The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-01-31

ing SKY. She passed Gilbert Fanel
new house without noting the brigh
lights In the windows. Home was be
fore her, the only home she had eve
known.
Up the familiar path under the ce
dars and then-nothingi Dorinda star
ed with unbelieving eyes at the empty
hole in the ground vaguely outlined ii
the semidarkness. Where was the Ce
dar House? What had become of hel
home?
The barn In the rear was intact. Shs
could see the black vertical line of tn,
weather vane on the cupola, but ths
house was gone. probably burned t.
the ground. She might never buy bach
the home now.
She threw herself down on the dr.
needles under the cedars and cried bit
terly. The trees seemed to bend pro
tectingly over her, and she chung to {
gnarled trunk with passionate affec
ton
A strong hand lifted Dorinda to bel
feet and drew her from under the
shadow Of the trees into an open space
Hooded with the pale radiance of q
rising moon
'Dorinda Dorinda." Gilbert Fane's
voice was very tender as he looked
into her tear wet face; you must
have known | wanted you. | have
been to the city TO bring you home
and found you had gone an hour be-
fore. have just got back again and
came here first | knew | would find
you here"
The color flooded Dorinda's pale
face as recollection returned. and she
shrank away from Gilbert's embrace
"You must noti Let me go away,
please! First tell me when the house
was burned. | did not known
Gilbert held her closer In spite OF
protest. "The house did not burn,
Dorinda. sweetheart. Come with me-
and | will show it to you
Wondering. she went with him
across the yard and through the fence
into his own large domain. A house
crowned little eminence, a larger
house than her old home. yet with
strangely familiar outlines Soft turf
starred with dandelions was under.
foot, and little breeze stirred the
thick leaved naples. Every window
sent forth a welcoming light.
There is your home" said Gilbert
Fame.
at is yours" faltered Dorinda.
Where is the Cedar House?'
1T is here. | have bought the old
place and moved the house up here
and added wing on either side. We
will need more room some day All
your furniture is in the house, dear.
and today ! went to the city determin-
ed to marry you and bring you home
tonight. This is home for US both
to me. it is nothing without you. Do
rinda. VIII you stay? l will send
for the minister" He paused and
took Dorinda's answer from her trem-
ulous lips.
As they moved toward the lighted
house Dorinda looked back toward
the dark cedars that had always
marked her home. II am glad you
did not cut them down. Gilbert" she
said softly
81 shall never do that" the man re-
piled gravely. 'sWhen a tree has stood
for sixty years and sheltered score
Of human lives from cold and heat
who am | to lay it low from pure
wantonness or caprice? | am ashamed
that ever considered doing so. The
cedar grove shall always stand there
Dorinda, to mark your old home. The
birds will haunt the branches as they
ever did. and you shall go there and
sit whenever you wish. The hole Is
being filed up. and I will make a sum-
mer house for you-a veritable Cedar
House. But here. among the naples.
in the sunshine, you will live. Dorinda,
and grow strong and sweet and beau.
tiful and forget the gloom Of the house
under the trees"
Gilbert paused and looked up at the
thick foliage of the naples. Il planted
those naples when | was a boy, Do.
rinda. and I've been trying to live uI
20 them all these years. Their noble
proportions make me feel very small,
and mean"
Then as they reached the house thai
was to be their home Dorinda spoke
softly. 81 have always likened you t.
3 tree. Gilbert"
''Thank you. sweetheart" he said.