Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-02-24
! A Hero's Wooing

ana shutss there is the sound of
4<B footsteps crossing the hall, and
In another moment Maj. Penningdale's
soiAierly figure stands in the cleaning
shadows OF the pretty Rre-lit drawing
room.
Doris Dudley rises nervously from
her low basket chair by the oId-fash-
tened CRATE, and the major, advancing,
taxes the girls shyly outstretched hand
aaA retains it within his own.
Your father tells me that you have
soasented to become my wife," he saws,
grsveiy; may l hope to hear you con-
1'r1 my happiness with your own lips 2"
hereisnonoteo ftriumphin hisvoiee,
ocay respectful pleading tenderness
nat, despite her timidity, encourages
tie girl to meet the eager gaze of those
kindly gray eyes. But her sweet face
Is CHASTITY white, and the words OF her
rePiy are spoken with evident effort.
yes, it is true" she says, 81 will
tsv TOTO do my duty toward you"
"Only that, Doris?" the major asks,
softly; cannot you find it in your
sFnpathetic little heart to love me?"
-You know l cannot is the reply.
sh, Maj, Penningdale, don't, pray don't
eenpel me to go over that aspect of
sae case again. IL like you very much,
indeed do, but have before explained
way 1 cannot love you"
The hopeful light dies out of the
majors eyes, and his stern, handsome
face is contracted as by q momentary
sposm of pain. you mean, of course.
what your father calls the boy-and- girS
nensense between you and young Clith-
e<ton7" he says, sadly.
rs no nonsense" Doris cries, hotiy,
Nssd papa is unjust and--and cruel.
Bob and have known each other since
kis father first became rector here. 1s
years ago. We have grown ND from
azy childhood together, and until this
money trouble of papa's, II was tacitly
understood that we were to marry
whes Bob obtained promotion"
Maj. Penningdale smiles trifie grim
". You would have found even a can
taaas pay NO great wealth, especially
N regiment like ours" he says, land
understand that Mr.. Ciitherton has
Atsae Oh nothing besides"
Ne. but ne has good expectations:
he win come into most of his upcIe's
property some day, and should not
have minded being poor in the least.
nat IT'S OF no use TO talk of all that
.ow." the girl adds, hopelessly.
Pardon me if disagree with you.n
Is she response; 1t is far better think
sA3t we should understand each other
at the outset. Forgive me If pain you
-shere was no formal engagement, l be-
Aeye; your father was never consult
cdr
NO, but he would have raised no oh
2esaoH at the time. 1t Is only since his
issses that he has told me must marry
neney If l would save him from ruin.
We has been equally candid with
nae. the major says. coldly. Isuppose
! must thoroughly understand il is NV
isrtane and not me that you win we'd"
he adds, with n sigh.
Doris hangs her head, for there ia
something in the Others voice that
tosches her in spite of herself. "I am
SO sorry" she says, gently, at all seems
very shameful, doesn't tt7"
fenntpgdale laughs mirthlessIv.
1es, he agrees, I'm afraid it's not
particularly romantic" BE takes both
her hands in his and looks in to her tear
fui eyes with a world of suppressed
Foarning in his own. At daresav an
pear regular old brute to you-Tm
nearly twice your age, remember, but
sts not too late to draw back. Heaven
forbid that you should be forced into
this against your will"
mo, no." Doris cries, hastily, "you
must not think that; indeed You must
not told papa yesterday that would
DO as he wished; feel i ought to be
very grateful to you for your kindness"
Poor girl" Penningdale says, soft
y, DO you know that somehow you
make me feel desperate villain? Well.
well, we must make the best Of things,
! suppose" he goes on, with a rather
lame attempt ut cheerfulness. IT must
Try and suppress my ogreish instincts
as much as possible; I assxre you I'm
,nos such very terrible rufaian when
ycu know me-"
i believe you are all that is kind and
thoughtful" the girl says, cordially;
yea deserve someone who would make
you happier than can"
That would be impossible" is the
quiet answer. 81 have never loved. I
never shall love any woman but Won"
Then observing his companions embar-
rassment, he adds, considerately. 'sbut
! shall brighten you away If begin to
talk sentiment. Have you heard that
the regiment is ordered to South
lAfrica?"
NO; is 1t, indeed?" Doris cries, Jump
ing gladly at the change of subject.
"YeA things look very black there;
they say war may break out at any mo-
ment, so. you see, you won't be troubled
with me for some time, even If you don't
get your release from me altogether"
The girl shivers. "Don't, please, talk
llke that" she says; you pain me IN.