The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-09-04
DOLLY'S FILTRATION.

used to say; but Dolly was giddy, an6
fond of flirting.
When we were II, Dolly became en-
gagged, with our mothers consent, to
Frank Wilmot, youg fellow Of "a
son of banker, free and CHEEKY in man
ner and disposition. He was very in
dulgent to Dolly, for he felt so confident
of her love, and was himself so loyal and
sincere that the admiration she excited
was his triumph; the freedom with which
she received and encouraged it never
panied him, though mother and I useo
to watch her with serious anxiety.
Sometimes our mother would say G
few impressive words; then Dolly would
throw her arms around her; and with
kisses assure her she would be better
girl, or she would pout little, with
tears in her bright blue eyes. She
would be very demure through two balls.
and at the third worse than ever; scarce
ly could Frank get one waltz for himself
One evening he brought to our house
a cousin of his, a barrister, q man some
years older than himself. He was rather
famous, though only 80, being an acute
lawyer, and consequently looked up at
the bar.
Dolly owned to me hat evening that
Frank had confded to her that [ was
Jack Dacre's ideal woman.
$50 don't blush so angrily, darling,
said she, "for it would be the most de-
ightful arrangement. He is Franks
ideal man and dearest friend. It would
be the happiest thing for us ALL" And
Dolly gave me hug and kiss and ran
off to bed.
Mr.. Dacre came very often after that
one visit, and soon found that he was
my ideal man, for he strangely resembled
my father, both in manners and his
chivalrous courtesy to women, as well
at my heart that was the first to make
the discovery that he was falling in love
with Dolly-he, the soul of honor,
seemed bewitched by the charms of his
bosom friends afianced wife. I knew
it before he did, but of course not be-
fore Dolly, who had genius for uner-
ringly detecting every symptom, how
ever obscure, of dawning love, either in
her own case or another's.
My mother and Frank were utterly
blind to the danger. I was very unhap-
Ply, and exceedingly sorry for Dolly, for
Frank, for Mr.. Dacre, and, I own it,
for myself; for, though I had not fallen
in love with Franks cousin, I must say
he was the only man I had seen whom
I felt I could fall in love with.
An accident brought matters to eli
max.
We were sitting in the drawing-room
after dinner one evening, when noise
in the street drew US to the window.
The pole of carriage had entered the
shoulder of cab-horse. Dolly became
Ill and faint at the sight, and Mr.. Dacre,
who was at her side threw his arm
round her to save her from falling. He
led her to a sofa, and stood aside as
Frank drew near her; but from that
night he never come no more. He and
I only had seen the half-petulant way
in which Dolly had turned from Frank,
had caught another expression on her
face, had seen her vivid blush.
From that evening she became cold,
petulant, teasing to Frank. AT first he
laughed, then was hurt, and finally the
engagement was broken off. This is
soon told, but what my mother and I
suffered must be imagined. I dared
neither to tell her the truth nor
to hint to Dolly that I knew to whom
her heart was given, though loved her
SO dearly; and felt so sure that this
was the first true love of her life. This
determined, decided, somewhat stern
man was sure to charm our little butter
fly, if she noticed him at all.
Mother and I arranged that Dolly
should go away on short visit. Frank
was to come one evening to return the
letters Dolly had sent him. They
would not feel the abruptness of this
rupture so much as if they were placed
personally by him in my hands; and I
had his letters also to give him. Mother
was quite unequal to seeing him, for
she loved him dearly, and the task was
left to me. I was not sorry, for I felt I
could say all that was likely to comfort
him, loving both of them so deeply.
So poor Frank produced his sorrow-
full little packet, received the one had
for him, and stood leaning against the
chimney piece, while sat quite unable
to utter word, but with tears dropping
quietly from my eyes. At last he told
me that he knew Dolly bad been faith
less to him. He felt sure she and Jack
Dacre loved each other, and he spoke
SO humbly of himself, as if it was quite
to be expected that his cousin should be
preferred above any other man, that I
was greatly touched, and my tears fell
faster and faster.
"Jack is the soul of honor, Kitty; but
I must make it clear to him that he is
free to do as his heart dictates. His
and her happiness must not be wrecked.
I will get my father to send me to our
branch house in India, and viii not re-
turn till they are married. Jack is rich
enough to marry at once. shall en-
bark on Thursday"
Then he charged me with tender
blessing for Dolly, and, at his request,
I went to ask, my mother to bid him