Smyrna times., 1893-05-24
DOROTHY.
BY MISS MARGARET ALICE BALcH.


The afternoon sun shone in the half
open cottage door, lighting up the
troubled, care-wOrn face of a womal
who was standing there, and with eve,
shaded by hard, rough hand. eagerl,
scanned the path before her Tn,
sunbeams played over her gently. as
longing to cast some brightness owe
that face whics seemed so sad. Besid,
THIS woman, gazing likewise up tn,
path, stood little girl-a red checked
dancing eyed, sun burned little lass
whom we shall know as DOrothv-n,
need for the sunbeams to play Owe
her. for she was brightness itself.
Mother, see, there is brother Don
aid, already. He has just passed the
old maple at the turn in the road !,
cries Dorothy, and, sure enough. for q
few more rapid strides and DonoId
stood before them.
We'll, son, how are affairs mn at the
Young Herrs? have been so worried
since you told me that last night. foI
1t Is so sad for little Dorothy and YOU
know that your father, is gone. and I
can do so little for you"
Things are pretty well unsettled
Bands have been quietly organized
however, and | am Captain of one
we are almost sure that there is to he
a conference at the Manor. to.nioht .
Tor we have seen two strange English
ohcers about town. I'd give nv good
right hand to know what Colonel Phil.
lpse and those Tories are m toI II
6odes no good for the Villagers" said
Donald, gloomily. Then, happening
to see Dorothy, he exclaimed
why, sis, you here? You look as
II YOU'D seen ghost! Run awav
now, TOR have something to talk to
mother about; but you don't need to
bother your little head"
Dorothy walked slowly down the
path to the river. Mother is sad
and Donold is cross" she muses.
The villagers are in Danger. wbot
does II all mean? Two Red Coats in
town-brother'd give his right hand to
know what is going on at the Manor y
Sudden as flash comes the 0uestion
why could she not go and fiDd ont &?
Ferhaps brother would stop treating
her as if she were baby if she did
She had reached the river bank bv
thls time, and untying her little boat
winch Donald had made for her. she
pushed it oil, jumped in, and in a few
was bravely rowing up the
HUDSON. The tide was with her. and
30, after breathless pull of fifteen
minutes or more, she reached the vii.
age. MoOring her boat, she started
up the road to the Manor House. nick
ng meanwhile the dainty white dai-
'les which grew on either side
d the road, and wondering what She
would do when she should reach her
destination. She was almost there
md YET had made no plan. when on
ooklng up she saw Mary Philipse.
Good afternoon little one. Can I
10 any thing for you ?" said Mary
catching sight of her.
Thank you, no, Mistress Mary
lad to come up to the village. so I
brought you handful of daisies +" said
Dorothy, holding them out, but color.
ng, for she was afraid it was very
wicked and deceitful.
Why, how thoughtful of Won.
lear !" See" she said, gently drawing
ne little girl into the dining-room.
III put them in the middle of the
able, for father is going to have a few
riends to dinner, and he is so fond of
lowers. But that reminds me. | must
20 and see if the servants are doing the
INNER properly. l have to be fathers
louse- keeper nOw," and nOdding good
'ye to the little girl, with pleasant
mile, Mary tripped out of the room.
Dorothy was in the very room she
wanted to be; but what shohld she
IoT She looked at the solemn old
lock in the corner. 1t was quarter of
!; the Colonel would soon be in. It
eemed to smile provokingly at her. as
knowing her perplexity.
Dorothy stamped her foot, lyon
tupid old thing, stop looking at me:
'Ou see and know everything, but
OF of good it does you Let's see
Vbat you are made of, and she opened
he door in front. 1t disclosed a little
DOM as quick as thought she stepped
inside and closed the door again.
She had scarcely done so, however.
Vhen the COlenel and his friends
ntered. They talked of the Colonels
asst possessions, and spoke of how un-
it would be to lose them.
hey spoke of the uneasiness among
he villagers, and wondered what steps
'ere being taken against the contest
1hich was so surely coming, and then
ne conversation turned-as they were
IL Englishman-upon what caused
be delay in the dinner.
Colonel Philipse glanced at the clock.
By Jove," he exclaimed, what ails
he clOckP 1t was quarter of 6 when
'e came in, at least half an hour ago.
nd it is quarter of six still It must |
ave stopped" and he stepped for to
ee what was the matter.
Poor little Dorothy-she thought she |
'as going to die. When the Colonel |
'und her he would probably swear
nd then drag her out into the room. |
hen she would be tried and hanged |
5 spy or, maybe, she would be
larched about the city first, and then
nrned. oh, she wished she were
eadY These thoughts flashed though
or brain. The ColOnel's hand was
pom the door She said hurried
tile prayer:
"Oh, God, if i've been wicked and
I'D to be spy, | s'pose / must be
'und but, oh, did it for brother
onold, and, please, l don't want to
, hanged !"
The door began to open, when sud.
snly there was q crash The Colonel
Irned quickly, to see little rivulets of
'up dripping from all portions of Sam
ie colored waiter; broken pieces of
ockery surrounding him, while he
oOd in the middle, an ebonized statue
ablect misery and chagrin. 1t was
70 ridiculous. The Colonel laughed.
ZEN scolded Sam soundly for his
irlessness, and sent him back for
ore soup.
The gentleman now gathered about
% table with his back to the ill-starred
ocki while Dorothy raised a little
aver of thanksgiving TO her father in
eaven, comforted with the thought
lat he was not so displeased, after all,
ith what she was doing.
Dissmissing the servant, and bidding
m close the doors after him, and
sither to enterSnor allow any one else
, unless sent for, the Colonel and his
lends set about the welcome task of
Che dinner and construct.
& the plen.I
From the snatches of conversation
at reached Dorothy's ears she gath
ed that early in the coming month,
rs was August, Lord Howe was ex-
sctpd with a large numhar of troons.