The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-19
CHAPTER XIII

had come from the old book dealer during
his illness. and which, in these days Of
his slow convalescence, had occupied
much Of his time. After he had spoken
that word he remained silent for some
time, his head slightly raised, his should
ers bent over the big book. Then he re-
peated Dora" again. DO you think, "
he said, ''you could carry one of these vol
umes as far as Fiddlers, and ask if he
would take it back!'
''Take it back" Dora cried, in sur
prise.
s.You can tell him that I do not find it
as interesting as expected-but, no; for
that might do it harm, and it is very in
teresting. You might say our shelves
are all filed up with big books, and, that
I have really no room for it at present,
which" he added, anXiously, lis quite
true; for, you remember, when l was so
foolish as to order it, we asked ourselves
how it could be possible to find
place for it, But, no, no. he said,
e'these are inventions, and [ see your
surprise in your face that l should
send you with message that is not
genuine 1t is true enough, you know,
that l am much slackened in the work |
wanted this book for. / am slackened in
everything | doubt if l can take up any
piece of work again to do any good. I'm
old, YOU see, to have sucn long illness,
he said, looking at her almost APOLOGIZE
callv: land unless it had been with an
idea Of work, l never could have had any
justification in ordering such an expen-
sive book as this. "
you never used to think of that, IA
Their" Dora said.
mo. never used to think of that but
ought to have done so. I'm afraid I've
been very extravagant. l could always
have got il and consulted it as much as |
pleased at the museum. IL is a ridiculous
craze l have had for having the books in
my own possession. Many men cannot
understand it, williamson for instance
He says, In your place l would never buy
a book Why, you have the finest library
in the world at your disposal And it's
quite true. There could not be more
ridiculous extravaganza on my part, and
pride l suppose to be able to say l had
it,
~ don't think that's the case at all,
cried Dora. "What do you care for
father, except your library? You never
go anywhere, you have no amIsements
like other people. You don't 90 into
society, or 60 abroad, or-anything that
the other people do
THAT is true enough" he said, with
little CLEAN Of pleasure The suddenly
taking her hand as she stood beside him.
"My poor child, you say that quite sim
ply, without thinking what a terrible
accusation it would be if you went on, a
sacrifice of your young life to my old one,
and forgetfulness OF all a girls tastes
and wishes Wen try to put that right
atleast Dora" he said with a slight
culver in his lip, 'in the future-if there
is any future for me-
Father" she said, Indignantly. "As
if didn like the books, and was not
more proud Of your work that you are
doing
And which never come to anything"
he interiected, sadly shaking his head
A. than of anything else in the world !
am very happy as | am. have no tastes
or pleasures but what are yours. ! never
have wanted anything that you did not
get for me You should see, cried Dora
with laugh, what jamie and Molly
think down stairs. They think me a
princess at the least, with nothing 10 do,
and ali my fine clothes!'
jamie and Molly" he said "Janie
and Molly! And these are all that my
girl has to compare herself with--the
landlady's orphan granddaughters. You
children make your arrows very sharp
without knowing it. But it shall be so no
more. Dora, more than ever l want you
to so to Fiddler's; but you shall tell him
what is the simple truth-that have had
a long illness, which has been very ex-
pensive and that l cannot afford
any more expensive books He
N light even, indeed, be disposed
to buy back some that we hayeThat is.
one thing he added, with more anima-
ton, "all the books are really worth their
price. / have always thought they would
be something for you, whether you sold
them or kept them, when l am gone. Do
you think YOU could carry one of them as
far as Fiddlers, Doral They are in such
excellent condition, and it would show
him no harm had come to them. One may
carry a book anywhere, even a young
lady may. And it is not so very heavy"
1T is no weight at ALL cried Dora
who never did anything by halves. "A
little too big for my pocket, father; but
could carry il anywhere. AS if ! minded
carrying a book or even a parcel! like
tit looks as if one had really something
to do"
She went out a few minutes after lightly,
with great energy and animation, carryin z
under one arm the big book, as if it had
been a feather-weight. 1t was a fine
afternoon in April, and the big trees in the
square were full of the rustic and hustle
of hfe-life as vigorous as if their foliage
waved in the heart of the country and not
in Bloomsbury. There had been showers
in the morning, but now the sun shone
warm, and as it edged towards the west.
sent long rays down the cross streets,
making them into openings of pure light.
and dazzling the eyes Of the passers- by.
Dora was caught in this illumination at
every street corner, and turned her face
TO it as she crossed the opening, not afraid
for either yves or complexion, of that
glow angry Md brave The great folio,
with its worn corners and its furnished
gliding, rather added TO the effect of her
tall, slim, young figure, strong as health
and youth could make it, with limbs a
little too long, ana joints little too pro
nounced, as belonged to her age.
She carried her head lightly as q flower,
her step was free and light, she looked
as she said, las if she had something TO
90, and was wholly capable of doing il,
which is a grace the more added not
unusually in these days, TO the other graces
OF early life in the feminine subject But
1t is not an easy thing to carry a large
folio under your arm. After even a linn
tied stretch Of road, the lamb is apt to be-
come o sheep, and to shift such cum
brous volume from one arm to another is
not an easy matter either, especially
Whlie walking along the streets. Dora
held on her way as long as she could. till
her wrist was like to break. and her
shoulder to come out of its socket Nei-
ther she nor her father had in the least