The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-11-15

II would it were dream" said
Dora, dramatically. NO." she went
on mournfully, 1T is but too true.
My life has been wrecked, and loved
you so, Gilbert" Her voice died away
in a weak little quiver.
Gilbert began to lose patience.
"You are acting like spoiled baby"
he said; I'D like TO take you over my
knee and spank you.'
She drew herself up with dignity.
81 am not baby. | am an injured
woman. OF course, if you choose to
lay violent hands on me, l cannot de-
fend myself"
Gilbert drew a chair before her and
sat down.
"Now look here, Dora," he said,
gravely, Il want to know what this is
all about. 1t is not fair that you
should sit there like little fury hurl-
ing innuendos at me, which, not
knowing to what they refer, cannot
refute. If have offended you, please
be kind enough to tell me in what
way"
Certainly" said Dora, unmoved
"You have grown tired of my society
You have longed to get back to your
old friends and your club, but instead
of telling me so as. an honest man
should, you fixed up nice little story
about being obliged to work and
wishing to keep in the good graces of
your superior, ard then you come
home with another chapter of the
same story to pour into my unsuspect-
ing ears, but. Gilbert Latimer, hap
pen to know that you were not ah the
bank tonight at all, and that you
spent your evening, or at least part
of it, at the Keota club. p
She hurled her accusations at him
defiantly, as though challenging him
to combat them If he could. Then
she broke down and buried her face in
pillow.
"And is this all?" asked Gilbert.
at is sufficient" said Dora, in q
muflled voice.
Gilbert was silent for moment.
81 have always believed that love
and trust 90 together" he said, at
last. Married life 'is not always
May. and it requires faith and trust,
as well as love, to weather the storms
which must come to all. | do, not
want love that is suspicious and un-
trustful; therefore. until you feel
that, no matter what appearances
are. YOU can trust me utterly, / viii
neither deny nor explain your
charges"
He rose from his seat, and Dora,
peeping out of the corner of her
eye, saw him preparing to resume his
hat and coat. She had not bargained
for this. Bad as it was to have a
quarrel with him, she would rather
have gone on quarreling indefinitely
than to have him leave her; besides,
he looked SO tall and handsome as
well as guilt'css as he stood there,
that she began to relent.
IF there is any explanation you
can make" she began in a concilia-
tory tone, but Gilbert interrupted
her.
You haye heard what I said," he
remarked, coldly.
II suppose you are going to leave
me all alone again. Well, it's abou.
what | might expect" she said, with
Il desperate grasp after her fast flee
ing dignity 81 don't look for any
Il will bring Eleanor up to stay
with YOU" he said.
Il hate Eleanor" said Dora, vim
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid it is the
best | can do for you"
"You might stay yourself" she sug-
gested, with hidden face.
Hardly. under the circumstances:
good-by, Dodo.'
With the closing Of the door, the
last shred of Doras dignity vanished
utterly. She rushed out and opened
it with determined haste.
"Gil-bert!"
The pitiful little wall reached him
before he was off the step. One long
stride brought him back.
What il it, Dodo?"
Don't 60 away, Gilbert. I do b.
lievs in you. l believe in spite OF
everything there is mistake some-
where l trust you, Gilbert"
Gilbert laughed softly ~ be took
the trembling little form in his arms.
Poor little girl. II was shame to
tease you 30; but, Dodo, there must
be no misgivings or suspicious be-
tween you and me. Now, an going
to tell you about tonight"
Dora put her fingers in her ears.
"No," she said. 81 don't want You to.
said trusted you, Gilbert"
"But I insist" said Gilbert, pulling
down her hands; 81 want you to
know. was not at the bank tonight
because the work which Mr.. Acton
wanted me to do was in his private
office at his residence, and was at
tho Keota club because Phil Acton
had carried away the keys Of his "a
theirs secretary and followed him