Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-01


to renew his suit. and he couldn't bring
himself TO make love to the new Dora
The dear, charming old Dora was dead.
In her place was noble. clear-minded
woman. whose friendship he cherished
and which he would preserve at the risk
of being a trifle untruthful
During the next year the letters con-
tinued. and the new Dora grew upon hin
daily. Once he honestly wrote: Il pre-
Ter your friendship to the love OF any
other woman" And again: You are
such friend. What would it be TO be
loved by you'll" Not once did the thought
come to him to try again for her love.
Impossible,
And her letters grew more sweetly
confidential She told him as she would
brother. about the proposals she re-
ceived. And he, like brother. advised
her 70 think well and Go nothing hastily
or one sutton he wrote: 81 think he will
win if he manages his campaign prop
erly." And he believed it. for he had.
all along, had suspicion that
this old friend was the one who
had 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 sutton did
not win.
When the third year was nearing an
end. Dora's letters became a strange
mixture of irritation and tenderness
Was she well? Was she happy? Did
teaching wear on her nerves? He asked
these questions again and again, and
she answered: Il 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 a day when Benson
rose from reading one of her letters and
| paced his room nervously. "Iknow 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 ii came terror 1t could not be
| He wouldn't let her, for he was un-
| worthy Once. he thought Of the bu:-
| terdy Dora's love would have made hin
| insanely happy for hours. but now
| Queen Dora must not lower herself by
loving him. 1t was glory enough to DC
| her friend.
| So he refused again and again to visit
her. At last. his suspicion became al
most a certainty, and then he told he;
| 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 l see you. Won
| you Gomez But he could not brins
himself to the point of risking ali in on,
| interview. If he overcame the feeling
OF unworthiness. and went to beg for heI
love, what if she couldn't love him? II,
confessed TO her that he was a rank COW
ard and laggard in love.
Then: 81 shall be going through
your town next Thursday on my way e
Chicago. III do not see you at the sta
ton. shall never forgive youf
And so he was to see her again sfte
three years. A new terror care uaoI
him Ie dreaded TO iina her the same
cnnulsn girl-woman who had fiutterec
her filmy laces and faded away. Ye'
| that was the vision that gazed at him
innocently wherever he turned his eyes
mo, no." he muttered, 81 do not love
you. love the Dora of the letters.
cannot be civil to you. want to sc;
Yours sincerely, Dora Hartly.' 1 love
Your own true friend, Dora"
How little!" he gasped, as he frs
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 thar
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.
someIess alone, and had overlooked en-
| tirely the signs Of her true womanly
beauty.
Now, sir" with the same toss Of this
golden head, and the same birdlikC
touch Of the fingers on ais coat "Why
have you been so ungallant? Make your
| excuses"
"You know why 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 couldn't risk marrips
It again"
Il told you that would risk it. Don't
you understand? oh, you perverst
friend. You'd better go now, Mr.. Ben.
sor. the bell is-ringlng."
Dora" he cried, will you marry
meg"
/ EAIP lads HOnH At rrNIhIIo