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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent etre film^s d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour etre reproduit en un seul cliche, il &st film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 T' SSSS^^^^SS^^ r- \j^ I DOLLY, THE YOUNG WIDDER UP TO FELDERS. BY EDMUND E. SHEPPARD, EDITOR OF "the TORONTO NEWS." M^ ROSE PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1880. ^jnd^^htydx. by Hunt.r, Rosk & Co.. in the office of the MinUter of AKr.culture P» K, E F A. G E3 . Mt Friend : The little story I have written for you ha^ been the playniato of my fancy for u good many weeks. Tiie people of whom 1 tell have sat around my desk ni the quiet midnight hours after L left my ollioe and found iho Holitude of niv little room at home. It has been one of my few pleasures to h'. merry and sad, pay and sorrowful with these dream-land friends, otherwise the story would never have been written. It will not require a oritical reader to dis- cover that the actual work of writing has been dnno hurriodlv, very often care- lessly, and the literary style and skill may justly meet with unfavorable com- ment, but 1 ask you to remem- ber that I have given you the story because the writing of it amused me, because it carried me back to old times, and I hops', that tha reading of it will interest you tor the tamo or some other reason. Among tne manv cares ot publishine a daily newspaper and trying 10 build up ii popular weekly, there are but few sunshiny place*, and those areoften the liours when we live within ourselves and frolic with the creatures ol our fancy. Libel suitt), infuriated subscribers, and slow-paying advertisers, and the thousand vexations which worry those who go out to sea in the shakey ship of journalism have all been mine, and very unpleasant incidents have crowded themselves into my real life, while I have been trying toniate- r'lzemy fleeting fancies into a story. But '„'. Tarm sketchea I have given you tor the ^st two years and the little village 6tory to which 1 now introduce you, have often led me back to the old farm house, and I have heard the ripened grain rustling in the fields as it did when the nieht winds sighed around the old home and moved the peach bcughs that tapped against the attic window, by which 1 slept. To bring back tfiese recollections, I have let my fancy freely play, and the comings and goings of these memories have been those of the shuttle which has woven the warp of truth aiul the woof of fancy into a story. Good stories aro said to have a moral, antl clover ones must havo a great idea runninjj through their page.". I believe in the goodness, fidelity, and truth of women, and, c.nnprehtnding the suspi- cion and piide of the ordinary -.nan, liave tried to point out how triries in tne jeal- ous or even watchful mind build up awful images of perfidy and distrust. I fiave imagined, too, that the tattle and petty slander, such as, from the first day of my hero's arrival in Felders- burg, began to make him distrust Dolly, and finally led to tlie tragt-dy which separated their lives, may teach thoughtless people to take care lest their idle words may lodge poisoned arrows in a gentle heart. it is but a story. If you want to find pleasure in the naturalism of it, read it slowly and tind whore it tells the inner trutn. The first half of it may be very dull to those in whose memory the slow- moving village daye recall no similar chapters in their own lives, but the last half will, in its excitinsr tragedy, perhaps, justify the character sketchea which lead up and aro the key to it. This little story was written for the readers of Thk Wkkkly IS'ew.s— for those who live, not in towns and cities, but amidst the trloriea of nature and the toils of the field. It will be quite a long story, and I hope that e\en when the summer comes, and the blossoms grow into fruit, and the bees drone through the clover, and the robins teach their baby birds to fiy, and tlie great yellow erain fields slumber through the Sabbath of the harvest, that my little " Dolly " will bo remembered with pleasure, and may win smiles and tears from those who are neither too proud to feel the sorrows of a maiden as she learns life's leisoni, nor too cynical to share in the woes ot a hapless lover a'3 he studies that strange problem— a woman's heart. Dear reader, I now toss into your lap my artless bouquet of corn- blossoms. Yours Always, EDMUND E. SHEFPARD. ■-. 1 iHaiti Ither ) Jo. i liBUt ere ,, iisae r%er 6(1 L ed foi lege( ttlA mseJ p, a bet It OQ, THB STAGE DRIVER. jHain't nuthin' tha matter with the Itber?" reniurked the driver, inquir- INo. the weather ii all riitht," replied passenger, ehortlv. lere waa a considerable pause, and j>a8sen(rer who sat beside the etage |er coemed anxioui that it Bhould con- Uld Humstir felt differently. He led to talk. He had driven the for twenty-three years, and felt lleged to make inquiries which he it hiive deemed indelicate if addressed Imself. By profepsion he was a hotel- Br, and the carrier of Her Majesty's between an Ontario railway station, ih it is unnecessary to name, and Uon, which was the terminus uf Hum- stir's royal mail line of one staf^e and two spavined hordes. He was a tali man, a larg^e man and a drinking man, who prided himself that no one could ever accuse him of having refused to take • drink. Huinstir's age was indetinite. According to nis own conflicting state- ments, he was seventy-nine, though he looked yoang for sixty. The few regular pasHengera who took paini« to connect "Old Hunistir's" stories and adventures as related by himself found that he must have uaesed through ttie very extraor- dinary trials of between six and seven hundred years, in fact Humstir was a notorious, and sometimss interesting and picturesque, liar, who sought to shorten the trip for his passengers by asking ques- tions and relating his own adventures. At every wayside tavern on his fifteon-mile trip he stopped and watered his horses an i drank with those who were reckless enough to treat, but he had never been known to spend a cent His long black curly locks, unmixed with grev, bung down over Ills collar, and the coat gave silent but shining evidence that Humstir, with a remnant of youthful foppishness, was ad- dicted to buttitring his hai.-. His thiist for liquor waa nothing compared to his DOLLY, thirst for knowIcdKe of the nrJvnte afTuiri of tiiH paBMetiKers, and any ^trarl(;er ssho rode with liim hud either t'* tell t\\n own fniiiily history or liiten to the udventurea of tliat veteran tuttler. **No, there hiiint nothiii' tho mutter with the weatlier," remarked Uumstir, reflectively. The pauenf^er took no notice, " How WHf the WRather up in your deeatrick when you left?" inquired the Htat^e driver, raising his voice and reaching forward to lap bis whip around the uich hone's ear. "All right," answered the pasaenper wearily, at he turned hia back on hisciuoft- tioner. " Let'i see," soliloquized Kunistir. *' Where did you say you cum frum." No answer. " Ab I was asayin' jest now, I've fergot- ten wh.nr you said you'cnin frum," con- tinued Humatir, raising his voice and nudging his front passenger. "I didn't say." "No, I guess ye didn't. Cum to think of it mebbf! ye didn't. When we was into the Corners you was tellin' me thet you was agoin' a little further'n Belkton, but I disremember as to wh.ir you said you wa* frum. You was tellin' me you have relations tharabuuts, wan't you?" The passen'.'er turned and looked at Humatir, and tiie old man, avoiding the contemptuous glance, extended his whip towards the wayside field, and "guessed them was as fine steers as he'd seen anywhere." This prevented any friction, but ntill the passenger failed to talk. " Doggone ye, git along thar, or I'll ■kin ye. Yes I will ! dan;,' me ef I don't." These violent words were accompanied by a few lazy switches of the wnip, " \'e ond you woa a,oin' up to Jotinson't, didn't ye?" "No." I'auso of three minutes, and then Hum- stir, turning to the young woman in ttie next seat— " li;n (juito a spell since ye rid with nie afore." " Yea ; I've bin awav. Jest gettiii' back. Bin over to Michigan. I wa-i seem' Hiram's folks. They're doin'well. too, Hiriitn's is." "So I'xe heer'n ; Bi) I've heer'n. See, who was It lliram married?" "Ann Klimtier— you know, Peter Klim ner's girl, iJo you gue»s I'll get a chance home from Belkcou tonight ? My folks haint expcctin' me. " Old Humstir had planned his campaign cleverly and now turned the talkatuu woman on his silent passenger by saying, "This gentleman here isgoin' vour way— as fur as I kin gather, Slebbe if you ask him he'll toll you wharabouts he's goia' to lite." Without further introduction she asked the front passenger wliat chance there d be of " gettin' a lift as fur as Seth Hill's on the town line, near the ninth?" The young man was too gallant to re- fuse a reply and politely expressed his en- tire ignorance of the locality. " If you'd tell me where you're goin' I guess mebbo I'd know whettier we're goin' in the same direction or not?" Tlie young man said he was going to Teldersburg— " l''elder»bur;,' !" joyfully exclaimed the girl. " Why, 1 live within half a mile from there, vvho's coiiiin' to meet you?'' "Nobody— 1 intend to hire a horse and buggy if I can at the end of the stage line. I suppose I can'.'" he added, looking at the driver. " Well, I should say you could, right at my Hotel, and one of my boy's '11 drive you over and tote tliis young woman, too, if yer agreeable. \ isitmg friends thare, I s'poso?" " iNo ; I am a stranger here,'' " 'Flying tur the Feldersburg school, niebbe? A young feller rode down witti me last nicrht and he said he was after it. Mebbe you're too late." The young man was more interested now, and said the trustees had promised by letter to wait till he saw them before selecting a teacher. " Why, my father s one of the trustees," eagerly broke in the young woman. " Him and Peter Klimner and Jo Fold- er, and I'm sure my fatberll be fur you." The front passenGrer turned his steady, dark eyes on the face of the impulsive girl, who blushed like a red, red rose to think thaa she'd betrayed her admiration Dolly. rohnsoDS, didn't and then Hum- r woman in the pell Binceye rid .'. Jeit sreUiii' hi|;an. I was jy'ro doin'weU, e heer'n. See, 1?" nv, Peter Klitn .'il get a chancu L,'ht ? My folks d hia cnmpaifrii tilt! taikatuu npT by •aying, oin' vour way— [eL)be it you aak uta he's froin' to ction she asked chance there'd as Seth Uiir» ninth ?" (gallant to re- X pressed his en- ty. you're poin' I ther we're gom' It?" was going to exclaimed the lialf a mile from eet you'^' iv horse and of the sta^e ded, looking ire ad )U »g . could, right boy's '11 drive ^ woman, too, friends thare, ere. ersburg school, jde down witli tie was after it ore interested had promised them before )f the trustees." iung woman, and Jo J^'eld- 11 be fur you." ed his steady, the impulsive 1, red rose to tier admiration i ! I ■i for the stranger. " I thank you— Mis? Hill, 1 rresuin^ ':" " Yes. sir," bUisht-d the girl. " I don't go to school .iiiy mori'." 'i he young man now smiled as h(^ graipedthc idea of this artluHs explanation — that her adniirati(>n would not embarass hiiu in the school room— and looking up bhu !-aw that slie had airain been too outsjioken. " I'll bf glad to drive you home, Miaa Hill, as our way is together." "Tiiauk you— sir," she added witli an unusual eltort at leserve and strict propriety. .Sho wan a pretty girl, and as she turned her head and ga/.ud out over the fieldH, the schoolmaster noticed that her lace was not only sweet but honest and her blusliei) and contiiHion showed that she was modest. He looked at the rest of the tired v>aaden^era and wondered if they were all to be. hia neighbors. They were joining in a dis- cubsion with old Hutiistiir as to the dis- tance bfitween Belkton and Feldersburg, and about how long it would take the schoolmaster to make the trip. Tno un- communicative stranger was surprised to see the interest f.nlt in his ino\uuieuta. and ascribing it to their good nature, endeav- ored to be pleasant. Old Humstir saw his advantage when tlie stranger intiuired the size of Feldera- burKi &hlight pause. Young man volunteers no information, but is aware chat the pas- sengers are all listening. " Where air you frum?" demanded Humstir, leaning over th» wheel to ex- pectorate, and a<;:ain avoiding the young man's disgusted look. " I've been living in Toronto lately." " Goin' to college, like enutf ?" " Y'es ; I've been studying medicina," coldly admitted the stranger. "A heap of young fellers frum around Feldersburg 'vo been off studyin' doct'rin'. Good many of them have gone to the States. Mebbe you're a Yankee yerself ?" resumed the indefatigable bore. " Yes, I was born in York state. " Then you'll suit Jo Felder, you will, ba gosh. He favors Yankees. < Yei, he do«i, be goth. He's got tome Pennsyl- vania Dutch in him. Same htro. I cum from Dutch stock over'n York state. 1 left there in— but I say, young feller, liow old would you r»'ck(tn 1 am '.'" Without looking at his in()iiisitor the passeni;er carales!: which followed tli<» hill-side tiie yonn. man siu'lied, and Itoking out over tlit river, was loat in thought. Jenny f That he was a man to inspire roapect was proved by llumstir'a ailenoe, and for miles the ntage rattled over the road, its oilcloth top tlappinir agamat the frame of the cover and the hot dust drifting in on the passenger», with- out a word bein'»iU" ilrr e, set out fu: I wae K how loM'ly the rivnr looks ?" 'I'hu liver w:in indeed lovely as it broad- ined into a littlt^ lake. The last rayA <>f the aumiiKT sun Nont long ban of In^lit a'ld iliadow acrosH the cluar waters, tho trci ■( were rtitlcctcu in tho Htroaiii, a little punt with throe chiUiri'ii as its crew was tloatiiig down towards the villaeo, tho ijuail wero whi.stliiitr in the uiidiTbrush l>y ti.e roadside, and everything siioicu of peacf. •■ 1)0 you know," said tho sentimental Jenny, *' that when I sue tlie trees and «ky rolleuted in tho water liku ttiat, I think tliat heaven isn't so very far away after all." Her companion turned to her and quot- ed batitcriiifrly, while ho watched her face, •• I remember. I remember 'I'iiu fir trees dark and iiigh ; I iHed to think their slender tops Were close HKainst the sky ; It \\ as liut (childish ignorance, Jim now 'lis httlojoy To lpareiitly remained un wa.-^lied since the last school-master wai hired. But u enny couldni even enjoy herself answering; quMiions and teliing her folks about "Hiram's," and how tlit children looked and how many cows li' had and the luck iie'd had with his crop* ana slashin'. She went to bed in tho u\f stairs room toi^dream of the handsome self-possessed stranger, and wondenuj! what his name was. CHAPTPnl IIL JO. FELDEUH DOLLY. "Where uoes Mr. Felde^live?" " Over yeudet," replied a tall, thin man with chin whiskers, who was one of dozen idlers in front of the grocery store and postoHice of Feldersburg. 'i')v stranger's eye followed the direction o: the extended finger, and saw a big white house with verandahs all around it, in the mid*t of an orchard. A great woodec hill Bloped up behind it, the river flowe; beside it, and no prettier home could b« found in all Canada, " I guess you must be strange to these parts or you'd knowd where Jo F'elde: lives," continued the tall man with the chin whiskers, who had left the crowd anc was leaninsr over the wheel and lookiocl inquisitively at the stranger — " a preacheij niebbe ?" The cold, clear cut and clean shavpii face relaxed into a cynical smile, as b( ! replied : "I'm obliged to you for thinking 1 look uious enough to be a preactier, bu' I'm not." "1 thought inebbe you was, fur tin preachers all stay up to Jo's, notwiti; standing he's an infudel," "Go on, driver ;" and with a "mud obliged to you," the stranger wen on. It was nearly nine o'clock wliei he got out of tiie buggy, went u; the steps, and stood on .)o Felder's verac dah. As he came up from the gate he sa* | a man in his shirt sleeves sitting in i rocking ciiair by a side door, smoking long pipe, and dreamily swaying bad ward and forward. As he walkel towara him the man rose up, and before h.r. to'vered the tall, equare-shouldered honest farmer whose life he was noon i ruin. Jo Felder, in jean overalls and stoc shoei and sweat .stained shirt, was a ma DOLL\. 9 artinR compamon p pail thutn cowB. liny full in the face 'good ni(;ht," aui nn nothing except jretty white farm that Serh himaeil uneasy man, witu ently leraained un tchool-niaster wai uldni oven enjoy aiions and telling m's," and how tlit ow many cows li- had with his crop» ,t to bed in tho u\i- of the haiidBome. , and wondennf! R III. S DOLLY, eldei?live?" led a tall, thin man, bho was one of il the grocery stortl Feldersburg. Thej d the direction of ud saw a big white all around it, in the A tfreat woodec it, the river Howe ier home could be ; be strange to these where Jo Felde: ! tall man with the d left the crowd anc wlneel and luukia; anger—" a preacher and clean shaven cynical smile, as he 1 to you for thinking ) be a preactier, bu: ! you was, fur thf to Jo'a, notwiti .el." and with a " mud ;he stranger wen nine o'clock wli« buggy, went u; m Jo ]'" elder's veiac from the gate he sat sloeyea Kitting in i iide door, smoking ,mily swaying back s he walkel toward up, and before h.t square-shoulderec ! life ho was soon t 1 overalls and Bt< i: led shirt, was a ma iwiio would bu noticed anywhere as an iBtblete and un honest man. His large [head, crowned with white, shortcut hair, Iwas poised on the neck of a Hercules and (the shoulders of a giant. Sixty years of {toil had failed to bend the six feot two iinches of manliood that confronted the [stranger, nor had a mean action or a [malicious tl.ought darkened the blue eyes [which looked so kindly on the young man [liefore him. An iron grey moustache and Igoatee gave the square, pleasant face a |iiiihtary look, and altogether the man E^aemed out of place as he stood there |without coat or vest, his calico shirt open Ekt the neck, his overalls Hcarce reaching lis ankles, and his cowhide shoes coated kvith tho dirt of stable and field. Th« city bred young man instinctively )ok off his hat, and with more respect lan he had shown any man within a year, ud : "Mr. Feldar, I presume?" .. Yes, if you like, though Jo Felder is irhat I'm known by 'round here," and a bi? fist reached out and grasped the young mans hand, which, by the way, bad not been offered. "I write to you some time ago applying for the Feldersburtr school—" " O, you're the feller, air von ? Dolly ! Dolly ! bring out a chair and that letter on top of tho secretairy. " " Dolly's upstairs dressiii', or sumchin', so I brought ye the cheer and likewise the letter. I guess Dolly'il be down in a minnit. We wa'n't epectin' comp'ny, and Dolly didn't want to show nerself, Dolly didn't. We've been wasliin' to-day, tliis is wash day here with us, and Dolly wa n't fixed up like she's ginerally so she run off upstairs, right enuff, too, and I told her to run up and spruce up a bit, though I've otfen sed as how 1 don't like people to run when 1 go ter the'r door, but then I'olly'sth" only one I've got, and I like ter set; her lookin' her best, and 1 kin say as tiiar hain't nr.thiu' in these parts to fashion with her — " "iSo you're 'Lucius M. Strong,' air you?" broke in the heavy but gentle voice of Jo l'"el(ier, as he iield up the letter, and Mrs. Folder's carrulous apolo- gias were stopped, thoueh she continued to loiik with a half-silly and half-cunning simijer at the young man, " Lucien M. Strange," corrected the young man. " You'll stay .all night?" queried .To. '■ I would like to liave the matter set- tled as far as yout consent goes — and ,1'ra told it means everything— this evening, as if I aui not acceptable I will go hajk to lielkton in the buggy that brought me out ; it's waiting for me." " Well, you'd better stay, and if we can't make arrangements I'll drive ye back to the stagn. We can see Peter Klimner in the morning, and Seth Hill will jine in whatever we do." The young man explained that he'd seen Mr. Hill, and Jo at once said it was as good as fixed. Jo itisistei on bringing the trunk into his house till the young man got some place to board, so the driver was i^aid and dismissed. As they came from the gate to the fiouse. carrying the trunk between them, a girlish figure, draped in muslin, rose from her father's chair, and the old man, putting down the burden, stood erect with his hand on hii daughter's shoulder, and with a voice which seemed to tremble in its strengtli with a premonition ot,evil, and yet with the softest notes of love, " Mr. Strange, this ie my Dolly." She held out her hand with a frank directness which was like her father's. Lucien Strange took her hand, and look- ing into her clear, blue eyes, eaid : " Misg Felder, I've not been many hours in thii 10 DOLLl', pleasant country, bat I've already heard of you." 'h *• I hope tliey said somethinjf por.d about me, ]Mr. Strange." laugned thoself- possessed Dolly. There they stood in the uncertai;! licht, the dark-browed stranper and Jo l'"el'ier'8 " My Doliy. " and tor an instant thev looked into each other's eyes and wondered why tlie\ had never met before, wliile Jo watched them with a secret misgiving m his heart whether it was well that so hand- some a stranger should meet nis preci<)U.s little girl. The mother, who was straighteninj? her apron and smoothing down her frock broke in : " Say good about ye ? why sure ! Nobody cud say nuthin bad 'Liout our Dolly, 'cept mebbe that you'd eone to a picnic with Tommy Watson and both yer paw and me was agin it and if — " "Never mind going into that, ma. It doesn't interest strangers,'' remarked Dolly, with some asperity. " Mother," interrupted' Jo, " pet me a m.atch, and see if th^^i young f toiler's had supper." The young man protested that he wasn't hungry, but Mrs. Felcler was not to lie prevented and soon a cold b :t dainty sup- per w.is on the table, over which Dolly presided, while Jo smoked on the veran- dah and the talkative oiother was busy fixing the " spare bed" for the guest, As he sat eating hia cold ham and sip- ping his tua, for the hrst time Lucien Strange bad a good chance to look at his fair hostess. Dolly was plump and medium-sized, the looked like her father and had ihort, oright brown bair which curled cIom to her head and g'ave her a babyish appearance, though vj Was nearly eil:ii:^^ that her bc'St spreaa wa-< in tlie was::, could not ornament thesjjare room, i up the evening, and Jo piloted his g to the spare bedroom, saying, as lit- the lamp on the bureau, " If moti^l made tlie bed too tixy, there hain't no.5»^ to pre\ent you from takin' a (|iiilt " snoozin' on the sofy in the parlor." CHAPTER IV. THE SPAKE r.KI) AN"1) IT.S OCCUPANT That sturdy farmer would never been won over to a belief in tlie stnij if he had known that liis gue.-t! fumbled over the lock in an atteiiij fasten the door of the "spare room] fore he retired. It was Jo's boast j he never locked a door in his hou-ej the man who was afraid to sleep undff roof without a key turned in thfj was, to Jo's mind, a suspiciouily gf minded person. Strange, on thi hand, wae the kind of a uian vi DOLLY. IX pearanct, thoupb s: Her complexion w. .s a soft sweet blv| lipped, sentiment,^ us rounded cur»f> • soft, wiiito haii:, so deftly and gnic-^ r she touched th ; in to wis'h that i 'lun resting in h. , ith himsolf that if i with her when chairnear tlu- doc^ e from the tTlole thinkm' about i? b'lieve the •cient^ upted the thougut.i fre is awfully tired ;? In-.g since four o'cl . know your UlOon^t;j_^ 50 let hiiu ort' to l*|i • theb;»ck()ftherocK : iKinda rested on ! tier face was bent dij in'. Dolly, you tli| f interest in thiiif 1 a vexed tone, hii:»! icholdofherhan I asi er. lest hia words iui;l to hear Mr. Fek ,nge, jioliiely. don't commence. ,. 'and she's Rof ^lie s;i ran"e will Buffer en. ;&t. Take of! the fea t," whispered DoUy.j 's tongue, complaid ,fta was in the was'.i.l int the spare room, bil nd Jo piloted his gl room, saying, as he) e bureau. " If motu jfixy, there ham t no; from takiii' a qjiilt ofy in the parlor." AFTER IV. ;K11 and its occupant armtT would never 5" o a belief in the straj wn that his gue^tL he lock in an atteml of the "spare room I It wa« Jo's boast I ft door m his hou.