Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-01-28

dream down through the garden and on
into little grove beyond, his one
thought to be alone where no human
eye could add to his torment with its
questioning glances There, under the
trees. where he and Dora played IN
childhood, he walked to and fro, one
sentence ringing in his ears like sent
ence of doom: 1--WE can all see she
doesn't love him. 1t was hard to
come down from the pinnacle where
he had imagined himself crowned king
of one heart. --4asa-.a ''s.,'s's'' -s'''
When Dora, only fifteen, had given
him her hand so eonfidingly as they
walked together in this very grove
only it was morning then, and spring
time, and the air was filled with the
scent of wild crab-apple blooms, and
she wore them at her throat; how
plainly he could see her now, all in
white, and the pink Of her cheek so like
the dainty blossoms he had taken the
gift PROFESSIONALLY, and no doubts had
ever assailed him. He knew her devo-
ton to art and was proud Of her sue
cess, but he had never dreamed that it
would be his rival in her affections.
''Have l been so blindP" he ques-
toned. 20, my little Dora!'' $1,000.
Something must be done, and that at
once. Should he 90 to Dora and ask if
these things were true? That would be
like saying: "Have you been sdeceiving
me all these yearsp" He could not do
| it, He must wait, withYwhat patience
he could, until he could decide for him
SELF He was very thankful that Dora
shadhot 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.
Flow shall he find minute in which
to speak, alone with Dorap He feels
thaths can'not bear The suspense until
another day shall come, and then nut;
tiers to himself: "Fool! What If It
must last q lifetime? What if l am
never to knowP"
AS he reached the piazza a girlish
voice erred OUT eagerly: 20, Mr.. Long!
where have you heen hiding YOURSELF"
and in an instant he was surrounded
by laughing group, who scolded and
questioned with such vivacity that their
victim found it unnecessary to say
word; it was, in fact, quite impossible.
lThcTDora rose from the piano.
III Here, Dora!N cried Edith Stanly,
| s'here is the deserter. What shall be
done to himP" And they led him be-
fore his bright-eyed Judge.
Dora had never before seemed to
him just as she did at that, moment
SO far away, as if great gulf were
fixed between them. He could scarcely
believe in her bright looks, everything
seemed so unreal, his life was so. shaken
to its foundations. 1t was only by a
great effort that he aroused himself to
make some commonplace excuse.
Dora's first careless glance at his
pallid face changed to one of alarm.
The light from an open window fell
upon it and she saw its deadly pallor
"Why, Fred!'' she cried, you careless
boy! You will be sick again. Come
and have some tea" And she led the
way to the. dining-room. How he
longed to say: Come, Dora, / have
something to tell you,,,, and then, shay
ing her all to himself, pour out these
Il miserable doubts and fears III her ear
and so be- free from them. - But no;
here was this crowd of chattering girls
besides. she must not know he had
such doubts. Even if she said, II love
YOU" could he be sure shewas not say
Il ing it because she behevedit to be her
duty. And so he finished the evening
as best he could, and all night long his
heart tormented him with ceaseless
questionings.
Several days passed before he found
an opportunity to speak alone with
Dora. The house was filed with a
number. of young guests, and Dora
musthe everywhere.
Fred Longwas just now taking q
wellearned. vacation. After years of
hard work and months of illness he had
come back to the home of his childhood
to regain lost health and strength, He
s- had called this the happiest summer he
I had known, but now an untimely frost
had spoiled its beauty. Among the
friends whom Dora was entertaining
J her cousin Florence Freeman was the
only one he had previously known
Naturally they drifted together during
a these miserable days. With Dora hi
0 was suddenly i'll at ease and restless
! her quick eyes noted the change, and
looked about for a cause. Those sam,
. quick eyes noticed the walks and talk
t with cousin Florence. "No wonder sh'
admires him." she said, with sharI
i little pang at her heart mentally con
c trasting tall, handsome Florence will
G her own little self.
+ Presently the flock of merry schoo
Il girls took flight "Only Florence, an,
!, !. you, and l, said Dora; 'jnst as it use,
!, to be-" But for both the old charm wa
y destroyed.
u One day they walked together alon,
: the bank, and Dora said; "Our play
= time is done"
a YES" he answered.; 81 must 9,
= back tony law books and you mus
{, have time for your painting"
= A light, came into her eyes. "Thel
I am to go on paintingnf
y Yes" he said, slowly. II am max
y ing this sacrifice for you. do not wis
% you to marry me until you have finishes
~ this work you have set your hear
y upon. twill occupy your whole win
= terri =, so lay rC-gT - g s-1ss-1s q
g ''Yes; perhaps more. Give ME
p / year., she, said, eagerly, quite uncor
70 scious of the pain her words inflicted
and only anxious for time wherein {
a prove whether after all these years {
NJ devotion, Fred could be won from hel
" A few weeks ago she had asked for tn
al length of.time. simply ecausesshe sha
III undertaken some painting which sh
n wished to finish, and had plans to b
a carried out which she felt would b
. sadly ipterfered. with by, the necessar
\ arrangements for wedding. No
o. she had this additional motive.