The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-01-17

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berries. Mr.. Percival asked Dora to
accompany the party, and they were
proceeding in O most amicable man
ner, Notwithstanding their little scene
at the dinner table. At last they
reached an opening in the wood and
all 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 It is called 1t is
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. eve 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 q splendid time. I don't remem-
Der ever enjoying myself SO much at
picnic. Mr.. Willis is SO entertaining.
hope he and his sister will stay all
summer"
II 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 I should
Judge him to be in earnest. Beware,
little one, how you triae with such
heart"
''Quite little homily," flashed Dora.
"You would be quite successful as
preacher. But how long since have
you constituted yourself Mr.. Willis
keeper, as we'll MS my mentor?"
"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 busi'
ness in the morning and shall not be
back for week. Let's make up, as
all good brothers and sisters should"
So saying, he stopped and pressed
kiss on Dora's lips.
'How dare you?" she exclaimed, her
cheeks flaming; ''this farce has gone
altogether too far. Don't you ever adj
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 so? suppose he
thinks am simple little country girl.
I.verily believe 1 should hate him if he
stayed much longer. Oh, dear. wish
could hate him."
All that week Dora roamed listlessly
round the house or wandered down
to the river bank, with a 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 go
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, Us it
walking for wager.
"By Jove," he mutters, II must set
tie this matter soon or shall be in q
mad house. A decided NO will be
preferable to uncertainty. l suppose
she prefers that fellow Willis, but it
will be better to know my answer
from her own lips. expect she hates
me, but somehow don't understand
women, and perhaps she does not like
me. Anyway, I'll go 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,
the good lady said. 1.-THE house is SO
lonely. Will has gone to town to get
me some groceries, but Dora is some
where around the place. Shall I go
out and call her or will you 60 to your
room and rest?"
mo, thank you, Mrs. Hammond, 1
will take little stroll; the fresh air
will rest me after the city dust. 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
his hat a moment to let the cool breeze
fan his forehead, when suddenly he
saw the CLEAN OF a 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 and sprang to her feet with
startled look.
"Oh, Mr.. Percival," she exclaimed,
'you frightened mel"
Am Ithen SO repugnant to you that
you cannot bear that should touch
you? And love you SO deeply!
"Never mind" he continued. II
will not trouble you, but will
go away, for cannot bear to see
you happy with another. Will 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 go. Harry" she said, and he
clasDed her in his arms hardly a hla <o