The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-03-20


the younger portion Of the congre-
CATION engaged in doing their best
not to giggle He would go back
and choke himself at tea, and after
tea father would go out to look after
the chickens, and mother and the
girls to see about the work, and then
who could tell if he wouldn't take
it into his stupid head to ask her to
be Mrs. Eph Schenck. Down went
the cloth from Dora's hand as this
last dreadful possibility presented
itself to her mind, and away she
ran like startled deer, across the
garden and out of little back gate
into the broad meadow, where in
her haste she almost rushed into the
arms of James Van Bushkirk, the
clever son of a good'for-nothing
father, who bade fair to retrieve the
position which his father had lost,
but being only half way up the hill,
was only partially countenanced by
all those prudent and worthy people
who will nearly shake your hand
when you are safely at the top.
Dora was about to pass him with
a dignified bow, but the young man,
whose dark eyes were dancing with
mischief, stopped her, by gravely
inquiriug If she had the dyspepsia,
and was running for exercise?
"No, sir, l am in a hurry" tartly
answered Dora, who thought it was
none of his business.
ooh indeed, don't let me d, Ia
you then" and turning, lie . "
walked on beside her.
Dora bit her lip. James Van
Buskirk was the smartest, the
worthiest, and the most agreeable
young man of her acquaintance
but she was n Maxwell, and though
it was never openly spoken of, there
was a coat of arms, and certain ira
ditions of titles and ancient splen-
dor that she had not forgotten. She
would not be uncivil to Mr.. Van
Buskirk, but of course she could
not encourage him; and holding
her head at a much loftier angle
than usual, she marched on erect,
and in silence.
81 think saw Mr. Schenck drive
by few moments ago." remarked
James, "did l not?"
"It is quite likely, but what of it"
Nothing, only it struck me as a
little extraordinary, that according
to my calculation you must have
gone out of the back door precisely
as he entered the front one"
This was too much for Dora's
gravety, and she burst into a hearty
laugh.
"You may think it does not con-
cern me, proceeded the young man,
with the same imperturbable grav-
ity, "but I am only in pursuit of
information. Am l to understand,
Miss Maxwell, that when l wish to
see you, my best way will be to
knock at your fathers door, and
then take the shortest cut for the
meadow"
Dora could scarcely credit her
senses. James Van Buskirk visit
her? Wish to see her? In doubt
whether to give him a saucy, or
coldly-scornful answer, she looked
up; but, in spite of herself, her
cheeks glowed with bushes, and
her eyes fell before the kindling
glance that met her own. James
smiled to himself.
''You have not answered me-" he
said, after a short pause.
"I-I don't know what you
mean," she stammered. "My IA
theirs house is open to ALL
The young man shook his head.
81 dorb BIT that, but that is no t
question. 1t is you l care for.
you receive me? Do you 1T
l may Gomez"
Dora was silent.
Speak" he said, impetuously. II
have no fear or shame in asking you
to be my wife, heiress though you
are. | want nothing that is your
fathers, nor would l take it but
swear to you, that if you will only
have the courage to acknowledge
the love that l know has long been
in your heart, l will at no distant
day place you in a position far
above the one in which you now
are"
Dora tremblcd, for his words
awakened echoes in her heart for
which she could nowise account; /;
but pride and prejudice is strong
stronger than love, and she only
answered
Here we are at Mrs. Fleming's.
Good-molning, Mr.. Van Buskirk, 4"
and fitted away up the walk, before
he could ston her Weeks nossad