The Holly chieftain., 1903-11-06

sofa. or Will Dora play something
sweet and low to charm away the
darkness while Lorie and | sit here
together"
Before they could answer her, how
ever. quick steps sounded on the
piazza, the outer door was opened, and
young Green entered the room where
the elder woman sat Ms. Green arose
in haste, her face suddenly paling.
Charlie, what is the matter?"
Don't be frightened, mother" Char
lie said, hurriedly with quick glance
around the room, taking her hands in
his. Sit down. Where is Miss John
son and her cousin? Dunwiddie wires
that Johnson has had a relapse and
can live but twenty-four hours. Do
lores-Dolores must not know-yet.
She can not get to him, and it would
do no good"
A dead silence reigned through the
rooms for a moment, then the lace
curtains were drawn aside from the
distant window, and Dolores came
out; she had unconsciously pushed
Dora's hands from her arm and stood
alone with the darkness around her,
the light of the faded sunset setting
ber in outline against the window.
She crossed the room with no sign of
haste, and stood before Mrs. Green.
Il must go to my father" she said.
Her voice was perfectly even, but
the words were slow, as her lips were
stiff.
God forgive mel" young Green ex-
claimed, under his breath; clenching
his hands at his side. Mother, why
did you not tell me? Why did you
not tell me" turning fiercely upon
Mrs. Allen in the darkness, in sudden
| distrust of her, her subtle words re-
turning to him, losing half their mean
ing.
hers. and her voice was tender as
mothers when she spoke.
'Iorie," she said softly she liked
the tender name. "Lorie, my dear"
Dolores interrupted her.
Il must go to my father" she re-
peated, in the same set voice, her eyes
not moving from Mrs. Green's face.
How can l go?"
You cannot CO." Mrs. Green said,
gently. dear; not just now; there is
no way to go until midnight, then
the train will be due here, and Charlie
and Mrs. AHen will take you there"
Il must go to my father" she said,
''at once. Tell me how to get there,
please
There is no way but the train at
midnight" he replied
But / must go now" she said,
gravely; "if there is any way. Could
we not go on horses? must 60"
He shook his head slowly. Even
starting now and taking the fastest
| horses in the stables we could gel
there only half an hour sooner, and
the ride would be too exhausting for it
to pay. We will wait, Miss Johnson,
am sure we will be in time. Do not
worry. ! would get you there if it
were possible. believe me-Dolores."
T, 1t was the old voice and the old tone
of uttering the sad name. She gave
no sign that she heard. but she heard
She said nothing as she turned from
him, and went out of the room like one
in a dream-went out of the room and
up the stairs to her room. but the tone
and the one low word followed her,
like note Of tenderness, through her
stony sorrow. And when she had gone
young Green turned to his mother, like
boy, in his sore distress, and she,
understanding, comforted him.
Then he left the room and Dora
went up after Dolores, and the time
dragged on leaden feet ere the time
came for them to go to the train, when
Dolores came down the wide staircase
like spirit in her trailing black dress
and bonnet, her face more pallid than
the light of the moon on the noun
tains. Dora was behind her, but she
seemed to notice no one, but passed
out on to the steps of the piazza where
young Green and Mrs. Allen were
waiting for her. as though she We're
moving machinery and not through
any wish of her own.
"Such an unheard of thing, going
off like this in the dead of night" Mrs.
Allen said, sharply. showing her heart
for the moment in her anger. Thank
heaven Dora isn't like her"
Hush, Nurse Allen. If were half
as brave as Lorie I would be the
proudest girl in the world. could not
do what she has, for my father for
al I i'm I do An