The Holly chieftain., 1903-10-23

myself must pass. But how such a
woman as she could have come from
such nat re as his is problem.
My poor, tender hearted girl, how she
suffered just now and could do moth
ing"
DR.. Dunwiddie meanwhile went out
to the group in the sunny doorway.
His grave. dark face was full of kind
ness as he bent over the frail gir..
and spoke to Mrs. Allen.
She must lie down at once he said.
''and be kept perfectly quiet for
while. No, you must not walk" as
she attempted to rise. ALLOW me, Miss
Johnson"
He raised her in his arms as though
she We're 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.
"Dolores!" she said, entreatingly.
DR.. Dunwiddie turned quickly away
and entered the inner room where his
friend was waiting for him.
By ard by, when she Vas 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-
ms grave face. And she did not
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 cool
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"
sne said, ''and sew and play. 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 soul as
there is in them at this minute, Do
lores Johnson The men will love you,
and the women-must. Dolores, Do
lores, l cannot wait l wish l 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 DR.. 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, I beg your pardon for
detaining you'll do, indeed. Truly,
did not think"
He smiled reassuringly at her.
"It has been pleasant to me- Miss
Johnson-so pleasant that I had for.
gotten the case on at eleven at home
1t is now ten minutes of that hour,
and if 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.