^e! .18 afraid to sleep undej a key turned m tncj mind, a suspiciously g1 1. Strange, on the J e kind o£ a man wf Btinctively shut and fastened gates and ioors behind him. Ho, too, he suarded .lis tongue and face with a vipilauce [>ntire^ly natural, but not with greater care than that with wliich he watched the nks, smiles, and actions of others. It Kan 1, part of his nataro to be on the ilert, and without seemin? to notice aiiy- ^liiitr ho took note of the minutest det;iil l^nd stoced it in his memory. Thus he las forever watching people and judping their consistency and truth by his lemory of what they said and did lays, weeks, years before. Ho was not jatur.i'ly suspicious, but hia habit (d liiciu^'ht led him to fre [ueiitly remind his icquaintanceB of their inconsistency, and 'lis made tnem think lie was suspicious their truth, wiien he was but seekinqr an experimental sort of way to know jiTiething about the workinfrs of their lind. He chieliy hated a liar, and nextly le practical joker. He couldn't bear to . slapped on the back or liave tricks layed on him, and his alertness was less ^int; to suspicion than to a fear that mebody would get " the laut at tlie idea of a woman with .so little sense as Mrs. I'elder showed and his disgust was deepened as he thought ot a fool woman remaining a fool though atie was tlie wife of a sensible man and the mother of a sensible and pretty daughter. As he unlaced his siioes his eye caught sight of more of Dully's fancy work on the bureau and it struck him that her taste was either jierverted or naturally bad. The colors in everything were bad- ly bl>indecl, the carpet wasucly, the fancy- work carelessly done and the patchwork spread elaborately hideoua. Lucien Mel- roy Strange was fond of pretty things and his taste had been educated bv artistic surroundinira into an almost perfect know- ledge of what was and what was not beau- titul. He threw his alioe noisily on the hoor and strode to the window to rest his eyes on the moonlit land«cHpe and the beauties which nature always provide* and man cannot destroy. The river glowed like a broad band of silver, the cloudless sky, jeweled with countless stars, seemed to rest on the wooded hills, the darkened village was at rest save where here and there a lit'ht shimmered through the apple trees like a lantern through a forest. He w.as still thinking of Dolly and woiideiing whether she inherited the weaknesses of both her parents, and was half silly like her mother and tialr wisa and partly noble like her father, lier gentle dignity, easy erace, and kindly yet clever ide.i ot people came back to him, and he could think of no point in which she resembled her mother, but ttien the spread and the fancy work— but maybe she didn't work them— but what differ- ence? Why wiw be worrying about Dolly's taste '.' 12 DOLI.Y, Just then a gentle hoore from an adja- cent room distiacted his attention ; then a louder one from acro-s the hall ; then the low, musical note, endini; in a snort, m the next room. Ho felt poeitive it was Dolly and her lather snorini,' in concert. Angrily dropping the curtain. Strange left the window and commenced to un- dress. It galled his vanity to think that he, the cultivated gentleman, who by poverty was forced to teacii the village school in order to get means to finish his medical education, should have Btood gazing out into the nioonii.<;tu dream- ing of Dolly when that unconcerned and probably coarse and cociuettish little puss was snoring instead of tossing about in her bed, and tinnking of him ai most girls would. Vanity, ecrotism, selfishness are the mainsprings of life among the cul- tured few— lie could forgive her for any- thing except being less impressed by hini than he had been with her. He pulled the bulgintr feather tick off the bed, with a feeling of disgust that he had to be his own chamber- maid, and reposin;; on the straw mattrass he dreamed tnat his stvtinge surroundings had grown familiar to him, and that he had found rest and peace in the touch ot Dolly's soft little hand and that he had resolved to forget the sorrows of the past ana eo wherever tliose gentle, clinging lin;rers might puide him. His dieam then told him that he spoken to her and that she broke his heart by pre- ferring the disreputable " Tommy ^Vat- 8on" of whom he had heard. He awoke and the moonlight was streaming throucrh the open window filline the room with its 8oft radiance. The big, shapeless " feather-tick" lay on the floor and the blue-and-red pin-cushion loomed up on the dresser aud he decided that he didn't care whether Dolly liked him or not— that he couldn't endure a woman with bad taste— particularly when she snored. But hedreamedof her againand thought he was m a prison and she came to set him free — waking, he heard Dolly knocking at his door and callint? to hiir. that breakfast was ready, and he wonder- ed that he hadn't noticed what a sweet voice ahe had. CHAPTER V. THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND TETKR KM.MNKR IN PAUTICUI-AB. At breakfast Strang* watched Dolly closely, though he was apparotly listening to one of Jo Folder's pioneer stories about the development of Feldersburg and the hardships the early settlers had to undergo. Dolly was eating her egg and buttering her biscuit, and once Id] while turning her deep blue eyes from ba father to his guest with a smile, wh4 Strange rightly guessed was intended i indicate the points of interest an] amusement in Jo's rather tedious recits Strange cuuld see that Dolly Q often lieard the story before, and desirij not only to encourage her father, but^ relieve the guest by seeming to take interest in that worst of all tales- nioneer yarn. In his usual search aftj her motive the visitor believed that si <.vas anxious that he ehould popularij himself with her father by seeming t'.:rested at the right moment and lauj ing in the proper place. He felt that su| tact and grace were charms posscsstd but few of the ladies whom he hi met in society. However, Dolly ^e nn^ unconscious of bis admiration or her 01^ charms, and nearly all her soft smi] were lor her father. It all at once stru him that maybe Dolly, for some sjiecf jjurpose, was being extra sweet to jiapa and "Tommy Watson," and soij possible picnic suggested itself to mind as the reason. The mother hovered around, and \\\m ewer the conversation flagged for a u^ ment apologies were made by the gar:^ lous dame for the '"vittals." Everybj knew the said *' vittals " were pleat;| find faultlessly cooked, but Mrs. Fela could not be persuaded to cease compU| ing of the "last grist of tiour " and 1 horrible and mexplicable luck with yeast. The poor thing almost weptl she told of how " mor'n twenty caml Her fruit had spiled " Dolly nel _. winced ; the blue eyes never clouded vfQ" a sign of wcarinsss or disgust while mother's tongue ran on ; and even w. the maternal heart was oo nearly bie ing over a recital of the trouble causec the stovepipe falling into the last los "sassige" that the maternal nose blown into an apron, with fog horn lence, Dolly made no remonstrance, turning her sweet, innocent eyes towrj the startled guest, she inquired : "Have you taught in many sch Mr. Strange?" The sweet eyes didn't look inquisi;| but they were lot)king squarely intu face, as if inviting him to change tlie ject by talkine about himself. " No, MissFelder, I have never t.v4m;vid school. I hope to open my career iH^liti teacher of the young idea in lelJKant; burg." l\v *' Peter Klimner will be agm y""(lBl c that," broke in Jo. '' Peter's grca^pny experience. Peter's singler, and itkiA ' M| ashamed of anything it's becany ||tra wasn't born with experience. You li^Ul||, ti •wired lendll nd n' SI tiiif ndsl he\| led th.n lat ol ebl Bcuit, and once in J blue eyes from k ivith a BOiile, whii ifd was inteaded ■. 1 of interest uii ther tedious reciii; that Dolly In before, and deair f(6 her father, but seeming to taks »r8t of all tales- 8 usual search iif;f or believed that a:'' iB ehould popular! ither by seeming ; t moment and laug ue. He felt that SU5 charms posaessod idiea whom he h iwover, Dolly se m admiration or her o f all her soft biiii', It all at once str >olly, for Boroe spec J extra sweet to I jr Watson," and so jgested itself DOLlA. 1» »ny ragged old clothes with yon, younK uian to StranKe said he hadn't. "Peter's down on food clothes and will like enough ask ye if them air paid fer '! You could catch Peter solid if he fouud e running around barefoot, but then \ o ouldn't like tliut, would yoV" Strange admitted that liu would feel inconifortablo without having his feet lovered. " I've sent for I'eter and Seth Hill to jeet nie here at nine. You kin work 'eter fer yournelf, but don't yit mad at ini, no matter what ho says. He's the iij^lerest man 'round here, but ho don't ean nothm' by his talk. He goes bare- lot till the snow flies, and ho says ex- irience has shown him that a nuui who |oes barefoot ain't proud, and lie says jroud men ain't no good. You'rn kind I' proud lookin', and he'll be down on ye ir that,' added Jo, leorietlully. The face of Lucien Strange did not in- |icate the disguit he felt at havin;; to &]>■ V for aposition to amanwhowenf'bare- ot " and was in favor of [ eople dressing rags, .lo, however, felt that Strange as concealing his contempt, and feared at Peter's extraordinary Wriy.s would ex- |te his wr.itb, " l)f course," continued J<>, '" I intend stand in with ye, aiul Hiil alius sides aueu i/u tcoov. — with ii e, and then you've kinder got .i trist of flour '' and :'||aiin on him fur bringin' his Jinny home plicable luck with #itii ve— " thing almost wop I )olly looked up at Strange and he ""ought he s»w her full, red lips curl |ornfuily. " And of conreo nfe and Hill kia cffi'V jthrousrh, but it might muUu una irieixls • us all if We worked agin I'eter to ons:, and he's dead sure to ba sot agiu iu or anybody else with any style about p. Of course I'll stand fer ye on endly grounds, ye know, saj'in' ve're a nd of mine, and he'll overlook my n' strong on your side fer that — tiiat's thing about Peter, he believes in hev.n' nds and stickin' to 'em. But ot course , he\ to be kind ot familyer, and if 1 lied you Mr. Strantf*, i'eter ud be niad- than astumptail steer in tly time. He's )at on callin' people by their front name, lebbe I'd better call you — 'Lucius,' was rod around, and wlwi ;ion flagged for a uj re made by the em '•vittals." Every bj nttals " were pleot'l oked, but Mrs. PelJ kded to cease comiM. ' mor'n twenty cani" j'iled" Dolly mi ayes never clouded »| SB or disgust while* an on ; and even wl rt was BO nearly biel )f the trouble causecl ling into the last lol the maternal nose f ron, with fog horn 3 no remonstrance,! c, innocent eyes towil , she inquired : lught in many ach; didn't look inqui>« ,king squarely mtc| 2 him to change the! )out himself. it der, I have never t:. ooen my career young idea in ieU er will be agm yml Jo. '• Peter's presi ter's Bingler, and ul lythmit it's becaii* experience. You hal Ividently mortified, but unusually lling, he answered, " Lucien M. [anije is my full name." Well, I'L call you ' Lucien M.,' and |1 carry off the idea that I know so ly of your folks that I hev to throw ' M.' in to keep from mixin' y« up." "irantre Ciiught Dolly's eyes watching , and with a rather stiff' smile he an- red, " Certainly I will be triad to hear my ' front name ' again. It isn't long ago since my niotlicr called me 'Lew.'" " .Mother livin'?" called out Mrs. Fel- der's voice from the rantry wln-ro the busy housewife was washinj; dishi-s. " *«'o, inadame, my mother is dead," he answered huskily, and rising fr.jm the table, ho walked over to the windoAr, af- fecting not to hear Mrs. Folder's high Bojirano as she called out, "I'ather livin";'' Dolly carriotl some dishes into the pan- try, and Strunee susiiected her of adnion- ishin;,' her mother, as no more questions were asked. As he looked out of th(? window tie saw aineilium sized, heavy -set man coming' up thi- walk. An imiiun.-e black beard, siigiitly sprinkled with grey, reached nearlv to tia waist. A low-crouu- ed straw liat, witu scarcely any brim, covered his long black hair. Devoid ot coat, vest, shoes, or stockings, a black cla>' i)ipe projecting from his coarse lips, he was easily recognizable as i'eter Kliiii- iier. I'eter walked through the open door without thotormality of kiioclcing, pulled a chair up to the table which DoUv hr.d just cleared, and witiiout removintr his hat or pipe, or saying " (!ood morning," cried out, " i.et's git to bizniss.' "We d better wait fer Seth, i;eiln't \\c, Peter '/ l^le'U b" here 'fore long, ' suKge^t- ed Jo. "No, iie'll do as you tell him to, any- how, and I s'pose you've fixed on that stuck-up spriff tnatdiuv over from Belk- ton last ..iijrht. " .Stranee's eyes hamed. lie had not been addressed but he felt Peter's con- temptuous glance sizing him up and his fiery temper could scarce he kept within bounds. His habitual self-control con- (juered and he remained gazing out of the window as if the discussion di(ln't interest him. "I ain't seen Seth since the young fel- ler cum, so there ain't been no 'settlin' of anything' without consulting ye, Peter," Biiid Jo. reproachfuUj'. "No you hain't"— snarled Peter as he lay back in his chair and put lus hands in his pockets — '"but tlio young whipper- snapper hauled .leniiy l^liU homo frum Lelkton, so Humstir told me last nij,'ht when I was cummin' througii frum town^ pils are adanged sicfht too (juick pickiii' up with trasliy youne sports these timesi and they'll git into trouble over it, too, it they don t watch out"— and I'oter's black, beady eye fixiid itself on i^olly. while his coarse lips leered brutally at the pretty gill. Strange saw Dolly blush and for an instant he felt like puliinBT Klim- ner's nose. Jo I'elder, however, didn't notic; the reference to his daughter and answered, simply : 14 DOLLY, "You're too hard on yoinifir folks, Peter. Thtv menn all riffht ami if you ^ive em A chance they'll cum out ill right.' " Cum out all wrong, 1 tell ye. YouDjf tolks air gittin' bad ways that ought to bn straightened out'ti ttiem. Purion Meeker was to my house liiat Sundiiy and he's of tlie opinion that young folks hedn't ought to be out later n nine o'clock, nohow, ur they 11 git into mischief. And I'm goin° to make mine cum in by that time or stay out — an' no galivantin' 'round or buggy ridin' with sports that they never saw before." Peter again looked maliciously at Dolly, but she was ready for him, and with a carelesB laugh she inquired whether Mr. Kiimner "intended to follow his own rule of being off the roads before dark?'' This wUH a straight thrust and it went nome. It was no unusual thing for belated travelers to meet I'eter dodging home ac unseemly hours, and very often Peter was in an unseemly condition. Moreover, it was generally understood that he had formed a iicaQdalous attachment for a grass widow who live^l i few miles off, ^vhoxe sharpness of tongue and violenceof temper seemed to suit Peter better than tbe meek- ness and Heartbroken sullenness of his own wife. Before Dollys innocently inquiring eyes Peters glance fell and his lipE tightened over his yellow teeth. " You're too peart, missy, and '11 give yer father trouble yit— moren me is saym' that, mind ye," Boarled Peter, maliciously. " Don't argue with your elders, Dolly," said Jo quietly, but his voice and look silenced Kiimner as well as Dolly, juat then Seth Hill stumbled through ths door, twirling his hat uneasily. " Mornin', Peter ; mornin', Joel, * he jerked out as he took the cliair Jo pushed towards him. "Mornin',' he said to Dolly "Hope yer mars well." "Dang it, sit still," snapped Peter, "and let's git through this bi/.ness. I s'pose you're ter hirm' this snrout over here-" " I'm 'sree.able t'anythmg, jest [as ye like. I'm easy suited, " jerked Seth. " Daiig it, man, hev an opinion fer onc't. D'ye think a city chap with a swell head and fancy clothes, which like enuff nin t paid fer, cud run the Feldersburg school and boss the big boys like mine and your'n ? They'd lick him the first day." Strange had been standing with his back to the trustees, looking out of the window, but at these words he turned and looked at Klimner, and said in a low, cold tone, which belied his gleaming eyes and the lowering frown which made his face darker and fiercer than ever : " You need not continue thia d'scu=- s on. I am not afraid of the school notl the scholars, but 1 am not pre)iared to be| insulted by a person who imaj^inee that! his petty office gives him the right to mak«| offensive remarks." I *• You re wrong, Peter. Lucien, here,l is a fine young feller, and it ain't rigbtl fur ye ter say mean things about him. Hal ain't used to yer ways like we air," saidl Jo, in a soottiing tone. "Sit down,! Lucien, and we'll draw up an agreement uf'i some kind or uther ef your s'tificut's all! right." i " Ye mought as well !" echoed Seth. 1 \yith the steady, deliberate movement | which marked all his actions, Luciml placed his chair closs beside Peter Klim- j ner, though he had to go out of his wny! to secure that location. Ihis conduct sur- prised Peter, but he didn't move an inch, though Lucieu's cliair touched his own. ' He only sneered and pulled his beard. At i Stransre sat down beside him he turned ' his face squarely towards the old reprobate and looked him straight in the eyes. Petut Klimner did not pass for a coward, but ' his eyes couldn'tmeetthatlookof hauglitv contempt and bitter rage. For once the Dad talker and business bully of the set tlement felt tbfit he had aroused a passioii with which it would be unwise to play, Yet his irritating tongue couldn't keep quiet. *• Ye needn't get in my lap, young fel- ler, even if ye hev taken a fancy to me,' growled the bearded snappini^^-turtle, us fa filled his pipe. At that moment Strange 's boot crusheil down on the bare toes of the peaker, who, with a curse, drop[)&d pipe and tobacco and sprang up. "Excuse me, Mr. Klimner. It was un intentional! Be seated"— and taking hold of his arm the young man torcid Peter back into his chair. There was > bar of red across each of Strauge's cheeki from Drow to jaw, and as Klimner turmd to curse him the bully saw a pair of ey«> which no longer looked black— they were a lurid grev, and the lips were closed { tightly over the even white teeth, asynu^ have often seen a bull-dng's. J "Dang it, be careful," he muttered, a- j he nervously put his pipe and tobacco into his pocket, and at the same time he { put his heels on the rung of the chair j He was not only subdued but frightened, | Never before had he encountered discip- 1 lined rage coupled with conscious power. \ If he had been alone he would have feared ] for his life. i " As fur's I'm concerned, I'm wiUin to give two hundred dollars fer the rest <>: this year, after holladays," said Jo, an i ; peace offering. " I'm wiUin," echoed Seth, wno wa- DOLLY. lA I of the schnol noti not ureiiaied to bel ^ho imaifinei that! im the right to make J eter. Lucien, here, and It ain't rieht^ lings about bim. H»\ a like we air," saidj one. "Sit down,! ' up an agreement of j if your 8'ttficut'a allj II !" echoed Seth. liberate movement lis f StrauKe's cheeks as Klimner turui'd saw a pair of eye^ black— they were I lipa were cloj quick in settling on tliat fractious and danijerous looking ^oung man. Ha was surprised that Jo Felder hadn't saved him from becoming a party to hiring a young man of nature's noblemen. No man can have such eyes and face and such u gener- ous manner who is not a good man.' "And yet people sav he is an infidel and does harm by the way he talks — though they all come to him when they are in trouble." added Dolly, |)roudly. '"He is a good man, and he thinks everybody else is honest and anxious to do right, which they're not." " From where do the residents of thia place mostly come ?" inquired Strange, without looking up. " They are nearly all of Yankee de- scent : the few who are not, are English, Scotch or Irish. Mr. Stranpe, ' added Dolly, " I came out here to tell you to be careful, because you have made an enemy of Peiei KJimner, and your haughty ways will make you unpjpular with others. If vou are going to live in Feldor sbdig for five months you will have to be agrsealDle or be made wretched. You may or may not thank ine for civing you advice, but I am giving it all the same." "I certainly thank you," answered Strange, gratefully, "and I'm glad I have, for once, come so near making a friend that you take a little interest in my happiness." "Then you will soon have a chance to act your prettiest and make some friends, for to-morrow is our annual 'blackberry picnic, ' and since you belong to Felders- burg you will be expected to go." " Are you going?" " Certainly ; I always go." you,' •'Then I'll be glad to co with Strange said, with a gallant bow. "Well you'll not!" retorted Dolly, sharply. '• If you go, you must do the agreeable to everybody and keep away from me. Kene Watson was up hero just now and said you mi^ht go with their crowd, and they have a comfortable rig and plenty ef pretty girls— Jenny Hill and Sadie Klimner among the rest. " For some reason Lucien became intense- ly, ercely jealous. Dolly was talking to him like a maiden aunt would talk to a half grown boy, and he resented it bitter- ly. It was on his tongue to ask her if aha was goinped hind her. she sauntered along the road- ide, avoiding,' the dust and enriuiiing lockinply of her companion if he had ver been at a blackboiry picnic before. oh then he had no idea of ttie tun was going to have. "You'll be the on of the day I assure yon," laughed >olly. " It ia so unusual for ua to haTo a ■;tnd duke or diaeuiaed i)rinc'e, that you ay expect several of the Feldersburg lies to take you by tiie hand and lead DOLLY trifle I las Felder, I con.5 idly and to lea\ in;^ ice. 1 am a goo:^ id to early riains.; id you todany it. jurningly anxiou .while ago Pappi«| ywhere if 1 Kof ht before '' saiDle for him I an appearance c lerly tone angerei before, and he b:^ Strange looked at her sharply, and she et his puz/.led glance with her laughing ue eyes : "Kefuse them kindly, and be re and don't laugh ; they can't help it u know !" Hia face flushed hotly as be replied, ^'oii are making fun of me." " Not af all, I am warning you of a great d impending peril. Be pleasant, but t too sweet, or something awful may ppen. Remember * The Giusy's Warn- With this they reached the little wd in the village, and Dolly at once reduced Strange to Kene Watson and .die Klimner and a couple of others, lowing each introduction by the requeat t they make him feel at home, and 1 everybody his "name and rank." she did this she actually winked at frienda, and cue of the country youths ao enjoyed the joke Luoion and broke into 19 that he looked m% a luud laugh just ice of being entile- ou into the deep. d.Trk, gloomy forest, f and the world. nd there tell you that they madly love i Id hardly aieepi^"; nkiuj^' of the fu _ mc to-day ;" foJ ining,"' and tl ked "archly up a; with his h;'.n: ir, waa about tc aa Strange'e quick glance caught Dolly's eyelid drooi>ing down over that sparkling drop of innocence, in a second and mora )>rofoi>nd wink. He was in such an internal ras;e that he decided to go back home, but his motto, "Numiuam Uetrorsum " — never letreat— saved him from auch an ignominious surrender. Just then a young man with a rather pleasant face, a light droopinu' moustache and a well- made suit of summer tweed, can>e up to the group of which Dolly was the center, and that tormentor called out, " Cotne here. Tommy, and be introduced. Mr. Watson— our bad young man— thia ia Doctor Strange, our new schoolmaater." Lucien Strange had Been humiliated, and hia feelings had been wantonly hurt, and hia riotous temper was fast dragging Its anchor, but he bowed to Tommy aud said he was glad to meet bim. Tommy, liowever, ahoved out bia hand in that direct and peremptory style which would make a rebuS an insult, and Strange accepted it and as he shook hands he looked into the face before him and Tommy tried to return the acrutiny, but in vain. When Tommy'a eyes