The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-01-13

down the piazza humnling gay air.
Meanwhile, within the windows the
young man sat motionless, his finger
still between the pages that only few
moments ago held him spellbound, al
though his world had fallen in ruin
around him since Florence began her
'lecture, Il ( Outside the breeze rang
among the tree-tops and rufled the
shining bosom Of. tho river. The
August sunshine lay mellow on the
gross. but he heard nothing, saw noth-
ing. nd Dp4t an
The tea bell rang suddenly and
startled him out of his mcditations.
The girls disappeared with much chat!
ter4and gay laughter. and he rose me-
chanically and walked like one in, a
dream down through the garden and OH
into little grove beyond, his one
thought to be alone where no human
eye could add to his torment with its
questioning glance. 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: g 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. ,ayi, .dr ts 3,n-i
When Dora, only fifteen, had given
him her hand SO confidingly 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 Mt her throat; how
plainly he could see her now, ali in
white, and the pink of her cheek so like
the dainty blossoms--he had taken the
gift unquestionably, and no doubts had
ever assailed him. He knew her devo-
ton to art and was proud of her suo-
cess, but he had never dreamed that it
would be his rival in her affections.
"Have l been so blindp' he ques-
toned. 40, my little Dorar' 3aI ~
Something must be done, and that at
once Should he 60 to Dora and ask if
these things we're true? That would be
like saying: "Havc 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
4 could put her tosIt issomething 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 q minute in which
to speak alone with Dorap He feels
| that he can not bear the suspense unit
another day shall come, and then NUT,
tiers to himself: "Fool! What if il
must last a. lifetimepj What if l an
never to know" Mj Y
As he reached the piazza girlisl
voice cried out eagerly: 10, Mr.. Long
a where have you heen hiding yourself?'
and in an instant he was surrounded
by a laughing group, who scolded ani
questioned with such vivacity that theil
victim found it unnecessary to say {
word; it was, in fact, quite impossible
Then Dora rose from the piano. "a
"Here, Dorav cried Edith Stanly
''here is the deserter. What shall b,
done to himp" And they led him be
fore his bright-eyed Judge.
. Dora had never before seemed Il
him Just as she did at that moment
so far away, as if a great gulf wer
fixed between them, He could scarcel,
believe in her bright looks, everythin,
, seemed so unreal, his life was so shaker
to its foundations. 1t was only by
great effort that he aroused himself t
make some commonpla &c excuse. A
Dora's first careless glance at hi
pallid face changed to one of alarm
The light from an open window fel
upon it and she saw its deadly palloi
"Why, Frcd!'', she cried, "you carcles
. boy! You will be sick again Com
and have some tea. And she led tn
!. way to the dining-room. How h
longed to say: "Come. Dora, l hay
! something to tell you. and then, ha,
2 ing her all to himself, pour out thes
miserable doubts and fears in her ca
and SO be free from them. But NJ
here was this crowd of chattering Cir
besides, she must not know he ha
i such doubts. Even If she said, II Low
: you," could he be sure she was not sa,
ing it because she believed it to be he
: duty. And SO he finished the evenin
y as best he could, and all night long h
heart tormented him with ceaseles
questionings, IN
I" Several days passed before he foun
:. an opportunity to speak alone wit
= Dora. The house was filled with
- number of young guests, and Dol
= must be everywhere.
Fred Long was Just now taking
well-earned vacation. After years
q hard work and months of illness he ha
n come back to the home Of his childhoc
!. to regain lost health and strength. +
had called this the happiest summer
# had known, but now an untimely fro
r. had spoiled its beauty. Among Il
II friends whom Dora was entertainir
n her cousin Florence Freeman was Il
70 only one he had previously know
> Naturally they drifted together duril
q these miserable days. With Dora
20 was suddenly i'll at ease and restles
:. her quick eyes noted the change, al
! looked about for cause. Those san
. quick eyes noticed the walks and tai
n with cousin Florence. mo wonder 9
NJ admires him." she said, with sha
70 little pang at her heart, mentally co
no trasting tall. handsome Florence wi
or her own little self. -ttt fat
" Presently the flock of merry scho
It girls took flight. ''Only Florence, al
as you, and l, "said Dora; ..just as il us
/? to be-" But for both the old charm W
be destroyed. Hw
One day they walked together alo