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

she had asked for the length Of time
simply because sue had undertaken
some painting which che wished to
Ii ,sb, aud had plans to be carried
ont which she felt would be sadly
interfcred with by the necessary ar-
rangemsuts for a wedding. Now
ehe bud this additional motive.
Very we'll" came the answer,
calm aud steady. No trembling in
the quiet tones to betray the hearts
unutterablo anguish as it whispered
to itself "llow glad she is to be
free even for year
As for Dora, her heart was saying:
"He does not care
And then they talked OF indiifsr-
ent matters, these two foolish ones,
aud the precious hours in which
thoy might have understood each
other slipped away aud were gone
forever.
Once more apart, their ls'tels
were exchanged at regular intervals
- Fred's kind and loving. 'Oi
course said Dora, "it is his duty"
while Dora's were curious study
had her lover but known. Each
ono little cooler, a little briefor
than the last, until by the time
spring had dressed the fields aud
woods in green again poor Fred had
we'll nigh made up his mind that
Florence was right. Dora's heart
was all in her paintiuing she had
grown quite weary of him.
This suspense is killing me-" he
would say 'but I'll wait-it is bet
ter-it will soon be over.'
Aud Dora, working herself to a
shadow over her painting, would
think "rhe end can not be far off
He will soon be free
Early in the summer Fred found
himself again in the old familiar
haunts, but, alas ! the old joyous
light was wanting everywhere. a
shade, mist, seemed hanging over
everything, and Dora WAS father
away than ever. There were nc
mercey guests to divide her atton-
tion but, 80 absorbed, 80 silent
did she seem Dora he had known il
other days.
A week passed by-a week of
mingled paradise and torment
Snmaiimes he wnnld be- on the point
Of eayiug to her: "Dora, l vii
stand in your way no longer; but u
faint hope still fingered, aud h,
could not crush it 30 ruthlessly
At other times he could almost be-
lieve himself mistaken-all these
months fearful dream-when heI
eyes met his 50 earnestly aud seem
cd filed for moment with tho old
warm light.
They sat together one day upon a
little rustic seat, chatting and rest
ing after walk Fred bad takel
some letters from his pocket whcI
he wished to show to Dora. A pic
ture fell from among them. DorG
stopped to recover it. "Cousi'
Florry,' she murmured, and Fre'
began making some common-place
remark upon its correctness. Then
glancing at his companions face, h.
was startled at its deadly pallor
Dora !" he cried, you are i'll. w
walked to far You must rest
mo, I'm not i'll, she said, almost
sharply. "How lovely Florence is.
"Yes, indeed. She is well-nigl
perfect. But there is only one Do
! ra in all the world taking her lit
tie, cold hand in his. "Withou
Dora the world is meaningless t.
me-"
Dora's eyes were scanning th
, distant bills She made no reply
, She was steeliug her heart agains
, him HE wants to be true,' sh
, thought, "but will have no aucI
love"
, Dora, you are not happy"
"She started. Not perfectly &c
What mortal is T.
1T seems to me / would be If on
, ly things could be as they one
were between us."
This was the first allusion he ha'
!. made to the fact that he had motto
ed any change in their relations.
/, Dora realized that crisis wa
/ coming. She simpaly awaited it il
silence She would neither striv