met that dark, heavy, yet luminoua gleam, which waa peculiar to Strange when he waa both excited and angry, the weaker man turned away his eyes and tried to change the conversation at the aame time. 20 LOLLT, •* Which rjsr do you want, dootor )" ■aiu Tommy. " I (you mean nie,'' aniwnred Strunfre, " I don t know. I'm ufraid I'm the one too many." *' Not ut all. old fellow," ohouted tlie goodniitiircd Tommy. " Climb up here with my aiiter and she'll takn careof you and talk you to death before you net to the Woode." So it came to pans that Luciuu aat next to Rene Wation iii the Npniitf wagaa, which had noatH rnnp^ed nlnnf; eucti side. Uadie Klimiiergot in next, and the other sido beinir full, lat next to Lucien, In another moment the van was crowded, and Luci^n'ri heart tiatik a little turthur when h« saw that Dolly waa not in the load. All tile oth( r waeona weru filled and Dolly, who had gone intottie store, had nat yet reappeiired. Tommy Watson had untied his liiifn-hpirited horne and aut in the bufrcry waiting till Dolly came out with the tea which was to aerve the whole party at lunch. lienunib aurpriio ahowcd itaelf on Doily a face when she found the wagons loadeil and ihe alone left out. •' You'll have to ride with me, Dolly," ahouted Tommy Watson, "the waKono are full, '' Dolly k1:i'icc(1 over the four wapons and they woro indeed full, and she could do noihintr but nay, "' All ri'.'ht, Tommy. We'll ride in the bujfery and put on stylo, won't we : ' " ^'ou bet,'" cried the exultant Tommy. " We'll ieail the procession." And with this ho struck his hitrh-Bteppincr horse and drove past the moving; wacrons, headed for the blackberry alasiiintf known as "The Burnt Wooda." As they drove past the wafon in which Stranpehad been placed, Dolly glanced at him, and ho thoufirht her cheeks had more color iu them than usual, and ha imagined that she avoided his scornful look. He could not help feel- ing that she waa ashamed of the company abe waa lo, and he iioped ahe felt as mis- erable as be did. As Dolly and Tommy rode past, Luctea aaw the girla on each aide oi him exch.ange meaning glances, which, in hia heart he knew did Dolly an injustice. He knew he waa bein? stared at ami yet he couldn't talk and divert the company's attention. Somehow the whole party had started of! with the wrong foot foremost, and no- body felt sociable or even pleasant. Strange tried to enoraee hia companions iu conversation, and after a few sfeneral re- marka the talk cave out, and he sat sul- len and ailent, wiahing that he had stayed at home. Once in a while Kene and Sadie would lean behind him and whia* per a few wo^da and tben laugh. He felt Ilka pulling their eara, but aucceeded in i feeble struggle with a Hmil<>, when the;! evclianged glancoH and giirgled. He felij that so far he had ffot the worat of it, whdii Tommy Wation'H buggy droppi alongside the two luadinir wugona and ranged with the drivera to tall in linj with the other two crowded vehicles, couldn't guesa what it meant till the ia\ defatigable Tommy in a clear bant voice ht^rttd up a ch'irut song which wt then a popular ditcy. .Nearly every voicJ chimed in, and in an instant good fellow] ahip was establiahed. Stranga, liowove wat still ailent and auUeii, and aa thj ahnuts which followed each verse die away he felt jealous and angry when heard 'i'ommy Watson and Dolly ainginj toeeiher, with 'Kene Watson and a heavl voice in tl^ rear wacon making the qiiatj tet. Ho A'aa no aint^er, ana lie felt thil he waa " left out " of the perloriiiancei But while ahe aansr ho took the opporti ity of studying Misa Watson. In spite of both features and compleil icn, Irene Watson's waa a atriking anf :iliuo8t handsome lace. Her nose was cp tainly too large, and her mouth had thi aairu fault ; but Her tiirure waa perfecJ Her eyea were large, and sott, and brouj and— false, ao Lucien aaid to himself— he* hair was n crowiiiuer beauty, so long, anl soft and shilling, Altoi;ether i-he was [ voluptuous woman, for the dark browe schooliiia-ter could easily see that she hii iiaased the day when it would be prnpJ to call 1 :er a girl. While Dolly was pre| tily dre-sed, Irene Watson was atvli-i and taaty in her mode. As he looked her he wondered if she had much senK and determined to find out. Turning to Sadie Klininer, he watchel her face as she aat listening to the 8on| and it struck hiin that she had more ina viduality than any of the others. Sli{ was a little, dark, thin girl, perliAi twenty years old, brif;htly and pail dressed. Her clothing was richer aif finer than that of the others, and hj face was intense, and in repose alinoi aad. The full red lips were of that pij sionate sort which give burning kisaes aa say burninsr words of love or hate, as tl case may be. The heavy black coils f hair were gathered neatly at the back i her head, which just now waa bowed j aorrowful thought. If it had n.it be< for the memory of her father'a vul;l abuse and bare feet Lucien woiT have admired the crentlo little woinsn i bis aide, and when the aong stopped ai she raised her eyea, there aeemed siil mesmeric depths in their blackness tii he wa'< glad when ahe turned away i released hiro from their spvll. Then there came a race between twol fii u DOLLY. 21 Bonjt stopped ai there seemed sul thair blackneis be turned away a^ sir •pvll. race betwe«n two! thr< >inx land the Hociuty of the "awfully pokoy Ipuople'' who lived thoreiibouts. IjIIiIo ISadie Klimnur had Hiiid but little, but lliiicien Raw that she uluii^ to Irene Wat- Ison like ivy does to the oak, believing: in jlrene's jiidi-'ment, in oveiv instanco BUp- jportinf? Irene's plans and living in the |ligbt of IienuV smde. CHAI'TKR VIIL 'llK.NE AND SADIK. At last "The Burnt Woods" were roaclied, and Luciun was thankful. Ho Johpised liimsi'H for his lack of self-ijoa- BBssion, and determined to tihow the piu- licers that lio could amuso a crowd. Si> rhin tiie sprin;; wagons were unloading^ 10 one was so Kalian t or (jay as Lueien, Mid tie pressed Irene a hanU as he hiliied ber out of the van, and looked unbp.'uk- ible thinffs at littla Sadie, which iiiado bor hearL flutter. JJolly was sitting on a ^tuiiip giving orders to tno voun^' men Und anaiisfiner tiu' camp with wonderful ^kitl, though she did iiothitig herself. She ^rted her leatlershiii without aptinint- lent or explanation, and no one thoufrht bt disobevinp. Tommy Watson was her pod humored and obedient slave ; every ^oun? man iu the company was deli;;hted ihon her peremptory voice spoke hia {inme and gave him a task. Lucion admired her more than ever, but he knew that his self-love had either lo be wounded by contoct with her, or lattered by the kindness ot Sadie and Irene ; therefore, manlike, he chose the litter, and established himself bs their Mcort ana burden bearer. When he Doked at Dolly, which was nftener than intended, he did not find her grieving^ ker bis absence, though he imagined that |>e once gave him a look, which said ilainly enough, "You cant deceive be, you are almost crying for me !" After nat he was doubly anxious to have a jolly "le with his new friend i. After luncheon wandered about with their big tin lis, and helped them pick berries, and 9ld stories, aud recited poetry, and told them numerous fables about hia fuiinv nd- vuutures, but they failed to notice that he was always brightest, irost attentive, and jolli'jst when Dolly, attended by Toinniy and a large, dark, and sullen youth, was near by. '* Your brother Malon appears to be another of Dully s conquests,' Irene re- marked, as ItoUyand her swains appeared in the distance. " So it seems," answered Sadie ; '* it's awfully funny to ^ee Lon struck on a girl, for he can't say ten words to a decent woman without looking Kheeuisb and friehtaned." " I m afraid he'll be a dangerous rival for Tommy, for Lon can sing, if he can t talk, and that is the way to i)olly°s aSec- tiona apparently. Tommy says that was the way lie got solid." Lucien now knew that the lieavv bass voice he had heard belonged to Lon Ivlim- ner, and never before had be re;:rettcd so bitterly that be had not learned to sing. " Lon can have her and welcome, so far as I am cimcerned," continued Irene, " None of us like her, and I m sure Tom- my doein't care for her except for fun. She is too much like him to make a good mate for my fast brother. Aod juat S3 DOLLY. think how she would lord it over the rest of uH K>rl> if 'lie ever got into our family ; all 8he wantH to make her happy is to make soineon ) feei mean and miser- able." ' Lucif n wondered if this was ronlly the reason Dolly had treated him so cruelly I But then she spoke bo kindly to him, and those eyes of hers were so sweot and in- nocent. " And she can look ao sweet and inno- cent, nnd touch your hand su softly, that you think she is just dyincr to make you like her," continued Irene, with a l.iuch, as it she had divined Luciens thou;,'ht8. " If I could do that like she can, Id go to a city and marry some rich old man, and break his heart inside of six week:). ' Sadie lauzhad, but Lucien's face flushed to think how he had been duped by Dolly's pretty ways, which Heomud to be so well known and thorou^'hly understood by everyone but himself. '■ I hope Lon wont marry her, eitlier, for I know she won't make him happy. He isn't smart enough for her, but I'm sure if he gets a good woman it will make him a better man, ' Sadie was never maliciouB intentionally, but her words carried to l^ucien's mind the idea that she knew something aeainat Dolly's goodness, and he felt sick at heart to find his idol shattered by ^^hesu chatty country girls, whom he supposed to be above the malice and inuendo of city life. " I'm afraid we've shocked Mr. Strancre by gossiping abc.it our neighbors," sini)ed 'Kene. " (Jh. no ; I'm a student of surgery and am fond of dissection, even when it is nothing more than the dissection of char- acter," tie replied, with a hard laugh. The nimble fingers of his companions were successful in hllin^ the pails with berries, and by four o'clock they found tlieinselvea alone iu the great woods where the fire had stripped every tree ot bark and foliage. It struck Lucien that he had carried those (lails of berries about tar enough, and he hinted ttiat they might have some diHlculty finding their way back to the watrons. Irene glanced around the desolate bush, and then climbed onto a heap of fallen timber. The evening sun shining on her grand figure and striking face caused S;idie to exclaim " Doesn't Kene look lovelv ?" Lucien promptly exclaimed that she looked like the - don't know much else,' s:iid Irene, \vitu a to^s of her hand'-ome iie;id. as siie wasiied her hands in a sluggish little stream and dried them on her apron. " I think you know a groat deal else. Miss Watson. You and your friend have been the most charming compani 1 t)ine,'' and ahs t tree which tow a a little rise of ave some one with wood-crafti for I i where wo were," low east from wesJ ven if they don't Irene, with a to^s Ekd tiiiu waaued her a stream and dried a groat deal else. d your friend have inj; companions I never forgut to- >icnic. ' He never meaning which he picnic lived inhia ig of the dark duys 1 around him M : where wo left the horse and buggy. And ; here we are without paiis or l>erries or supper. " Then turning to Tommy she sang : '• Do you recall that nlghi In June Ipon the Danube river. And how you screamed a lively tune 'i'hftt made the Hurnt Woods quiver." "Come on children, we must get home, " and as the horses pulled the wagons up the hill to tha bank Dolly started. "LlimbinK Up Zioii 8 Hill," and a full chorus followed, DOLLY. 2R burst forth ia k by others'. Lon jul all iHo others ound up with a wh'ioh wa« pro i a comb covered ale of boys whu t not alwav* in ith Sadie, who>a ay, and for oncu ao Dolly was in hitched to the ire on che road. ,jd nothinsr. The t each other and »egan again, ami jrmed that it was sburp when the hill and forded ii MS were watered. r a moment, and ioid beating of a i* dusty turnpike rer and nearer, mn moonlight.and kme to the bridge, fommy Watson's d and then stoid rolling down his ok hotter or more r himself. Dolly, 1 as cool and col- ling down over the inquired if they or were they ■ing. " you been," cried ■re afraid you had lorM or Tommy '•' safe enough in tha 1 onderod what you '9 ■ this very Boite- aleck brother in- ter A boat ride on ver bank, and the .short to reach ., paddle, and wf till we struck the to walk to tiie and thence t > and buggy. And iiii or lierries or to Tommy she ligh; in June er. ed a lively tune Woods quiver, e must get home, tht' wagons up the tarted. "Climbini; 11 Chorus followed, though neither Tommy nor Malon Klim- ner nor 'Kene joined in the old-taihioned hymn. Lucien could not understand how Dolly could be 8o reckless and Tommy's silence andevident discomfiture were unexplained. 'KeneturnedtoSadieremarkini; that Dolly had got out uf it nicely, but had tailed to explain how she and Tommy had hap- pened down at the river. Lucien felt that Dolly had injured herself by her careless conduct, but resented 'Rene's criticisms as unjust. As lie walked honie with JJoily from the village he ventured to remark pails and brougrht back no berries. But Pappie won't scold me, see it he does." It was ten o'clock, but Jo Folder waa Bitting in the moonlight on the verandah smoking and Dolly tripped up to him, sat down on his knee, and putting iier aruui anund liis neck gave nim a hearty hue. With a hand on each of his cheelcs she held his face up to hers and lookmpr lov ingly down »t him inquired if he had been good while she was gone. Lucion sat on the steps leading into the garden and watched them. Dolly called to her mother that she hadn't had a bite to eat Ithat she seemed careless of the conven- Itionrilitiea, and her escapade would add to the stock of tattle in the neighborhood. |He spoke seriously and almost bitterly iwd Dolly looked at him with serio-comic gravity till he ceased. "I'm surprised at you Mr. Strange. ou nre ac juiring Feldertburg babita very 'apidly. One more jiicnic and you ill pass for a native, and your minde I'ill be r . ariow that you will only be ikble to see witli one eye." Dolly spoke ^comfiiUy anfl vigorously, but wound up lith a langii. " What will break mother's beart will be the fact that I have lost her since dinner and then told her adventures to her father in such a humorous way that even Lucien was forced to join in the laugh. " You ought to have seen Tommy, Pappie, he was so frightened that it stopped his watch, and he near- ly fell off the raft. And to hear him snout I" Dolly clapped her liands and laughed. "He put his both hands up to his mouth and yelled till he was hoarse 1 And while he was giving a parting salute to the shorn and his face was swollen with shouting and his eyes stuck out like oyiters on tne half shell I gave the rati a ■■■I 26 DOLLY. I I little ti|) and he squatted down in the water and^" Dolly whispered myaterioui* ly, "and i;ot all wet I Oh, how funny iie looked ail drijipinir and rotten wood HCick- jn(f to his wet clothes ! And do you know, I'appie, he repentid and reformed rifi^ht there <>n tiie raft and promi.sed the r:ift And thu river and ine, and everybody, that if i:e ever got on snore a^ain he d never La nau^taty aj^uin and would join the church And aell his trotlint; hor-eand settle down. And just then one of the poles of the raft floated away from the rest and Tommy nearly had a fit. I told him to ^rab it and puddle like a little man. Ho did, and as we e^t near the bank I took the other pole and struck bottom, but just at we were within a rod of the bank a knot on Tommy "s lojy pulled off half of his thumb nail, and he forgot his repent- ance and swore an awful word, and I gave the raft another tip and he sat down again. I reproved him and told him to get up and be good, and he sulked all the way home." ^ Lucien could not see Jo Felder's face, btic he recogm/t'd the fact that the old sentleman was not well pleased. "Dolly, child, you shouldn't run »iuch risks. How would your old pappie have feit if his little liclly had bin drowned, or any harm had come to her?" His voice trembled as ho spoke, and hia brawny arm clashed his child tu his bi^ heart, and tears started in his honest eyes. Dolly's head was pillowed on her father's rhouldpr, and she pulled his face down and kissed his cheek. '* When Mr. Strange heard of my adventure he said h^ was afraid it would furnish the gossips with talk about me. He never tlioui^ht about the daiiper 1 was in," and the perverse girl straightened up and turned toward the motionless figure on tbe steps. "City bred folks think more on sich things than we do, Dolly. And I can only think of how it would break your poor old lonesome pappie's heart if any- thing happened my Dolly." Strange remained silent. He felt that he was rebuked, and that he knew nothing ot that pure and mighty luve which ia ever patient, forgiving, and unselfish. Pride was no part of Jo's love for his daughter ; he loved her as he did his life ; •he was a part of liis being. With many, if nut with the majority of men, pride is before love, and it is seldom that their afiTection clings to onu in whom they can take no pride and self-glory. Dolly's mother had heard her adven- tures, and when supper was ready Mrs. Felder, after referring to the pain in her shoulder blade, nsked her " what siio did with them pails. ' Dolly made a wry face and s*id they were lost. Her mother groaned that she'd ''bin countin' on tiiom berries fur breakfast. '' Doily expressed her sorrow and said it didn't matter. " But it duz matter, Dolly. Them j pails cost me ten shiliins apiece.and I wm countin' on hevin' blackberries and cream fur breakfast. And more n twenty can of my fruit spiled, and I was counf.n' on porzervin' some ot them berries. Your turbf 1 careless Dolly— actelly reckless, j and I haint got a ten-quart pail left in the house." 1 Dolly looked quizzically at Lucien, And was about to speak, when Jo called out, "Say Dolly, did ye git yer feet wet? If I ye did, don't sit amund in wet stockin : lonsrcr'n ye kin help, or mebbe you'll be ! gettin' a cold.' Dollys eyes filled as she looked at The stalwart old man who was leaninp through the door, ever solicitous for her « elfare. " Thev are dry now, Pappie dear," and with these loving words she kiss'ed him good-niyht, and, with a nod to Lucien, ran up^^tairs. Lucien soon retired, but he t( s.-od in the sea of feathers thoroughly Derplexed. The blackberry picnic had develoied some characiars he could not understand. Was Dolly what she seemed, or was she fooling her hono.>t and unsus- pecting old father with a show of affaction she was incapable ot feelins; ? A thousand times he asked himself this question, and| as often he replied by turning over in his mind the sneers and inuendoes of hiel companions at the picnic. Ho fell asleapl trying to solve the problem, and with .'>.[ final and hopeless effort to guess whether that feather bed would smother bim be- 1 tore morning. CHAPTER X. DOLI.Y \SKS LUC'IBN A FEW QUKSTION.S. While Strange w;is dressing next morn- ine he paused with a helpless sort of gesture to inquire of himself how it waJ that Dolly had completely thrown him out! of his usual cold self-possession, and aai liH looked at himself in the glass hesmiledl quietly, and fcirmed a resolution that he] would go back to his old cynicism, andi make Miss Dolly feel very uncomfortable J Armed with this noble resolve he weiit| down to breakfast, and found DoliyI dressed in white, and lookiii;,' cooler,! bree/ier, and more innocently aggressivi'l tiian ever. She inquired how he likcdj tl.e spare bod, and if ho had dreamed oil blackberries and black eyes. Her father si entrance silenced her until breakfast was! over, and then she found him sitting o.-: tiie shady side of the house, his feet on! the railing of the verandah, and an uiilit| cigar betwf en his te th, " TryiiiK to decide between Sadie th' DOLL\. 27 Ho fell asle3ii ibiem. and with ;■. , to guess whether! smother him be . FEW (JUKSTIONS. jetweea Sadie th rich and 'Rrne the resral ? Tel) ine all about how th'sy used you yestercay, nnd til'-' pretty tfaiD^fi they said to you, and 1 11 settle it for you," ami the saucy Dolly put a rockiair ohair within easy talking diiitance of liucien and proceeded with her sewinfr. " No," said Luoien, shortly ; " I was not thinkinff about myiAlf." "No!" echoed Dolly, provokin(rly> " How unselHsb ! Yuii were wunderingr which throbbiiif; heart could best survive your coidness. I'm so (;lad you told me, for I can give ycu advice. Sadie, 1 am (,uite sure, would die '— Doliy dropped her sewing and folded her pretty hands — " her dark ejv^s would fill up with tears, and she would pine away and climb the golden stair. But 'Kane wouldn't puss away. Uh, no ! She would only lose her appetite for a few days and then recover." Lucien stared at her in amazement for :\ moment, and was about to speak, when she leaned back in her chair and continued in a contemplative tone : " I suppose it was almost too soon lor the tender Sadie to lean wearily against a tree and burst into tears, but — '' Dolly was gazing contemplatively at Lucien, and she noticed that he looked down and moved uneasily in his chair. " But, perhaps, owing to the unusual attractions you displayed, the crisis was pre— pre — not premeditated ; what do you call it ?" "I'recip'tated," suggested Lucien, with aBtony smile. "Yes, precipitated. Doesn't siie look just too tender and clinging when she weeps '!" "I think, Miss Fflder, tnat you do yourself an injustice by ridiculing the unhappiness of a young lady who at least sought no opportunity of speaking ill of you." Lucien thought this rebuke would stop Dolly's chatter, and ho delivered it :n his most crushing manner. Dolly simply lauerhed and inquired if he wasn't surprised to observe that she still lived and had her being after such a with I ring speech. "No," said she, " Sadie i.uver says mean things, she only ropoats w.em ; or what answers the purpose bet- ter, laughs when 'Rene, her wuardian angel, scorches people. But you haven't tnid mo whether Sadie's sad, salt tears touched your manly heart and made you feel like devoting your life to making her hanpy." Dollv knew she had hit him hard, and that he was getting angry, and it seemed to encourage her. " l^oor little thing, how Borry you must have telt for her ! j{ich, beautiful, with a proud, aristocratic papa, and yet unh&ppy ! Dying for some (lie to luva her. Sad, isn't it '!" "Very,"«aid Lucien, looking the other way. and wondering where this youn^ mind reader had got hnr facts. "And you then spoke to her in a low, deep, rich tone, as the novels say, and told her that one so young and fair should have the treasures of a thousand hearts heaped at her feet, and then she patted her eye with a handkerchief and gave you a sad, sweet smile which haunted your dreams all night, now didn't they?'' Dolly's roici* was quite tragic, but th» laugh with which she concluded was in- tensely provoking. '• Vou should have been an actress. Miss Felder ; you would become a star at once if you went on the stage. But I atu afraid vou would hardly succeed as a for- tune teller ; you attempt to give too many details. "Oh. I'm sure I guessed rightly," in- terrupted Dolly. " Tommy Watson told me hiB experience and assured me tnat Sadie's campaign is always the same." " Then Tommy 'Watson is not a gentle< man and knows as little about the finer feelings uf a woman as he docs about tho decencies of life," Lucien retorted angrily, " ana if I were in your place 1 would not only object to be the recipient of such con- fidences but refuse to be the companion of a man who thinks it smart to ridicule the weaknesses of a woman whohai beeu silly enough to oe kind to him." " Excuse me, Mr. Strange," said Dolly, "but I am neither Tommy's companion nur confidante. What Tommy knows every- body knows.". " Then he is a dangerous man, and you have no n^-son to hope that he will re- spect either you or yo'ir confidence any more than he is accustomed to respect the confidence of other people. And. " con- tinued Lucian. looking sharply into her face. "I don't believe, with ail your as- sumed indirtorenCB to what people say, that you would care to be the jest of a man of the Tommy Watson stripe." i)oliy was hurt, but as siie bent over her sewing her low, provoking laugh con- cealed her appreciation of the wholesome truths which iAicien had told her. " \'on nudped liim and asked tiiin \« hat he a;ud that tor, and it broke Huiustu's heart, and he swallowed a quid of tobacco and forgot to he for nearly a mile. And Jhen when he began • Mah Watsou ' ftrivveiy told him sde was afraid he didn'c stick to ttie truth, and asKcd him if it was true that he lied about his aee, and the 9 .sscnErers all roared, and old llumatir and Mrs. Watson btith got mad and wouldn't speak till they got to the next tavern. When he came out she asked it' ke'd been drinking, and he winked at the crowd and invited ^e^ to go in and "take autiiin'. Pappie aavs it id the only tin:ie Humstir ever •fferod to treat anv one, but Mrs. Watson didn't appreciate the honor, and told him she didn't feel safu riding with a drunken man, and they came near having' a fight." Doliy'a honest, merry laugh rang out aa she fiui.shed the story, and Lucien thougtit he'd never seon her looking so pretty. " But you'll aoon aee 'the Watson,' aa Pajjpie calls her. The regal 'Ketie will have you up for tea at an early date, and will remind you and the rest of the as- sembled multitude what a lovely time you and she had at the pic- nic. And don't bo alarmed if siie conveya to you and j very body alae the idea tha^ she is engaged to you and isn't aahamer', ci: it. As long as ahu >i»an't any lette.