The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-01-09
She said nothing to Ora on the SUBJ

She said nothing to Ora on the sub
iect of the latter's hopeless love, wisely
that the girl would be hap
pier in supposing the secret safe in her
own breast.
One evening, Bertha blushingly told
Miss Dalton that she was to be married
the following week.
II am sorry to leave so soon! she
said. when l came, we had deferred
our marriage until next winter. But
now we have concluded to hasten it, to
spare Arthur useless anxiety. He has
been unexpectedly summoned to Cali
fornia on business which will detain
him there about year. He can not
bear to think of going so far away and
leaving me unprovided for"
They talked for some time, and it
was arranged, at Bertha's request,
that the wedding should take place
there.
Ora, awaking from troubled sleep
on the sofa, was a silent listener to
the entire conversation. When left
alone she arose, with feverish light
in her eyes, and hurried to her room.
She emerged in a few moments, closely
yelled and carrying a small valise.
C,4s,f,,s-o- bon,o1f {1o{ hn
observed she stole noiselessly down
the stairs and out of the house.
Il can not stay and see them mar
ried. l should betray my feelings,
and Aunt Prue would despise me as
despise myself"
This thought kept whirling through
her distracted brain as she rapidly
pursued her way to the little station,
about mile distant. She boarded the
east-bound train which was just ready
to move out. Her vague plan was tc
60 to the city and endeavor to secure
a situation as family governess. She
trusted that her pocket money would
supply her wants until she could fine
employment.
Purchasing an evening paper, she
eagerly glanced through the adver
tisements. Her attention was quickly
arrested by the following:
"WANTEp-Ap person with literary tastes US
reader for blind gentleman Call on or ad
dress, PAUL ARNOLD, Blank Street, New
York"
Ora's hopes rose high. She loved
literature and had read aloud a great
deal to her aunt.
She spent the night in hotel. The
next morning, after forcing herself tt
swallow few mouthsful of breakfast
she called a conveyance and was driver
directly to the number indicated in the
advertisement.
The building was a perfect dream o
palatial beauty. with it's broad marble
front and it's statuary, fountains ant
flowers.
Ora was conducted into a spacious
study, where she found the blind gen
tleman sitting before typewriter
"Be seated; l will attend in ;
moments" he said, continuing tt
manipulate the keys of the instrumen
with rapidity that greatly surprised
Ora.
when stop in the middle of a sen
tence," he said, apologetically, as h
turned from his work, II am apt t.
forget the last word This obliges m
to employ the eyes of another, whicl
| never do when it can be avoided
Now, what can do for you?'
II am here in answer to your ad
: vertisement for a reader" said Ora
timidly.
Very well.
Then, read from the treasured volume
The poem of thy choice;
| And lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of thy voice. ,"
He smillingly held out to her vo
!, ume of Longfellow's poems, that la
convenient to his hand.
AS Ora turned the familiar page
she grew self-assured. and read a ST
. lection very sweetly and expressively
You read with no ordinary apprt
ciationn said her delighted listener
And your voice sounds to me like a
echo from the past. What is yor
name?"
y Cora Dalton" was the reply.
"Dalton!' he fairly gasped the nam,
"Then you are probably related
Prudence Dalton. Tell me of he
- But suppose her name has long sine
been changed"
''She is my dear aunt answere
y Ora, warmly, land her name is Da
ton still"
. my child" said the blind gentl
W man, with emotion, "long ago, befo1
. you were born, / was the happy pc
SCISSOR of Prudence Dalton's young ar
trusting affection"
:, "You-you that heartless villain
:, exclaimed Ora, rising and starting t
ward the door.
u "Stay until you have heard n
story and then you can judge me ;
you will" he pleaded.
!, Ora turned back and stood lookir
u at him as if spell-bound.