The Van Buren press., 1895-01-26

muttered to himself as he moved
away: Caught in my own trap, but
I'll pay her off,"
go further into the wood in search OF
berries. Mr.. Percival asked Dora to
accompany the party, and they werc
proceeding In most hmicable tnah-
ncr. Notwithstanding their little scene
at The dinner table. At last they
reached an opening III the wood and
oil sat down to rest, Dora declaring
she could walk no farther.
II am so sorry" said Annie Hunter,
"for had set my heart on going to
the haunted oak, as 1t Is called. 1t 10
not very much farther"
II will 60 with you," Mr. Percival
! volunteered.
what will Dora say?"
"she won't care" Harry said, before
Dora could reply. 1--WE are brother
and sister and understand each other
perfectly. Come, Miss Hunter"
Dora was tercely gay all the way
back to the grove and de voted herself
entirely to Mr.. Willis.
Mr. Percival and Dora were again
together alone.
WELL" Dora commenced, "we've
had splendid time. don't remem-
Der ever enjoying myself 30 much at q
picnic. Mr.. Willis Is so entertaining.
hope he and his sister will stay all
summer"
"I am afraid, Sister Dora, that 1t
will not be best for his peace Of mind,
unless he Is merely flirting, as well as
yourself By his manner l should
Judge him to be in earnest. Beware,
little one, how you trifle with such q
heart"
..Quitc little homily," flashed Dora.
"You would be quite successful rs q
preacher. But how long since havo
you constituted yourself Mr.. Willis
keeper, as we'll as my inentor"" .
"Par Ion me-" he said. II do not in
tend to anger you. Here we are at the
house. ! am going to the city on bust
ness in the morninhand shall not be
back for week. Let's make up, rs
all good brothers and sisters should" :"
So saying, he stopped and pressed a
kiss on Dora's lips.
"How dare you?" she exclaimed, her
checks flaming; "this farce has gone
altogether too far. Don't you ever ad-
dress that odious title to me again.
You shall not call me sister"
And bursting into tears Dora broke
away from him and gained her own
| room.
II shall be glad when that odious
| creature is gone" she sighed. What
makes him tease me SOP suppose he
thinks am simple little country girl.
l verify believe should hate him II he
stayed much longer. Oh, dear. wish
I could hate him."
All that week Dora roamed listlessly
round the house or wandered down
to the river bank, with book In her
hand, but very little reading was done.
Mr.. Willis, called several times to
take her to ride, but after'accepting
the invitation once she declined to 20
again.
In Harry Percival's Office In town
that gentleman does not look very busy
except in the wear Of shoe leather, for
he'is striding up and down the room,
with his hands in his pockets, as It
walking for wager.
"By Jove," he mutters, II must set
tie this matter soon or shall be In n
mad house. A decided No will be
preferable to uncertainty. / suppose
she prefers that fellow Willis, but 1t
will be better to know my answer
from her own lips. Icxpect she hates
me, but somehow don't understand
women, and perhaps she does not like
me. Anyway, I'll 60 down this after
noon and hear my fate"
About five o'clock Mrs. Hammond
was surprised by the arrival of Mr..
Percival.
II am so glad you have come back, F."
the good lady said. 1.-THE house 10 SO
lonely. Will has gone to town to get
me some groceries, but Dora is some
where around the place. Shall go
out and call her or will you go to your
room and rest?"
"No, thank you, Mrs. Hammond, I
will take little stroll; the fresh air
will rest me after the city dust I may
meet Miss Andrews"
"She took her book to read, SO l
guess you'll find her down by the
river"
Coming to the waters edge he lifted
bis hat moment to let the cool breeze
fan his forehead, when suddenly ho
snw the CLEAN OF white dress, and
he knew he had found her. Dora was
sitting under an overhanging rock,
her book lying on the grass and her
face buried in her hands.
"Pardon my intrusion" Harry said,
laying his hand on her shoulder, but
mayn't comfort you?"
Dora shook his hand from her shoul-
der aud sprang to her feet with q
startled look.
''Oh, Mr.. Percival," she exclaimed,
'you frightened mel"
"Am then so repugnant to you that
you cannot bear that l should touch
you? And love you so deeplyl
[ Never mind" he continued. II
will not trouble you, but will
go away, for cannot bear to see
you happy with another. VIII you say
good-by?" and Harry stepped toward
her with his hand outstretched.
Dora looked up, and the gladness
sparkling in her eyes cleared the
cloud from her face.
Don't 60. Harry" she said, and he
clasped her in his arms, hardly able to
realize the sudden change to happi-
ness.
"Then you do love me, Dora?"