Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-06-29
Dora. Dora, sister what is il

~" "S 'i' 'l'Sah !" uic. he picsncu,
gazing wildly into her face-yester-
day so beautiful, loving and hopeful !;
now so haggard, weary and despairing.
"What is it? Oh. tell me, sister ~
She put out her hand, drew him to
her, and said:
Love me, Willie, | have no one
else to love me now"
When, with his head bowed in her
lap, he heard of the sacrifice his sister
had made TO shield him, the boys
heart was awakened to the full appre-
citation of his own wrong and its re-
suits.
He had been drawn into bad CON-
pany, tempted to visit gambling
houses, and finally to try his luck,
which, at times, was so successful as
to lure him on. Thinking he could
soon return it, he took, from time to
time, small sums of money from the
store, of which he was the bookkeeper.
He had, up to a short time before the
opening of our story, returned the
amount before the loss was discovered.
But fate turned against him. After
having taken much larger sum than
usual, his losses were continual. The
principal of the firm had been absent
for several weeks, but was expected
back the next day; and Willie knew
the books would be carefully ex-
amined, and the discrepancies surely
discovered. So it was he sought his
sister for help, confessed his error, and
besought her to save him from the
suspicion of dishonesty.
"For me you suffer this? Oh Dora,
! cannot permit it. | will go to Har-
ry Noble. tell him all. To my en-
ployer-"
mo, no, Willie. II is to late now
for that. Harry Noble, know would
feel for us and help us. Your en-
ployer might forgive and trust you
again. But Julia Garnet has a power
over me that she will never resign.
Her heart knows nothing of pity.
She would use her power to the ut
most of her evil will. Nothing but
Gods work can move her hard, cruel
heart. II is ment that should suffer,
Willie; and you, too, my dear. We
have both erred very much. We did
not mean to be dishonest, yet it might
have resulted so. Many things might
have interviewed to prevent the return
of the money. Oh, think how mar
nowly you have escaped! Will this
sorrow of mine call you back from
the fearful path into which you have
strayed? If so, am content. Give
me this hope to cheer my dreariness,
Willie"
"Dora sister darling! Yes, yes,
hope and pray for me. With Gods
blessing, | will not give your loving,
devoted heart an additional pang. |
vow here on my knees, before heaven,
to be once more worthy of your love.
And | will seek Gods forgiveness.
You will not suffer long. | feel, /
know mercy will be shown us. That
cruel girls power must give way
All was over. The severest trial Of
all was past. Dora had seen Harry
Noble for the last time, she believed.
Alter receiving her note, giving him
back his plighted faith, Harry sought
her presence, and would not 60 until
he had seen her, and from her lips he
had heard the words, Il wish to be
free"
He could obtain no explanations.
But from various hints, looks and in
situations from Julia Garnet, Harry's
mind was filled with the idea that
Dora had been triiling with him until
she found more acceptable suitor.
And, indeed, the one had been pointed
out. Harry knew that one had shown
a decided preference for Dora; and so,
believing her false, he strove to drive
her from his heart.
Months passed by. The money was
returned to Julia Garnet, and Willie
was comforting his sister for her sacri-
flee.
Rumor whispered that Harry Noble
and Miss Garnet were engaged, and Of
the qualification it gave Harry's father,
who had yielded to the wiles of the
scheming girl, and grown very fond
of her. Still time rolled on, and Dora
wondered why the marriage did not
take place. She had never seen Harry
since the day she sent him from her.
She had studiously avoided him, and
strove har,l to forget him; or when
she thought of him, it must be only as
the future husband of another By
continual acts of charity, mercy and
kindness, she won partial forgetfulness
of her sorrows. Those who suffered
came to her to comfort.
Three long, weary years OF waiting,
with alternating hopes aud fears, had
passed, and Julia Garnet had not yet
gained her hearts desire. Although
Harry Noble went often. and only
A.. l. ..:.L