The sea coast echo., 1899-09-16
DORa'S SACRIFICE.

! love bcfOreE Now, Jack, 90 you lhln
that is a fair question:" she asked,
meeting his look with roSuish
glance.
''Why, certainly it is, Dora" he re-
! piled, earnestly. ''You say you love
me, so it doesn't really make any
difference about the others; they're
done for now; but l think l ought to
know. Still, if there are so many Of
! them --"
please stop, Jack! I won't have
you saying such dreadful things, and
with that look on your face"' she in
terrupted, playfUlly placing her hand
over his mouth, but quickly withdraw
| ing it when he attempted to kiss II.
How dare youn she exclaimed,
''after the way you've been talkin8"'
''Well, if you don't want me to say
things why don't you answer my
question:"
Must I,Jack?'
II am afraid you must, my dear"
"And you won't hate me after L tell,
will you?"
"WeIl-"
" That depends, you are going to
say. You needn't hesitate so long; L
can read your thoughts
"Can you? That's convenient for
you, I'm sure. wish [ could read
yours, then I'd know the answer to
my question. "
"Would you really like to know?'
"Whv, YES, or | shouldn't have
asked it. "
"WelI, Jack, if it will relieve your
mind any to know it,you nave no pre-
| decessors.
care you sure, Dora?"
eyes, Jack. You are the first and
only"
Thanks, awfulIy, Dora! I'm glal |
to hear it; and now that question Is
settled we will"
"Oh, no, my boy; you don't get off
quite so easily as that! | want your
confession now. About how many
dozen times have You been in love,
pray tell?"
Jack Vernon WINGED. He hadn't
counted on this, exactly.
Come, young man, you are now on
the witness stand, sworn to tell the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the TRUTH" she continued,
banteringly.
Must I?'' said Jack, helplessly re-
peating her question OF few min
utes before.
Il am afraid you must, my dear, "
mimick ed she
But I am afraid you will hate me
after l confess"
SIS the record, then so long?"
''No; it is a very short one. have
never loved but once before. "
And she-she refused you?"
"No. | never asked her.
"Why not? You see, l want the
whole story now"
Because of pride. She was q
wealthy heiress, | penniless lawyer,
with my fame and fortune yet to make.
[ loved her; | am not ashamed to say
it; she was woman that one could
not help loving; she was all to me
then that you are now, and
And more Go on and say t,Jack
l want the whole truth. .
''No, | won't say that, but she was
the first, and love was a new sensa-
ton to me then, and if had been her
equal in wealth and station [ might
but, pshaw! What is use of telling
YOU all this? 1t is all over now. Her
love was not for me. / have put II
aside-and, besides, | have you. But
why are you looking SO sober, Dora:
Have [ confessed too much? You
wanted the whole truth, you know"
Eyes, and l am glad yon were brave
enough to tell it. How long ago was
it that-that this happened?' SHE
faltered.
''Three years"
"And her name?" she asked, in low
tones.
Need [ tell that?"
eyes, please" said Dora, family.
edith Burton.
Dora's face grew suddenly pale.
81 thought, perhaps, she was the
one" " she said, in voice that Jacl
scarcely recognized.
why, do you know herr" he ex
claimed, il surprise.
Il used to room with her at board
ing school,, " answered Dora, She hat
regained control of her voice now
''She is n good, noble woman, far bet
ter than l am, and [ don't wondec tha
you love her.
"You mean loved" corrected Jack
'My love for her is in the past tense
not the present. -
/ - True love cannever die, quoted
Dora, gravely. Wasn't 1t the dlvln
William who said that? But there
Jack, We have talked enough of low
for one evening. Don't you thlnl
sop
But you haven't tpromised to marr.
me yet"
''You didn't ask me that question
You simply asked me if loved you
and YOU got your ans wer, l believe.
"And | am to take the rest 70
granted, eh?'
"Well, no; nothing should be take
for granted in this world. I'll Civ
YOU your answer, but not now.
} think I'd better send it to you i
writing.
"Myi Myl How formal we are gel
ting all at once! But, after all.
think I prefer it that way; then | ca
carry your note next to my heart Tor
mascot until You are mine for goo
, and all. Shan't run over here for
tomorrow morning? I'm anxious
get it as soon as possible. /"
"No; I'll mail it to your Office
/, New York. y
"All right, Dora; and now, just on
before / gol'' He bent down an
! planted kiss on her unresisting lip