Charlevoix county herald., 1908-03-28
The House That Bob Built
By NELLIE CRAVEY GILMORE
Copyright. 1908. by Daily Story Pub. Coz


from her white linen pillows and
peered through the open window into
the sweet, summer dusk. A little
sharp rap on the panel Of the door
caused her to lie down quickly with a
low-murmured: Come"
Dorcas Trimble entered, bearing a
small silver tray on which was placed
the newest delicacy, shrouded III
snowy doilies.
Il didn't wake you?" she questioned,
with half-apologetic note in her fresh
young voice.
NO, oh, no. Turn up the lamp
higher. I've been awake some time.
But after dinner | slept an hour or
more-and had the widest dream!"
Dorcas placed the tray on a table
beside the invalid, and turned up the
light. Then she sat down in chair
close to the bed and took one Of Miss
Letitia's slim, lily-like hands between
her little brown ones. Tell me about
the dream she said.
For a second. the blood covered the
others pale face like a crimson man
tie. She spoke musingly and with
vaguely-tremulous lips.
when | was young like yourself,
dear, ! had lover. All young girls
have lovers, do they not, Dorcas?"
She smiled. Now, now, don't blush
any more, child; I'm not after probing
your secret-but I'm going to tell you
mine"
For answer, the young girl squeezed
the hand she held, warmly, while a di-
vine flush slipped up to the rims of
her little pink ears.
when | was nineteen" Miss Letitia
went on dreamily. he came into my
life. changing everything loved him
and he loved me-that is the biggest
thing | can say. We were to be mar
ricd in June. The house was all in
rcadiness-thc house he'd been scrimp-
ing and pinching 10 get built, for years.
The wedding gown had come home
from WOrth's and the invitations were
waiting to be mailed--when GRANDPA
theirs letter came, like bolt from
the blue: Lctitia must never marry
Robert Grantlcy--if she values his
life. For he is the grandson of Ger
aldine Haskell WheD mothers father
was young man, Geraldine Haskell
broke his heart; he cursed her and
everything connected with her-every-
body. He was a dangerous man, and
much 10 be feared. /. as everyone
else, knew that he made no idle
threats. And sol gave up my lover
to save his life. | have not seen him
from that day to this, 3 years"
Unconsciously, the young girls fin
gers tightened on the ones she held.
oh" she said, oh" Then after Il
little, she asked:
And if YOU had it all to go over
again. Miss Letitia?"
Il hardly know, child. Love is n
strange master. Robert was very an
CRY, and mortally hurt. But | re-
manned firm. When he found that
was not to be moved he let me alone
forever" Her voice dropped to a
little CULVER and she turned away her
head wetting the pillow with rush
Of hot tears.
Under some sudden impulse, Dorcas
bent swiftly and kissed her on the
cheek And you were dreaming of
him?" she queried softly.
"Of Bob, yes. The years rolled
back; it was just as if there had been
no sorrow, no separation"
A moment of silence ensued, during
which each seemed waiting for the
other to speak. At last the girl said:
Shall l tell yea my secret, Miss
Letitia?"
yes, indeed The older woman
looked up joyously, banishing the
shadows from her face. Her eyes
were very bright from their recent
tears.
After an eloquent little pause, Dor
cas- began:
There is someone whom love and
who loves me, very dearly. Like your.
self, that is the biggest thing l can
SOY. His name is'-she bent and
whispered tall my people are
against him because his are Yankees,
Papa fought side by side with Jack
son, YOU know. But if all his people
were Hottcntots, it wouldn't make any
difference TO me now. ! should sim
ply snap my fingers at the whole uni.
verse and marry him."
Miss Letitia laughed softly as she
pressed the damp little hands in her
clasp. We'll. he's a lucky young chap
to get a girl like you, and I've no
doubt you'll be the happiest pair of
pigeons in all HilDurn county"
I'm FL the world" cried Dorcas,
with very pink cheeks and blacker
eyes than she'd ever had before.
And the wedding?"
Next month-at st. Katherine's.
We're going to Washington and New
York city and Niagara: then back TO
Hilburn for life, | suppose. But such
life"
Miss Letitia did not say anything,
but lay watching the girls radiant