-a '-Jia you to show to tiie neighb> ra it V . ' ; i i:s.'ht. .ind no one will be*'",' it, . . Jier laughed, and thuB cnc ' ' f- -ii' iJi>ll> p.ouo- led ; ■' It «i • ^'^ I /'e.t;. keep your hands in your v**'' ' -'■ jnleas you want the fas- sinatiDg 'iuM; to * unc. 'hem in pub- lic. And 'Mah' Watson will come around and e.xainine yoursnirt collar, and inquire where you got it, and if it w at expensive, and if there are any more ot the same kind, and if you think Tommy oould tret one like it, and then she will turn to her hopeful (sk over there?" asked Dolly, pointinir to where a fragment remained of whnt had once been a desk. "Well, when Sam I'ougnner wng trustee he camo and complained to the teacher b"cau>y had a diHiute, and he crrnhbed Mr, Teacher unl threw him against the deflk and broke it all to pieces. Tliev are talking of a new school house, so they have never bothered getting it fixed.' Dolly soemed to take a malicious ph-asuro m the^e reminiscences, but liucitn only I'luehed an if he W(>ul(l rather have an h.\- perience of thxtkind thun not. " It doesn't seem like a proper place to educate children," said he. *" They should get Rome idea of cleanliness and beauty at school, but instead of that, thii outhonge can impress on them nothing but filth 'iiid discomfoit." '• I've often told Pappie that," saiil Dolly, earnestly, ** but Peter Kiimncr says a good s'-'hoolhouse would make the children proud, and tcs'ich them to want to leave the farm and go to town. He would have t.ho srhrolhouse painted red, like the one they had before this, and I think it is just hideous." As they went home Dolly and he talked of colore and artistic things, nnd he dis- covered th.^t she had excellent taste, thoueh he still wondered who it was made the ugly fancy work for the spare bed- room. Jo Felder was absent that night, and Lucien and Dolly sat by the piano, and she saner for him, and he talked about music ana the theaters, but he paid nothing of his past life. Dolly wondered, but asked no questions, and when she bade hira good night she smiled kindly and hoped that the Feldersburg school ciiildren wouldn't ti'ouble his dreams. They didn't, but long after the house was silent the jellow moon shone on his pale, set face %8 he sat gazing out of the window. And as the night wore on, and the moon no longer brightened the room, he sat there still, his arms folded on the Window-sill, and hi!i head resting on his arms, thinking, thinkinir, and sometimes approachinsr that ever-open door between pride and happiness — repentance. CHAPTER XIL lUGIEN AS A SCHOOLMASTER. At half-past eight next morninsr Lucien Strange strolled with studied unconcern through the viilace, and was stared at by the knot of lounger.i on the " stoop ' of the little store, and the farmers waitine in the blacksmith shop caina to the d9or to DOLLY. 35 ftka my own part I." broken dp«k over iintincr to whera a hnt had unce uean lam I'dUf^nner waa complained to ttie )y waa whipped. , and tu) crrnhbed w him ai;aiiiit the pieces. Thev are ool houie, HO thtiy pettinjr it fixed.' malicious pleaHuro but Lucien only ather have aa )ien mouths staring at the " new master." Children are good and (|uick judges of character, and before Lucien had passed the Hchoolhouse door littlR (;rou|)S were disciisdin/ the prospects of Ins administration, and the general verdict was that the new master would bo "cross." Tins term school children in- variably apply to the teacher who insists on order and maintains proper discipline, and in this not uncomplimentary jense tliey applied it to Lucien. VVIien Strange entered the scbool-room the larger girls were sitting at the desks they had pre-empt^. Thby looked shyly lit the handsome youth, but while be bent over his desk trying to ;:et its interior in Older, he distinctly heard three or four half-suppressed giggles. Repaid no atten- tion, but kept on piling the empty ink bottles on the floor. Pausing once, he looked with dismay at his dust corered hands, and just then he neard a couple of well defined giggles. This was unpleas- ant, out he renewed his task and had the de^k emptied, when a giilish voice at his elbow said, " If you please we will dust out your desk for you.'' Lucien luoKed up gratefully, and saw a couple of girls of 8weet sixteen standing beside bim. "Tbank you ever ho much. It IS fritflitfuUy dirty, and 1 dislike dirt." The girls blushed as Lucien's steady eves met theirs, and ac once betran the work of cleaning out the desk, while the other misses giggled and ate harvest ap- ples, every once in awhile breaking out in loud discussion and then suddenly quietini: down as they remembered that "the master " was watching them. " I notice that some one was eood enough to sweep the floor this morning," said Lucien. "Kitty and me did," exolaimed one of the girls at the desk. Lucien put on bis most fascinating smile as he answered: "Well, my little friend, ' Kitty and me did ' is not very crood trranimar, but I thank you sincerely for being so kind and thoughtful." "Mm told me to, and Jenny said to bo sure and clean your desk, but we were afraid to for fear you wouldn't like "t, because Jenny said you were—" Here the speaker stopped suddenly and blushed like a peony ; but Lucien, overlooking the unfinished and p«rhapt uncomp1im«ntar]r reference to himself, inquired blandly : " Fray, what is your name, so that I can send a note of thanks to those who were so good as to ask you to help nieV " Hettie Hill, ' blushed the girl. '* and her name is Kitty Watswn. " " Oh, 1 know now," said Lucien, gaily ; '*you are Miss Jenny's sitfter. Tell her tor me that I'll never forget her kindness in remembering mo and helping to fix up the schooi-buuse.' " I guess somebody's stole the bell," interrupted Kittv. "Why, what will I do?" exclaimed Lucien, as he looked ner'-'ously around, " The last master pounded on the door with his ruler,' suggested Kitty. Lookine at his watch, Lucien found that it was nine o'clock, and taking a piece of wood which formerly had been a part of his desk he went down to the door and rapped vigorously. The scholars all resp(mded to thn call, and in a moment were crowding one another through tlie door. Hats and caps were flung on the dinner pails which crowded the shelf, and the boys naturally took one side of the house and left the other for the girls. Lucien was congratulating himself that the school was about to organice itselt when he noticed four of the larger boys engaged in a violent altercation at one of the desks. Blows succeeded words so quickly that before ]..ucien could reach them the combatants had grappled with each utiier and the whole fou«*were nn the floor, biting and kicking like so many dogs. Lucien pounded the desk with hia ruler and shouted, "Take your seats and ntay tiiure. everyone of you I" .and then with a bound he waa in the middle of the tight and had two of the boys by the collar. Throwing them in opposite directions ho seized the other two, and jerking them from the floor, shook them as a terrier shakes a rat, " What do you mean,' ho hissed between his teeth, " fighting like this ?' The boys ctood m sullen silence till he seized one of them by the arm and de- manded an explanation. " Bill and me put our books in this dr>sk first thing this mornin' and scd it was our'n and we was only sittin' down in itwhenthem fellers tried to shove us out I" As the boy gave thia ex- planation he elared viciously at the two who had raised the row. " We had this desk when tuther master was here, and hev aright to it," growled one of the other faction. "No, you didn't," shouted the speaker, "the last master caiitrht chawin'terbaccer and spittin' down knot-hole, and put you out'n thar." first you that ^l 1J(.LLY, " And pleaisiir,' acJiicil th« U^t Hpcalc- fli'H bartner. " thatn v.ot tliuy want it fur now : Thuv both chaw und want ttx\» deHk •0 tliuy kill Npit ihroii^'li lhi< knothole, ' "NiJither uf youcunliave tbedeik, ' wa.s I.uoiun'H deciiioD, as hu niarchad the culpritB into front suats, "and it I aeo any more fightiDfr I will whip tho whula batcli of you. ' K\eryoiie druppi.'d into hit or her scat, and whi'ii Lucuiii reached his di .'•k and turned and luoicjd uver tlieachool.betweuii tifty and iixty faces were g:a7.inK intently nt the new m:\Htor. Turninf; over thu tint DaRo of tho retfiRti.T, his rapped on tho deik and called out ".Stand up. ' Then he read the short and tiinple prayer, provid- ed by the provincud authorities, nnu every child was Hilont and (verawcd as his deep voice repeatoU thu sacred words. It was Bomhttiing new at the I'eluersburs; sctiool, and Lucien ii,'ained at once a halt-clerical influence over his little band. After the ijraver lie kept the pupils standingr while he talked to them. His vvnrds wero firm, but kind, and as ho Hpoke Dolly's face and her advice were both before him. lie told them he hoped each boy nnd giil woulil be his friend before a week was past, ile was anxious to follow the system on which the school had been heretofore con- ducted, and that what changes he made would not dititurb or frighten his little fri»>nde. One thing he would have, if ho had to fi(;ht it out with each pu|)il, and that was obedience. When he told tliem to do anything?, they not only had to do it, but they had to do it at once, instan- taneously, or lie would know the reason why. Then he called the roll, and proceed- ed with the classes. For some reason the children played no tricka on him, and when niprht came every class was organ- ized and lessons assigned for the morrow. The children were afraid of those dark, steady eyes, and they liked the "new master," and vied with each other in tryin<:: to please him. Durine the short intermissions he showed s( me of the boys a new way to wrestle, and asked them to throw a "hot" ball he could not catch. He lifted big sticks ot cordw od and hold them out at arm's lench, and with a big glass alley knocked marbles out of the ring in a way tiiat surprised tno httlo boys. He promised to teach the big lads how to box, and at night Lucien Strange was tlie beau ideal of all the girls and boysof Felil rsburg. N\'hen they went home from school they boasted of bis strength and skill, of the beautiful headlines he wrote in their copy books, of how he could add sums in his head, and the storiei ho told about the countries they were to study in their geography. The consequence Was that their big brothers were jealous and the old mea hoped tho new master wasnt] a "Ninart e. " Lucien knew that he had captured the! hearts of the children, and his chief hop«j was that Dolly would hear of it. He woo j dercd that he had succeeded so well, but) in his heart he thanked Dolly for i(,[ All day he had exerted himself u| be pleaaant ; he couldn't remeinb ter was a succefs, and the pleasure SadiJ would feel, and even Kens WathonJ praise came to his mind, hut he knew hJ had tried to be popular becuiKO hel thought Dolly would like him better foil it. When he got back to Jo Felder's tiil wandered around the verandah, hoping tol see DdUv and tell her of his succesi, bua no Dolly was to bo seen. He wont to hiil room and washed and smoothed liii hair and looked out of the windnv and there was Dolly, surrounded bvj a bevy of children, coining home frori the villaGre. He knew they would tell how veil he had succeeded, and he man| aged t< be sitting on the verandah wheif Hhu camo in« When Dolly came to where hn was restl ing she leaned against the railing anl inquired how he had passed the day. Lucisn was disapointed. His soul gered tor a little praise, nnd it chilled hin to think that maybe the children had been as pleased as ho had hoped. " Aluch better than I expected, thankl to you for your advice," he answered witf a please s&y-something-kind look on bif face. " Did you lock the school- house door ] asked Dolly. " No. Am I expected to ?" **Cort;%inly. Pappie wont upandoponel the door this morning, but you were eJ pected to lock up. I target to tell yoti.j " But where is tho key ?" asked Luciei anxiously. •' Here it is," answered Dolly, taking^ from her pocket. " Well, I guess 1 had better go anl lock the door," muttered Lucien aw| wardly, as he rose to go. "Never mind tonight. I was upi tho village, and went over and locked i myself, but you will have to take caro ( it in future," and Dolly handed him tl| key. " Thank you. It was very kind. H DOLL\. 85 new maiUr waintl had captured tbt tnd his chiuf hop«j \e:\r of It Ha woo undei HO well, Li.tl ukod Dolly for it, i\Hrt«d himself tol .-oiildn't remeiiib«i| I ttaid such cluvetl gt fti he had dii biiri: children, nnl 1 tho ttma ho hail y and hopinir that! Ill he had (('>t »\o\\?.\ of Titer Klimnoril 1 that thH new ma- tne pleasure Sndinl n 'Uene Wathoiiil id. but he knew tiel ipular beoAUKe h'.| like him better fut but deed, everybody hae been indulfrent witi |ni' f.'iday. " Vou had better be careful, ' added the |hn>ilele«ii Dully, " for the storekeeper told mo that Peter Klimiiur wan liD there, and told him that you Iwi-rc eut in the playground teauhinff Itho boys bow to ilKbt, and that you haul lyou could whip anybody in Feldari*bur(r. " Lucitn wsH tnunderstnick. Already III triumph wax turnia(f into ashta. Why, 1 never said such a thing, and I WM only thowing the boyx how to box. I V UH taught it at bcbool, and it is entirely iroper." And Peter says he heard you wero lirtinir with the big girU," remarked the iuexorivble Dolly. " What :" cried I^ucien. " Flirting with the big cirla," repeated Uollv. U'by, it is monstroni," shouted ^ucien. Mivy be it is, but I warn you that you ^annot do anything that will seem (rood In Peter Klimiier'a eyuH, and that every- thing will be miaoonstrued. One day s luccesB with the cliildron may mean a r)oddeal or notliing. If jou keep it up |ha parents will fall into line, but if not, rnur troubles are yet to come. But I lust Ko and help mammy get supper," |nd Dolly tripped away without giving jucien a single word of encouracrenient or >intort. Angry and mortified, he sat and glared It the apple trees, and when he was ill'd to supper, he had just about de- idc I that it was no use trying to please jtiQ heathens he had engaged to Kerve. CHAPTER XIIL KELDKR EXPRE.S.SES Hia VIEWS REGARD- ING FRAYEIU At supper, Joe Felder eyed Lucien curi- sly, Dolly, hswever, was e.xceedingly erry, and as Mrs. Felder had only once ferred to the pain in her shoulder, tlie eal passed oS very pleasantly, liut the ment Lucien placed his chair on the you were emrandah, and Jo's pipe had been lit, c to Jo Felder's verandah, hoping to • of his Buocess, buJ len. Ho went to hia and smoothed hii it of the window] ly, surrounded by coining home froi f they would tell hti leeded, and he man) the verandah whe4 ,0 where hn was rest] at the railing an! )aa.sed the day. ted. His soul hun| le, nnd it chilled hii he children had noj [had hoped. 1 expected, thank ," he onswerod witj g-kind look on b; I school- house door ked to ?" I wont up and opone torgot to tell you •cey ?" asked Lucie ^red Dolly, takinc had better go an Itered Lucien aw :o. ight. I was uji over and locked lave to take care |lly handed him tl ^as very kind. I oUv remarked : Pappie IS juat bursting with aome- in^, and ten chancea to one you are in rit, Mr. Strange." Jo affected not to hear this remark, but rnmg to Lucien, enquired : *' Air j ou of religious turn ?" "I hardly understand what you mean, r. FelderV " Do you belong to a church and go to eetm' regular, and live up to yer creed r' ked Jo between the whiffs of smoke iich came at intervals from under bis ey moustache. '* Well, no," answered Lucien, ** I hnvuu't been at church for a long while, and I never waa a member.'' " Do you say yer pr.tyers afore yr>u g9 to bed at night and when ve git U|> in the tnornin?" continued Jo, aolemnly. " No— I confers I do not. though mjr mother taught mu to," replied Lucien, sadly. "Then what made ye open school with prayers this niornin'?" As ho aaid this Jo looked nharply at Luoiun. " Indeed I hardly know, but 1 auppnaed it was the rule," stammered Luoieii, who saw at once tho trap into which he had been led. " D'ye think it's right to do that sort of thing juat because it's the rule?" "Well, surely there was no hiirm in it. It is a simple yet beautiful little prayer, und it seems to me a good wav ot opening school. It is solemn and imfJrt'R^4lve, and at least tends to make the children fiel that there is aometliing beside balls and marbles '' "Then," said Jo, in a rather contempt- uous tone, "you did it just as you'd ring the bell or bear a jogryfy tlaiii, eh ?" **No. I don't know' as I did. Tho prayer made me feel better, and I believe ttiat the children felt it as well," argued Lucien. " Mebbe, mebbe !" soliloquized Jo, "but while that jj tho result at tho mo- ment, what is the laotin' result? .Viii't it to raaka the young 'uns think that prayer is a farce? Don't ye think it is that sort of thing thet breeds contempt ter religion ami WDi ks heaps of evil m the end ? ' Lucien said he had never looked at it in th.ttli-ht. "Well, I hev. youn? man, and when I heerd that youd read prayers this murn- in' in the school, 1 kind of lost my holi on ye, I was afeered mebbe you was a hip- percrit, aa I liad'nt seen much religion in ve about tho house. And I tell ye I don t tie no how to a man who prays whin there's people around and don't ever do it when he's alone. ' Lucien 's face flushed hotly as he heard this. "I am sure Mr. Pulder that 1 am not accustomed to act tho part of a hypo- crite, and to day I acted for the best and without any idea of making people liolievf> that I am eood, or any better than I am." "I didn't .say ye did," said Jo, "men of your age ain't ginerallv old enough to be perfeaaioial and practiced hippercnts. but doin' and aayin' thincrs ye don't be- lieve in, and aeein' how well they take, breeds thet sort of thing. 1 knew now it waa mvself. I got doin' this thine and thet thing because people expected me to, till finally I was aksered to look at eny- one fur fear I would do or say tho wronp 86 DOLLY thing. What I thouftht out fur myself want nuthm'. I wa* allways tryin to do A» other people thought, and did till 1 took a drop ou myaelf and sed I guessed I'd try aad do ricrht ai.d let people ^o their own way, and I'd go mine. They call me an inridel now, but I haint, and it don't bother nie.'' Luoicn felt confused, and he had a guilty sense that he hi\d opened school with prayer in order to itnpresH the children and tret time to eather himself toirether. " You have taken me at a disadvantage," be laid, " but I tliink that I felt ni prayer- ful this mornme as I ever did in my life. My new surroundings and the troubles I ■expected made that appeal to a higher power restful and comforting to me. And as to pra\'iiig when one is not in a prayer- ful mood, 1 think it is right enough ; if not, people would seldom pray."' " Vas, but It d be prayer wlien they did pray, not a lot of words groaned out with iher eyes shet," iiiterrupted Jo. " But, Mr Felder," said Lucien argu- raentatively, "cnildren are taught to pray, and certainly they cannot feel the niean- iuir of whi't they say or aporeciate the humility anl roverence they should feel w hen approiichiiig their Maker. Yet tliey would never acquire tne habit of prayer or feal Its comfortinj; influences unless tiiey were taught to pray while they were young." .lo jerked his pipe from liia mouth and turned sharply, almost ancrnly, to Lucien, as lie exclaimed : " Don't talk like that to me if ye want me to think well of ye? Why, dang it, man, ye talk about learnin' n child to pray as if it hed to tie taugiit thet the same as it is taught to blow soitp bubbles and read and write. 1 tell ye it's as nateral fer a human bein' to pray, when the right time comes, as it is ter a young un to eat and .sleep, and to call fer its motht^r when it'd sick or afeerd. But folks go learnm' a child to pray when it hain't nuthia' to pray fer, and don't know who it is prayin' to. And then ye said it got the child in the ' habit 'r' If it laa habit it can't be much good." "No doubt I e.xpreBsed myself rather clumsily, iind I can see that what you say is largely true," said Lucien (juietly. "But the fact remains that we are all creatures of habit, and it is very important for our parents to start us goini; ri<.'ht, and to teach us of the e.xieteiici; of a God and im- pre.ss us with the fact that wiien we ap- peal to Hiro properly we will be heard. Jf this was not implanted in us and made, to a certain extent, p habit, I think this would grow to be a firodlfss people. " " There ye go ! There ye go ! Jist like all the rest of 'em ! You d ruther liev prayer and church goin' and religion a I habit like usin' terbaccer and drinkin'l whisky than hev it a result of reason audi ' a kind ot reachin' out after help fnimi ; God, and peace and rest, and to git a grip I i on Bumtbin' that'll stay and kin be de-| ■ pended on ? D'ye patlier my meamn', young feller?" ! " 1 think so," answered Lucien, "but ll I imagine that the habit of prayer ar.dl j church-Koing leads up to the heartfuitl { seeking for peace and consolation troml I God. It seems to me that those who arel I entirely strangers in God's house, andl j unused to prayer, are also strangers to| j either a love or foar of Him." I ''Yer wrong, young man, honp.stlT) ' wrong, mebbrt, but danped wrong !'' ex-f ! claimed .Jo, who was thorousflily aroused,! "The more a man gits into the religiouil 'habit ' the more onlikelv He is ever to gitj I within sight or hearin' of God. I ham tl I talldn' about Christians, real Cliristiani.l I now, but about them as hain't nuthin' but! , the 'tiabit ' that yer settin' sich store iiyl ; These ' habit ' fellers tliink they hev po'l I all ther<^ is of religion, and kinder git tbti ' notion thet it hain't much. When the;! ! Kit into a hole and troubles is round eml what do they do? Go to God with thsri atlhctions? No they don't, no they don't,! they go to the devil with it ; yea tnejl j do?" j "I never noticed it, but what you sayf 1 maj* bo true. How do you account for it ' "How do I account fer it? II thought a ■choolmaster like you'di been able to see the j/int to one tf Wliy, they say to them>elves, we've tried! reh'.'ion and there hain't nuttiin' i« itj and they sea a way out. across the devil liaifacre, and away they go. Now, a ba man. or a man who hain t either a Lhtiz tian ner got the relicrioua habit, he getd into trouble, and be aez to hisself tn onc't, tl'.is IS onarcount of me livin' tlis way I've been doin'. He hain't got na borrered sanctity, and he srivesup aul se.'., ill hev to be better'n this. If .*ii| wife or young 'un dies rie wants cou.