Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-26

Perhaps If | had taken her into my confidence |
might have been saved good many hours of anx-
ous thought. l don't know. Them didn't want
to pain her with the difficulty as presented to my
mind; for she loved Dorothy.
Round and round my thoughts travelled in
circle until reached the door, l placed my key
in the latch and was about to turn it,, when the
door opened seemingly of its own accord. In fact,
Dorothy watching for me, had begged that she be
allowed to open it,
There she stood, within easy reach of my eager
arms. Why did l not fold them about her?
don't know. If 1 had I would surely have kissed
her;-and had promised both Dorothy and my
self that would not. Besides it would not have
been fair to that other man whom Dorothy might
love--and marry some day CD
1 did not think however of any of these things,
save the first two. l simply stood there looking
into the persuasive brown eyes, now irradated
with a smile at my discontinue and at the tempt
ing lips l stood like dazed; like who
does not know whether he is awake dreaming.
MY eyes wandered to the little parlor back of
her In search of my mother; not finding her, they
returned to their allegiance and | found myself
wordless. looking back again into those unfathom-
able brown eyes, looking into mine shyly,
archly for she holding out her precious little
ungloved hand for me to kiss; the one with my
ring upon it.
81 really believe you had forgotten all about it,"
the smile disappearing, displaced by pout.
Il had forgotten"
Il was so surprised, Sweetheart | had been
thinking OF you all the way home had walked the
last third of the way especially to think about you.
And when | found you in the doorway was not
sure whether 1t was you, in prOpriG perSonn6, or
your spirit evoked by my thoughts"
Honest? Is that why you late; and l am
an unlimited guest to dinner!"
You are going to dine with us? I'm so glad
Come right back into the library" All of this time
| had been standing inhospitably in the open door
way thinking she was just coming out
perhaps you will not be so glad when | tell YOU
that have dismissed the carriage, relying upon
your taking me home"
$50 much the better We will walk all the wav
1t is moonlight you know"
"All the way? 1t is not so very far II will re-
quire only few minutes
Not the way am going to take YOU | want
to show you this part of the city of which you
denizens of the aristocratic Places know moth
ing"
She laid her hand over my lips to stop me-
EtSSed 1T; 1T lrdS not mn fault
She made a great show of wping it off with her
handkerchief; "Only one is allowed in the CON
tract" severely.
i couldn't help it. You laid it yourself upon my
lips. 1t is liable to happen any time you do that"
Ihen it shall not happen again, promise you"
She was sitting in the big library chair beside the
table, when my mother in, her head resting
against the dark green velvet cushions which
Drought out the CLINT of gold in her hair as the
light from the chandelier fell upon her.
See, Mater; has not our little Dorothy grown
up lovely,-and beautiful?"
pink flush manted her cheek, and the ashes
were quickly dropped over the pretty eyes, embar-
rassed by the open compliment
That goes without saying" answered the Mater
now made my escape to get ready for dinner