The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-02-03
"Have been so blindp" he questioned.
20, my little DOram


these things were trueP That would be
like saying "Have you been deceiving
me all these yearsp" He could not do
it. He must wait, with what patience
he could, until he could decide for him
self. He was very thankful that Dora
had not quite decided to be married in
the fall, as that would be one test he
could put her to. 1t is something to
have an idea that can be acted upon at
once, and he retraced his steps toward
the house with this one purpose in
view. How shall he find minute in
which to speak alone with DoraP He
feels that he cannot bear the suspense
until another day shall come, and then
muttcrs to himself, Fool! what if it
must last lifetimep What if am
never to knowp"
AS he reached the piazza girlish
voice cried out eagerly: 30, Mr.. Long!
whore have you been hiding yoursclfP"
and in an instant he was surrounded by
a laughing group, who scoldcd and
questioned with such vivacity that their
victim found it unnecessary to say a
word; it was, in fact, quite impossible.
Then Dora rose from the piano.
Here, Dora" called Edith Stanly,
"herc is the descrtcr. What shall be
done to himp" And they led him be-
fore his bright-cyed Judge.
Dora had never before seemed to him
just rs she did at that moment-so fur
away,a as if great gulf were fixed between
them. He could scarcely believe in her
bright looks, everything seemed so un-
real, his life was SO shaken to its foun-
dations. 1t was only by u great effort
that he aroused himself to make some
commonplace excuse.
Dora's first careless glance at his pal
lid face changed to one of alarm. Tho
light from an open window fell upon it
and she saw its deadly pallor. "Why,
Fredw she cried, you careless boy!
You will be sicl; again Come and have
some tea" And she led the way to the
dining-room. How hc longcd to say,
Como Dora, 1 have something to tell
YOU" and then, having her all to him.
self, pour out these miserable doubts
and fears in her ear and so be free from
them. But no; here was this crowd of
chattcrng girls besides she must not
know he had such doubts. Even if she
said, 81 love you," could he be sure she
was not saying it because she believed
it to be her duty. And SO he finished
the evening as best he could, and all
night long his heart tormented him with
ccascless questionings.
Several days passed before he found
an opportunity to speak alone with Dora.
The house was filled with Il number of
young guests, and Dora must be every
where.
Fred Long was just now taking n
wcll-earned vacation. After years OF
hard yyorly and ,,,ontho ~ ;llnnoo bo b,, al
come back to the home of his childhood
to regain lost health and strength. He
had called this the happicst summer he
had spoiled its beauty Among the
friends whom Dora was entertaining
her cousin Florence Freeman was the
only one he had previously known. Nat
urally they driftcd together during these
miserable days. With Dora he was
suddenly i'll at ease and restless; her
quick eyes noted the change, and she
looked about for cause Those same
quick eyes soon noticed the walks and
talks with cousin Florence. mo won
der she admircs him." she said, with a
sharp little pang at her heart, mentally
with her own little self.
kCoSitiI llOSh Vi SCuOOl
girls took flight. "Only Florence, and
to be-" But for both the old charm
was destroyed.
One day they walked together along
the river bank, and Dora said, "Our
playtime is done"
Yes" he answered, al must go back
to my law books and you mus. have
time for your painting"
A light came into her eyes. Then 1
am to go on paintingp"
Yes" he said slowly. al am max
ing this sacrifice for you. do not wish
you to marry me until you have finished
this work you have set your heart upon.
1t will occupy your whole winter?"
Yes; perhaps more. Give me n
year, " she said eagerly, quite uncon-
scious of the pain her words inflicted,
and only anxious for time wherein to
prove whether, after all these years of
devotion, Fred could bo won from her.
q" cry well, F." came the answer, calm
and steady. No trembling in the quiet
tones to hetray the hearts unutterablc
anguish as it whispered to itself, "How
glad she Is to be free even for u year. "
AS for Dora, her heart was saying,
'He does not care"
And then they talked OF Indifferent
matters, these two foolish ones, and the
precious hours in which they might
have understood each other slipped
away and woro gone forever.
Once more apart, their letters were ex-
changed at regular intervals Fred s
kind and loving. "Of course" said
Dora, sit is his duty" while Dora 8
were curious study had her lover. but
known. Each one n little cooler, a
little briefer than tho last, until by tho
time spring had dressed tho fields and
woods in green again poor Fred had
well-nigh made up his mind that Flor
cnce was right. Dora's heart was all in
her painting; she had grown quite
weary OF him.
This suspense is killing me-" he
would say; "but I'll wait--it Is better
it will soon be over"
And Dora, working herself to shad-
ow over her painting, would think:
"The end cannot be far off. He will
soon boo free"
Early in the summer Fred found him
self again in the old familiar haunts,
but aiasl the old ioyoua lioht xvoa want