Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-24
DOROTHY'S PRIDE.

He was no coxcomb, and though he was conscious of his ability to hold his own among men he saw in himself no quality to attract women. So when the proud Miss Preston treated him with even less consideration than she bestowed on her other admirers he accepted it all as only what was due him and went his way in silence
 Meanwhile Dorothy Preston ohafed and groaned in spirit under the sting of wound ed pride She refused to see what was patent to every one else-that Fred Gull bertson loved her-and only knew that she had, after struggle, given her heart to man who had never spoken an atfection- ate word to her.
 It was after ball one night that her position first came so strongly home to her mind She had long tried to deny to her self this passion of her heart, but now it rose strong, full blown love and clamored to bo heard. She clasped her hands, and with flushed face admitted to herself that she loved Ned Culbertson.
 "Shame shame upon mol" she cried. 1T love him, and he has never given me word, and they call me proud tool" Her lips curled, and she half laughed Well, I will be proud. will be too proud to let it be known that have given
 
 She did not finish the sentence, but the blood famed up into her cheeks and over her forehead, the tears came into her eyes, and she clinched her hands sharply to- gether
 From that time on if Ned Culbertson had any faint gleams of hope they must have been entirely extinguished, for Dorothy Prestons manners toward him were a revelation of frigid disdain. Did she touch his hand in the dance, 1t was shrinking. ly, as if she abhorred the slight contact. Did she speak to him, it was with such distant hauteur that his blood froze And so 1t continued until he was in despair.
 Alone in his office one evening during, busy week he was trying to finish somen complicated designs for the interior of a. church which was soon to be erected. | Could ono have peeped at him as he sat- with bent head over his work, drawing, hard at cigar, one would have said that he was all absorbed in the labor before; him. But any such thought would have been efficiently routed when he suddenly sprang to his feet and dashing his pencil into a corner exclaimed: "I can't do it, { oonfound itl I can'tl With that girls face before my eyes constantly am get, ting as incapable of thought or perform ance as an imbecile. And what does it all amount to9 She looks at me as if she would like to walk over me, and when she speaks it's like pouring ice water oyerl my head. can't do anything this way. Rather than endure this suspense would tell her and have her freeze me with glance or show noe the door. Maybe that would put me on my feet, anyhow, and infuse a little spirit into me, if 1t were only the spirit of resentment.
 In his lucid moments MT. Edward Gull bertson was quick thinking and prompt acting man, and in ten minutes he had determined on plan of action. A note left on the desk of his first assistant told that gentleman that his superior was sud denly called away and might not be back for a month and left the work of the office in his hands.
 He would see Miss Preston, tell his story and then go away for month to forget.
 When the plan was once settled upon, 1t was but short work to hasten bome pack a satchel and then dress for the pro- posed call.
 When he entered the Preston drawing room, he thought that Dorothy had never looked so lovely to him before in all his life.
 He could hardly follow the common places that introduced the conversation for looking at her. And then, moro like the rude swain than the polished beau, almost before the greetings were over he had plunged lin medias res."
 The girl listened to him, speeches. with surprise, as he poured out his story of love. She could not check him, nor did he give her time to say word.
 Miss Dorothy" he concluded after telling his story, "I cannot sufficiently thank you for listening to me- I was a to bi,ly thot hrrt T felt that must tell you how loved you. do not ask for your answer, for am too sure what it will be. I suppose I'm a fool, but'--and there was tremor in his voice-'rI can't help it, you know. And now goodbyl live got to catch that 10:o5 for--ah-I'm going away for little while for change of scene and forgetful- ness, as the novelists put it.
 He smiled mirthlessly as mechanically she gave him her hand, and before she had recovered from the shock he had gone. To woman a sofa pillow is very sympa- thetic article, and O. certain lowered silk one in Miss Dorothy Preston's room that night received her tears, laughter and in- coherent words of joy. Then the same sofa pillow was pushed back into it's place in a rather unfriendly manner, hardly con- sistent with the confidence it had just re- ceived as the proud Miss Preston rose to her feet, excfaiming:
 ''He said the 1005 have time yet''
 It was just three minutes past 10 when woman approached Ned Culbertson at the Grand Central station, where he was pacing back and forth impatiently await ing his train. She touched his shoulder.
 ''Dorothyl' he cried.
 "Ned, don't go. I-I want you," and then her voice broke. He led her quickly away for people were beginning to observe them. And once without the station he kissed her and then put off her clinging hands to tear up his ticket--extravagan fellow
 He went homo with Dorothy in blssful