Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-04-02

linen the Deautlrul long tWlNghti
Dora continued, almost unheeding. that
was lovely. Slowly these stray bits Of
mist met and joined others. till as the
darkness came and the moon frightened,
that beautiful sheet Of water-for after
all your lake Is real water-accumulat
ed, and there il IS At least you can en-
JOY that"
Fe did. But what he enjoyed more
was t-2 'r,~'o happiness Of being with
her. After :. = time, however, he
was deprived of t., !. US. Remsen
claimed his attention, and tooA In up
to the ballroom to introduce him TO
some Of the many young women who
were dancipg with each other and with
boys Of Il for want of better partners.
II ar. Thauret annoyed Mr.. Ran
dolph by being at this resort, the latter
gentleman was none the more pleased at
his arrival. Being left alone with Dora,
and constituting her present mood TO be
one favorable to his wooing, he deter
mined TO speak to her before the other
man might find a chance Moving his
chair nearer hers, he began, getting 10
his subject without much circumlocu-
tion.
Miss Dora," said he, "do you recall
q conversation that had with you one
day? I mean about loneliness and the
longing one has for companionship?"
"Oh, yes,'' said she frankly; "why?
Do you wish TO continue 1t nowi'
"If you please. You remember You
said you would be better able TO do so
after your sisters marriage. I"
Because 1 thought that l would
miss her SO much and be lonely myself,
was not that it? Well, of course have
missed Queen very much, but l have
scarcely been lonely. You have taken
care of that, and l am sure that am
very grateful to you. You have been
very nice to me. F."
"You think so? You admit that?"
He spoke eagerly.
why, yes Why not, since it is
true?"
"Of course, but then you know so
many young ladies hide their feelings.
1 mean suppression of all emotion is
considered SO necessary in a woman in
these days"
Suppression - and she laughed
heartily. Now do you think that
could ever be suppressed"
mo, indeed, and certainly l hope
that you never will be. But if You have
not been lonely, perhaps you have
thought some Of that other subject, love,
mean"
"Ohl Thatr
Yes That is one question, supreme
to me, about which l wish to have your
views. Do you think you would be hap
pieS or unhappier-if you were mar
ried?"
"That is question. Itwould depend
upon-my husband, would it noti"
Suppose that we were"-
Don't call names, please. couldn't
suppose such a thing. have promised
not to"
Promised not to- l don't under
stand?"
II mean that have made a bet. You
don't think l am horrid to bet, do your
OF course you don't. Well, have made
a curious bet with Bob, Mr.. Mitchell,
you know. call him Bob now, and l
used to do it sometimes before. That
was when wanted him to do anything
for me- 1t made him feel like one Of the
family. Well, TO tell you about my bet.
You see, sometimes, when Emily was
ont, Bob would play make love to me.
He said it would be good practice for
me; would teach me the ways Of the
world and all that sort Of thing Oh,
Bob Is q curious man. but he is great
sport Don't you like himl"
Immensely. But You have not told
me yet about your bet F"
"I am coming to 1t. Well, one day
when he was making love to me and
was doing my best, suddenly he burst
out laughing and said, Dora, III bet
you II be engaged within six months Of
our marriage. How much?' said /.
As much as you like, said he. asked
him # be would make it 81 900, and he
Whistled and called HE little gambler.
But don't think it was gambling be-
cause I was to have "A certainty. OF
course l wanted the stake to be large
one, SO il was agreed, and he wrote 1t
down ON paper. I'll show it to you some
time If you like IL | am not engaged
before the lst Of January, Bob will have
to pay me sl, ,000"
"Apd you mean TO win that bet?"
Indeed do. 1 am young and can
afford TO wait that long, | am sure
There will bo time enough afterward TO
get husband. "
"Then It would not make any differ
enco how anxious IA suitor might be TO
have his reply at once?"
mo, certainly not. II man did not
love mo enough to wait a few months
for his answer, should think ngself
we'll rid Of him. Besides II woulNRivo
mo chance TO study him.
"Suppose-but, no-I do ask you.
Miss Dora-Dora-I love You madly.
passionstely, and"--
"Well. don Z say any more. II that Is
true and You love me madly, passionate
ly, why, then you will surely wait till
January for your answer. F" This was
said rather curtly, and Mr.. Thauret's
hopes sank, but rose again to fever heat
as she said very softly: "There, did
not mean TO hurt you. You must not
think mo hard But | must win that
wager. Not 80 much for tho money M
for the qualification Of proving to Bob
that ] have some control over myself.
Surely If you truly love me you will
not begrudgo me that satisfaction
"No, no, sweet one. Have your own
way. I'll wait. Only say that there IL
somo chance Of my succeeding.
"Why, Of course. every ono has
chance But / must not tell you how
great yours IL, because II | did i would
not DO winning my bot fairly And
must say good night, with which she
left him. Her last words fingered with
him, and no took comfort. For what
could she mean but that his chances
wero good, since IL otherwise how could
tho telling prevent her from winning
her wager2 Nevertheless. M tho weeks
went ON no tried many times TO got
more definite reply from her, but never
succeeded Still he hugRed the cherish
cd hope 10 his heart and waited as pa
tiently an man could.
Randolph was sinSply miserable nll
the time Whonovor hc WAS with Dora,
she was good TO him, kind TO him and
often usod tonder tones that thrilled his
heart But no. too. fniled 10 got any
thing from her, save tho old request that
no should bo patient and wait. He, too,
waited, but not patiently.
Meanwhile, in New York, Mr.. Barnes
was still burrowing into everything that
seemed to have any connection direct or
otherwise with the mystery or mysteries
A. q IR