Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-01-08

school, answered Dora. she had re-
gained control Of her voice now. ''She
is a good, noble woman, far better than
am, and / don't wonder that you love
hgr.
"You mean loved, . corrected Jack.
''My love for her is in the past tense,
not the present. -
True love can never die, quoted
Dora gravely Wasn't it the divine
William who said that? But there,
Jack, we have talked enough Of love for
one evening. Don't you think SOP
"But you haven't promised to marry
me yet. !"
"You didn't ask me that question
You simply asked me if l loved you,
and you got your answer, / believe. =
And | am to take the rest for grant
ed, chr"
"Wen, no. Nothing should be taken
for granted in this world. I'll give you
your answer, but not now. think I'd
better send it to you in writing
"My, myl How formal we are get
ting all at once But, after all, think
] prefer it that way; then ! can carry
your note next to my heart for mascot
until you are mine for good and all
Shan't / run over here for it tomorrow
morning? I'm anxious to get it as soon
as possible"
No. I'll mail it to your Office in
New York. F"
"All right, Dora, and now just one
before / go. . He bent down and plant
cd a kiss ON her unresisting lips
Thanks, dear. Now, please forget that
there ever was any other girl and don't
look quite SO sober the next time | call
I'll be over again Wednesday evening
if nothing happens. Good night, Dora "
GOOD night, Jack.
When Jack Vernon reached his Office
in Temple court the next morning, he
found Dora Stevens note awaiting him.
Tearing it open, he read
BRooNLYN, N. ", $50 p. m, March Is.
DEAR JAoK-The love / expressed for you
an hour ago find has turned to pity, and |
am going TO make you happy by sending to
you the only women you have right to mar
ry. After hearing your confession and know
ing what do could never be happy with you.
| know you think you are in love with me, bat
the tendrils of your heart are still intwined
around that early love- and-and she needs you
more than do. l told you she as my school
mate years ago. / still regard her as one of my
dearest friends and, though we have never
met since we graduated, we have always kept
up correspondence. / inclose my latest letter
from her, received two months ngo. did not
know until tonight who the man was that she
loves. / know now, and l wish you both all
the joy that life in each others society can
bring you. Go to her, Jack, and make her
lanDV. m BLESSING
with you. Not good night this time, but good
BY Ever your friend, DORA.
The Enclosure ran as follows:
ROCHESTER,, N. Y, Jan. IA.
MY DEAR DoRA-No, | am not engaged yet
aud never expect to be. / have had plenty Of
chances to confer my hand and fortune, es-
pecially the latter, upon aspiring applicants,
but have declined them all. L have never met
man / really cared for except one, and 1 be-
heve he cared for me at a time Perhaps he
does yet; but alas, he discovered that was
an heiress, and then pride The was young
lawyer with plenty of brains and ambition,
but no money! held him back. He loved me-
my heart told me that-but fortune hunters
were luttering around me like moths around
a candle, and l suppose he was afraid if he
spoke he would be classed with the rest, just
as though the alchemy of woman's love could
not detect the gold among the dross
All, well, he is gone, and there's no use
mourning for the past L cannot help signing,
though, to think that the very money which
has attracted so many society moths should
drive away the only man | ever lovedi
There, Dora, you have my secret and know
why / shall eyermore maiden he, but please
don't tell. Wishing you lover true some
time, dear Dora mot being burdened with
wealth, you won't have so many unworthy
ones as II, and hoping 10 hear from you soon,
l remain, with oceans OF love, yours sincerely,
EDITH BURTON.
Late that afternoon Dora Stevens re-
ceived the following brief message from
Jack Vernon
MY DEAR DoRA-Many thanks for your kind
note and the Enclosure. There are at least two
angels left on earth You are one of them.
May heaven ever guard and bless you'll Yours
gratefully, JACK.
r. 81 start for Rochester at once and will
mail this ON my way to the train.
And as Dora read these words she
smiled ono little, wee ghost of smile
and whispered:
"Better my heart than ersl"-Wil-
liam Seldom Gidley i'll Chicago Record.