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

BY j. j. BELL.

| she had no reason to he proud of him.
He had never seen her love in that
light before.
Dear" he said at last, with a new
humbleness in his voice, what would
you have me do?"
Her face flushed with delight and
triumph.
Anything. dear, that win give you
an object and ambition in life"
For long time he lay with his face
between his hands on the cool, kindly
grass, while she softly Gtroke his hair.
"It's too late to think of a profess
sion," he stammered at last II sup
pose it must be business"
We'll why not?" whispered Nora
you must try to forget to be romantic
and sentimental, dear" she added,
smiling into his troubled face. II
don't care what you do, Donald, sc
long as you do it well; and | know
you will Besides. you've had some
business experience"
II was once a clerk in my uncle's
Office" he said with a wry smile, but
few months of that were enough for
me. All, Nora, Nora, why did you
waken me from my dreams?"
ITO make my boy into a maa," she
replied, with sweet laugh, which he
could not resist.
You could never make me happier
than I've been, dear" he said, after
he had kissed her.
Wait and see, Donald! And, you
selfish creature, you ought to be think
ing Of my happiness" she said, gayly.
j I'm going to give you your desire,
Nora. happen to know that Harold
Burbury wants a partner, and I'm
write to him tonight"
Good boy!"
And now, dear, when will you
marry me?"
She crept into his arms. and laid
her cheek against his.
Whenever you like, Donald" she
whispered.
'You're late, Donald, and you're
looking so tired, poor mani"
"Oh, I'm all right" he returned
carelessly, dropping into an easy chair
by the library fire. Six years of busi-
ness life had altered the man more
than the woman; he had gone into the
whirlpool; she had merely fioated near
and watched. But she. too, had grown
little weary looking
"Burbury is ill.," remarked Donald,
as he lit cigarette with somewhat
shaky fingers. 'and there's a lot doing
just now. Burbury is a wonder for
work, and | only realize how much
he does when he's away. By the way,
Nora, there are those sapphires you
fancied." He pitched a small packet
into her lap. You can thank Burbury
for them. think I'm beginning to
get used to his luck | closed up one
of his operations today, and my share
OF profits is about four thousand. So
on my way home | remembered the
sapphires. Don't you want them now,
Nora?"
She came over to him with the un-
opened parcel in her hand. Dear,
don't need any more jewelry. cer-
tainly admired the sapphires, but I
never dreamed of buying them. Oh,
Donald, you are working and worry
ing too much!"
Nonsense! Wear them tonight.
We're going somewhere, aren't we?" =
ITO the Medways. dear. But we
needn't go. You are tired, and
"Oh, III be all right after dinner.
Medway's just the sort of man who'd
be offended, and Burbury wants me to
keep friendly with him."
Nora suppressed a sigh. Presently
she said:
Donald, wrote to Westciff today
asking them to get the house ready for
Monday"
We'll, l dare say you and Kitty will
!. 7 be none the worse of change. West
cliff is a rare place in the spring" said
her husband, half closing his eyes.
DO you know, it's three years since
you were there, Donald?"
so much as that. Nora? Well.
suppose 1t is. / remember | couldn't
get away last year, when you and Kit
ty were living in the old house"
but you'll come with us on Monday
dear, and take little holiday?" said
, his wife, anxiously and appealingly.
Pm afraid that's impossible; Bur.
bury won't be back at work then, anc
one of us must be in the Office. There
is so much to be done at present, but
= but If | can, I'll run down to West.
cliff on Saturday afternoon"
Say Friday, Donald"
, Il couldn't possibly manage 1t be
fore Saturday, Nora. Don't bother
, about me. I'm perfectly well-only 9
, tride tagged. | don't think IlI dress
till after dinner tonight, if you dom
mind"
He closed his eyes, and as she looked
, down on him, tears hung on her lash
!, es, and her mouth quivered. She ben
down to kiss him, but suddenl!
Strengthened herself, and went quietl!
h, from the library.
'He can think of nothing but hii
business" she said, in her sorrowfu
heart, and, when she reached her room
she flung herself on the bed in an agon!
of tears.