The Elbert County tribune., 1903-10-22

He raised her In his arms as though
she were in truth child. and carried
her to the settle between the south
windows. She did not speak until
Mrs Allen brought her beef tea and
fed her with tender care; then. half
rising among the pillows. whittier than
they. she asked family with wistful-
ness in her eyes that sent an angry
pang through the woman's heart:
Where is-Dolores-Nurse Allen?
I-want-Dolores.''
Mrs. Allen called sharply in voice
that caused Dora to look up at her in
wonder:
Come in at once. Dolores; Dora
wishes you"
DR.. Dunwiddie hearing the words
and catching sight OF the woman's
face, crossed the room and spoke to
Dolores. his voice low with kindness.
She started when he addressed her.
and turned obediently with one swift.
startled glance up into his face, and
entered the room half hesitatingly.
Dora put out her hand as she
crossed the room.
"Doloresl" she said. entreatingly.
DR.. Dunwiddie turned quickly away
and entered the inner room where his
friend was waiting for him.
BY and by. when she was better.
Dora sat up among the pillows. and
drew Dolores down beside her, hold
ing her hands caressingly between her
own. smoothing the tense, slender
fingers now and then with pathetic
tenderness as though to atone or
soften her careless. wounding words.
She leaned her pure. pale face against
the gray window casing that the soft.
low wind with its subtle odor OF pines
should blow upon her. Her large gray
eyes, grown black with a half shy
love and pleading. rested on her cous-
in's grave face. And she did Lot
know that the slender shred of pale
blue ribbon lay safely hidden in the
depths of the doctors pocket as he
re-entered the sick room beyond.
They talked long there at the ccol
south window. she. smaller girl. hold
ing her cousins hands closely In hers.
telling her of the world beyond the
chained mountains. of the life that
throbbed and pulsed out of her sight.
Dolores listened in silence. wonder
ing more and more how this girl could
care to love her, could care to have her
for her cousin.
I'VE will paint together. Dolores"
she said, "and sew and play. You
shall sing and l will accompany you
on my guitar. and you shall sing and
accompany yourself. for the guitar
will just suit your voice; and how you
would look in an old gold gown with
warm colored roses about you, play
ing a guitar, its broad ribbon across
your shoulders, your eyes-just as
they are now. Oh. such a soul as
there is in them at this minute, Do
lores Johnson! The men will love you.
and the women-must. Dolores, Do
lores. | cannot wait. wish | might
take you right now
She paused, breathless. smiling. sit
ting erect. holding Dolores by her two
young arms, her sweet face flushed
with excitement
At that moment DIR. Dunwiddie
opened the bedroom door and spoke
to Mrs Allen. and she entered with
him. young Green coming out
Dora flushed as she saw him, and
she aroused from the settle, shaking
her head sunnily.
MIR. Green, l beg your pardon for
OBTAINING you'll do. indeed Truly. l
did not think"
He smiled reassurlngly at her.
at has been pleasant to me, Miss
Johnson-so pleasant that | had for
~ al. l..
1t is now ten minutes of that hour.
and II you will pardon my leaving you
will send the carriage for you at
any time you name
Dolores did not move or speak. The
case on hand. Her ears seemed sharp
to catch and hold such sentences
These words only were clear, the rest
were distant and jumbed. Even when
he spoke to her she seemed incapable
of hearing or replying. That her ST.
lence was caused by anything he said
he did not imagine. but he was grow
ing accustomed to her silence.
81 wish | could stay with you al
ways" Dora said softly when the
young man had gone. but | cannot
leave father. Dolores. you know. You
do not blame me. am sure. And I
will come over every day or whenever
l can. Father would have come over
with me this morning, but Judge
Green wished him to be in court. They
have strange case on hand. and | am
so interested. in 1t; aren't you, Do
lores? About the laming Of young MIR.
Green's beautiful mare, you know?
believe they have some new evidence
to be heard this morning. Young Mr..
Green was to have been there early to
attend to some important matter be
fore court opened, and here l have
detained him
GtiIl nnlnrec did mot rnnya or enaak