The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-02-10

were half sad half SCOrnlul
The young man removed his gaze
from the shining sea, whose murmur
arose family from the shore far be-
neath his grassy resting place, and
regarded the speaker with a lazy,
Eood-humored smile. well. my
dreams are pleasant" he said, softly.
They are, as usual, of you, Nora"
She made an impatient sound,
He reached out and caught her
hand, which he held in spite of her
efforts to withdraw it. Whats the
unatter, dear?" he asked, gently.
"Oh, nothingl" she returned coldly,
without looking at him
Donald watched her curiously while
the sweet breaths of the summer af-
fernoon stirred the hair partly con-
reniing her frowning forehead.
Something is bothering you. dear"
he said at last. And it has been
bothering you for some time, now,
dhough I've kept from saying | no.
ticed it. Nora, want you to tell me
the trouble"
II can't tell you! You wouldn't un-
derstand."
TRY me, Nora. We've been engaged
for nearly three years now, and I've
trusted you in everything. You can
surely trust me. And ii wish you
would make up your mind to get mar
ried, dear. The house has been ready
for you for ages now; and so have l..
i don't want to hurry you, but, still
well, I'm wearying, you know. How
ever, we'll talk of that after you've
told me your trouble" He bent over
and kissed her hand.
Donald" she said, 81 wish you
hadn't asked me to tell you. You'll
think it mean of me, but-but l can't
help it,"
DO you love me, Nora?" he de-
nanded, suddenly.
'Yes, yes, That's why I'm misera-
ble. dear, at least--oh, don't make me
tell you!"
'If you love me, dear, you will tell
me. Is it anything l can do?"
Her eyes met his. Donald" she
cried, letting free the pent-up passion
of months, why don't you do some
thing? Why do you waste your life
dreaming? Why do you live lazily
away from the busy world, and let
the years go past while other men do
great things? Oh, there, I've told you
the thoughts that have tormented me,
while, day after day, I've walked with
you and sat with you here. It's hor-
rible of me-but can't help it, DON
aid, dear"
For nearly a minute he stared at
her, his face growing paler and paler
TN other words, Nora, you are
nshamed of me-" he said, in low
voice. Never before had she heard
him speak bitterly.
mo. MOI" she cried, quickly, hold
ing out her hands to him.
''Why didn't you tell me of this long
ago?" he asked. ignoring her gesture
81 couldn't, Donald. | don't know
how managed to tell you now. Are
you angry?"
mo, I'm not angry. But I'm sorry
s-sorry for you. How you must have
been suffering while-while was
dreaming"
''Don't-oh. don't talk like that
she exclaimed.
what a fool I've been!" he went
on. Il thought we had everything that
love required. A house to live in
enough money for comfort, and {
beautiful country roundabout us. Ant
-"
But a man ought to have work Il
co. she put in, nervously.
Work? Work is simple a hare
l,.N ,e- 10 % H.,
piness. If l have happiness through
you, and the few thousands my fathel
left me. why should | struggle, ant
for the most part fail? My garder
gives me enough exercise; you ant
nature and an occasional book givt
uRe enough to think about. All, Nora
what Is 1t you want me to do?"
She sighed.
''Oo you want me to have some am
bition?" he asked, all of a sudden.
Yes. Donald" she cried eagerly
-That's 1t. You'll get tired of thi
comfortable dreaming-you'l get tireC
5f met"
"Oh. you sweet little fool" h
whispered, and catching her in hi
zrms. he kissed her. Get tired O
you?" He laughed softly.
For moment she was utterly happy
Then she drew herself clear of hi
embrace.
Donald" she said, solemnly, your
Dnly 26. Will this-this sort of lif
content you when you're 40?"
why shouldn't it? If l do les
kireaming then. l can do more garden
ing. Why, dear, I'm not such an idl
wretch. after all. If were paid TO
keeping my garden in order, you
can me workman, wouldn't you!"
But gardening is pleasure to you,
she said, doubtfully.
''0f course it is! Which shows
TO be my proper vocation"
His sweetheart shook her head.
A smile died on his lips.
Nora, are you really in earnes
about wanting me to do-er-some
thing?"
She nodded.