Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-09-23


Of being a trine untauthful
During the next year the letters con-
tinued, and the new Dora grew upon him
daily. Once he honestly wrote: 81 pre-
fer your friendship to the love Of any
other woman" And again: You are
such a friendl What would 1t be TO be
loved by you'll" Not once did the thought
come tc him to try again for her love.
ImpossibleI
And her letters grew more sweetly
confidential She told him as she would
a brother, about the proposals she re-
ceived. And he, like brother, advised
her to think well and do nothing hastily.
OF one suitor he wrote: Il think he will
win If he manages his campaign prop
erly." And he believed IT, for he had
all along, had a suspicion that
this old friend was the one who
Rad stood in his light. Ben
son was not jealous; he was nightly
concerned though, about the possible
effect of her engagement on their friend
ship. He did not see how he could exist
without her letters. But the suitor did
not win.
When the third year was nearing an
end, Dora's letters became strange
mixture of irritation and tenderness
teaching wear on her nerves? He asked
these questions again and again, and
she answered: 81 am weary of this
dull town. and I'm so lonesome some
times. | don't see why you will not come
to see me"
At last there came day when Benson
rose from reading one of her letters and
paced his room nervously 81 know it,"
he said. eXultantly. 81 know it, She
may never love me, but she can never
love another man so long as we are such
friends" And he was happy.
He could not tell at what moment
the thought first came to him that per-
haps she might yet learn to love him.
Impossible, of course, for she had not
seen him in three years, but still the
thought would creep into his heart,
and with it came terror. IL could not be.
He wouldn't let her, for he was un-
worthy. Once, he thought of the but
terfy Dora's love would have made him
insanely happy for hours, but now
Queen Dora must not lower herself by
loving him. 1t was glory enough to De
her friend.
So he refused again and again to visit
her. At last. his suspicion became al
most certainty, and then he told her
frankly of it, and of his own utter un-
worthiness. And she answered as
frankly. Perhaps what you say is true.
l cannot tell unless see you. Won't
you Gomez But he could not bring
interview. If he overcame the feeling
of unworthiness, and went to beg for her
love, what if she couldn't love him? He
confessed to her that he was rank cow
ard and laggard in love.
Then 81 shall be going through
your town next Thursday op my way to
Chicago. If l do not see you at the sta
tion l shall never forgive you"
And so he was to see her again after
three years. A new terror came upon
him. He dreaded to find her the same
childish girl-woman who had fiuttered
her filmy laces and faded away. Yet
that was the vision that gazed at him
innocently wherever he turned his eyes.
''No, no." he muttered, II do not love
cannot be civil to you. I want to sea
Yours sincerely, Dora Hartly,' l love
Your own true friend, Dora"
How little!" he gasped, as he first
caught sight of her. He had forgotten
how small she was, for she was, some
how, quite tall in her letters. Yes, the
same innocent butterfly-but different
She looked very little older, but in the
lines of the prettily odd face were writ
ten ideals immovable as granite hills
principles fully formed and nobler than
his own, and thoughts lofty and beau,
tiful. He knew suddenly that they were
all there three years before, but he, the
fool, had loved her for her girlish win
someness alone, and had overlooked en-
tirely the signs of her true womanly
beauty.
Nov, sir" with the same toss of tbs
golden head, and the same birdlike
touch of the fingers on MS coat, "Why
have you been so ungallant? Make your
excuses"
"You know why I didn't come" he
said.
81 was willing to risk it. You are moi
generous sir"
But your friendship has grown sc
dear to me that l couldn't risk marrire
it again"
81 told you that would risk it. Don't
you understand? Oh, you perverse
friend You'd better go now, Mr. Ben.
SON. the bell is-ringing."
Dora" he cried, will you marry
me?"