Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1898-05-13

stretched between them? And then
her eyes fell upon the bangle. which
she always wore upon her left wrist,
with its bright beacon of hope and
trust. Dicks last message 70 her-"Din-
ma Forget" No. nothing should make
her doubt him he was OVerwOrksd. i'll,
something had happened to keep him
from writing
Don't worry about it. dear Esther, :"
she said bravely. Dick would not leave
me without letter without some good
reason for it. Please don't doubt him +:
you don't know how good and kind
and thoughtful he is, you don't, indeed,
Esther"
NO, | don't" said Esther, dryly;
then with an Outburst Of tenderness
very rare in one of her serene and COM
posed nature, she cried: "Oh, don't
look at me in that reproachful way,
darling. 7 want to believe this Dick of
yours perfect do, dear. But when We
go on day after day, week after week,
and | see your anxious eyes. see your
face getting whittier and whiter-why.
l can't help feeling angry at times. and
suspicious. and-and as if | should like
TO kill somebody" she ended passion
ately.
Dorothy did not speak for long
time. but sat tracing the words on her
bangle with a very thin and fragile
looking finger.
Il know what you must think" she
said at last. And l know what Dicks
silence must seem to you; but | prom
ised to trust him whatever happens, and
| always will. He gave me THIS the
very last of ALL" she cried. holding out
her wrist-oh, so much too small for
the pretty bangle now-towards her
cousin and he gave it as token be-
tween us: Dinna Forget | know it
will all be right by-and-by, Esther, /
know it will; but wait little longer,
before you condemn him, just a little
longer"
The piteous appeal went straight to
Esther's heart. We'll, | won't men,,
ton him again, Dorothy. dear, not for
another month. We will talk about 9TH
er things Are you going for drive to-
day? The carriage will be here at 3
O'clock
Just as you please, dear" Dorothy
answered listlessly
Il think you ought to so. 1t is good
for you. and good for the boy, too, and
of course you won't have a carriage
at least, not such a carriage always"
No" said Dorothy.
Esther was busy making a wonderful
bonnet for the wonderful boy, and she
pinned in several folds of lace and
tried several effects before she spoke
again. Isn't it odd" she remarked at
last, that Lord Aylmer has left his
cdrriage and horses and servants in
town all this time, when he is away.
Perhaps he never takes them out of
town. suggested Dorothy.
Perhaps not. Anyway, it is very
pleasant for us as it is" Esther replied.
WELL shall go and get ready" and,
gathering up her bonnet and materials,
she went out of the room, leaving Dor
othy alone.
Almost Immediately Amelia Harris
came in, bringing bag filled with lit
tie vases of fresh flowers. oh" said
Dorothy, those are lovely. Is it a
pretty place, Amelia? l suppose you
haze otter been there"
Yes, madam; have been there once
or twice. Amelia replied.
1T is fine place, is it not?" Dorothy
asked
"A very grand place, madam" said
Amelia, apparently giving all her at
tention to the flower vases.
And Lady Aylmer-what is she
like?' Is she ice-handsome?"
My lady is very handsome. madam"
said Amelia. putting the last vase in
its place, and coming to put a fold of
the window curtain straight. Very
naughty and hard-like, but very hand
some for all that"
All"
Dorothy sat in silence for minute
or two. Amelia Harris began to tidy