The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-09-03
midst or extensive and park-like

grounds.
1t was the ancestral home of dear.
quaint. little old spinster, who was
fond of filling the picturesque and
rambling house with guests at all sea-
sons.
Il am confirmed homebody my
self" she was wont to say; but l like
to have plenty of people about me
the more the merrier."
Dollie Larayne was one of her espe-
cial pets. and spent a considerable
portion of each winter with her.
Marine Farney was recent acquaint-
ance. who had 10y chance accompanied
some transient visitor.
The Delormes were connections
through the marriage of the amiable
spinster's only brother. She was
greatly attached 10 them all. and they
were frequently her guests.
Mrs. Delorme and her two daughters
were still sitting in the quaint little
parlor just as the indignant son and
brother had left them.
Miss Farney had not returned from
a morning drive; their hostess was
experimenting some domestic matter.
aud there was nobody to interrupt the
family conference.
That Dolie Larayne is the cause of
Athors obstinacy. Only for her we
could manage him well enough"
Maudie pouted.
"WeIl. she need not imagine she
will ever be Athol's wife; | wouldn't
listen to such thing" Mrs. Delsrme
asserted. with energy.
Il have quite set my heart on
Marine; she is so docile; she would
always do everything exactly as we
like" said Kathie, land she is so mod
est; she never boasts about her money;
she only alludes to it sometimes in an
unassuming manner which is very
charming"
How fortunate it was we happened
to discover she was the heiress. No
body else here dreamed of such
thing" Maudie yawned behind her
pretty Spanish fan.
Well" said Mrs. Delorme. Il have
made up my mind to speak to Miss
Larayne. She leaves here in day or
two. and if she understands how we
feel that will end her interference"
1t happened just then that Dollie
tripped up the steps and entered the
hall alone.
Athol had remained behind. He
was at the side entrance assisting Miss
Farney to alight from the carriage.
My dear. | have something of
much Importance to say to you" Mrs.
Delorme began in tone of affected
kindliness as she drew the dainty fig
ure across the threshold Of the parlor.
She did not mean to be rude or
cruel. but she uttered in that moment
words which little later she would
have given worlds to recall.
And the lady seemed alike aston
ished aud distressed when Dollie sud-
denly dropped into chair. her lovely
face white rs death. and two big tears
slowly creeping down her tender
cheeks.
DO you mean you regard me un-
worthy of Athol?" she said family.
'Oh. we haven't thought about that
at all, you know" Kathie interposed
loftily.
1T is only quite impossible you
should ever enter the family" MaUdie
chimed in haughtily.
You see, we have higher aims for
him." Mrs. Delormc continued, "and
Of course no man in his senses would
really choose momentary fancy in
stead Of fortune like the Ncstor
millions"
"Oh!" gasped Dollie.
At that moment Athol, followed by
Miss Farney. entered the room.
At the sight of those grieved tears
he stepped to the side of his beloved
and drew her toward him proudly,
loyalty. rs if he would thus protect
her against the world.
What have you said to trouble
her?" he demanded. with an indignant
glance al his mother and sister. Dol
lie is to be my wife, and whoever
harms her can hold no friendship of
mine"
For moment Dollie gazed proudly
at her loyal lover and then. clinXing
to him shyly. laughing and crying to-
that she. aud not Marine Faruey, was
the heiress OF the Ncstor millions
Even their hostess and Miss Farney
had been ignorant of the truth, and
the latter had only tacitly accepted an
honor that had been forced upon her.
The three ladies bitterly repented
their mistake. aud lovely Dollie was
too happy wife not to pardon their
error.
Dollie's husband. beloved and adored
as he is. looks grave when he reflects
what might have happened had he not
chosen true love as more precious than
the Nestor millions y. Paper.