-oli tion, and if a preacher strikes a feller o] thet kind and strikes hiii. ri:,'ht, he'll the makings of a good Christian, d; course," exiilained ■)<), sitting back in hii chair, " some people, when they hev deatii in their family, ;,'et into a sort, of funic, and make a ter'ble fuss, when, for a fact, theydon't care a striw except for iliJ expanse of the f'unetal or the luconvunl ience it'll be, cettin' alom^ withnut'n wii» ever's gone, Sich people as that hain't h\ for Christians, because a man, or, womui cither, who can't sorrer i'.r a dear oni without'n tbinkin' of themselves, can'i nonow understand the tears Chrisl shed, ner tret holt ot the idea of His uac| ritice. True Christians is big-hearte(( DOLLY, 37 accer and drinkin'l Bsult ot reason and! b after help fnnoj It, and to git a Kripl :\y and kin be de-f itlier my meauin',| red Lucien, "but I I bit of ijraver ar.d! p to the heai'tftilt 1 ooniiolation from that those who are God's house, and a,Uo strangers to Him." ig man, honfistlT anfred wrong !"' ax; ^homuKhly aroused, t8 into the relifjfioui elv He ia ever to gi! ' of God. 1 haiiit .nx, roal Cliriitiani, is iiain't nuthin' butj ettin' sicli store !iy. think they tiev pc , and kinder git tbel inucli. ^V heu theyl lubles 18 round "em, o tn God with tlier .ion't, no they don't, with it ; yea tnej t, but what you say you account for it !' iccount fer it? I aster like 5'ou'(j ;he i)'int to onut n^elves, we've tried lint nuttiin' i« it, t. across the deviii ey RO. Now, a bad lin t eithur a C'hri lua habit, he geti ■ez to hisself to it 01 me Uvin' tin He hain't pot no ho srivesup aui. :tpr'n this. If hii lie wants con-oia strikes a feller o iu. riu'ht, he'il b< od Christian. Oi sittinp back in hi: when they hev i et into a sort, of s lit; fuss, when, fori triw except for tin or tliH luconveii oniT without'n who le as that hain't n a man, or. womiii er iuT a dear oni themselves, can the tears Chris le idea of Hia sac ns IS big-heartei )i. ople, yer * habit ' Christians is the nieariost kind oi truck ; they want to Htand in with God and make money oiit'n MTvia' the devil, and wiien it coines to iimkin' a choice between relitrion and hope, or money and prosperity and the th^' devil, they grab ftr the cash. Oh, yes, they do. I've seen cm tune anil at,Min, and its alius the hame— alius the taiiii!." •■ But where are the churches to ^et liold of what you call ' j;ood Christians' it not from habitual church-,'oer» and those wiio have been tauifht to pray even ;i3 a habit '!" asked l.,uciea. who began to ei'Oth'i lino .lo was taking. "Why. wtiore (lid Christ get His fol- idweis '.' Not from among them thet made rehgion a perfession, did He '.' Not by a blamed Bite, He didnV,, He couldn t trust em, lie knoweii what they thought aiiout rolit'ion, that it was gt)od 'nutt to make a liviu' out'ii. He know.-d them I'ii.'irisens and Sadducees was makiH' a oizness out'n religion, and that He hid to offer em better terms or hev them agm ilim, and a^an ilira they was. Say," said Jo, sinking his voice, " did ye ever notice that (,'liri-t piL-ked out perfessioual bad men ruther n perfessional good men fer His (iwn following. No 1 Never noticed it? Well, it's so ; Publicans and sinners and fust women and hshermen and all that sort. Say, did ye notice how He took t> the hshermen? No. Well He did, and why '! 1 >id ye ever know many fellers thet made their livin' fishiu' ?" Lucien admitted that the few with whom he was acquainted were pretty hard cases. "Of course, they are alius swearin' and cussin' and dammin' and drinlcin', but true friends, and I s'pose that tile (lallilee fishin' crowd waa about the same, fer every bizness that de- Ijeiids on luck breeds a tough crowd. But they made trood Christians, didn't they ? Ther taste hadn't been spiled by the habit of continuous gummin' on bogus religion. I wonder if Judas was a fisherman ? Don't blieve he was '. I opinion thet ho was a nreacher's son, ' '■ \\ hat makes ycu think that he was a preacher's son?" asked Lucien with a smiie. ' Because they're a bad lot," answered Jo. "They see so much religion thet is lived and worked on fer a salary, thet they <,'it an idear thet ther haint nuthin' to it, and turn out the toutjliest kind of tou.'hs, Ttiey're the wust, swearingest, lyin' lot I over know'd. But some on 'em, after Itiey git bad enough, besin to ferget perfessional Christianity and hanker after the^real thing, and by n-byu these feilers brace up and make gooJ, bright i.'liristians, and hev »ow^ sympathy with us irre^'lar fellers, I guess ther haint any ]t>etter e:. ample of what habitual religion '11 do fer a boy than the hull olasi of preachers' sons." Lucien had been thinking of all the preachers' sons amonir his acquaintance^), and was forced to admit that they were a very hard lot. " And most on 'em hov good fathers and mothers, too, but it's overdid with 'em. There's a heap of trouble caused tliet way," and as Jo said this he moved down in his .-out till his head rested on the hiuii back of the cbair. "My mother was a ter'ble good woman, lovin' and kind, and alius shelterin' me from father's lickins'. but she over-did the reiisjioua teachin'port I recollect |when i wa'nt more n five years old how she taught me to s.iy, ' Now I lay me down ter sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep I" I hated to bother sayin' it, and used ter try and slip off to bed without'n kneelin' down. She was sk^ered, poor mother was, thet I W.18 growln'np wrong, and used to tell me if I died in the night, if I had gone ter bed without'n sayin' thet prayer, that (iod would put me in the bad place and burn m« forever. Then wnen that didn't work she said that God offen made little boys die in bed 'cause they'd L'ona tor bed with- out'n saym' ther prayer, and then dropped 'em ker s|)ia>h in the lake of firo and brimstone. After thet I used to be skcei'pd to go ter bed afore I sed ' Now [ lay me,' but, bime-by 1 said 1 guessed it'd be jist as good if I sed it after 1 got under the blankets, and 1 tried thet on till she found it out. and told me thet boys who didn't keer enoueh fer to say ther prayer on ther knees aside the bed, would likely git took, and tiier prayer pass as no ac- count. T'hen 1 was askee/ed to say 'Now I lay mo', ia bed, and fer a long while knelt on the cold tloor and sed it. One night I feiirot, and it was awful cold, and I guessed the Lord wouldn't mind if I sed It a-layin' down. But 1 wa'nt satisfied, and my conscience made me get ui> and kneel in the bed, and even then I wa'nt settled but mebbe I'd get tuck away and burned fer not sayin' it right, so I got up and kneeled on the cold tioor, and snd it awful fast, and climlied back in. Then I begun to think inebbo I'd sed it too fast, and bed skipped sum words, and I couldn t go to sleep till I got out'n the bed and sed \i. slow, and waited till 1 drew three breatlis before I sed ' Amen.' Then I was satished. But no.\t night it was cold, and I kneeled and sed it fast, and managed to get to sleep, and fn.ind next niorn. But be I jinuino, boy, be jinuine, and peitendl nuthin'. Do it fer yer own lakeiif nuthin' else. Pertendin' will make ye a hipper I crit, and bein' a hippercrit '11 opile ye ferl bein' a man, and '11 make ye miserable | even as a human critter." As Jo said this he rose, and, pattin;! Dolly on the head, said " Guod-nieht,' f Dolly followed him at once, and hourjl later Lacien went to bed, a thoroughly! unhappy and less conceited young man. CHAPTER XIV 'AND SO THE TIHE ALW/V FLOWS." .83 AND I The next day was dark and rainy. Lu- cien rose in the morning with a headache and a bitter coniciouaness that his selfish- ness and egotism had become miserably apparent to Jo 1- elder and Dolly. The hired girl waited on the breakfast table and Dolly's face was missing. " Dolly's mother is feelin' poorly this mornin'," exclaimed Jo, and, as if he too were irritated by her absence, said no more. The meal passed in silence, Lu- cien returned to his room feeling intense- ly miserable. At eight o'clock he started tor the school. The children had not yet begun to arrive, and he sat at his aesk listening to the rain and watching the drops leak through the roof and splatter down on the rusty stove. He decided that no matter what the children thought of his sudden change, he would omit the prayers. It seemed useless for him to try to be pleasant and popular, he reasoned, his best actions were misconstrued and the only man in the neighborhood for wboae good opinion he cared, suspected him uf being a hypocrite. "Yes. I be jinuine,' was Lucien's bitter thought, and " see how they will like that." Slowly the dripping children began to fill the room and baskets and dinner paili and wt't wraps were heaped on the shelves Lucien had a smile tor no one and the ■haru voices of disputant* showed tha; the youngsters were less in awe of the "new master" than they were the day before. Sharply at nine Lucien seized the ruler and smote the door in an ancry sort of way. All the children were already in- doors but they found their seats slowly, Angered by this Lucien rapped ■hatply on his desk and in an instant every pupi was in place and standing up ready for prayers. Lucien saw at once that he wai iu an awkward dilemma and took the easiest way out of it. Though he had re solved to omit it he turned over the cover of the register and commenced to read the prayer, but alas, be had the wrong cover and it was the evening petition which he DOLLY, WD w-*>. But b«| ine, and peitecdj >\vD iskeiif nuthin' make ve i^ hipper crit '11 spile ye fer j make ye miserable I rose, and, pattinH aid " Good-nisht.' I t once, and hours I bed, a thoroughly | tited young man. t, XIV .83 AND I : ofTerpd up. Before he had read a halt dozen lines he found tiis mistake and im- I alined that every child in the room had al.-^o discovered hia stuiid error. How- ever, he kept on to the finish and was quite surprised to find that no one had laughed aloud. When he looked up he 8aw four or five of the lartrer girl* engaged lu a convulsive giggl«, and supposed at j unce that his mistake was the cause. Ho spoke sharply to them, and in his vex- ation torj,ot to call the roll, calling instead on one of the classes. Some of his pupils I lir^VpH •te'n'ficnntlv nt f>nr>h other, and ■9 33 the conflict with th« answer iriven by " last teacher " to the .same question. Lucien retorted angrily that he didn't care what the last teacher nad said and did not protiose to have him eternally quoted as the rule by which everythine ought to be done. The teacher's ill-temper was contiigious and nothincr went right. The rain poured down and when the short intermission for play came the youngsters couldn't go outside, and the auhoolhouse was like a bedlam. Lucien fairly hated those noisy boys and eriggling ^irls, and Hat and crlarad at them over his desk. So rk and rainy. Lu- ig with a headache! iBSS that his selfish- 1 become miserably | and Dolly. Ttie he breakfast table S lissing. eelin' poorly this! o, and, as if he tool ' absence, said no| ed in silence, Lu- [>m feeling intense- t o'clock he started! lildren had not yetl 1 he sat at hia aeikj and watching thej I roof and splatter itove. He decided le children thought he would omit the eless for him to try iilur, he reasoned, isconstrued and the rhood for whose suspected him uf ea. I be jinuine, ' hough t, and " see children began to s and dinner paiii pedon the dhelvee. no one and the ants showed that esa in awe of the they were the day e Lucien seized the in an anjrry sort en were already in- leir seats slowly rapued ahaiply jtant every pupil ing up ready for t once that he wat an and took the Though he had re ed over the cover lenced to read the 1 the wrong cover petition which he Lucien knew the reasoo. As fho class came forward the big boys jostlea one an- other, the girls jiinched their neighbors and laughed, and Lucien was fast losing wliat little good temper ne had saved from the day before. He had not asked his class half a dozen questions when they began to tell him that "the last t.^acher " hadn't asked questions in that way. This made mat- ters worse, but shortly afterwards whan nne of his pupils asked him. a question, his answer was at once alleged to be in direct the day wore alone, and he wrote copies and taught the little on»a their letters and the big.er ones mathematics as if he de- spised tht; task, ami the scholars likewise did their work as if thev hated it, Kitty Watson and Hcttie Hill had not dared to approach Lucien, and ho thought they, too, had repented of their attempt to be kind and helpful. At last three o'clock cam'-, and Lucien bad disposed of all hie classes, and tliera was still an hour left before he could dis- miis the school. An idea struck him. <0 DOLLY and calling to Hettie anJ Kitty he aiked them to takn a moist cloth and clean ofi the blackboard. When tliu was done he took a piece of eh: Ik and with rapid Rtrokea slcetched a picture on the board. Thu children watched him with open mouths as they saw the sketch errow into iiii accurate and strikincf picture ot I'el- dersburg, with tlie valley, and the river, and Jo Feider"s h)iise, and the orchard, and the wooded liill behind, When he had finished he turned and said : " It is !i wet day, and we are all out of humor, so I hiiT« made a jjicture for you. Do y )U know the place it represents?" The boy who had been the chief sinner in quoting thp "last teacher" sung out : ••I do; it's Feldersburff." " Well, then, come up here and exj)lain the nicture to the school." The boy said lie couldn't. Lncien sharply ordered him to come up to the platform, and as the lad stumbled for- ward he was such a picture of awkward- ness that Lucien couldn't resist an ill- natured impulse to mak>! hini feel worse. ■* .Now,'' said he, "you have been telling me all day what the 'last teaciiar ' did, and as you think youraelt so smart you can tell the school the names of the roads and river, and all about everything. ' The boy couldn t find a place to besrin until Lucien supplied him with a startin},' point, and then the scholars roared at his clumsy attempts to describe the features of the viUafje, so he was sent to his seat. A little pirl was then >;i\en the pointer and told to give the names and directions and the general descriiition of the roads and people. She blushed, but pot ulone very nicely ; and when she was throueh Lucien made the awkward boy's face crimson while he compared the failure of the lad and the success of the little (;irl. " You've often had the headline in your copybook, 'Comparisons are odious.' Now you have had a little taste of how di4ni;reeable it is to be continually com- pared with someone else. Aiid my boy,' •aid Lucien. "your failure rose out of tryinff to talk differently at the black- board than you do to your playfellows. If you had stood before that sketch with DO one in the room'exceptintr Kitty or Hattie you would have said : ' That is the road leading to Belkton ; that i.« Totters •tore ; this is the bridpre over the river, and that la Jo Felder'a, Be natural and not afraid, and you will be all riehw." Lucien then pointed out the various ob- jects, and without ■peakiuer their names had the children write them down on their slates. The result was curious, and when Lucien rancrt-d the pupils in a row and read out the words and spellinRr from the farious slates the children roared. Eefore the object and ipelling lesson vm over It was nearly five o clock, and the younifsters hurried home, and as their excuse for the lateness of their arrival told with wonderful elaborations of tht funny lesson they had had, and how aw- fully " queer " the new master was. Lucitn went home disheartened and disgusted. In half an hour Jo came in from the village, where he had spent tin afternoon .iittint; on the counter of the Krocerj' store areuing politics and relifrion with his neiofhbors. Lucien lay on the lounge in tlie rag-carpeted sitting room, tired and sour. " What was ye dom' to the younjr uns thet ye kept them in so late ?" inquired Jo. good-naturedly. " Trying to teach them somethinp,' •napped Lucien. " 1 was settin' in the store when one of the big boys cuin m, and he^was tellin' about some pictur' of Feldersburg you put on the blackboard, and how ye made the Bcholara tell what it was and all about it, and duntred if I didn't think it wa.s a mighty good way of teachin', but I'eter Jvlimner he said thet was the way you was wastin' the young una' time. Then a lot uv us went over and looked tlirou;.'h the winder at the pictur', and blamed if it isn't the cutest thing I ever saw, but Peter is down on it. That s the way young fellers with good ideara are spiled ; the old heads won't hev no new ways (if teachin', and the schoolmasters git to be reg'lar machines. I say, 1 wish tcr-morrer you'd ask the jog'ryfy class who is reeve of tins township, and who is councillori, and how ni;tny acres there is in it.andwhat the asse-ssment is, and how many town- ships there is in the county, and who is warden, and who air the county othcials, and what salaries they git. I'll give ye a list from a county atlas 1 subscribed for. I bet ther' hain't one as knows a tiling about it, though like enuff they kin tell ye the capitals of all the countries in Europe, Asia n Africy. And I'll bu: they don't know ruuiin' about our gov- ernment, and what a worse, half of them never learn, though they go on votin' and gabbin about Grits and Tories, and how much better our kind of government is than that of the United States, on' tb(-y don't know any more about the system of runnin' the States than the babies in yer ABC class. The school system is wrong ; they dont tench the children anythin that's worth knowin* except readin, writin' an' 'ritiimetic, ana wawte away a heap of time on algibry and g'ometry and things that don't do no good ?" Lucien wearily assented, and Jo went on : " Ask sum of them big boys what they want to make uv tbemsnlves and I'll bet ' Nut to bo the CO there haviu' pound ou(rht( faes lifer with 8 nteliii chool the he Hcl ivin' ought moDg 'stifHci brini; bi/iiesi Te jthrouK l&tran^' You 1 theorie thing, to have Lucii Dolly a him ha wa.'ione always desired, wet wef er-bla( attentic it'Scripi he ha i strange urred i years, death A. not eloc Bvmptoi umenl " Th( er Smi Spry— J cntter. —three band, a; thing, a —and tl do nut*i h«r husl Was mai notice whisper poor thi Kiirglin' irlassy u arms sti oritter, i only ter the titni DOLL\. 41 hem something',' jff they kin tt.-U] Ibet everyone of 'm 11 ■nicker and Bay, >'uthiD. ' Aak 'em if they ever expect |to be rpeve uf the township or warden of Ithe cuuDty or member of parliament, and Ithere won't bo one en 'em '11 own up ti. Ifaaviu' ambition enoush to try to be a ■pound keeper. Thet hain t ri(;ht. A boy loucrhter feel when bee at echool thet Ifaes pmpann' hisielf fer Buthin', most of all fer to b» a f;uod, reasonable citizen, |with sense enuff to help run the township intelligently. And then look at the school inspectors— appointed lor life — |the same old plu(;B go round exaniinin' the Hcbonls year after year, and never rivin' the schoolmasters a new iden. They lought to be elected tor a short term from smong the best teachers with the highest I'stithcuts, aud changed often enoui;h to Ibrin? aew blood and new ideas into the |bi/iiesi." Tea is ready," cried Dolly, lookintf IthrouKh the door. " Are you tellintr Mr. Istran^'e how to teach school, Pappie ? IYou know, Mr. Strange, Pappie has Itheories of his own about every- Ithmg, and he naya everybody ouuht |to have.'' Lucien wnB silent and constrained, and |l)olly and lier father were inclined to let aim have his way, but Mrs. ielder, who va>sond of those unfortunate women who Eklways )iersist in talking when Kilence la lesired, began to expatiate on the effect |wet weather iiad on the pain in her shoul- ier-blade, Lucitu listened with polite |attention, and Mrs. Feluer drifted into a description of all the ailments from which Bhe na 1 sui;ered, and from that into the letraiigt; and fatal illnesses which bad oc- curred in Feldersburg for the past thirty {rears. < in the aubject of sickness and Jeaih Mrs Pelder was alwaya fluent, if not eloquent, and deathbed scenes and symptoms which ] 'receded the last awful iiiuinent were her strong point. " Then there was iianner Spry— Hau- ler Smith as was 'afore she married Jonaa spry— i was with her when she died, poor critter. All four on her sisters was there -three on 'em married, with their hus- Iband, and Jenet, who was single, p'jor thing, and ham t over been married since ■and the doctor standin' by; couldn't Idonuthin' fer she waa |)ast help; and ler husband takin' on ter'bU;— though he as married in eleven months after— and n»ing away. ' I believe she could comfort almost any dyin^ sufferer with a story of a uouth sim- ilar to the one about to take place." " I have been a medical student l;)ng enough to know that the instincts of the nurse are almost purely feminine, and that tlie motherly heart believes that the almost entire aim of lite is to be of use to the sick and dying," answered Lucien, kindly. Dolly looked gratefully at him as if she had at last found one wtio sought a good motive for her mother's peculiarities. Lu- cien was in favor with Dolly, and he felt his heart give an exultant thumu wiien he recognized the fact. He sat in a low rock- iii^T-cnair while she played and santr. Jo, preferring his pipe, was in the kitchen, and Lucien had iJoliy and her singing to himself. She never knew whv the gusts of wind and rain and the presence ot that dark and almost smisttr tace prompted iier to cho 'se "The Land o' the i.eal,' an unusual song with her, but she ciiose it, and when she had finished she turned to hiin to a>k what he Would like next, anil found him with hia face buried m his hands. He lookeil up at her, his eyes wrt with tears. " I'er- haps that son^ has painful rat'mories, Mr. iStrange ?' she asked, as she turned over the leaves of her music "They are sad memoriea, Miss Dolly. It waa one of the songs ' my niither san^',' and when I hear it I see her as she waa 'fading away.' Excuse my weakness, he said, sadlv. " I feel so desolate since the only one in whom I ever believed, as we stiould believe in God, lett me, tjince then 1 have never had a friend. I have ■*^ll I - «Hiim 42 DULLY, had the misfortuno of being forced to live within myHclf ; 1 have had to confide in myielf, und coininune with ni3'self, and you and your father have taught me to deajjise iiiyHelf, uud so I have become din- contented and miserable." Lucien's voice choked, though ho ended with a feeble attbiiiDt at a nmile. *• Why do you Bay we have taught you to deipise yourself, Mr. Stranpo '.'"' " Because it is true," he answered, bit- terly. " You have jjointod out my faults, and laughed ut uiv failiiiRa. Your lather suspects me of btincr a hypocrite, and 1 fear you algo think uio a shallow, faltie coxcomb — "' "Why, Mr. Strange! Wli. h„ done to make you imae:ine siuU uas^y thinj:8 ?' " What have you done ? You have ridiculed my conduct, and taunted me with being ;in unknown and unsou^jht vis- itor, who might be a forger or a liorse- thief, and you have laughed at me trying to be a pattern or even a teacher of ; pri!ity, and tlien when 1 — ' "Mr. Strange, v"ir Belf-commuiiion has driven you n ad," broke in Doll> , sharply. '■ 1 have not ridiculed ,\o'-, nor did i say you might bf a fiiigor >■- a liort . thief. .Ail I said was wiicn y^ai were try ing to lecture me, ttiai your owu jiast couldn't esicaiio comment unless yoi; had a certificate of good conduct from the day of your birth up to date. You are mor- bid, and jiermit your fancy to run away witli you." "IVrtiaps I am morbid, and have found a meaning in your words which was not intended. 1 know I have telt whiit you said to mo more than ' otherwise wo:ild because you are so gentle and couitortiiig to your father, and so considerate to your inothor, while to me you are so cruel, and in your lautrhmg, teasinc way say bo many things whieh strike my weal^nesses like weli-aiinea airows— and— and I tiiink you intend to wound me.' fie d.d not sneak accusingly or bitterly. His deep voice was full of the painful seli-abaRcment and frlendlessness which come to every proud man wlien he sees the flowers of love bloom for every- one but him, and feels for the first time that he is really unworthy of the love ho aeeks. To Dolly, the chansre seemed marvelous, and as she looked at the young man who sat with ha face hidden in his bands, she could scarcely realize that it was the Haughty and overbearing youth whose lelf-poBSession and cynicism had excited her quiet wrath. But Dolly was not quick to yield even in mercy, and rising trom her seat at the piano, she ■»id : "1 am sorry, Mr. Strange, that I have made you miserable, but I will try herfrl alter to inflict you with Icb.'' of my so f ciety." As she turned to go Lucien sprang uJ and barred the way. "Tleaie stay. Miss Felder," he exclaim! ed, with tromblinar voice. "It is bccauiel I am so anxious to gain you: goodwi.l that 1 am tormented by the fdar that yoi]| di.