Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-09-25
you believe mel"


she lifted them to his as he stood be.
side her. and hts heart ached for her.
| knowing the truth to which she was
shut out.
They win not let me see my faith.
e." sh. said, slowly. her eyes search.
ing his face as though To read there.
IN why this thing should be.
He smiled rcassnringiy. and laid
his strong hand over hers. resting
upon tn. dresser. though n shadow
was in his eyes for very pity of the
tender. wondering face lifted to his.
wv. are doing the best We can for
your father. Dolores. and as soon as
he wakcnS you shall see him. You
believe mcs ! would not tell YOU an
untruth. you know. And why should
~"
There Is no reason" she said. and
the !ashcs dropped disappointedly
over the dari, eyes. DO they think
l could not bear to be told? l can
nurse him as well as they. and am
willing. believe you. but must
know.
And promise YOU" there was an
Intensity in his voice that caused the
iashcs to lit from the hidden eyes
and swift, sudden startled glance
met his. Il promise you. Dolores.
that gou shall know. You think we
are cruel. but we are trying to be
Kindness itself. Dolores"
He let the book OF which he had
spoken on the dresser. and her fingers
closed over II as though II might give
4. 4.. II 81
stronger handclasp of her friend.
She lifted the book and clasped her
two HANDS around II. II Dora would
not do this she would not like her.
but she believed that she would. All
women cared for the men OF their
households when they needed care;
there was no reason why she should
be shut out from her fathers room.
The voice OF the nurse broke in on
her thoughts. The tone expressed
great relief. Dolores fingers instinct
iyely tightcned around the book she
held.
Your uncle Is coming. Dolores. !
knew he would come. II Dora could
not come she would send for you. She
told me so herself. | am thankful he
is here"
A closed carriage stopped at the
gate: the team OF powerful bays were
covered in rubber blankets: their
hoofs were heavy with mud: the body
| OF the carriage was splashed. the
wheels clogged. When the door was
opened a gentleman alighted-a short.
stout gentleman wrapped in rubber
coat. with high boots and a close
| gray cap. He struggled a moment
with the rickety gate, and then hur-
ricd up The drenched walk.
Mrs. Allen tapped lightly on the
bedroom door, and Charlie and DR..
Dunwiddie came out at once. They
met the newcomer at the door with
u few hurried words. Young Green
took his coat and hat, and hung them
in the entry to drip.
Dolores had not changed her posi-
ton; she still stood at the dresser,
the book closely clasped in her hands
as though n friend. When her uncle
advanced toward her she eyed him
scarchingly.
She was disappointed in him; there
was nothing remarkable about him !;
he was short and stout; she did not
like. short. stout men; his face was
horid, his hair red.
Placing his two hands on her shoul.
ders he turned her toward the light,
| cyeing her keenly.
And this is Joe's girl he said.
She disli<ed him at once; her wide
brown eyes met his blue ones square.
ly but the eager light had died from
them they were cold and calm; he
could see no farther than the surface.
Her mouth. too. was straight and un.
yielding. To her his tone implied
that she disappointed him; it was of
no consequence to her, however, be
cause she dislilked him. But she had
mistaken his meaning As he looked