West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-05-29
DOROTHYS PET.
ny HELEN FoRREsr GRAVES.

"Oh, Neddy, you dear fellow, you love
me, If no one else uoes! Kiss me, dar-
hng Right on the mouth"
An old red barn, settled in n one sided
manner, down among the tall white dais-
les and clustering red clover tops, as one
sometimes secs an old wreck settled
heavily among the driftcd seasands-a
monster pine tree spreading its green
leaves above, the July sunshine sleeping
all tho hills with yellow glory, and Colo
mel Crowninshicld standing, in "A bewil-
dered manner, just where the farm lane
opeucd, amid u tangle of elderberry
bushes and blackberry briers, into the
dusty high road---this is the opening
scene.
Colonel Crowninsbicld had been walk
ing rapidly; the black rings of hair
curled around his temples and the dews
dotted his forehead. In his cool summer
dress of white linen, his broad. .brimmed
Panama hat and the knotted bamboo
cane which he carried, he looked like the
pictures of Southern planter-hand-
some, slim and middle-agod.
"Whom on earth is she talking tol"
he asked himself, as the clear, distinct
utterances Of Dorothy Emmerick caught
his ear.
The color rose to his temples; som
bre. jealous light glittercd into his eyes.
''Wish me good luck, Ncdw the sweet
voice once more spoke. ave told YOU
about it-but no one else shall know.
You love me, Ned, don't you7n
SITS that good -for-nothing sailor
sweetheart Of hers, come back from
South Africa, unknown to her parents -
thought the Colonel. "Ought % in
terfere' She is so young aud inexperi-
enced, and No, Hal Crowninshield,
old fellow, he added, setting his strong
white teeth together tDo YOU happen
to know, you Paul Pry, what the eiev-
cnth commandment is2 Well, il is Mind
your own businessr Dorothy Emmerick
IS only nineteen you are seven and -thir
~. Leave her TO associate with those OF
ner own age and go you into the society
of your own mature croniesl Yet il
would be something to hear her sweet
voice uttcring words like that TO you"
Aud he walked on, ruthIessIy cutting
of the white daisies with his cane, as he
made his way mp TO the house.
Five minutes later Dorothy few I'm nj
the back door, simple straw toque GOV.
cring her sunshiny curls, muslin scarf
wrapped around her shoulders.
"Give me the package, Pamela" +" said
she. "Quick I'm late already for the
train. Aud il ] have good luck. YOU
shall have striped shawl, and Neddy
shall have such new saddle aud bride l''
The old servant smiled doubtfully n,
she gave small, fat parcel into the
eager girls hands.
You're fairly daft about that stub.
born-tempered gray donkey, Miss Doro-
thy" said she, ''as your pa says ain'i
safe for any woman to ride. All the same,
! hope you'll have good luck, oven IL il
wasn't for the striped shawl that Im 70
have"
II was late in the afternoon when
Dorothy came slowly up the winding
path that led under bowery apple trees,
and past thicket Of tall poles garlanded
with hop vines, 10 tbc kitchen door.
All the brightness had gone out Of her
face; the color had concentrated itself
into two intense, burning spots on her
checks and there was troubled quiver
in her lips.
Old Pamela read her cOuntenauce as il
u had been an open book
Ono luck. ehl" said she.
ono luck at ALI" cried Dorothy.
almost dcrccly.
But what did you do with the
picture7"
"T threw it over the edge Of Quarry
Cliff as ] came home from the train, "
admitted Dorothy. "Oh, Il did me
good 70 hear IL crash down among the
limestone boulders The idea Of my
ever prcsuming TO think that 7 could be
an artist And you'll have TO wear youl
old shawl, Pamela; and poor, poor little
Neddy will have no new bride and
suddlei"
And Dorothy burst into a tempest Of
Tears, aud ran headlong ont 70 the
tumble-down old barn, behind which
the sun was setting gloriously.
'J'll tell Neddy All about itl" cried
She CT always feel better after good
cry on dear little Neddy's gray neck"
But, Miss Dorothy"
The garden cate alarmed 40 violcnti,