The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-27
DORA'S STRATEGY.

aeury OoIt uOu Dau gone, ana OOfa Y an
started as the clock struck TO- In half ala
hour her lover would be on the cars going
farther away from his betrothed- He was
about to start for Europe, to be gone q
year. How long it seemed to Dorai The
parting had been sad, and she was now
alone.
The clock struck II, and still she sat
where her lover had left her. At last,
with a deep sigh, she arose and retired to
the solitude Of her own apartment.
Dora Vail was the most beautiful girl
in S. and the beloved daughter of O re-
tired merchant Her mother had been in
her grave nearly 90 years. aud Dora bad
but few associates. Mr.. Vail was q hard
stern man, but he loved his child dearly,
and it was his greatest pleasure & crafty
all her desires
Dora was indeed beautiful Her hair
hung IN golden curls far below her waist
and her dark, lustrOus eye shone like dta-
monds under her dropping lids Her teeth
were like pearls, and her complexion was
purely pink and white.
Five months passed. Dora had heard
from her lover by every steamer. His let
ters were long and interesting, giving
era phic descriptions of all that he saw dur
ing his wanderings. At first they wero
full Of assuring passages of his undying
love for her, but such expressions gradu-
ly friendly missives Occasionally he men
toned a certain little blue eyed girl named
Sara Eyre, coolly remarking that he had
taken quite a fancy to her"
But how did Dora receive this intelli-
gence? Alas, her love for him had gradu-
ally diminished until she knew she loved
him no longer. But his cool letter stung
her to the quick.
One day, with half vexed air, she laid
aside the much admired solitaire ring
which had adorned her finger and said:
g I will play little game with you, my
devoted Henry. One day this shall belong
to your wife. It has my name in it, but
1t shall adorn your brides finger even
though it be Sara Eyre. -
She laughed softly to herself, but while
she was thus Iuusing there came knock
at her door. She started, but in a pleas
ant voice she ssid;
'Come in.
a servant entered. bearing a silver sal
YER, on which lay card Taking is up
with a languid air, she read the name OF
Warren Wells. " A deep blush suffused
her cheek, and, with a hasty glance in the
mirror, she descended to the parlor.
AS she entered the room dark COM
plexiOned gentleman fastened to greet
her. After few moments conversation
he noticed the absence Of the solitaire,
and, lightly touching her finger, he said:
81 1 will ask no questions, but I am all
curiosity to know the meaning Of this -
With an arch smile, she replied:
Ny ring and I parted company this
morning 1t did not fulfill its promise. -
The young man was pleased at her cool
reply and said:
90 our affections could not have been
very deeply engaged. -
She did not answer at once, and he re-
peated the remark She raised her eyes
and said somewhat Indignantly:
Mr. Wells, you are very presuming."
Il beg your pardon, Miss Vail I 40
knowledge that I am. !"
The conversation was turned, and the
call continued for some time. At last he
arose 30 go, but promised to call again.
On the following morning she received
letter from Henry requesting her to re-
lease him from his engagement With her
present feelings, it was no hard matter,
and she wrote him cold, sarcastic letter,
stating that he was free and had been fos
a long while.
In fact" she wrote, ct have been
thinking of getting married myself Re
turn home at the appointed time with your
blue eyed Sara and come here and have
the ceremony performed in my house. Let
the young lady remain with me until you
are ready to make her your wife "
To say that Henry was surprised at the
note would hardly express it. He was as
tOnished, and his senses were almost paral-
yzed. Nevertheless, he determined to &C
cept the invitation and he and his betrothed
sailed for the new world in due time
Sara received warm and unembarrassed
greeting from Dora, but to Henry she was
cold and Indifferent.
The day Of the wedding at last arrived,
and all was in readiness. Sara stood alone
in her dressing room. Her G9,s shone
brightly, and her cheeks burned with OK