St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-01

vanished, and MRS. Morton entered Cne little
conservatory off her sitting ROOM. 1t was
gem of an annex to a long series Of hot houses.
Here Dora soon joined her, and kissing
her, as was her habit, even when they had
been parted for a few minutes, led her to
seat and said:
1.-The dear mother must sit down, for she
has trouble
Trouble, always trouble, my darling I
wish, for your sake, there could be some sun
shine, or that could disguise my feelings,
Dora dearest Mrs. Morton took the girls
hand, and bending over it with an expression
of idolatry in the pain-lined face, continued:
81 did not mean to tell you, but the time has
come when you should know this"
Seeing that her mother paused as if in
doubt, Dora kissed her, and said
''You know that my love and my life are
yours.
sit is your love, Dora, that has so long held
me to life. But this is what / would say"
With an evident effort Mrs. Morton con-
trolled herself, and went on: ''I much fear
that Mr.. Holmes uncle, Commodore West,
may come on here and in that event the end
of your fathers sudden fortune and marvel
lous success will come with him.
LET me explain. Twenty-Five years ago
this uncle George West was a lieutenant in
the navy, stationed at San Francisco. We
loved each other and were engaged. He went.
away promising to come back for me in a
year. In the meantime my parents, who were
poor, received proofs of his infidelity, and
finally there came paper announcing his
approaching marriage to rich lady in Wash
HiS loft 10 hod t,,4
one day there came one in his hand asking
me to release him, and I did so at once.
Then, uncaring for the life he had blasted,
and thinking only of my parents, married
your father, because we thought him rich.
We soon found out his true character, and it
sent my parents to the grave. But lived to
learn that all the charges against my sailor
lover were forgeries and lies. He was not
false to me. He did not mean to marry an
other, and he is not married yet. He does
not know whether 1 am living or dead. The
hand that tore me from him took care to tear
him from me-"
''It is in the dead past, dear mother, and
cannot be undone,' whispered Dora, as she
stroked the ripping, silky white hair.
"In the dead past Dora, but am not
thinking of myself, it is Of you"
''Of me, mother?"
'sWhat else is there left to think Of? But it
is this she paused again. and interlocked
her ringless fingers. 81 fear you may love
him, for he is much like the uncle"
Dora made no response. Into the beauti-
full face there came an expression of intense
pain, but there was no tremor in her voice,
as she asked:
''Would that be SO very wrong?"
'sNothing that is natural can be wrong in
itself. That he loves you believe; but I as
certainly believe that his love would change,
if he knew all the facts, and these it would be
impossible to conceal"
"You mean that if he loved me his love
would change when he came to learn the cir
cumstances of your marriage?"
No, not that. There are other things.
He loves the uncle who has cared for him
since his childhood, and the uncle would
never consent to such an alliance"
''But he loves his nephew"
''Surely, and it is that love that would COM
pei him to interpose. You see, my darling,
you do not know all, nor do care to trouble
you with more-at this time. But you have
never had a secret from me2"
: ''Never, dear mother"
s'Dora?' ::
''Yes, dearest"
''Do you love this man."
Mrs. Morton took her daughters hands
and looked into the beautiful panied face,
with an expression of love and intense in
quiry
Dora met her gaze, but the lips, from which
the color had fed, trembled, SO that it was
some seconds before she could command her
voice; at length she said:
81 love him as I do not love my Godl"
On the instant, the mothers arms were
about her daughter, but the stage of tears
had been passed, and each looked into the
dry frightened eyes of the other.
At length Mrs. Morton kissed Dora and
said gently: 81 feared as much; but after all,
it is through suffering that the soul grows.
Has he declared HIMSELF"
81 do not understand"
''Has he spoken of his love?"
''No need for that, why should he use
words, when 1 feel more intensely what no
words can express. But I am on my guard,
and should he speak, for his sake my reply
shall be ready" sobbed Dora