The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1889-01-04


IN SORRY I INTERRUPTED YOUR SONG.
As Arthur looked into her genial,
intelligent face he felt that distrust of
human nature in such heart as hers
could only be the result of a great and
cruel wrong.
Arthur and Ora met almost every
day thereafter. The meadow was a
favOrite resort of both, and Arthur
was not slow to avail himself of Miss
DaltOn's hospitality.
To him the hours passed in Ora's
society seemed like moments spent in
paradise. They were very happy
hours to Ora, also, and she was too
artless to wish to conceal the fact.
Miss Dalton evidently had no fear
that Arthur would make any impress
sion upon the heart of her niece. No
doubt she felt confident that it had be-
come invincible under her careful
molding.
What do you thinkP" exclaimed
Ora, in great glee, one day, as she and
Arthur started for a walk. Aunt
Prue is going to employ companion
for me. She says am too old for my
years, and that it is because l have had
too little intercourse with congenial
girls of my own age. Next winter
am to have a taste of city life"
"If you go to the city you may ex-
pect to have lovers by the score" said
Arthur, laughing.
"They would desert me, l fancy,
when they found themselves treated
like so many nObOdiesr' was her
characteristic reply.
what would you say if a very dear
friend were to tell you that he loved
youP" and he looked at her search
ingly, as he put the question.
Il should say" she answered, her
eyes frankly meeting his, that the
sooner he learned to forget me the
better; and for his sake 1 should in
sist on ending our acquaintance then
and there"
just what one might expect from
you. l am glad I have learned wisdom
in time, " replied Arthur, jocularlY.
"YOu are to be congratulated, she
returned, in the same tone.
Arthur was silent awhile and his
agitated face plainly showed that
something unusual was passing in his
mind.
What is the matter?" asked Ora.
Il was thinking" he replied, "of
young lady who, I feel sure. will
exactly suit as a companion for you"
lis she a friend of yours?n inquired
Ora.
"She was one of my earliest play
mates,n he replied, evasively. Her
name is Bertha LenOx, and she would
like nothing better than to spend
summer in this quiet, country re-
treat
Numberless questions were asked
and answered. Aunt Prue was con-
suited; and in the course of a few days
Bertha LenOx was installed in the
Dalton family, where she at once won
the hearts of all by her sweet and gen
tie ways.
Arthur and Ora no longer met in
the meadow alone Bertha was always
with them; and somehow, Ora could
not have told why, their meetings
grew less and less enjoyable to her.
Arthur was as kind and attentive as
ever, but his bearing seemed cold con-
trasted with his affectionate familiarity
toward Bertha.
He continued his visits to the house,
but it was evident that Bertha re-
garded him as her especial guest.
Ora and her aunt, observing this
and not wishing to intrude, left the
two very much to themselves.
It was not long before Ora declined
to accompany Bertha in her walks.
She did not feel like going, she would
say, and her pale face and weary eyes
certainly confirmed the statement.
In the short space of a month she
changed from blooming, vivacious
girl into a pale, quiet woman, in whose
face a history was written. Slowly
but surely her aunt learned the sad
truth that her darling Ora had given
her heart unsought to the lover OF
Bertha LenoX.
The good lady had fondly believed
that she had inspired her niece with
contempt oflove so strong as to destroy
her natural susceptibility. Poor, un-
sophisticated Aunt Prue! How bitterly
she reproached herself for her blind
folly, when too late.
She said nothing to Ora on the suG-
ject OF the latter's hopeless love, wisely
concluding 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 1 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 viii detain
him there about a 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 a troubled sleep
on the sofa, was q silent listener TO
the entire conversation When left
alone she arose. with a feverish light
in her ewes, and hurried to her room.
She emerged in a few moments. closely
yelled and carrying a small valise,