-hke and distrust me. Torj-ears I hav; not been privileged as the inmate of J iiappy home. W liat 1 have seen ot W'J men has been in society ; what I have! seeiiof home has been as a •trant.'er at the! firesides of those who were not evenl fi'iends. The little trlimpses of a domeif tic heaven 1 have liad in the tender affec tion between you and your father, havel made me long to share your esteem anal kindnesi. I have never liad a sisterJ love though I have a sister : the only level I ever knew «a» my mother's, and she iil dead. Cannot you torgive me for myl i -leuess and k-.ck of knowledge of a wo| . Ill, tf nature ': Cannot >ve be friends?' L.'oll.\ c -.lod watching him, a curious exj •:. iu her dark blue eyes, " .0. n't you tliink that you havoyourj if, as you sav, eo little kind! ♦;o vour lot ' .. * would swallow my pridel k, • (U ^0 ). Bell lo 'l.-; n '68 hab : "ihinlr am. v-V- '■' not biaiiie U' se. think I r.iii a Uou agine that in the 1 have done i I 1 didl ' l.iiune myself 1' Yiiil '.e-s egotist if you imi drearv vears which bel j.an in my bovhood 1 liave not asked my self that ((uestioii a thousand times. Bu: in my student life 1 said it was better; and when men sneered and women laui,'li ( d 1 said 1 dian t care. Now 1 do care, and 1 have humbled myself and you hav: nothing better to oiler me than the quel tion, ' Don't you. lilame yourself?"'' Lucien spoke bitterly, and he stepped aside as if to let Dolly pass. " .So you consider it ' humbling your- self ' to sav that you are unhappy ; or ii the bpecial huniilitv shown in the fad that yiu confess your f(U'lorn condition tc an uncultivated country girl?" Theie was no co;iuetry in either Dolly's eyes ci viiice as she looked sijuarely into Lu cien's face and .asked this question. "Yi had better pause a moment and exami yourself," i^ucien'.s pale face reddened with vo\ ation. If a positive " no '" had comt readily to his lips Dolly might have been batched with us genuineness, but Lucien felt a pang of self-accusation that to a cer tain extent Dolly was perhaps right. "You aiwayb try to find a mean motive for everything I say, ' he said, appealins ly. " You are aa confident of your abi! ity to please— or to torment— as you s-i tit, aa I am of even my ability to worrv DOLLY. 48 lut I will try hete-l rith IcB:' of my bo [ Lucien sprang upl Felder," he exclaim! ice, "It is becauinl ain your pood wu'T }y the fdar that yoo| e. I'-orj'eiirs I hav- aa the inmati' of t| I have Been ot wn iC'U'ty ; what I havel aH a itranger at the! ho were not evfnl impses of a domegi in the tender affec your father, havel re your esteem andl lever tiad a BiBter; sister : the only level mother's, and shs itl forgive me for mjl knowledge of a woj ot we bf friends?' ig hina, a curiuuHex] )lue eyes, that you have your] u Bav, 8u little kind'l rlof.'"" Id swallow my pridJ 1 have done i I 1 dicl I .liune myself I' Yi.tl [. egotist if you imf ary years which be liave not asked myi ousand times. 1ju:| aid it was better: and Women Uiul,'Iij Now 1 do caie.l yself and you havJ me than the quoi j yourself?' ' and he Bteppc(i| pass, humblinpr youri are unhappy ; or iJ Bliown in tiie fac'J forlorn condition tcfl try gal?" Therf thcr Holly's eyes i stjuarely into Lui his question. "Yi inent and examine L'ddened with vox no '' had comi [ly might have beei neness, but Luci sation that to n cer perhaps rifirht. iind a mean motive he said, appealins ident of your abil rment— as you s"! ly ability to w^rr; n throu^b the world without friends. buch a (|ueition aa youra impliea either % sense of disparity on your part or else a Uuperionty which you desire to have recoi;nized. I know right well that it is not the former." " Do you mean that you think I was fisbinK foe compliments?" and Dolly's es hashed. " No," answered Lucien, dryly. " Wo- men of sense never fish for compliments, and men of sense never offer them." " You know what I meant, and your [answer to my question betrays your dis- honesty," cried Dolly, anRrtlyj "You avoided a direct reply because you knew our face would belie your words. You would like everyone m Feldersburf; to Matter your vanity and amuse you, but iyou think you have to apologize to your pride tor making even the slightest effort ■aid to Dolly, "Ye sixed that feiior up rii,'ht on the start, but yo aigyed yersell outeii it, tlie wuss luck ; but it can't be lielped, girlie, and we must make. tbe best uf it. ' CHAPTER XVI. THE WATSO.N FAMILY AT HOME. The fact that Dolly had argued and quarrelled vvitii hnn rather encouraged Lucien than oitierwise, and next day ho started out with a firm determination to win the kindness for which he had pleaded in vain. It was a bright sunshiny day, and the scliool hours supped away witnout friction, none of the pupils presuming to quote "the last teacher." After he dis- missed the boys and girls Kitty Watson handed him a couple of little notes, one of which invited him to take tea with the Watsons that evening at six, and the ottier was addressed to Miss Dolly I'elder. Kitty had not waited for an answer, and Lucien, as he strode homeward, honed that the note be carried in his pocket was an invitacion for Dolly. Ha was i^lad that it at least afforded him an excuse for hunt- ing her up. He found her in the kitchen with her plceves rolled up and a pan of apples on her lap. " I have a note for you, Mist Felder. Excuse me if in my anxiety to deliver it promptly I have invaded the region from which I am usually excluded. ' Lucien ■aid this in his blandest tone and tried to look as if he were not anxioui to kiioi wiiat the note contained. " So you have been invit«d out to tei and I am asked to chaperone you," saijl Dolly, as she looked th .uglitfully at thi| note : '"are you going '.'" *' Not unless you do. After your de^ flcription of the family, I dare not under tak>* a tea party with them, alone." ••What shall I do. Mammy'/ Thij NVatsons want Mr, Strantre and I to s;j up there for tea to-night." " riease go. Misi J'"elder," exclaimecl Lucien, " 1 hate to refuse, and I hal stiU worse to go alone." *' \'our father won't like it, I^olly. H; don't like the Watsons, root ner branch.] and It makes iiim mad when eny one oj| 'em comes on the farm, but as Mr. Strang is going I guess it'll be all right, an' iie pie can't talk about you an' Tommy. J'r lied a tei'lile pain in my shoulder, but km git supper, seein's we needn't bdh any pies, as the .^chodl-master hain'tgoin' to be here ier tea—" " Never mind going into the detailij Mammy," interrupted Dolly, who di^in: caie to have the w hole of tiieir donie.~l;J economy explained. "I guess 111 ro ana protect Mr. Strange from 'Kene ana] her mamma." Turning to Lucien sh said, with a merry laugh, " I can't resi- the tem[>tation to see yon in the bosom c the Watson family. It'll be too niuc:. fun to miss. I'll go, At half-p:i«t fir be ready to start. J'repare yourself for ; siege, and promise to tell me your hoati: opinion 3f them." '• 1 11 do it if you'll promise not to re peat it. " " Repeat it," cried Dolly disdainfullv, "I've faults enough without that o: putting quotation marks around my opinions." " Dolly's a ter ble clip, hain't she':' said Mrs. Felder, witn her halfciinniiiL' lialf-siUy simper. " In mv time girl: didn't talk to younc fellers that way. Ai I was tellin' .\lrs. Boutrhuer, when 1 wa: stayin' with her throuuh her last trouble young folks hain't what they used to be in more ways than — " " Never mind waiting to hear the rest, Mr. Strange," said Dolly, quickly, " g: and array yourself for conquest. I'll b: ready as soon as you are. Mammyi views concerning how girls deporti',c themselves ' in her time ' will hardly erf teriain you, as your interests are in the future, not in the past*" Lucien was glad to escape, for Mrs, Felder 's reminiscences were of such an obstetrical charactei that he felt uneasy lest he might be called upon for a profes sional opinion on some disputed point o practice. DOLLY. 45- t anxioui to knoil ed. iDvit«d out to leJ laperoDH you," saigl th 'Ugtitfully at tbi '/" f io. Aftor your del V, I daro not undei] them, alone." io, Mammy "' ThJ tranj;e and I to cT ,'ht.'' J''elder," exclaimed refuse, and 1 hati t like it, Dolly. HJ B, root ner braiich| i when pny ono ci I, but as Mr. Strang e all riplit, an' jie . Du an' Tommy. I'th my shoulder, but 8 wo needn't bakj Imaster hain't poini vj; into the detnik d Dolly, who di h lier last trouble, I they used to be io g to hear the rest, lly, quickly, *' r- conquest. I'll hi are. Mammy! (rirls deportrui will tiardly erf ereats are in tlie w e escape, for Mrs. were of such ao at he felt une:isy upon for a profes iisputed point o: Half an hour later Dolly found Lucicn 8ittin)C 1)1 ber fatiier'i rocking chair on the vernndah, impatiently swaying back- ward and forward, hia eyes fixed on the d»or thmuKh which ahe was likely to come. " bo soon," he cried, "1 hardly expecttd you for an hour yet." "Oh, youalory-tolier," laughed Dolly. " I know you looked at your watch a dozen times und mutten d to youraelf, ' she'll keep me till midnight. ' " Lucn II was charmed witn the aimplo pract of I lolly's dress, the white mualin nod dainty ribbona seemed to float about lier like a cloud of ipray ana baiaof jjlowinif color, "Will I pass, Mr. Strange? Am I attired to suit your cultured fancy ? If not I will go back and die of disappoiniment, fur I liiive decked myself out in liiy best in the liope that I may not be the cause of any new pang to your pride." remarked Dolly, w ith her aweetly amiling sarcasm, as she noticed how his attention waa riveted on her dress. " 1 tliink you look lovely— lovelier than any woman I ever saw before," exclaimed L-.icicn, unheeding the sneer. " Don't she now ! I)on't she look peart? I'll warrant she lava out them Watson wiiniien — they're too old to be called guruls— see if Bhc don't now ! And her clothes is better'n their'n, too, and ther iKiid fer, which la raore'n their u is I iiaint they, Dolly ?' Mrs. I'elder stoi^d ill the doorway with her hands on her liips as she delivered herself of tl;is opin- ion, and smirked meaniuely at Lucien. "You shouldn't p^al^e me so, Mammy, or ^lr. Strange will think we are tryin:,' to out shine and outbrag our nt-ighbora. '' "She's a cule un, haiiit she Lo(j8li':n ? She's cleverer than any on em hereabouli, Dolly i.s,'' simpered the daiiu>. Lucien waa disgusted, but ho struggled with a smile, and aaid that he was not surprised a mother waa proud of such a daughter. It Dolly felt ashamed of her mother's siliy -jieech, she concealed it, and Lucien wondered if she was not aecreth' pleased with her mother's compliments. " \\ ell, good-bye Mr. Strange. Well, goodbye Dolly ; do yer alickeat agin them Watauns. Don't let 'em make a Doint on ye 1" called out Mrs, I'elder, as Lucien and Dolly were leaving the gate. Lucien was aurpriaed that she bad called him by hia "front" name, and felt like asking his companion whether it em- barrassed her to have her mamma make 8i)ch remarks, out Dolly began chatting about something elae, and he wisely re- frained. His lightnetss of heart was gone, and the ronveraation tiaggect. lie waa thinking about the mother, and wonder- ing about the daughter. Ho, Dolly was "cute!' — and "slick. " This carried to his mind the idea that bhe waa deceitful and could play a part and cajole and humbug. Could It be : He looked -at the sweet face beside him, and the wonder grew. She, too, waa thinking, and tier dark lashea aiinoat touched her creamy cheek.s. Her face waa almost aad, and the hand that clasped her sun-shade trembled. "A penny for your thought.'), Miaa Dolly," ha said. "I was juat thinking, Mr. Strange, that you weie a su.'spicioua and ungrateful man, and that you ttnnk you know a great deal about people and their motives, when, in fact, you Know juat onougii to deceive youraelf and make you act abominably," atiawered Dolly, and ;i8 she spoke a tiasii of red tinted her cheeki*. " JUit we are atoui destination, so put on your c iinpany manners. ' Aa slie spoke she opened a little gate, from which a long, grassy roadway lid up to a pretentious iraiiie house, built in the villa style, but laukinp in both [laint and finish. Their knock was answereii iiy ! 'Heno Watson, who gushed over Dolly and tlieu took possession of Lueion as if she had a special rigtit to hii tiint; and at- tsiition. As siie conducted them to the parlor :-lie looked umitterahle tilings at Lucien, and rei>roached him for not visiting her sooner. She told him that ^hc had been founding his praises to the family until they could bear the suspense no longer, and determined to see tiie great parauon of learning and social brilliance for themseives. lier ma (pronounced " niah 'j waa juat uyinj.' to meet Doctor Stranee, about wtiom alio had heard so much, and her i)a (piou^unced "pah') Waa also auxioiia to see the lUus- trioua visitor. Lucien expected a good deal, but tfiis effusion staggered him. Then Flora Watson camo in and was in- troduced, and the winsome l^'lora at once related how 'Keiio had been talking day and night of the fascinating i/entloman who had, in some romantic way, come to Feldersburg to teach the village school. She assured him that lier little sister Kitty did nothing but aound hia praises and proclaim that auch another teacher had never before existed. Then Mrs. Watson bulged through the door and waa presented. She seized Lucieu'a hand and stood spell-bouud gazing into hia face. Turning to Kene, she exclaimed, '"1 would have known him anywhere after your description ! The stern yet genteel face, and the lovely atand up collar ! 'Kene has done nothing but talk about you everaince the picnic, and I am afraid you are a very dangerous man to drop into a aimple-minded place like Folders- 4fi DOLLY. burfir ftnd captivate all th« K'ttlt, I'm rt-.tUy afraid," she said, turnintr her fat suiil* on Dolly, " that uur Tummy will Have to look out, or lie will loHe iiia hold on Dolly here, but then, ' Hhe added, cou- deicendingly, "Isuppose that has eono too far to be broken otf.' As the aaid this sbe seized Dolly and gave her a fat kiai. "What has gone tou far, Mrs. Watson?" queried Dolly. "Uh.you are such a tease," cuthed Mrs. Watson, "I'm afraid you'll lead Tommy a fearful life,' and she patted Dolly's brown curls with her pulpy hand. Dolly looked helplessly at Lucien just as he K'anced at her with a jealous ({Itium 111 h|B (iurk eyes. In an instant hu re- membered her warning words, and al- most burHt out liiuctiini;. Then Tommy came in, and his mother's attention was diverted fur a nioment. "Why, Tommy, why didn't you put on a stand up collar '' Look at Doctor >Strango how Kenteel ho looks. Yon must (ret some coUai'H like his, and a tio that ycu tie yourself ; it must be the style, or Doctor Stvanye wouldn't have it on !" Then in a loud aside nhe diuiuired of "Tomniy if ho didn't think Doctor Stian^e was the most "nobby" man ho ever ■aw '! Tommy nodded, and 'Rene burst forth with Homo advice to the effect that they must not be so outspoken in their admira- tion of "Doctor " Jitranoe, or it minht make him vain. Then Flora wiiif po'cd to Dolly and enquired if she wasn't (juite scareu to death having such a liigh-toned "ooarder. Lucien was rendered speechless by thrse personal ccmments, and with unutterable thankfulness hu heard Dolly answer: "No, indeed. 1 am not! He has to take what we give him or else move on, and he and I quarrel all the time. 1 thmk he is the most quarrelsome man I ever saw 1" "Now, I was just tliinking," burst forth Mrs. Watson, turninj to Dolly, " that you and the Doctor could never eet alon^; together. He is too high atrunir to Dull with such a tiirt of a girl as vou. You'd tease him till he'd j?o mad." Then sinking her voice to one of those piercing whispers which are as audible as a shriek : " What he wants in a girl is heart !" Dolly whispered her answer in the same piercing undertone : " Yea, I'm sure he wants heart m a girl ; he ie quite stricken with Sadie Klimner; ehe ia all heart— and tears." "What! Sadie Klimner?" exclaimed Mrs. Watson, forgetting her whisper :• " she'd never suit him. Now, a girl like 'Rene is the kind he will marry." " Don't many the doctor into the family without asking bis eonient, mother," su;; gested Tommy, dryly. "Why, Tommy"! how you talk! Yo;i must excuse us, ' Doctor,' for diHCUssing you so much, but your arrival and distm guiihed appearance have created (luit)' a seniiation." Mrs. Watson'e tat, slobbery ■mile as she beamed on Strange aimoit made him soa-sick. Yet he confessed to himself, with a feeling of self contempt, that even this undisguised flattery wu more pleasing than disgusting. "Tea's ready, ma:" cried Flora from the dining-room door, "Doctor, take 'Rone out to tea," smi percd the fioshy old dan e. "Tommy, you take care of Dolly." After they wers seated ac the table a little man witli a large head shia in the door and dropped into a chair at the head of the board, and before he had touched his seat ho he^'aa pouring forth anaddnss to his Makft framed very much after those speecbei which are read to leading public men by town councils and national societies. It set forth the surnassing merits of the One addressed and the exceeding low degiLe and unwortliiness of those who desired a blessing. From this it branched out in the direction of a complaint against hard times and the aggressive nature of the camnaign carried on by the evil one, and referred to the fun the wicked enjovod and the self-denial of Christians. Ktvt the exceeding wickedness of the whole human family received a stern rebuke, and c'le '.ci-;'»y of the elect was viewed with alarm. As the aUcIri'^s wps poured forth Lucien looked with undisguiseii curiosity at the head which was thrown back, the wide open eyes which seemed fixed on a spot in the ceiling, and th tightly clasped hands from which the stain of labor had not been removed. The family were taking it easy and leanini! back in theii chairs, while Dolly's dark blue eyes, wide open in wonder, were fixed on Mr. Watson's face. A last fervent ap- Ileal for every sin which suggested itself to the prayerful mind, and a hojio that those partaking of the blessings before them might nut forget death and the unknown horrors beyond, closed the ten-minutes ad dress whicn Bro. Watson gave with un- failing unction three times per day. Lucien woke with a start from th>> trance of astonishment into which he haii fallen, and discovered that hia mouth was open, and that he was betraying the wun der he felt. Mrs. Watson introduced him to "Pah,' and "Pah" nodded in return, though h stood up, and reaching across the table cordially shook hands with Dolly and tipped over a commode full rf gravy, This excited the ire of Mrs Wa s n, and DOLLY. ent, mother," BUS 4 (he at onco publicly ap>lo(;ized for her hubband'H JKnurancc of tlio proprieties. Lucien was alarmed leiil this nufrtit brine c n the " iiarnetB tut;' ouiaoiio of u Inch ]>n,ly hail tolil lull), but to liiit Rreat relief Wattun pi're took no notice of hia apouho'u railinif. Then Mru. NNutaon confeised to tiiiii that 'lieno was the [irepnrpr ci tho |.'oud tliiiicB beliire them, iind that, unlike mine k>i1b who could phiy the piano, 'liuiie was ttio beat cook in the iK!i<„'hborh(io'J, nnd could irou a ' fine bliirt ' with iiiiy niie in the largest city. 'Jiene heard her Maiaes Houniied by her mother without a blush or rumoDBtrance, tlioucrli nhu onue turned the full lurcu of her dusky, ahiin- merin^' eycB on Lucien and said he must nut tliiiik aho had no accoiiipiiKhinents ex- cept thosu of the cook and laundroBS. Keiie's eyes made liUcieii feel iimas}' ; BoiiietimuB tiiey were a bliirr of mugnctic broun lijjlit befuro which liis ),'l:ii;ce droi'iiod. and he turned away. He liad dccideci that 'lienu Watson was a dangor- ■ us wnnian, and that iier mind had a very great iutluence over hia. CHAPTER XVIL BROTHER WATSON ItKl'KHH TO TMK FUTURE STATE. Vv'liile th(^y were at the tea-table T>'icien r.otic-d that Doliy treated Tommy Wat- son very coldly, and that her fund of (.'oodhumor wa« not up to the avera^'e. llr felt uncomfortable liinisclf, seati'd be- tween "liene and her mother, and found it almost impoBsihlt; to talk. 1'hero is no t :.^t I'l a congenial company like a desire to talk, and a noisy dinner table, in forty- nine cases out of fifty, will pasB asa lia})i)y evening. After the meal was over and Ijucien was paasing towardR the parlor, liia coat- sleeve received a violent jerk, and turning,' In- lound *' I'ah " Watson's Oit; head aldUgside his shoulder. " (,'ome and have ft smoke and talk !" ejaculated the little man. " Certainly a talk, but not a smoke," rfisponded Lucien, " i have for sworn the fraerant weed. ' Following *' Tah " Wat«on, he wended his way through a long, narrow hall, and found hiiiiself in the kitchen, where Flora was already engaged m piling up the disnes from the fa-table. Sitting down by the door " Pah ' Watson tilled nis l>ipe, and had just shoved hia chair clotse tip to Lucien, when 'Kene intorrnpted by reineating her father to take his guest into the diningroora, " as Doctor Strange was not accUBtoraed to Bittingin kitchen^.' " Pah " Watson replied with considerable asperity that she had better mind her own buBinoBS, and that he had had too many rowd about amokinfr in the dinini; room, to try it again. Lucien assured her that he would enjoy the kitchen, and Keiie left them with a smile, of which Lucien thou-ht whilo " Pan " WatBon diBcusBod more seriouH tbinga. " Say, young feller, ' and "Pah " Wat- Hon'a voice took a contidential curve downward, " you're religious, it I'm not miBtakeii, i)y what 1 hear of you opemn' school with prayer. Well, you bein' re- ligious, as I was a-sayin'," he continued, hurriedly, as it afraid of further interrup- tion, " 1 want to ask ymi authm". What air your vio\«ri regardin' future punish- ment '!" " Well, Mr. Watson," began Lucien. in an ombarraBsed way, " 1 am afiaid I have not given the nubiect sutiiciont thought to give a worthy opinion but 1 have been taught to beliew ill it as a lake <'f tire and brimstone, and when 1 try to think of it 1 really cannot grasp the idea at all." " iS'er me ! Ner me !" exclaimed "Pah" shoving hia chair closer to Lucien's. " I can't get onto it, no matter how I try. In fact, 1 m danired if I beli-jvo in it, and vet 1 keepspeakingof itin my prayers and grace, so aa lo hev the blamed thini: in my mind till 1 git th(! (luestion settled. Did ye ever know anyone who really and truly didn't Iwlievo in hell ?" At this point the big head was right in front of Lucien, and a ))air of large brown (;yea turned eagerly upon his own. '" Yes, ft dozen of thcui," said Lucien. " Is any on 'em dead ".' I Mu they hang onto tiie idea when they were lettin' co of life ?" ho den^.aiidi d, excitedlv. " I never heard," repl.ed Ijucinn, " and 1 don't really know whether they are dead or alive.' " Then their opinion hain't wuth much," sighed Pah, as he lay back in hia chair. " 1 knew two fellers who wru; solid on the hereafter havin' no hell in it, but the one on em who died spiled tho hull bi/.ness. As he was a-iayin' dym' he said to the otlier one, ' William, it'a mighty tough to lay here a-slippin" over the edge and never know whethe; there's a hell or not.' And his brother said, ' Weil, Henery, it's too late to ginaa over agia, .so you'll justhaveto grin and bear it' Tne idee of a feller tryin' to t'rin whea he'a a-dyiii' I And I bed confidence in that feller till then and thought he knaw what he was talkin' about, but at the laat minute he weakened and sp'ilt it all." •' I'ah." Watson spoko regretfully as he added, " and, Ha\-, do you know, I was kinder clad wnen I heerd that William was a dyin. 