The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1900-02-08
| A Hero's Wooing /

i He QOOr OF olr JOnn Stuuy opens
and shuts; there is the sound of
firm footsteps crossing the hall, and
in another moment Maj. Penningdale's
soldierly figure stands in the gloaming
shadows of the pretty tire-lit drawing
room.
Doris Dudley rises nervously from
her low basket chair by the old-fash
ioned crate. and the major, advancing,
takes the girls shyly ou,stretched hand
and retains it within his own.
"Your father tells me that you have
consented to become my wife," he says,
gravely; may / hope to hear you con-
firm my happiness with your own lips?"
There is onote of trinmphin his.voice,
only respectful pleading tenderness
that, despite her timidity, encourages
the girl to meet the eager gaze of those
kindly gray eyes. But her sweet face
is ghastly white, and the words of her
reply are spoken with evident effort.
"Yes, it is true" she says, IL will
try toto do my duty towardsyou."
"Only that, Doris?" the major asks,
softly; cannot you find it in your
Q
"You know l cannot" is the reply.
'Oh. Maj. j.Penningdale, don't, pray don't
compel me to go over that aspect of
the case again. IL like you very much,
indeed do, but have before explained
why cannot love YOU"
The hopeful light dies out of the
majors eyes, and his stern, handsome
face is contracted as by momentary
spasm of pain. You mean, of course,
what your father calls the boy-and-girl
nonsense between you and young Clith-
erton?" he says, sadly.
"It is no nonsense" Doris cries, hotly,
"and papa is unjust and-and cruel.
Bob and 1 have known each other since
his father first became rector here, IS
years ago. We have grown up from
tiny childhood together, and until this
money trouble of papa's, il was tacitly
understood that we were to marry
when Bob obtained promotion" .
Maj. Penningdale smiles trifle grim
ly. you would have found even cap
tain's pay no great wealth, especially
in a regiment like ours" he says, "and
l understand that Mr.. Clitherton has
little or nothing besides"
mo, but he has good expectations;
he will come into most of his uncle's
property some day, and | should not
have minded being poor in the least.
But it's of no use to talk of all that
now," the girl adds, hopelessly.
pardon me II l disagree with you,"
Is the response; "it is far better think
that we should understand each other
at the outset. Forgive me if pain you
there was no formal engagement, be-
lieve; your father was never consult
ed?"
mo, but he would have raised no OBJ
lection at the time. II is only since his
losses that he has told me must marry
money II would save him from ruin.
"He has been equally candid with
me-" the major says. coldly. 81 suppose
! must thoroughly understand II is my
fortune and not me that you will wed"
he adds, with sigh.
Doris hangs her head. for there is
something in the Others voice that
touches her in spite of herself. II am
so sorry" she says. gently, "it all seems
very shameful, doesn't 't?"
Penningdale laughs nirthlessly.
'Yes," he agrees, I'm afraid it's not
particularly romantic" He takes both
her hands in his and looks int her tear
full eyes with world of suppressed
yearning in his own. 81 daresay ap-
pear a regular old brute to you-I'm
nearly twice your age, remember, but
it's 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. Itold papa yesterday that would
do as he wished; feel l ought to be
very grateful to you foryour kindness"
Poor girl" Penningdale says, soft
ly. "Do you know that somehow you
make me feel desperate villain? Well,
well, we must make the best of things
l suppose" he goes on, with q rather
lame attempt at cheerfulness. 81 must
try and suppress my ogreish instincts
as much as possible; ] assure you I'm
not such a very terrible ruffian when
| you know me-"
~ believe you are all that is kind and
thoughtful" the girl says, cordially;
"you deserve someone who would make
you happier than | can."
"That would be impossible" is the
quiet answer. II have never loved,
never shall love any woman but you.'
Then observing his companions embar.
| rassment. he adds. considerably, "but
! shall frighten you away II 7 begin &c
talk sentiment. Have you heard that
the regiment il ordered to South
African"
mo; 10 it. indeed ?" Doris cries, Jump
ing gladly at the change Of subject.
ayes, things look very black there;
they say war may break out at any mo-
ment. 90, you see. you won't be troubled
with me for some time, even II you don't
get your release from me altogether" !"
The girl shivers. Don't please, talk
like that" she says; '.you pain me I'M.
speakably."
sForgive me-" Penningdale responds.
humbly. VI am brute But you know.