The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-05-20

they are, and he sent them with his love
to his own little sweetheart. See, Miss
Dolly, here they are, Tryphenie sobbed,
kneeling beside Dolly and putting the roses
in her arms s'And here is the wee bit
valentine that came with them, token of
his love for you.
Dorothy held out her arms for the roses
and pressed the little note to her lips
"Aunty, I'm so glad that you told him.
Il couldn't help it, Dolly. The letters
he sent to you were so true and tender, and
sometimes [ forgot that they were not from
my own Robert, and for hours was hap
by over the answers that [ wrote for you.
And then there was the horror of the end.
''And it has come, the end of every
thing But he knew, Aunty, he knew!''
''And he was SO happy, Dolly. He
sent you a riRg with diamond in it as
bright as star, and | told him how glad
you were, and there is loeket with his
picture and yours inside. Bring them,
Tryphenie, and the letters all tied with
blue ribbon
Tryphenie laid the little packets on the
rug and Dolly bent over them, sobbing.
Miss Tanthe found the ring and slipped it
on the girls slender finger, and Dolly
pressed her lips to it, but still there were
no tears in her eyes
''You told him, aunty? You are sure
you made it all quite plain2 You told him
how sorry ! was, and how"
Over and over, Dolly, till he was sure,
very sure used to forget that it was
not my own Robert till my withered face
and whitened hair in the mirror reminded
me. 1t has been this that has puzzled
T7yphenie. | am afraid that | was not
quite myself The dread of your knowing
fed upon me ike disease, and the joy of
writing the letters has been like an intoxi-
cant. was ike an opium eater, deaden-
ing my anguish with a pleasure that fast
ened it the more securely upon me. =
Dorothy sat listening in dazed sort of
way 'Aunty, he is dead. They Il take
him somewhere II isn't far to the tres
tie. Can't Tryphenie ask somebody-if
we can go2'
81 will go at once, Miss Dolly. Only
Somebody's coming to tell us; hear
a step Open the door, Tryphenie.
And then Miss Ianthe cried out sharply
aud two strong arms gathered Dolly up
from the hearth rug, roses and letters and
all ''Did they brighten you like this,
little woman? am not hurt, not bit,
but the breath was knocked out of me,
and they took me for dead man. Don't
YOU see, Dolly? Why. poor little thing,
did YOU care ike this n For Dolly was
CRYING now with her arms about Berries
neck, and Miss Ianthe and Tryphenie
stole softly away.
II m so sorry that startled you. You
see, | was trying to outrun the bad news,
and it IS swift Of foot, as everybody knows.
Adams told me where they d put my name
and 80 Numbered in ike this.
Dolly smiled and laid one Of the roses
against her cheek Perhaps if you had
outrun the bad news you never would have
known how much | love you. she said.
II have it in black and white, over and
over again. Such dear little letters as
you ye sent me, Dolly. But this. All,
Dolly, I'm sorry yoa suffered just now,
bu, to tind you like this
Miss Ianthe had gone to bed, and Try
picnic had tiptoed out of the room. There
was little rustling sound at the bedside
and soft arm stole round Miss Ianthe.
'Aunty, Eve come to tell you that we are
going back with Berthe, you and Tryphenie,
aud |, and you are to get well and strong
in the soft air, and we are to keep our little
secret. and BERTHE is not to know that his
sweetheart's love letters were dictated. "
Aud a little kiss, that was sweet as rose
leaf, fell upon Miss Ianthe' softly withered
1 cheek.