'cauae I felt certain he'd a •tuck and worried through without git- tin' skeered. But he spiled it all jusc at ■18 DOLLY, the liiit miniiit I Ypi, Hpilid it all, th« Door, wuak critter :" huuii n iiiiKK''*t>;(l that the viewi a man liohl* while ho it uell and Htrongr and bia iniod ii freu from the ftnr of a Grervt LlnknoMfU into winch he la about to untur, are inoru worthy of conaidtiration than the fears iind conTictiuns which may coinn to him when ha lu en hia death* bed." " YcH, yonng feller, but if a maa ban vifWH founded on his best reaaoii iind fiiith, tliny air too much a part uv hiro to let eu wlien he Keta 8iok. But L thow.'ht Williuiu 'ud 'uv ituuk. He wan io lot oa hit ideo. Williaiu wa«." " IJiit," continued he, " I can't (five up the idee that thereV somo mistake bout iiiill. Now, if 1 hated j'ou ever ao much and I hed you m iiiv power to do at I liked witii ye, und I wanted to make yo sufTer, I'd hold yur hand ui> ai;assioii to hi3 lady love in the middle of thu street at noonday. 'Rene's face fiuslied hotly as .she replied; " I hope you did not in.ike a personal ap- plication of my song ; 1 m sure it was not intended." '* Certainly not," bowed Lucien, coldly, " but I am expresf injj my viewB in a gen- eral way. An ordinary love song can be sung about one person, and I assure yoa it can only be sune to one person with anv degree of succeds. In an opera, where every eye is tixed on the hero and heroine, she can iing the moRt absurdly •tilted sentiment, and the audience will applaud or weep, as the case may be. But let you or I try and sin(f the same thing in a drawing-room, and it is not only a fail- ure, but— unless the singer'a voice makes DOLL\. jrnin' thoutrhti; in , »ii' tliai, too, idder.'d WaUon, n doi>r up at tliu th" voi\ ot mv»- II which conorrni bustiad into th« li wanted " Doc. larlor, if he wai ike, ond Liicien her uoDaideration topic. he cabinet or^an, .ui'ien on a chair ipnt, where 'Kene I hitn. and thereby and the magnet jvex. She B&ug u I ad he not known e elie in the room »9 sincing to him, Bupported by the uiii have .tofieni;'! I nature and made mo at least, at iier glanced furtively anU wondered if him. Thev were eki red(ieiied. Ot r about 'Koneenewj m abiolute repuR- ler who had cauieu \'"i -eased Binding | .dssanly loud voice tional objection to I act that they wer« appetite and hii and then as alip ashes ehe inquired Ijief erred. n t know but [anythng better son.'S whitb lubadour tiaklm.' iortli ins (lassion to Idle ef the strert |)tly as she replied; ike a personal ap- m sure it was uot \ed Lucien, coldly, ly viewb in a gen-j I love Boug can be |knd 1 assure yon it person with anv |n an opera, where I hero and heroiiif, absurdly stiltt'd tence will applaud be. But let you name thing in a IS not only a tail- jer's voice makes be listener foriret the hour and the place ■ it producL'S a laugh. " liUcien would have stopped, but 'Kene's iifiry face made it impossible. "It you ive noticed popular s.ings, you will uc- nowledire this to be true," he added, in a ore conciliatory ton*!. " The love songs Inch touch the popular heart ure those in hich the beautiful heroine, if not the rave hero, are cold in death. Ahout ete it iH poHsible to sing in stiltt-d hrase. because the world wills that wo UHt always hpeuk wnU o' ♦ha dead." Kene was dispused to , aa4 tixd at love songs about 1 iiei«ra iimt leromes ueru tlie most ehicliv*. "iiobin dair," "Kathleen M«voufB«en," " Onc^ Rain," and indeed :JI the songa alio new to be most succeMiul in moving an dionce to appUud irero about liviutr ople. Lucien was not inusiMan enough to foI> w through the li^t, buk in his dilemma ba/arded an opinion which is correct. I ^im not speaking about people alto- ther. (.)f course the dramatis persome ay be represented in the popular song alive or dead, but if th« subject of the ti); ie alive, the soutr rentesents the paa- n Itself to he deid ou either one ttidu or e other. Without death there would be r iinance. Living is the most unru- nn.ic thing one can do. Linten to the atiir ! He talks of death, ind his hear- ts are thrilled ; the revi' t preaches departure-, and his heai ep ; tales widowed wives and ber husbands [e tlie stock in trade of tiiu>. who desire lioften the human heart. The nej^lecteil bitions and aspirations are those which song or speech move us most, because y are the exaggerated, heroic. form of ordinary impulse of man, and strike iancy as being nobhs as well as nat- 1. I believe,'' said i.ucien. asheleaued k in his chair, " that sentiment and ought to be told in private. " \\ hy do you couplo sentiment and ?' intiuired 'Rene. ' Because,' answered Lucien, " a lie ia Bily a sentiment, and sentiment is sily a lie," t this point Dolly chimed in, remark- " Your sentiments must be very uable, Mr. Strange, if they are eo rly allied to untruth." Not necessarily," retorted Lnoian, rplv. " Tho&e sentiments which con- 1 us do not lead to words, but to ac- ;is." I think the doctor ia right !" echoed ah" Watson, folding ber fac hands, and :ng with studied and speecliless admir- u at Lucien. *' Of course, certainly, s ripht ; we can't be expected to know uch as tie doee." "About what ?— sentiment or lies?" in- quired Dolly. " Oh, you awful girl ; isn't she auoh • toAse .' rlay ' Kloatiiig Down,' 'Kene. It is so lovely ! ' l>owu the Stream of Tune,' you know,' wheezed '.Mah.' "No, 'cried Tommy ; "give us some- thing jolly, Dolly, you play and well all join in." Dolly proteHted, but 'Kene left the stool, and Tommy, piittin( his arm around l>* Lucien looked into the face so close to his nhoulder, he confessed tbat she was beautiful. The bars of light sninint; throut^h the trees illumined her faco with us passion- ate charm, and the shadows hid the reck- less and inconstant impulses which made the companion of the hour the tenant of her heart. She felt in the mood to woo and be wooed, and ijucien's an^or made him an easy conquest. Leaning over the gate in the shadow ot tiie maples which arched above them, their talk drifted luveward with astonishing speed, i^ucien felt privileged to adopt Tommy's easy style, and his arm stole arouuii'Renea Bhapely waist, apparently unnoticed— at least unreouked. Uia conquest was too easy, and he was silently arguinir out a good plan of getting back his arm, when 'ilene's head commenced to nestle on hia shoulder, and Lucien looked hurriedly around to see it anyone was coming. Lean- ing lovincly upon him, Rene began to sing in an absent, reminiscent way, her voice low and sweet, yet clear as a bird's. The song told him how lonely sho was, and that love came to uU but her. He felt foolish but sympathetic, and his arm tightened up suthciently to give her a very perceptible squeeze. Dolly's voice coupled with Tommy's pealed a merry chorus from the parlor, and i^ucien's dis- engacced hand somehow came in contact with 'Rene's, and another "sweet and low" was warbled in his ear, and he was debatinsr within himself whether she ex* (lected him to kiss her. No, it wouldn't do. Looking furtively around he saw they were still alone, and ha kissed lier. She commenced to weep, and he inquired the reason and tried to oomfort her. Sh« 50 DOLLY aniwared nothing but cried ■oftly, ard a tear fell on bis hand. He wanted to take his handkerchief out of hii pocket and wipe awav the tear — not from ber nyes, but from his hand. It was "ticklin<;" him, but he could nt do it without lettiiiR: eo of her hand ; her hand was clinGrmK', and ha had to maintain the ^rip. It was very awkward. He resolved to ki^a her again, and maybe she would gel anprry vtnd ])ush him awav. He tried it, and she replied by throwinpf her arms around his neclc and divine him what her brother Tommy woulrt call " a kiss from awav back." The embrace lin(;er- ed, andj without seeming to be too violent, ijucien jerkeu back bis head and (::lanced toward tbe house. Dolly and Tommy were looking out of the bay win- dow. Lucien seized 'Rene's hand and quickly unwound her arm from about his neck. He wasn t rude but he was alto- gether too ra)>id in concluding the em- brace to be lover-like. " I am afraid we are observed,'* he said in apology. " No one can see us while we are in the fhadow," she answered, reassuringly. " I've often noticed that the gate is in perfect darkneas to any one in the win- dow." It struck Lucien that 'Rene had been experimenting on the shadow-and-gate question, and he feared that hi^ experi- ;ice was similar to that of many others V ho had stood in the moonlight with the • farming 'Rene. " Let s go out for a walk!" he heard Tommy say to Dolly. "No, thanks; I prefer lamplight to moonlight," and she turned away from the window and rattled off a march on the organ. Lucien suggested a return to the house, and, without waiting for a reply, took her arm and strode forward, and 'Kene could not resist. When they entered the cheap but tasty little parlor Dolly was playine. Tommy lying on the sota, and "Mhh" was aaleep with her feet on the rung of a chair and a section of very large stocking, ankle and prunella shoe in sight. 'Rene at once awakened her, and "Mah " start- ed violently and jumped to her feet *' Why, 'Rene, you've bin crying," ex- claimed " Mah, " without considering her BurroundingB. *'Hus-a-h," whiapered 'Rene; but ifi waa too late to prevent Dolly'a quick eyea from noticing the tear ataina. ** Pah" Wataon fortunately turned up at this point and requ«<8ted Dolly and the rest t.) sing "There is a fountain filled with blood." Aa they sang it "Pah" joined in «ith immense f error but no tune. *'Tbatgoes agin the hell theory, aeemil to me, don't it ?" he aaid, turning to Luf cien. " Yea, I think it does," Lucien answer I ed, with an appaling fear that the old) question was to be reopened. "If you are ready I tliink we had bet I ter go homH," said DoUv, as she stood I with her hands behind hor listening to| "Pah's" dueation and l^ucien's answer. "Certainly," cried Lucien, thankfully,] *' I am ready." " What ! So airly !" cried *' Mah.'l rushing forward. "Why, it isn't onljj nine o'clock." " Yes. but Pappio likes to see me beforsl he goes to bed, and he'll scold if I'm not| home." *' Why, how silly ; and we were justj thinking how lovely it would be to liavel Doctor Strange's company for the evsoT mg," mourned "Mah." "It you are inl such .1 hurry, Tommy can aee you hoiner and " Doctor" StrangJ can go when hi) likes." " I'm not afraid to go home alone, andl if Mr. istranee wanta to atay I would not| be so ruthless as to tear him away. " "I must go, Mrs. Watson, an I havel some work to do yet to-night, though ll am aure I hate to leave such pleas.mt| society," he said, looking at 'Rene, who| was evidently "in the dumps." Dolly had gone to get her bat, acdl ** Mah " seized the opportunity of whii[ pering to him to come up some nighil alone and make an evening of it. "8oon, 'I she wheezed, "or 'Rene will be broken! hearted." When he aaid good nipht 'Rene's handl clung to his, and she gave him a look! which said unutterable things. He| answered it with a cold "goodnight" and followed Dolly, wlio waa btroiliogi towards the gate in company with the! inevitable Tommy. When 'Tommy closed! the gate after them and bade Dolly a verjfl sentimental adieu, Lucien thankedl heaven the evening at Watson's was uverl and began to wonder if Dolly had seeii| his episode with 'Rene. CHAPTER XVIII. dom.y'.s temper. " I'm glad to be out of there and in thel clear, fresh honest air once more !" e\ * claimed Dolly, with a sigh of relief. "Why ?" asked Lucien, who was still | debating tbe probability of I^olly havinKl seen his absurd flirtation with 'Rene. "Why!" echoed Dolly. "Becaus there isn't a breath of honest air underl the Watson roof. PZverytbing is artil facial, deceitful, and false. "You seemed to enjoy thftt aort of| DOLLY. 51 hell theory, leeiiul aid, turning to Lu [ 8," Lucicn answer I fear that the old] pened. think wo had bet I DoUv, aa she stood I d hor listnninp: to| hucien's answer, liucien, thankfully,] !» cried " Mah," IVby, it itn't onh| kes to 369 me before I )'ll Bculd if I'm not| ; and we were just I ; would be to have I lany for ttie eveD-T 1." "It you are inl can aee you home [ [g3 can go when hil ro home alone, andl to atay I would iiot| ir him away." I. Wataon, aR I havel to-night, thouKli ll >ave such pleasami king at 'Rene, wbo| I dumps." f get tier bat, andl ortunity of wtiiif nie up some night I ningofit. "Soon, I ae will be broken! ni^ht 'Rene'a handl gave him a loukl able thmga. H«l cold "good night"! wito was btroUiagl company with thej hen Tommy clonedl bade Dolly a very! Lucien thankedl Watson's was overl if Dolly had geen| XVIIL IMPER. )f there and in the| r once more !" e\ igh of relief. in, who was stilll of Polly haTinfl with 'Keue. :>lly. "Because I honest air under] terything is arti Ljoy that lort ofl Atmosphere while yon were in it, Miss DoUv !" " Did I ? Well. I certainly endcivored I to keep inyselt employed, and singing is the only way to prevent ' ^lah ' Wataon from slobbering over me and advising me I coDCLrninir Tommy's superior merits as a itylish young man and a 'goodpervider.' 1 would rather sit on ttie stool and play I and bing than be cornered by one oi tlie eirls and forced to listen to mushy talk of how near crazy Tommy is to marry me. I would much prefer three hours of the lociely of tlie Watson family collectively than be ten minutes alone with anyone lot them leaning over the front irate." Dolly's tauntiner laugh, together with I the fear thai she was possessed of ttie I facts, made Lucien's face redden, though (darkness veiled the guilty blush. "Did you kiss her or only squeeze her [hand? From the window it seemed I almost AS if you were doing both, you (were so suspiciously silent. And then of I course all Feldersburg understands 'Kene's jwillmF^ness to flirt desperately, and I I suppose no young man of the world ever |mi8>^es a chance to talk and act lovo to a Iprutty girl who is anxious to listen. I Wh.it a lovely picture you two would ihave made if the man-in-ttie-mouu had itaken your portrait in that sweet trance linto which you fell." Dolly laughed Imeriily, aud she felt sure from Lucien's ■evident embarrassment she had guessed |r:ghtly. "And of course 'Rene will tell 'Mah,' land Tommy, and Kitty — for the Wat* leoni have no tender secrets in which they lo not all share — and of course Kitty will tell .ill the girla at school, and you will Ihcar of it in every breeze, and see it written on the blackboard, and on the ^enct B, and in the copy books ! Won't it be lovely ! 'Rene and Strange, ' and ['Strange 'Rene.' and 'Doc. Strange and TKene Watson.' Uh, my! wont the Bcholars have fun with you?" she whis- |j)ered sympathetically. Lucien bit tiis lip with vexation. " I ion't know why it should amuse you so duch if 1 have made a fool of myself ! I presume you have seen people do it be- fore, even if you have no persoual experi- ence." " Oh, y?o, often, but I never before saw huch a wise and steady ycuntr man as Doctor* Strange stoop to folly. Pex- tiaps It may teach you to ba more cbari- Itable to others when you hear of the NVatsons having made conquests ! How boasiderate of them it was to overlook I'our school-teaching bufiness and call rou 'Doctor!' Anticipating your noble . tears, la spite of pride the last words ended in a sob which she tried It conceal by a hyster- ical little lausrh. The brilliant Aui;ust moon shone down on her fair face and brightened into a halo of Grlory those shin- ing curls, In her dark eyes gleamed the tears she was too proud to shed, and think- ing this was the rainbow after the storm Lucien barred the way as she turned to go. " 1 am sorry you hate me. for I do nol bate you. I have feared that you dis- liked me, now I know it. I know more— 52 DOl.LY. I love you passionately, jealouslr. From the moment thpt your father introduced me to you and your hand touched mine, 1 have loved you, and it has been thin jealous patnioD which has made me seem ■o base and ■u.^piciouB. Pray forgive me,'' cried Lucien, with eacrer, trembling voice. "Indeed, my foilv tonight war, cau«ed '*y my H)(?ht from the sif^lit of your appa- rent kindnosB to another." " You do well to remind me of your performance toniu'ht," pnsped Dolly, who had been dumbfounded by this passionate apDeal. " I am sure you must be tired out making love to two women in one eveniner. Your heated head neerJs some sleep. Go home before you make me sick." "Stay," he cried, catching her hand, "I will speak." "Speak if you will, but keepyour hands off," anci as she spoke she struclc his hand from her wrist. " Speak to the trees and make love to the wind if you must, but if you attemj)t to touon mu I'll teil Papnie to kill you. Aeraia Dolly was in another tempest, but this time Lucien did not seek to excuse himself. Walkinpr quietly by her side, lie spoke earnestly nt first ; then his deep, heavy voice trembled with the intensity of his passionate deter- mination. " 1 have done you no wmnp by loving you. Uolly Felder, though I cannot blanie you for despising me for to-nigbt's foil}'. Vou have no right to treat a love you know is sincere as you do mine. You hate me, you say ; but Dolly, sometimes a little hate changes into a trreat love. I Bwear to you, by the great Gi^d that made yon moon, and the heavens above us, that I wiii keep on lovmpr you. no matter how often you sav * Nay. And I tell you, Dolly Felder, unless your heart be shal- low my love will win yours. I spoke no word of love to nisbt, nor ever before in my poor life, to any woman on earth, ex- ceptinET to my mother and you. I have never desecrated the word by applying it toba^e pasrsion. ana I vow that I will not. I love you, Dolly ! I love vou ! I love you I' Dolly was silent. The path turned from the roadside to ci'ois the bridge, and with a light spring she cleared the little gully and reached the bridge in advance of her companion. I^eaning for a moment over the heavy timt>ers, she looked down at the moonlit stream murmuring gently below. " Dolly," cried Lucien, as he atood be- side her, " shall ray love call to you through all the years that this river will run, and never hear an answer ''" Dolly, leaning over the guard of the bridge, rested her ^Ibcw on the timber. whileherarm supported hercurlyhaad.The sleeve alipping down rsvealea the perteccl curves of her shapely arm. Her face was ii I shadow, but encouraged by her silence j Lucien w&ispered : " Will there nevar be I ananiwer? — never an echo? Can a loTel like mina beat against your heart and fo^[ ever fail to stir its pulse in resporise ? Oli,| Dolly ! Dolly ! Do not be so crueL Be-i lieve that I love you, and tell me that) soma day you mav learn to return nirl love." " Mavbe — some day," whisjiered DollrJ " Thank God !" cried Lucien, joyfully.r " I will toil as Jacob did for Rachell and the years will seem short if yon but| sometimes smile and tell me to hope on.' Bending down, he tried to kiss her hand,! but. snatching it away from him, sbel laughed scornfully, and said, m her most| irritating and mocking voice : *' You play the lover very nicely, Mr.l Strange ; your vocation should be thel stage, and your part Roniea, As a nro-l fe.ssional lover I think you would he il ereat and thrilling success, but for to-l mgnt — drop the curtain.' " Are you so shallow-hearted that yojl cannot compre'hend that your raillery isl agony to ,m8 ?" demanded LucienJ haughtily. "Do not quarrel with me again, please,"! answered Dolly. " Pappie is waiting for| us, we musb go into the house. " After sha had kissed her f ather.she satdl ''Goodnight,"and for a moment herdark| enquiring eyes, soft and Uewy with tean which threatened to come, looked intol Lucieu's as he wished her happy dreamsl —and he was consoled— at least she didf not really hate him. CHAPTER XIX. " AT LAST WE GROW ACCUSTOMED. The slumberous autumn day^ did not! pass quickly. Lucien was neither happij nor had he begun to feel at nume. Vel those hours were numbered anionxst tbs blest momentswhenthestarof Hope shnnj brightly, and the sorrows and disappoint^ ments of today were borne gladly becauM to-morrow promised joy and contentment! The school was less irksome, and his ten| dency to study human nature and dissed oharacter found ample scope. The schoij ars alternatHly loved, feared, and hat him, but there was never an hour when word of praise or mark of preference frna him would not purrhase the loyalty asJ devotion of any childish heart in tk| school. As they grew to know h m betts they liked him. He was just. Then tbJ Uoys admired him because they had nevef known such an athlete and scholar. Tti DOLLY ^ (rirls frrnw to love him, and while they gi^jgled and sneered, they would give their httle wurld to be " the tnaater's " reco;;:- Di/ed favorite. Even Peter Klimner had been subdued into a bateful qu-et. Ab the leavev on the maples errew E^olden, and the splenaor of the hillsidf forests made a sunset glory which shone through all the autumn air and mellowed not only the landscape but the pa8!>ions of men, a new feeling stole over the heart of the ichoolmaatar, who for the firit time dwelt m Is'atiire'a soft Indian lummer spiendor. To an orgnnizsitmn like Lucien b, Indian summer has cliarma ti) which a colder or more common- place na- ture must always be a stranger. The crimson and gold, the carjiets of fallen leave?, the hazy splendor, suit spirits which are at once sensitive and self-usser- I live. Tne royal magniticence of the woods, the drapery of the bills, tho tints of the I skies I'ive regal surroundings to the com- monest nind, but to the proud soul which sighs in vain for supremacv and gnaws itselt becausti the cruwu and sceptre are tor others, the tinted beauty of the season IS an untold jov. The artistic tender- Iness which ia in the roughest soul, grows jstrong. the music of nature's people— the [kir.e, the sheep, the squirrels, the chip- jmonki, the woodpsckers :ind the quail — Louiids in the soul as well as in the ear. Iiiod's littlest folic r\re talking to ub. I 'ay unto day uttereth speech and night kinto night sheweth knowledKe." The jittie streams, almostdried up by scorching JBummer suns, again rippleover the pebbles and boulders with the joy ot the softest peaioii, when rains come without sleet and ^he sun shines without burning. Th« wild L'oest! are not vet Hying south- n'Lird anil the ducka iirc still diving among I he wild rice of the marshes. The birds uf bummer iiave not gone, the storms uf ^inter huve not come The hurrying toils pi tiie harrest are followed by tlie slower hind less fretful labor in the fall wheat pelds and the fallows ; the days are . lied vhh the Binell of the plowed ground and |he iiichts are no longer made up of llie undreamin;; slumber of aching fatigue. It Id the playtime o; the gods, " the day kf tlie field of the cloth of gold " for na- lure's Kings; it is the time when the gardened hand of labor clasps the soft pn^'ers ot girlhood as biawn and velvet iiter-twined ; wnen the hand that holds Ibecaidud wool and follows back the |}iinnir.g yarn, iiieets the hand wliich ^o'da the plow and the pulse of love throbs st and pure as never yet it beat m ball- oom or in fashion's haunts. In the coun- ty the great god of love reigns through nose sweet autumn dayn and pure p:i8- sions bud and blosfioin "amidst the kisses of the soft south-west. The shrill whistling, t^e cry of tii« 'coon in the cornheld, the hoot of the owl and the nighthawk, the husking bee, the dance in the barn, the stroll homeward, tne question clumsily spokeo, the answer honestly given, the vows which would have shamed Romeo, the kisses which would frighten Juliet, the lives ot love and faith, the deaths surrounded by hope, and the pure soul from which life and sit vanities fall, as the tassel and husk fall from the corn ; these are the glimpses the One Great God sees of ^lature'e loves ib Nature's home. So through ttiese golden days ran the love story which was now a part of Lucien's life. He loved Dolly and hie passion soitened his nature. He laughed when she teased, and smiled when siio was perverse. He became queerly p.itient and forgiving, and Dolly, in tlie most un- certain and unreliable way, was so sweet and tier voice so caressing that Luciea tiiought ot nothing but the moments when he could hope to be alone with her. One night they were alone on the ver- andah, and the }-ellow inoonbeams stray- ing thruuerh the vine which draped the lattice, scarce revealed Dolly's s .eer, faoe and Lucien B stern features. " Dolly,' whispered Lucien. "why is it that lovers swear by the moon ?' " P>ecause it cbanees," interrupted Dolly, rocking breezily to and fro." *' No," continued Lucien ; "it is becauee that moon-face will look down upon ut throughout life, and when we sit, as you and I do to-night, dreaming of happiness, we vow that that moon shall never dis- cover us happy with another. And, Dolly, darling, it is my life's dream that the moon shall shine upon us together and hnd us loving and true. I iove you, Dolly ! L'an you longer » ithstand the suit of one who for the first tune nsks a woman to shaio his fate, to be his wife, when voa know he loves you and is willing to divofa his lifo to your liajjpiness '.'' Lucien's hand clasped Dolly's and her trembling hngers lought no release. " Dcily, darling, let us be friends, lovers, and have no more of the bickerings of strangers, and the hateful uncertainties of those who at once love and fear. 