Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-01-28
Dora's face grew suddenly male,

81 thought, perhaps, she was the
one" she said, in voice that Jack
scarcely recognized.
"Why, do you know her?" he ex.
claimed, in surprise.
81 used to room with her at board
ing school," answered Dora. She had
regained control Of her voice now.
'She IS q good, noble woman, far bet
ter than I am, and don't wonder that
you love her."
"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 ans wer, believe"
"And / am to take the rest for
granted, eh?"
"Well, no; nothing should be taken
for granted in this world. I'll give
you your answer, but not now. I
think I'd better send it to you in
writing"
"My! My! How formal we are get
ting all at once! But, after all,
think / prefer it that way; then 1 can
carry your note next to my heart for a
mascot until you are mine for good
and all. Shan't run over here for il
tomorrow morning? I'm anxious to
get 1t as soon as possible.
'No; I'll mail it to your Office in
New York"
'All right, Dora; and now. just one
before I go!" He bent down and
planted 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 l call. I'll be over again We'd
nesday evening, if nothing happens.
Goodnight, Dora!'
ood-night, Jack!"
When Jack Vernon reached his
Office in Temple court next morning
he found Dora Stevens note AWAITING
him. Tearing it open he read:
Brooklyn, N. Y. 0. 80 p. m. March 49,
Dear Jack; 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 woman you have a right to
marry. After hearing your confession, and
knowing what do. could never be happy
with YOU. know you think you are in love
with me, but the tendrls Of your heart are
still entwined around that early love. and
and she needs YOU more than l do. | told
you she was my schoolmate years ago; /
still regard her us one Of my dearest friends,
and. though we have never met since we
graduated, we have always kept up corre-
spondence. enclose my latest letter from
her. received two months ago. 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 happy--and my blessing and prayers
will go with you. Not good night this time,
but Goodbye Ever your friend, DORA.
The Enclosure ran as follows:
ROCHESTER, n. Y, Jan. IA.
My Dear Dora; No. am not engaged yet.
and never expect to be- have had plenty
OF chances to confer my hand and fortune
especially the latter-upon aspiring appli-
cants but have declined them all. have
never met man really cared for. except
one, and believe he cared for me az time.
Perhaps he does yet; but alas. he discovered
that was an heress, and then pride che
was n young lawyer, with plenty OF brains
and ambition. but no money held him back.
He loved me; nv heart told me that; but
fortune-hunters were fiuttering around me.
like moths around candle. and suppose
he was afraid II he spoke he would be
classed with the rest-just as though the
alchemy OF q womans love could not detect
the gold among the dross!
"Ah, well! he is gone and there's no use
mourning for the past. l cannot help sigh
ing. though. to think that the very money
which attracted 80 many society moths should
drive away the only man ever loved!
There. D)ra yod have my secre.. and
know why shall evermore a maiden be
true, some time, dear Dora (not being bur-
dened with wealth, you won't have so many
unworthy ones rs II and hoping to hear
from you soon, l remain. with oceans OF
love, yours sincerely EDITH BURTON.
Late that afternoon Dora Stevens
received the following brief message
from Jack Vernon:
My Dear Dora; Many thsnks 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 aud bless
you! Yours gratefully, JACK.
L. ST. start for Rochester at once, and
will mail this on my way to the train.
And as Dora read these words. she
smiled one little, wee ghost of smile,
and whispered:
Better my heart than hers!'-
Chicago Record