The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-04-30
The House That Bob Built
By NELLIE CRAvEY GILMORE
tcopyrisht. 1905, BY Daily story Pub. COZ

from her white lnen 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
low-murmured: Come"
Dorcas Trlmble entered, bearing
small silver tray on which was placed
the newest delicacy. shrouded in
snowy doilies
81 didn't wake your" she questioned,
with halfapologetic 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 drean,"
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, llly.like hands between
her little brown ones. Tell me about
the dream" she said.
For n second. the blood covered the
others pale face like n crimson man
tie. She spoke musingly and with
vaguely-tremulous lips.
When I was young like yourself,
dear. ! had a 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 di.
vine flush slipped up to the rims of
her little pink ears.
When ] was nineteen" Miss Letitla
went on dreamiJy, "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.
ried In June. The house was all I'm
readiness-the house he'd been scrimp-
ing and pinching to get built, for years.
The wedding gown had come home
from Worth's and the invitations were
waiting to be mailed-when grandfa.
theirs letter came, like a bolt from
the blue: Ietitia must never marry
Robert .Grantley---if she values his
life. For he Is the grandson of Ger
aldine HASKELL When mothers father
was young man, Geraldine Haskell
broke his heart; he cursed her and
everything connected with her-every-
body. He was dangerous man, and
much to 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. Is years"
Unconsciously, the young girls fin.
gers frightened on the ones she held.
oh" she said. "Oh!" Then after a
little, she asked:
And II you had It all to go over
again, Miss Letitia?"
! II hardly know, child. Love is n
strange master. Robert was very an
cry, and mortally hurt. But re-
mained firm. When he found that |
was not to be moved, he let me alone
forever" Her voice dropped to n
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
lhim?" she queried softly.
"Of Bob. yes The years rolled
back; II was just as II there had been
ho sorrow, no separation"
A moment of silence ensued, during
which each seemed waiting for the
other TO speak. At last tho girl said !:
"Shall tell you 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 / can
say. 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 Hottentots, It wouldn't make any
difference to me now. / should sim
ply snap my fingers at the whole uni
verse ard marry him."
Miss Letltia laughed softly as she
pressed the damp little hands in her
clasp. "Well, he's lucky young char
TO get = girl like you, and I've nc
doubt you'll be the happiest pair OF
pigeons in all Hilburn county"
I'm all the world!" cried Dorcas
with very pink cheeks and blackeI
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 &c
Hilburn FOR life, ! suppose. But suct
life"
Miss Letitia did not say anything
but lay watching the girls radiant
face with thoughtful eyes, while 1
wistful shadow stole over her deicat,