Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1905-04-27

DOrOLny WAS SURPRISED TO nOClce now
pleasantly caressing Bertie's voice
could be-''that you have made me the
happiest man alive. I've never want
ed anything as have wanted this, and
now-oh, grille, it's almost unbeliev-
able yet! Tell me again that it's so:
that you truly love mew!
Dorothy's eyes opened wide in the
darkness. Berthe Temple making love
in this magnificent fashion! 1t was al
most thrilling.
why. of course | do. silly. You
know it without my repeating it over
and over as if 1 had nothing else to
say"
do what, sweetheart mischiev-
ously.
Again suggestion of movement on
the other side Of the window.
BERTHE pressed the captive hands
warningly Please" he whispered.
"She's there listening. You prom
Used. Well both be in for it IL you
fail now"
''Well, then behaver' she retorted
under her breath "Just this once,
mind" Then little louder, but I'M
steadily, do ll-love you, BERTHE"
she said
ooh, my little girl, my little girlr
he said huskily, holding the hands
tighter than ever. Il said was happy
before, but I've never been absolutely
10 until this minute. Why, Dollie! You
remember we were interrupted last
night, and you've never let me kiss you.
It's Yes isn't it. dear?" leaning
very close.
"Why. BERTHE Temple, 1 should say
not! OF all the mean. deceiving ad-
vantage taking tricks She paused
breathless, her voice quivering wrath
fully.
But Berthe chung desperately to her
hands. "Dollie, don't spoil it air. in
beseeching whisper Wen never
hear the last of it,
She sank back weakly.
"OL. Tits SO very new, you
know I'm not accustomed to it yet.
Iou-yoa are not angry with me,
d-de.l.
"An,::... ,T::.,. you? Never as long as
~
"Cf cog.:'sc didn't mean that. But
anywa; ,ou mustn't surprise me so
violently. 1t might make me l-llike
you less. Nd. l guess TG better not let
you tonight i';st for punishment. No
1-well. IL you're going to feel so heart
broken. just one very tiny one right
here. indicating the tip of rosy ear.
The elaborate performance was hard
ly concluded when small agitated
voice came Very close to Mr.. Temples
own auditory member.
"Bertie. I'm positive smell fresh
cigar smoke. Do you suppose any one
Is listening round the corner? shall
simply die
The answer came from an unexpect-
ed quarter. Out of the dusk of the low
music room window stepped the youth
full. immaculate figure of Miss Doro-
thy's brother Bob
Hello. you two" he greeted genially,
but with carefully modulated voice. 81
didn't mean to listen more than a min
ute, but 1t was too good chance to
learn how. l knew you'd not mind so
much, being all in the family. But, Sc
rlously, Old man. I'm no end glad!
Rather have you for brother than any
Fellow l know-though 1 had a suspi-
cion that Dot made practice of refus-
Ing you about once week. And here's
my most brotherly kiss for the maiden
not on the ear. either" And Bob
beamed gleefully on one and then the
other. man who had risen to accent
his felicitations with quiet dignity and
girl who stood with both hands press
ed to palpitating breast.
This will Just about sign your re-
lease on the Simpkins' question, won't
1t, Bertie?" continued the garrulous
Bob. by the bye. that cheerful skele-
ton came tiptoeing into the music room
just before you two obscured my out,
look and left with obvious reluctance
on discovering me. suppose it's regis
tered to my discredit, but 1 hadn't the
moral courage to resign the window
seat In her favor
Dorothy's hands suddenly covered he,
face. but not in time to quench a little
gasping sound that was not more tina,
half laughter.
BERTHE took one step to her side and
threw protecting arm across the bent
shoulders. Under that shelter flut-
tering little heart was proclaiming:
She did come! 1t was the truth and
not joke to make me wretched! I
could never have married a man who
wOuId lilo tn ymov'
dot must be weeping to think how
cut up old lady Simpkins will be-" ven
tured Bob, "and nervous. suppose, at
being interrupted so suddenly. Never
mind. little girl. I'll go right away and
never tell soul. Only she might
show brother her new ring-or is it all
so very new that the ring hasn't ar
rived yet?''
$50 new that the ring was about to
be produced when you appeared" re-
Piled BERTHE In very deep voice. tax
Ing Dollie's left hand and slipping some
thing very quickly on to her finger.
"Oh!" she cried, with quaver of de-
light; then she sat down very abruptly,
leaning forward tO LOT tho mOOpljuht