The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1886-01-21

he could, until he could decide for
bimself. lie was very thankful that
Dora had not quite decided to be
married ir the fail, as that would he
one test he could put her to. 1t is
something to have an idea that can
be acted upon at once. aud le re-
traced his steps toward the house
With this one purpose IN view. How
shall he find mi0uie in which to
speak alone with Dora To feels
that he can not bear the suspense
until another day shall come, and
then mutters to himself: Fool !.
What if it must last lifetime L!
What if am never to know ~
As lie reached the piazza girlish
voice cried out e,gerly %, Mr..
Long where have you been hiding
yourself ?" aud in an instant no
was surrounded by a laughing group
who 4colded and questioned with
such viyacity that their victim
found it necessary to say word it
was, 10 fact. quite impossible. Tbon
Dora rose from The piano.
Here, Dors!' cried Edith Stauly,
"here is tho deserter. What shall
be done to him p Aud they led
him before his bright-oyed judge.
Dora had never before seemed to
him jnst rs she did at that moment
so far away, as if n great gulf
were fixed between them. He
could scarcely believe in her bright
looks, everything seemed 80 unreal,
bis life was so shaken to It's founda-
,ions. 1t was only by a great effort
that he aroused himself to make
some com ,Douplacc excuse.
Dora's first careless glance at bis
pnllid face changed to one Of alarm
rhe light from an open window fell
upon il and she saw its deadly pal
,or. "Why, Fred y she cried, you
cireless boy You will be sick
,yaiu Come and hnve some tea"
Aud she led the way to the dining>
room. How no longed to say {:
Come, Dora. have something to
'el you, aud then, having her all to
nimsslf, pour out these miserable
doubts and fears in her ear aud SO
la froa from tham Rnt NO hrio
vas this crowd of chattering girls
besides, she must not know he had
such doubts. Even if she said, 81
lovo you could he bo sure sbe was
not saying it because she believed ii
10 be her duty. And SO lie finished
he evening us best he could, and all
might long his heart tormented him
with ceaseloss ques,ionings.
Several days passed before he
found an opportunity to speak alone
with Dora The house WAS filed
with u number of young guests, and
Dora must be everywhere.
Fred Long was just now taking a
well earned vacation. After years
of bard work and months Of illness
he had come back to the homo OF
his childhood to regain lost health
and strength. lie had called this
the happiest summer be had known
but now an untimely frost had
spoiled its beauty. Among the
friends whom Dora was entertaining
Der cousin Florence Freeman was
the only one he had previously
known. Naturally they drifted to-
gether during these miserable days
With Dora he was suddenly i'll a
ease aud restless her quick eyes
noted the change, and looked about
for cause. Those same quick eyei
noticed the walks and talks will
cousin Florence. mo wonder she
admired him, she said, with shar I
little paDg at her heart, mentally
contrasting tall, handsome Florence
with her own little self.
Presently the flock of merr!
school girls took flight. "Only
Florence, and you, and l." said
Dora lust as it used to be" But
for both the old charm was destroy
, ed
One day they walked together
along tue bank. and Dora said
"Our playtime is done"
"Yes,' he answered 81 must %
back to my law books aud you mus
have time for yonr painting"
A light came into her eyes. "Ther
| am to go on painting :"
"Yes," be said. slowly. 81 au
| e., 800, a,