after all, it is possible that
my lover and may be happy. l am
rich, but he is no longer poor, and our
| ioy will he all the greater for our long
| separation.
We meet in 4 commonplace way at q
commonplace dinner party at the Rec
tory given in his honor, and as l gaze
once more at his handsome face grown
older, and with little look of stern
ness about the well-cut mouth, feel
| that | love him better than ever.
OF course we cannot say much before
all these people; but he promises to
come and see me, and l return home
with light heart. my heart full OF
bright anticipations.
well" says Dol V, as she helped me
to disrobe, .:how did you enjoy the
party, and what do you think of the
nine days wonder?''
The nine days wonder?" l repea at,
looking at Dolly in the mirror, for she
is combing out my long hair, having re-
placed my dress by comfortable
wrapper.
..Do YOU know that he saved boy
from drowning, or something OF the
kind, on the pyage?" says Dolly. look
ing admiringly at my golden locks
Il could love man like that, Fran
ces."
You always know all the goings or
of the neighborhood, | return, feeling
vexed with my sister without exactly
knowing why. Il wonder mamma
likes you to spend so much time witt
those vulgar old people, Dolly"
You forget, Frances" says Dolly
with smile. that am only Dolly
Seaforth, and you are Lady Westwar
rem. Come. give me 4 kiss and go Il
bed. for you are tired, | know, and jus
little bit cross, Fairy"
The old name! How long to hea
Robin call me Fairy in the old lcvin!
way He is coming tomorrow, ant
perhaps my wish will be realised. All
how long for tomorrow.
Is ANYTHING in this world quite up t
our expectation? Robin comes, but hi
manner does not please me.
1t is frank, easy, cordial, but there i
something wanting.
"Do you think I am changed?' asl
TREMENDOUSLY, and he looks at my fac
with critical eyes and answers slowly
You are more beautiful than ever
Lady Westwarren.
But | am changed from the OLE
Fairy" | say, and tears spring to n.
eyes. He does not see them.
Time changes all things" he say
brightly. "Why,' with start. as m,
little sister enters the room, this can
be Dollyr'
"But it is, though" she says. with
blush. You are thinking, l know, o
the Dolly who always had her shoe
down at heel and her dresses torn; pu
that is ages ago.
Ages ago! 1t seems like it to me a
/ watch the two, and see the admira
ton in Robins eyes as he looks a
Dolly.
Ny sister does not know how ID,
heart aches when. after dinner, Robil
seeks her society instead of mine.
| am proud, and | hide my disap
pointment as well as can, but my pun
ishment is almost greater than | cal
bear.
But, nevertheless. have to bear
great dea, of it. After his first visit
Robin is always at the place, Away
asks for Dolly, accompanies her in he
rides and drives and walks, and dine
with us three or four times week.
cannot say him nay Tor very shame, a:
he has prospered in America, and is re
ported to have made fortune; but i
may be imagined what purgatory-
what intense misery-it is to me to SCI
him lavishing glances and honeyet
words upon her, instead of, as haC
fondly hoped, upon me-for | love hin
still. Well, they get married, and g
back to the gay world of fashion; but
refuse offer after offer, until people be
gin TO talk of my devotion to th'
dead
| am glad of it. l would not hav,
| thpru rnnsS tho t,utb or Eppu tbat