The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-04-07

Dora was silent.
"Speak," he said, impetuously. Il
have no fear or shame in asking you to
be my wife, heiress though you are. |
want nothing that is your fathers, mol
would 1 take it; but swear to you, that
if you will only have the courage to ac'
knowledge the love that | know has
long been in your heart, I will at no dis
tant day place you in a position far abov.
the one in which you now are"
Dora trcmbled, for his words awakened
echoes in her heart for which she could
nowise account; but pride and prejudice
is strong--strongcr than love, and she
only answered:
s'Hcre we are at Mrs. Fleming's. Good
morning, MIR. Van Buskirk," and fitted
away up the walk before he could stop
her.
Summer merged into autumn, autumn
gave way to winter, but no greater
changes took place around her than wcrt
developing themselves in the mental
economy of our little Dora. From that
memorable Sunday, James had never ar'
proached her. She had met him constant
iy in tendance on other girls, and es-
pecially with the squire's daughter
whom, it was whispered, he was about to
marry and he always bowed gravcly to
her, but no more. How handsome he
was! how dull and insignificant other
young men scemt beside him. What q
good son he was! What rising young
mani With what manliness had he ad-
dressed her! Why did he never speak to
her now2 Such were the thoughts that
were continually running in the foolish
little girls head, and that especially tor
mented her, as she was on her way to the
wedding at Farmer Wentworth's. Would
she met him there? 1t was the first frol-
ic of the season, and her heart throbbed
at the idea. She stopped at the door, and
looked into the large excepting room,'
where was going on most vigorous
handshak :ng, and how-de-doing.
Glow arc ye?" said voice close in her
ear. ''Fecl skeery? I do. Let's 60 in
together, and kinder take the edge of"
Eph Schenck's arm was thrust out to
her, like a bent pumphandle.
sLots of folks here" pursued Eph.
"Knew there would be. Folks alters
likes to come here, they give such good
feeds. Gracious there's Jim Van Bus
kirk. Amt he fixed up? Look at that
air shirt, and them studs! Guess he
thinks hos some, now he's goin' to
marry the squire's darter." Dora looked
up in time to meet the roguish glance of
James, who had heard Eph's remarks.
There comes the bride,' went on the
inexorable. 'Nice gal she is. Should
made up to her myself, only Id made up
my mind for some one else. They say
she's had nine new dresses made. How
would you like to be married, and have
so many gowns?" Fortunately the cere.
mony here intervcncd, and Eph was oh
liged to be quiet, but scarcely was it
over, when he commenced again. ''That's
quick done, amt it now? Nuthin' so
dreadful, is it, after all9 Come on.
Evcryone's goin' up to kiss and shake
hands, and then they'll go in for sup
per-"
Dora looked around her in desperation.
There was a small door open behind her,
which led, as she we'll knew, into the
kitchen and without stopping to reflect,
she darted through it and began to
run toward home all the faster that she
fancied she heard Eph behind her, till
in her haste she stumbled over the root
of tree, and fell to the ground, sprain-
inc her alkle severely.
''How could you be so lmprudcnt, and
what made you run so?' said James
voice, the moment after, as he stood by
her side. "Did you think I would let
you 90 home so? Are you hurt!"
II don't know" answered Dora, faint
ly. He stopped and tried to raise her.
She groanei and shrank back. '1'm
afraid that cant stand.'
''Then I will carry you," he said
promptly. -,
"But I am so heavy, and it is so far. I"
II wish it was twice the distance" he
whispered. Dora made no reply, but her
head rested quite confdentially on his
shoulder, and hcr little hand lay against
his cheek. He carried her in silence, till
they could see the lights of the deacon's
house. "Now, Dora, speak," he burst
out. ''You have had long time to re-
fleet. Quick, Dora, for this is the last
time shall ask you"
1t was the faintest of all possible whis-
pers that answered him; but If James
face, when he rea :hed the light, was any
index of his feelings, it must have been
a satisfactory one.
There was wedding shortly after All
the mammas with marriageable sons shook
their heads, and the deacon and Mrs. Max
we'll groaned whenever it was referred to,
and said they'd done their best, but Dora
was hcadstrong girl, and the will of
Providence must be done.
There was none of the ''linen, and
china, and plate" went into the cottage
that James fitted up for his bride, and all
the broad lands and fine cattle remained
for the dowry of the other two girls.
There were few visitors, either, at the
cottage, and of these very few who ever
failed to lament, in a roundabout way,
over 'Do:a's dreadful mistake" as her
family called it; but James only laughed,
while his wife obstinatcly persisted in
growing handsomer and mcrricr every
day, and the last heard of them he had
fulfilled the promise he made her on that
June morning, and the deacon was speak
ing with exceeding respect and pride Of
his son-in-law, Senator Van Buskirk.
incubation Against Yellow Fever
One of the very latest theories of inoc-
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