The Lamar register., 1920-03-24
BONNIE
sy MILDRED WHITE.
tcopyrisht. 1879. w..t.rn Newspaper unIor

DOrd slapped tne Wnlte morse WIN
her gloved hand. and he went canter-
ing over the wooden bridge.
The clatter of the boards brought
the girl to herself with start-how
many of the small bridges had they
crossed since the beginning of the
early afternoon? Lost in unhappy
dreamings, she must have come very
far.
Dora had determined not to be un-
M,1py. So 1t was that she laughed
ehatted overmueh i,,tha at home ne. win !,
was In hours OF relaxation like this,
that sad realities protruded.
She did not feel the cold of the
early winter air In the exhilaratlon of
exercise Dora's cheeks glowed scar
let as the winter berries peeping from
beneath their beds of fallen leaves.
The beautiful horse upon which the
girl was seated seemed TO enjoy with
her the freedom and inrigorntins
chase over country roads.
Dora talked to him softly MS she
brought him to walk. Bonnie was
her safe and chosen confidante. Bon
nie was the dearest thing TO her the
world now contained because of Bon
MES association with one other.
whose dearness persisted, when II
should In all self-respect be banished.
Dora went over her life as the horse
picked his way through the wooded
path, dwelling sadly upon the last
three years. She had been an odd lit
tie atom, moved about here and there
since her orphaned childhood.
She was thrust upon relatives who did
not seek her coming vet ever mourncd
her departure. And then. three years
ago, when the girls fraility became
very evident. 1t was suggested by the
physician that she go away. out to the
wide spaces surrounding the home of
the old aunt and uncle Of her dead
mother. Here II was believed that
the tonic air would restore the girls
strength and give to her her place In
the world. Dora had been lonely Mt
nrst among the rugged hills and
shadowy woods, until-he had come
he. the one who satisfied every need
Of her hungry heart.
He had been so interested. so kind,
and under his goodnstured super
vision. Dora gained health and
strength. grew round and red Of cheek,
and merry.
John Hamilton, civil engineer,
pressed upon the girl the use Of his
favortte horse Bonnie. and taught
her to ride in the saddle, often by his
own side. through woods and fields.
And the hours thus spent together be-
came enchanted hours, for love found
them both.
The old aunt and uncle smiled un-
derstandingly, glad that their beloved
girl should know happiness, even as
they had known and kept II through
all the years.
Dora blossomed in her JOY like
small being transported. Then. one
evening she came into the cottage
home, silent in a grief which bore no
questioning. John Hamilton had con-
fessed to her through his love the
fact OF his owed allegiance to an
other.
He had been betrothed, he told her
brokenly. to a girl back home, before
his contract called him to work
among the hills. This girl and he
had gone to school together. their ul-
innate union being always an accepted
fact. They became engaged before
his departure for the new field. II
was understood that they were to be
married at Christmas. This was No
vember-he would have to go back
he would tell Anita of Dora; that he
had not known true love until he had
met her. But this Dora forbade.
He must In all honor go back, she
told him. and fulfill his promised
part In the hopelessness of their
parting he begged Dora's acceptance
Of Bonnie-his last gift.
Since John Hamilton had gone,
Dora seated upon the horses back.
had travelled many miles, with eyes
unseelng. nnd heart weary. Now.
upon this November day, she realized
suddenly. that she had lost her
Gay as the light falling snow changed
into a bswlldering storm. With cry
Of dismay the girl bent her face to
Bonnie's white name.
you'll have to find our way home.
boy" she said. In the cold and the
storm and the swift falling dusk. she