Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-10-07
Dorcas Caledon, THE HEIRESS OF CALEDON HEIGHTS
-A1T AUroBIoGRAPHx.

costly pleasures that only the rich can of- lord.
 We wero one day driving in the park, my
 ,elf, the younger Mrs. Lciberg and the
 shhdren, when suddenly carriage passed us in whose occupants l recognized some thing strangely familiar. leaned forward
 to catch closer glimpse, and as did so the
 gentleman turned his head and caught sight of his face. could not be mistaken
 the dark eyes, the soft curling hair and shapely form were none other than Oliver Dudley's. I knew him instantly, and it only needed Q glance at the golden
 hair of the beauty beside him to ascertain that it was Irma Barrett.
 sank back with n quick, keen pain at my heart; my hand clutching aimlessly at my rich sable muff, my cheeks growing strangely pale, l knew, for kind Mrs. Leiberg at once enquired if I were i'll.
 'ohi no; it is nothing" answered, calmly enough, wondering even at myself that could bo so strongly moved at the sight of this man, who was not, nor ever could be, aught to me.
 Iwent home feeling strangely depressed.
 It was probable then that tho Claytons were in the city. had heard of their some times visiting here. I should be almost cer- tain to meet them knew, and my heart beat quickly at the thought, for never could re- gard them in any other light than my bit terest enemies.
 Mrs. Kent met me in the parlor. "There is a gentleman to see you in the drawing room, Dorrie," she said, smiling. "Strange how attractive Mir. Balfour (naming the gentleman) finds our house of late," she added, archly. "And Colonel Baily called also this morning. Really, Dorrie, you are getting to be quite Q belle"
 l laughed lightly at her words, and ran up to my room to remove my wraps before going down to meet my friend. felt angry at myself that could not feel more than passing interest in this handsome young Balfour, whose admiration for me had been patent fact since our first meet ing. He was rich, young, handsome-what moro could l desire. My friends, too, all looked upon him with favor, and I felt guilty when l remembered how had en- couraged his attention when felt for him only friendship, not love, not even the ghost of it.
 There was also Colonel Baily, another, in every way, eligible suitor; except in the matter of age, he being number of years my senior, though not old, by any means; he was handsome and courtiy, very king among men, some would have called him. But did not care for him,I said, ,perversely l should never fall in love; men wore all alike to me, and why did they annoy me with their attentions.
 "Now, if Oliver Dudley were Edgar Balfour," found myself saying, and then stopped. "Dorcas Lynn" cried, mentally, in rage with myself, "for such foolish thoughts I am ashamed of you; Surely you have lost much of your boasted pride to lament man you never knew, beside, one who is engaged to another;" and thus silence ing my heart went down determined to be very kind to Mir. Balfour in future and to permit no thought of Oliver Dudley to stand between me and tho duty owed Mrs. Kent, who, knew, regarded Edgar Balfour as most eligible young man. I think I must have succeeded very well in my at tempt to appear agreeable for Mir. Balfour | not only paid me several rather extravagant but several times I barely | avoided receiving from him direct offer of | his heart and hand by judiciously turning | conversation into another channel.
 The next day us was our custom, we drove | in the park, and again saw Oliver Dudley, | but alone this time, and could but remark | how pale and worn he looked, like person | hard worked or ill in body or mind. We passed him twice and at the last time he | raised his eyes and gave me direct look | that made me start; but he evidently did | not recognize me, for his eyes did not finger, only turned carelessly, almost mournfully, | away as he passed on, leaving me flushed | and troubled and disturbed.
 TAe next day went again; in vain did | ASSoiNS HUI lo BO HSdT IlS phFk the was too great, and that after noon found us again among the crowd of gay aristocrats that daily flock there. But to-day Twas disappointed; though strained my eyes in all directions for sight of that form, was not rewarded. Mrs. Leiberg softly inquired if were looking for any one in particular. If it is for Colonel Bailey, there ho is," she said, laugh ing, while shrank back in the carriage feeling ashamed of myself, yet devoutly wishing the Colonel were at the antipodes. But could not nope, though much inclined to do so, for the Colonel accompanied us home and then attended us to a musical en. at the house of friend.
 It was one o'clock before was at liberty to seek my own room and there muse over the changed appearance of Oliver Dudley, for to keep him from my thoughts was an utter impossibility. I saw his face in the embers of the fire; heard his voice in the moaning wind; whatever way l turned was confronted by the same form, and fell asleep to dream strange, troubled dreams, in which the center figure was always Oliver Dudley.
 l awoke in the morning strangely de- pressed and unhappy. Iwandered aimless- ly about until evening, when we went, as