Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-05-07
BONNIE
BY MILDRED WHITE.

ing over the wooden bridge.
The clatter OF the boards brought
the girl to herself with a 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 I'M
happy. So It was that she laughed
and chatted overmuch at home with
the old couple who sheltered her. 1t
was in hours of relaxation like this,
that sad realities protruded.
She did not feel the cold Of the
early winter air In the exhilaration 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 invigorating
chase over country roads.
Dora talked to him softly as she
brought him to a walk. Bonnie was
her safe and chosen conf1dante. Bon
ME was the dearest thing to her the
world now contained. because Of Bon
MES association with one other,
whose dearness persisted, when 1t
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 yet ever mourned
her departure. And then, three years
ago, when the girls fraility became
very evident, 1t was suggested by the
physician that she 60 away, out to the
wide spaces surrounding the home OF
the old aunt and uncle Of her dead
mother. Here 1t was believed that
the tonic air would restore the girls
strength and give to her her place in
the world. Dora had been lonely at
first 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 good-natured 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
favorite 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-
derstandlngly, glad that their beloved
girl should know happiness, even as
they had known and kept 1t through
all the years.
small being transported. Then, one
evening she came into the cottage
home, silent in 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 girl back home, before
his contract called him to work
among the hills. This girl and he
had gone to school together, their vi.
innate union being always an accepted
fact They became engaged before
his departure for the new field. II
was understood that they were TO he
married Mt 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
unseeing, and heart weary. Now
upon this November day. she realized
suddenly. that she had lost her
way as the light falling snow changed
into bewildering storm. With a cry
of dismay the girl bent her face t.
Bonnie's white name.
.You'll have to find our way home
boy" she said. In the cold and thu
storm and the swift falling dusk sh,
chung with eyes closed against hel
fears as Bonnie bore her bravely on
Dora had no doubt that he would fine
his way to the warm shed behind he
uncle's cottage. II was his coaxin,
neigh which brought Dora perplexed
ly to an upright position to find her
self In spacious barn. Bonnie wa
confidently making her way toward
stall. And before the stall stood
man.
Dora's pride forsook her at sight o
that dearly loved figure.
"John" she gasped, and the mai
caught her close In his arms.
Bonnie. satisfied in his old HON
once more, continued into the stall.
81 have just come back" John Han
Ilton explained hastily. "Absenc
works many changes, dear, and 'lov
Is not love, that alters Anita wishe
me to set her free. There was
i