The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-02-10
SOMERSET, PA. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY TO- 1892

To love and be loved An easy task
set by f=ail woman in her blindness. Il
was Mr.. Griffith who must be Dora's /
companion in her daily ride-in these
early spring days.
The lovers were seldom alone now.
Dora looked upon their guest as her |
property she had long ago laughingiy |
told him how unceremonious had been /
his welcome 70 her, and he had vOOed 1
and won her absolution. Sometimes Al |
ice sighed as she watched them together, /
while she sat alone, but she gave to the 4
sigh no name, and thought II a tribute to
the vanished years
One day came her wakening. Dora
and Mr.. Griffith had gone for their az
ternoon ride, butt had extended beyond /
its won't, and she had grown anxious
and gone out to meet them, striking into |
the forest path, which vas their favorite |
way.
Half a mile from her home the met /
Dora's horse, riderIess.
Pale with terror she hastened on,
when suddenly she stopped, as if rooted /
to the spot
Almost at her feet knelt the man her, |
heart had loved always, and in his arms /
he held Dora's unconscious FORM
"My lovel my life" he said, each l
word being borne distinctly TO her ear, I
"Speak to me once-just once! On, Dora,
are you hurt? My darling. would that I /
might have given my life TO save yours"
Then he stopped and pressed his lips to
hers. A long, fluttering sigh escaped !
them
arthur r' she whispered. e Arthur"
1 am here, dear" he said.
And then he laid her down out Of his
arms, at though, with returning life, he
remembered the duty it brought with it.
The mother sprsng forward.
81 Do not be alarmed, Mr Griffith said,
gently, on seeing her. Her horse threw
her of 1 think there is no serious in
jury"
No serious injury None TO Dora, but
Alice knew that her wound was past heal
ing.
When, few hours later, they knew
that there was no need ofanxiety on her
account, Alice shut herself up within her
own room to fight her battle.
a ! cannot give him up she moaned.
= lie does not know his own heart. he
will forget this child-and she cannot
love him."
But even as she reasoned came the re-
membrance Of the one word Arthur"
and the tone in which she had spoken.
" will try her" she said; and for the
first time in her life came feeling Of bit
ter resentment, even against her child.
They were sitting together in the library
when she entered.
Arthur" she said; think it is time
that we told Dora the truth"
The mans face palei. She could al
most see him grid his soul for the coa-
hict, and crush out his heart behind his
honor.
Even Dora looked up with a suspicion
of coming trouble.
It is only this, dear Alice said, turn
ing to her daugher. Has not 8lr Grif-
fifth told you that be was an engaged
man - Then she saw that the steel had
struck home. The child answered moth
ing as she turned two wet, reproachful
eyes to him, who dared no. meet their
gaze. Until this instant she had not
known that she possessed heart She
learned it now, to her cruel cost.
"I must congratulate Mr. Griffith, she
said, calling up all her wonan's pride to
her aid, then hastened from the room 20
hide the burst Of tears.
The two we're let alone.
"Does she suspect, do You think? ?" she
asked, gloating over his torture.
"She must know" he answered, Il am
ready, Alice, to fulfI my bond. Let
there be no further delay"
~Wil you not, then, plead that I ask
ed only the pound Of flesh, without
drop of blood, and that your life must pay
the forfeit demand?"
What can you mean >" he asked in
bewildered way.
"Only," she said, that I plead my
cause for yours. Please me, Arthur, find
l cannot marry you.
Two minutes ago she would have
thought herself incapable CT the sacrifice;
yet here she stood, quiet and calm, Civ
ing no outward sign Of the inward whirl-
pool, nor the torture that wrung her as
she watched the weight lift from his soul
az her words2
'-You no longer love me- he question
ed.
81 am growing DID," with mocking
laugh: And in his blindness he accept
ed her words as denial, and went forth
content, little dreaming Of the sacrifice
the mother had made for her daughters 4
happiness.
A little later he came to her, Dora, 4
blushing, radiant with happiness, BY his 4
side.
~Will you give her to me2" he asked, I
Il loved her, Alice, because she was
your second self.