The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-08-13

'In all the world" cried Dorcas
with very pink cheeks and backel
eyes than she'd ever had before.
And the wedding"
Next month-at st. Katherine's
We're going to Washington and Ne'
York city and Niagara; then back II
HIilburn for life, | suppose. But sucf
a life"
Miss Letitia did not say anything
but lay watching the girls radiant
face with thoughtful eyes, while 6
wistful shadow stole over her delicate
face. Finally she said:
I'm 50 glad you're happy, dear AND
I certainly hope this refractory ankle
will be accommodating enough to lei
me go to the wedding"
A fortnight later Dorcas Trimbe
ran lightly up the steps and pressed
the bell at the Fosdicks'. Then, with
out waiting for it to be answered. she
| pushed open the door and went
straight to Miss Letitia's door The
| latter was sitting by an open window
a book in her lap. She wore a gown
of billowy white muslin, the cloud.lke
| folds sweeping the floor about her. A
mass Of filmy lace was draped about
| her shoulders, drifting in graceful cas-
| cades far down upon her skirt Her
| features were small and aristocratic,
and the pale gold hair, piled loosely
| high upon her well-poised heat, gave
her a look that was instantly patrician.
Dorcas greeted her eagerly, delight
ed to find her thus far on the road to
recovery.
why, Miss Lettia," she DRIED, how
charming you look" She, herself, was
more than lovely in her gown of pale
blue dimity with its crisp bows of rib
bon. I'm on my way out to take a
peep at the house | have the pony
cart, it's perfect day, and | do so
want you to go with me and help me
decide"
The other laughed and rose with a
little gesture of pleasure. She pinned
on her hat and dropped the veil over
her face. Then she threw lace boa
over her shoulders and pulled on her
gloves. Afterwards, they went out to
the cart and drove away at a brisk
trot Ten minutes later, they had left
the last struggling village house be-
hind and turned into the turnpike road,
talking merrily as they whirled along
Presently Dorcas drew rein in
front of a little white cottage, nesting
behind a group of trees like a pearl in
circle of emeralds. The sunlight
triclled through the branches in gold
en- splotches and the sky overhead Gov
cred it like a turquoise cup.
With little gasp of delight, Dorcas
jumped out and tied the pony to a
post.
But for some abrupt reason, Miss
Letitia remained where she was, 81
lent and a bit pale.
The young girl looked up at her in
establishment Why, why, Miss Lett
tia" she said contritely, Il am afraid
it's been too great a tax on you. /"
But the other had recollected her
self swiftly and forced a smile to COW
er her agitation.
It's nothing" she said, I'm just a
trife shaky because it is my first out
ing after being confined so long" She
rose and stepped down on the ground,
and they entered the little iron gate
that opened into a wilderness of bios
som. DOTcaS hurried eXcitedly up the
gravel path, ran up the steps and fitted
a brass key to the front door.
Miss Letitia sat down on the steps
to get her breath, smiling in spite of
herself at each rapturous outburst
that came from within as Dorcas dis
covered some fresh revelation of
beauty.
Suddenly the gate changed sharply
and a stranger came quickly up the
rOsc-bordered path. He was attired
in brown COrduroys and riding boots,
and carried his broad-brimmed felt hat
in his hand
Il beg your pardon" he began in a
rich, musical voice, but | was told
that | should meet possible tenant
here at this hour
Miss Letitia started, twisting the lit
tie lace handkerchief she carried, be
tween her fingers. Her lips were
pressed together and two vivid spots
of color sprang to her cheeks. When
she could still the tumultuous beating
of her heart, she lifted her hand and
drew up her veil, while the man looked
on in petritied amazement. His eyes
slowly widened and the color, surging
into his face, showed clear and strong
beneath the heavy mask of tan
You" he said at last.
yes, Robert"
and so you are going to be mar
ried after all. and come here to live "
His tone tried hard to be common
place, but the bitterness leaRet
through, and he suddenly looked older
than his 40 years.
The waves of red were coming and
going in Miss Letitia's delicate cheeks
in little soft rushes There was a quick
in-catch of her breath, as she said:
oh, no, not |; it is Dorcas Trimble
and young Hardin"
With a paean of thanksgiving in his
heart, Robert Grantley took a swift
step in her direction, in his eyes the
look that % years had not dimmed.
"Lctitia'" he cried And
Bob" she answered.
a ripping laugh broke in upon their
II. II.