The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-11-18

beyond the bridge.
"Are you hurt" said Bert, scrambling
to his feet, and extricating himself and
Dorothy from the mass Of rugs and soft
snow.
"Not in the least" she replied, "but
how are we to get to church? Who will
play the organY'
Can l help you out of your Difficult.
ties?" called cherry voice behind them,
and big Tom Arnold came up in his
handsome sleigh.
"Oh, Tom,' said Dorothy, IL am SO
glad to see you! l must be in church in
time to play the organ today, and see
what has befallen us"
"Well, get in, both of you," said Tom,
arranging his rugs and holding out his
hand to Dorothy. Just fasten up
Selim's traces, Bert, and hitch him be-
hind. He will lead, won't he?"
"Thanks!" said Bert stiffiy. IL csn
take care of myself you had best not
waste any more time, since Miss DAILY
hust hurry"
Dorothy looked at him mutcly from
her seat in the sleigh; Arnold smiled
beneath his fierce mustache, cracked
his whip, and the horses sped forward,
leaving Bert standing flushed and angry
in the middle Of the road.
1t was very silent, gloomy ride, after
all, that Dorothy had. Tom saw her
distress, and like the good fellow that
he was said nothing to her. Her hands
We're trembling and her eyos were full
Of tears when he helped her out al
church.
She struck the first few chords doubt
fully, but when the voices pealed forth
clear and sweet the organ tones grew
tirmor and fuller.
During the sermon Dorothy did not
take her eyes off the door, but Bert never
came. 1t was very demure, very
sad hearted little maiden who went back
home with Aunt Charlotte in the big old
sleigh. When they reached the bridge,
and she saw the overturned sleigh by the
roadside; when she thought of Bert
standing angry and alone, his sweet,
earnest appeal to her still unanswered,
her heart grew very heavy.
But surely he will come" she kept
saying to herself but when the day was
gone and she knelt down by her bedside,
with the Thanksgiving hymns still ring
ing in her ears, there Were tears in her
eyes and sadness in hcr heart.
That was one Thanksgiving, and, oil,
how sad one!
There were dreary days OF hoping, OF
waiting, of disappointment 10 Dorothy
before another came. She had known
Bert Darricote all her life. and il seemed
to her she had always loved him. His
bright, quick boyishness, his innate man.
liness, his very faults even We're dear 70
her.
IF l could only see him." she said, MS
the weeks passed by and he came not;
mo matter where l should meet him
would go up to him and give him his
answer. would tell him loved him."
Women are not very reasonable crea-
lures in matters pertaining to love. To
her love means sacrifice, and her pleas
ure is to take the faults Of the loved one
upon herself.
If Dorothy saw Bert at all it was only
occasionally and at distance. The
first time she saw him was at church,
and he had only lifted his head coldly.
His heart was very heavy during the
days and weeks and months after he
parted from Dorothy with the words Of
love upon his lips, but he was young
and foolish and proud, and had let "A
silly jealousy blind his eyes.
The season of heartacAe was good for
both of the young things. 1t softened,
it strengthed them. They both felt
themselves growing-fclt their feelings
intensifying
How like TO last Thanksgiving today
is, Dorothy" said Aunt Charlotte, as
they took their seats in the sleigh.
please God it will not be SO sad a
one," said Dorothy to herself.
Are you afraid to trust yourself in
this old sleigh with me;' she continued
to her aunt.
"Oh, no." said Aunt Charlotte. at
seems safe enough"
The tramping of the horses feet kept
time to Dorothy's thoughts. She glanced
at the tall stump upon the hillock Just
before they reached the little river. Yes,
1t looked lonely, desolate, like u white
robed ghost-just as it had looked year
ago when she and Bert had sped by.
The horses Loofs beat mournful
strum strum upon the bridge, the sleigh
glided rapidly down the last steep de-
cline, the leftrunner struck projecting
snag, and before they had time to think
Dorothy and Aunt Charlotte were strug.
Cling to extricate themselves from the
overturned vehicle in the soft snow. A
jingling of bells was heard behind them,
and before Dorothy could realize it Bert
Darricote was bending over her
'Are you hurt, dearr he asked very
gently.
"Oh, Bert" she said joyfully, taking
his hand and rising to her feet
The young man looked moment in
silence upon the sweet, young face up
turned to his.
"See where we are, Dorothy! Just