The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-09-20

tS, tOCC UOu.
and Malcom Kirk to see in her face the
tokens Of some recent excitement.
where is Francis" Mrs. Penrose
asked.
''He is not coming back tonight" re-
piled Dorothy softly, and then for the
first time she saw Malcom Kirk stand.
ing there by the fireplace.
She took an eager step toward him
and then suddenly stopped. while her
face glowed rosy red in the candle
light. AS for Malcom Kirk. he stood
very erect and still, but out of his
eyes shone the lovers look as he faced
the woman Of his hearts longing. He
did not try to conceal 1t, and Dor
othy knew us well as II he had spoken
1t aloud that he said, "a love you, Dor
othy Gilbert, and cannot do my life
work best without you" Mrs. Penrose
saw that look also and respected 1t.
The servant entered and announced
that tea was ready, and Malcom Kirk
found hmse!' shaking ho' ds with Dor
Othy and saying some very common
thing abou, being glad to meet her. A
few minutes later he found himself at
the table with Dorothy and her aunt.
He nte and talked at first with a re-
pressed excitement that gradually be-
came n source Of eloquent conversa.
tion. No one asked any more questions
about Francis Raleigh. 1t Is certain
that Mrs. Penrose and Malcom Kirk
understood that he had pleaded his suit
again with Dorothy and had again
been unsuccessful.
"She has given him his answer" said
Malcom Kirk to himself. and there
was the first positive hope In his heart
that he had dared to feel. He had new
er appeared to such good advantage.
Mrs. Penrose, experienced as she was
In the ways Of society and familiar
with some of the most brilliant men
and women. felt positive charm In
Kinks voice and manner. His awk.
wardness for awhile was subordinate
to his higher gifts.
Mr.. Penrose was in New York on
business. Nalcom Kirk learned after.
ward some things In his history and
why John Gilbert had been allowed to
meet his great financial losses without
help from his own sister, who to a
large extent had been powerless to per
suade her husband to come to her
brothers aid. But she was absorbed
tonight in the thought Of Dorothy. He
knew that crisis in his life had come.
After tea they went into the recep-
tlon room again. Mrs. Penrose staid
Tor half an hour and then suddenly
went out, and Dorothy and Malcom
Kirk were left alone
He was fully aware that the whole
future Of his life work would be shap-
ed by the events Of the next few min
utes, but he had never felt more a
Christian than now. There was posi-.
tive religious excitement Of the high
est, purest, noblest character In all the
thought Of his love for Dorothy. There
always had been. He felt that 1t was
no cheap or silly or shallow sentiment
that moved him to think of her as of
no other being in the world. There
had not been night Of his life since
he began to love her when he had fail
ed to speak her name in a prayer. He
knew that his Christian faith was
sanctified and beautifed by this hu.
man love.
He rose and went over near her. He
had the miniature in his hand. When
he spoke. 1t was in great simplicity,
but in great directness.
"You know what have come for.
You know that love you wholly.
You know what my life will be. You
know that l am poor. Dorothy, can
you share such a life with me? Must
I give this back. or may I keep 1t al
ways"
She was sitting with her face partly
In shadow, and she slowly rose and
turned and faced him. Like all girls
who dream Of lovers, she had her
dreams, her ideals, her imaginlngs.
She looked up at him now, and the
blood rushed impetuously through him