'I'hose whose lives are pure and loving find a fate which is as sweet as their life. Truet in me and 1 will try to be your happy fate. Dolly, sweetheart, kiss me ' yes I' " As he leaned towards her she started back, shielding her tace with her hands, " I'm afraid, oh, so afraid !" Springing to his feet he threw his arm -4iroiind her waist, and lifting her from the cliair held her to bis heart, as in decp^ » DOLLY. trnmulouB tones he poured forth hia vow uf love : "X swear by the heaven above and the earth beneath to be faithful and true, and when 1 doubt you or foroake you, may yon moon look down on my misery and never ligrht a happy hour in my life. I have never known love since my motlier died ; lave me, Dolly darlint?, and I swear by the grave of that mother to be true and faith- ful. 1 will-" " I'm afraid. Oh, I'm so irierhtened of you !" sobbed the trembling Dol[y, as her scared eyes gazed up at the darlc, excited face so close to her own. Suddenly she threw her arms around bis neck and gave him a passionate kisis. " Gnod-night !" shs cried, and with her hands on his shoulders she pushed him violently from her and fled. The gtartled Lucien stocd for a moment dumbfounded by Doily's vehemence. " Bless me '" he muttered, "how violent sue is. But she is mine ! she is mine ! iShe loves me ! At last she is mine ! mine !" He followed Dolly into the house, but she was not in slight. I'uttin^; on his hac, be strolled down by the river nnd up its bank. In his excited walk hiH fancy dwelt on the joys of the coming days when Dolly would no lonarer be cruel and kind by turns. She would kiss him and be an angel of tenderness to mm, as she was to her father. Pausing suddenly, he asked himself why she was so frightened of hira. That would pass away; ic best proved her girlish modesty, Of course she didn't luar he would hurt her. He stood still and laughed as he conjured up the picture of himself, Lucien Melroy Strange, beat- uig Dolly and kicking over the furniture in the style of fierce Husbands. Keturn- ing late, entranced by v isions of happi- ness, he saw a light still burning in Dolly's tooin, and wondered it she, too. was think- ing of the sweet days to come. To his surprise, Jo Felder, who had returned late from town, was also astir. " Girls are ter'ble notional critters." Jc complained, as he kno(;ked the ashes out of his pipe. " Thai's Dolly now, took a •udden freak fer goin' visitin', and nuthin' '11 do but I must take her to the railway station to-morrer. Uoin' to see one of ber boardin' sciiool friends. So I guess I'd better git to bed and hev a sleep ready fur an early start." This was anything but pleasant news to Lucien. "Running away from me when •he knows that to see her and be with her IB all the joy I have !' He «hut the door of his room, and stood moodily holding the lamp and looking around at what would be nothing but a prison while Dolly was away. A letter lay on tht dresser, and as lie picked it up his heart j beat tumultously. It was a messai^e from Dolly. The writing was delicate and beau tifnl. The letter opened abruptly, not even ! "Dear Frieud," to introduce the wordi| of farewell. I am going away early in the morning, to | be gone for a couple of weeks. If notj lonurcr. I am going because I want to be I away from your influence. I do not love j you. Love and fear do not go together. 1 [ am afraid of you. When 1 come back 1 1 hope you will have found an excuse to iiave I changed your boarding place. I cannot uc f count for my folly of to-night, but 1 cunj atone for it by saying Good-iiyk. P.S.— Donot try to see me in the inorni ing, or I shall have to tell Pappic whyll am going. D. Lucien stared at the letter in his handl and a sense of dull, aching misery .stole! over him. Again and again he re-read] it, and still less could he understand hetl reason. "1 do not love yoii, ' he rcA peated, bitterly. " Love and fear do not! go together. I am afraid of you.' "Shal asks me to change my boarding plactl while sbe is gone, and thus confess myl humiliation and rejection," he hissed bef tween bis set teeth. " Never ! never !'' hil cried, in a furious whisper; "111 stayl until I'm sent away, and then I'll lenvel the whole accursed place !' But thiil stormy temper did not last. The! great wave of his passion foil Dolly swallowed up his resentmentif and the thought of losing tier pierced hiil soul with a pain which made him forget! all else. Again he read her letter, seek-l ing for comfort. " I can atone for it hi saying * tiood-bye.'" "Atone for what?] he asked himself. " For having listened to me and kissed me," he answeredj "Atone! Atone! What a word to use [ Atone to whom ? IS ot to me. Then tcj whom ? Has she made vows to anuthei lover ?" Lucien 's eyes gleauf^ed and biJ face waa livid with jealous hate. " Ab f my dear friend Tommy Watson," h| muttered, with a balatul smile ; "perhap she sinned against that fond youth by eol during my caress. " As he thought of thi^ be paced excitedly up and down the roon and stopping before his little table, smotj it fiercely with his tist The noise recalle his surroundings and quieted his mood. Again he read the letter, and sought tl fathom the writer's motive. " Atone| Atone !" Why should going away be atonement ? Atonement means repHrs tion, sacrifice, or suffering. Why shoulj u visit to a friend mean any of thr( things unless— unless— Lucien stoppoi suddenly— unless it meant that to be awai from home— from him, meant a s.icrlfitr of pleasure. Still a^rain he r'3ad DoUyl DOLLY, » letter lay on th« id it up bis heart I i,» a meisaKe from j delicate and beau abruptly, not even I Toduce the wordil in the morning, to | of weeka, if not) au80 I want to bo! ce. I do not love I not go together. 1 len 1 come back 1 1 Ian excuse to JiaTej place. I cannot ac " lonight, but 1 can I GOOO-UYK. me in the morn- 1 toll Pappio why I| ) letter in hia hand ching misery stole 1 again he re-read he understand her love yoii, ' he re- ive and fear do notj lid of you. ' *'Sh« my boarding vlac »11 ,nght when ye git thar and git s little table, smot »t?,d« ' With his door half opened Lucien wait- 1, after Mrs. Felder went downstairs, a glimpse of Dolly. He heard her oae her trunk, and thought a sob once oke the stillness that followed. " Breakfast's ready, Dolly," Mrs. Fel- ir called up the stairway, and Lucien od ready by his door. Lucien stoppe Dolly came out of her voom wearing a ant that to be aw»»rk traveling dress and looking in the meant a sMcriiiwn light more shapely and beautiful than am he nad Doiljw«'> Without a word Luoien held out letter he had written. Clasping her hands behind her she shook her head in determined refusal, but he was not to be refused. Hei/inir her arm he forced the letter into her hand, his haggard face and burning eyes appealing to her mercy with a power UDkn:>wn to words. Ashegi-asped her fingers and closed them over the letter he pressed them in silence, his eyes de- vouring her face and his lips twitching nervously Dolly was friglitened at the change a ni^ht bad made in his apjiear- ance. Great tea^s stood in his eyes, and as he bent to kiss her hand ascalding drop fell upon her wrist, " Air you comin', Dolly ?" called hor father, who was within hearing but not in sight. " Yes, Pappie." Her eyee said farewell to Lucien as he stood watching her while she tripped lightly down the stair, and then, turning intobis roomhe threw himself on the bed in a passion ot love and re- gret. CHAPTER XX. lccikn's lovk-letter. Dolly looked almost happv as she climbed into the buggy beside her father. That Lucien had not accepted his dis- missal pleased her, and with his letter in her pocket she nestled close to her father, »nH, with his arm around her, went to sleep, and did not wake till the morning sun streamed in her face. Then she woke with a start and cried, "I've lost it ! Ob, I've lost It I' " Lost what. Dolly?" aaked her father, ■topping his team. *' 1 guess I've been dreaming, Pappie. J thought I'd lost everythin}^ in my pocket.' And her blush and laugh only made Jo pat her cheek and wish that she could always sleep as soundly as she had been doing for the past two h^'urs. When Jo Isft her at the train his honest eyes were full of tears and he couid scarce say good-bye. Dolly clung to him and cried, and he begged her not to stay long away. "Maybe not over a week, Pappie ; I'll write to you. Goodbye." Dolly watched her old father standing lonely on the platform as the train moved away, and murmuring a 'blessing on hia dear old head, quickly settled hersoit in the seat and took Lucien's letter from her pocket and began to read : There can bo no beginning to this letter except the last words 1 spoke to you, " I love you." I have no right to call > ou "my darling" or even "my friend." I hiwi hoped some oar to call you "my wife," and last night when you kisoed me I thanked Ood that you loved me. Your lettei tells me that 1 am wrong, that you do not love me. You arc wrong, you do love me. Such lova 56 DOLLY. as I feci for you docs not go out without the attraction of an answering love. If you do not care r'or me you are not worthy an honest man's love. No, I will not cross out the last sentence. It is true. You will call me coxcomb and egotist, but you are away from nie. and in my misery I will be glad lo be remembered even by what you be- lieve to be my follies. Why did you kiss nicli you did not love me? Are you a coquette? Are balcony scenes and declar- ations of love 80 frequent that you have learned to simulate a passion you do not Jeel 1 " The jealouf monster," exclaimed Dolly, cruihing the corner of the letter in her baud. " He deserve* to be miser- able." You do love me. I cannot think you are tno coquette you would have me believe. Yet I have no proof of love except that I love you. Darling Uolly, I love you. You fill my waking fancies and my dreams with thoughts and hopes which were strangers to me till 1 saw you. You have been unkind, and I have not hated you as I do others who wound me. You have taunted me, and alone in my room I hare looked out over the orchard ana river and confessed that I was wrong, and have satand huted niyiclf till dawn. 1 cannot accept your refusal. It means death to me. I can never forget you. My stirt", unyield- ing nature which you dislike is at least con- stant. I can no more cease to love and think of you than the Christian can forget his Ood und worship a graven idol. 1 must keep on loving you. My pride tells me to- night to forget you. to hiiie you, but it is impossible. You have wounded me, but I cannot resent it. I feel weak nnd almost hopeless. I put down my pen and tliink. I try to be angry and resent your cruelty. It is impossible. I see nothing but your •weet face, and the fear that I may never see it looking kindly, lovingly into mine makes me tremble like a coward. I dare not erase a word 1 have written lest you may suspect me of having studied what I write. I am and always have been honest with you. Your father suspeciod me Of being a hypocrite, but, Dolly darling, be- lieve me— for (lod's sake believe me— I nm incapable of playing a part, l^ad as I am, 1 um no worse than I seem. You say you fear me ! Why { Do you think I would be cruel to you if you loved me I that 1 would strike you or ttbuso you? Oh, Dolly, how you misjudge me if you do ! No womau could ever have a more devoted slave than I would be to you if you loved me, even as you love your father. "Afraid" of me I I nave thought for an hour seeking to find the origin of your fear and I have failed to fatnom it. Have you not seen my great love for you t How it is my whole life, day by day. to see you and hear your voice? If you were my wife your lo\ e would be my world and my profession would be but the means of making you hajipy and proud of me. I would— great heiiven, itcannotbe that you are afraid that I seek you because your father is reputed rich and 1 want your money! You cannot think so meanly of me. You have reproached me with my pride. It is impossible that you think for an in- stant that I would consent to be a hanger- on— a thing living on his wife! I do not believe it. Even my timorous soul is too strong to harbor such a fear. That is not the reason. What is it i Do you think I will be a failure and you will be ashamed of me { I may not know how to teach school but I know 1 will be a success as a physi- cian. But you are not selfish enough to think of these things. I am almost almost a stranger. Do you fear me be- cause you do not Know my life t Have you heard any tiling against me? It is impos- sible that my enemies have followed mo and found me out! However unlikely it may be. I will tell you all and you may judge between me and my accuseis. Per- bans my past sutleringa may excuse nic for the faults which you have pointed out and make you see that if I am susiiiciourt and watchful I have learned the lesson in a bitter school. The more I write the more my heart sinks. What I tell you may increase your fear. It is too late to stop now. I have longed to tell you, lo ask you to believe in me. I would give ten of the best years of my .ife to hear you say that I havn been wronged and that no court except the one in heaven could make you believe ine guilty. The hope is nearly dead. IMy life is to ho blasted unto the bitter end and the sweet contlding lovi! in which I hoped to shelter myseK is denied me. If I had no right to hope that you would love mb, I had still less | r.ght to ask you to share my name. Il 'C it I now. This night of self-questioning and | fruitless searching after a hope is fast grow- ing into despair. If 1 had been consciouM of guilt I never would have dared to lovi: you ox speak to you. I am innoi ent ami have loved you, but you have refused my love and I can do nothing now but tell YOU of my past, that you may not suspect me of having tried to deceive you. I My mother was an Italian and married a| wealthy doctor who was spending a win- ter in Naples. His illness. wbi<.-h had dis- appeared in Italy, returned after the re- sumption of lus practice, und soon after my sister was born, he died. Our home wail in , New York state, find thiee ytar^ ;'go my mother died. My sister, who was I always jealous of my mother's love for me. [ had married a clever, but unscrupulousl young lawyer, and his influence over herl completed the estrangement which had I been growing since childhood. All niyl father's property was left to my mother.l and she made a will leaving the bulk of itj to me, though providing a competence fori my sister. Two old servants were tho wit [ nesses. The text of the will was in tliel ornate and exceedingly peculiar handwrit-f ingof my brothor-inlaw. who wasa juninri partner of my mother's lawyer. Shortlyl after the will was executed, mother, who! had become sus;)icious of my brother-in f law, sent for her lawyer and had him drairl up a new will, settlingceriain property ab I solutoly on my sister, so that her huabandl could not obtain the proceeds of it evcrJ with her consent. She requested him noil to inform his partner and to do the work! himself. He wrote out a rough draft andl left it with her to look over, promising ture.f DOLLY, W ; to bo a hanger wife ! I do not loroTis soul is too fear. That ia not Do you think I will be ashamed 3W to teach school iccess as a physi- elflah enough to 3. I am almost you fear mo be y life J Have you ne? It Is impos- Imvc followed me wever unlikely it all nnd you may y accuseis. Per- } may excuse me have pointed out if I am HUSiiicioiH ned the lesson in a I more my heart may increase your stop now. I have you to believe in t the beat years o( y that 1 havo been urt except the one 8 you believe mc is nearly deaa. •d unto the bitter t contldinK lovt; to ahelter mysel, DO rieht to hope nH„ I had still lce> 5 my name. H'^'M elf-quealioning and r a hope is fast grow- ad been consciou' lavc darod lo lovi: am innorent ami . have refused my hinK now but tell niay not auapcci Ec'cive you. . , „ liiin and marnea a as spending a win- |ss which had di3- Irned afu-r the re- If und soon after lied. Our home was i and thiec years |ly sister, who was I jther's love for me, but unscrupuipuj inrtuence over her [ement which had Inidhood. All mJ eft to my mother, ing the bulk of it , a competence for ants were the wit ; will was in tnc peculiar handwnt L f whowasajuninri J lawyer, rihortlyl ■ted, mother, who lof my broiherinl land had him draw srtain property ab I that her husbandl aroceeds of it evcnl [requested him noi| 'id to do the workl rough draft anal fer.pruuiising ture.F tnm next day. Business detained him for i several days and ho was taKen sick and died. Mother had kept the draft he pre- pared and told me to write the will, which laid. She signed it and I got the name old servanta to witness to i'- iiutdid not take the orecaution to read it over to them, nor were their siKBatures attlxcd in my mother's presence. The previous will was destroyed. Aly sister was not to bo inforweti of the change, but in a moment ot tenderness mother told her of the new will, and showed her the draft of it, which she had preserved. My sister kept the draft of tiie will, whicii was dated, und at once showed it to her husband, though she promised to bo secret. When my mother aied my brother-in-law at once submitted a will for probate, which iiiwe me a third, my sister a third, and himself the other third of the property. His was dtited the 18th of March, the one in my possession was dated the '2M\ of April, and I never tliought but that mine would he accepted us my mother's last will and testament. 1 did not dream that the other will was a forgery tintil 1 noticed the date, whicli \v;n two days after that on which the original draft was made by the lawyer in the presence of mother and my- self. I knew that it could not have been executed on the day named, as I had been with mother all day und knew her intentions so well. At any rate, the will which I hela was more recent than the other, nnd was consequently legal. I have no doubt that my brother-in-law believed that mother had dated her will on the dny indicated in the rouph draft, which he ou- tained from my sister, and expected to void it by producing the later one. but in ihis he made a mistake ; the will! tiled was ahead in point of time. He then examincti the document, and finding it in my writing, came to mc and said if 1 pressed it he would bo obliged to prove it was a forgery. He was willing to compromise, he said, with a sneer, and fcivo me half of the es- tate. Maddened by his accusation. I knocked him down and threw him out of I lie house into the street. He followed up liis threats and the case came up in the courts. His forgery was so clever that ex- ncri could not tell which was which. The witnesses were examined and remem- bered signing several documents, Iiurticularly one with very "flourishy" writing. The forged will was shown them, and they recognized it. thinking no doubt that it was the one they witnessed licfore mother changed her plans. They remembered signing something for me, hut it was brought out that it was not in my mother's presence, and the result of the trial was to uphold the bogus will. This left me under the suspicion of having forg- ed a will in order to defraud my sister and her husband. I refused to touch a cent of the money, and taking only what was absolutely mino without any reference to u will. I came to Canada to /Inish my ■tudics and escape the suspicions of thoso who know me in the old days. I havo not changed my name, nor become a fugitive, liut the black suspicion rests upon me and has clouded my life. The p':iin points of what I tell you are capable of proof. Over one hundred thousand dollars await ar order, in my native town, but I woan rather die than draw a cent ot it. As loiig as it IS untouched, while I earn my bread, I feel that it is a proof of my innocenve. Even for your sake I would not take a«eat of that money. It has perjured my aistcT. made a former of her husband, branded me as a scoundrel, and tainted my fathcr'o they talked and t>^lked and talked! and poor little J^uUy began buildin;! castles in the air, and Lauras ttioughtl'- advice made her yi«>ld to thou;;htg love. After her fneii J and bed-tellow haal gone to sleep Dolly drew Lucien's letti-rl no mention of which had been made to heil chum, from her pocket and read it ovetl asrain. Sitting up in her nieht-droKS, hetl dark eyes full of love and tears, she vouedl she would make him so happy that hel would forset the sovrows of the p:iit.[ Kneeling beside the be 1 she thanked i <n Fate seeiiiil kindrst it is otten but the |)enceful luiT before an awful storm of sorrow, Lucien, too, was sleeping in the whitel farm-tiouse in Feldt rsburtr, unconsciouil that he was beloved. Worn out by thel tears and ho|ies which hiid torn his hean| tlironyrh the long day, and neld hiui waku ful through the early inarht, he dreamecl of her, and was sorry to awake and hnd it| was but a dream. CHAPTER XXL Dolly left home on Thursday, and ail day the house was desolate, and Jo, return ing at night, was aiscnnsolate. Lucipii, ner vous and irritable, could tiardlv worry through his work on Friday, and wlicn school closed, gave silent thanks that fnr two days he could think of Dolly undis' turbed by the noisy children. As he wsi leaving the school-house a ragged, dirty- faced boy stood waiting for him at the gate. "Please, sir," he said, "I'm Mrs, Blagg's boy, and mother wants you to come up and see Cripnie." " Who IS Mrs. Blagg and Crippie, and why do they want me to come and aet them?" in()uired Lucien, coldly. " Please, sir," the boy stammered, his awkwardness increased by Lucien's hau teur, *' we live up the Bolkton road — iio to Drunken Archie's, what s dead. He was my tather. ' " Yes ; but what do you want me to como up there tor?" *' Mother's sick and can't cro out washin', and Crippie is awful bad and mother wants you to doctor her. Mother s'i Crippie is dyin', and is cryin' all the time," added the boy, looking down. "Who IS Crippie, my little boy?' Lucien's voice was kind, and he put hii band on the little fellow's frowsy head DOLLY. 5f ind you BO ^vrapped| doctor that I vil me or die of onvy.'l talked and tiUked, i]r be^an buildin;! Laura b thouchtln '•Id to thoughts 1 and bed-lell»w iiadi rew Lucieii'H letter! ad been made to httl at and leud it ovetl her niirht-drens, herl v.'i teara, uho vouedl •so happy that he I vrows of the pmil ■ 1 ahc thanked i iddl »*ud more than ai re of liUcienand he: ene happineBS shel t wbt-n Fate sc-eiiiil t the jjeaceful lui.| of sorrow, eepinir in the whit^ sburt, iincoiiBciouil Worn out by the! I had torn hia henni an(i neld hiui waku niirht, ho dreamecl :o awake aod tind ill I XXI. '* CRIl'I'IFi" ThurBday, and aiil ate, and Jo, return [ solate. Lucieu, ner | luld hardlv worr;! Friday, and wlienl nt thanks that foil k of Dolly undisl Idren. As he w»i| sp a ragged, dirty-! Dg for him at the! aaid, "I'm Mm I her wants you tol le." ■ and Crippie, and to come and sw I, coldly, y stammered, hu\ by Lucien's tiati Bolkton road — ud what s dead, tie you want me to n'teoout washin', bad and mother her. Mother h'/l is cryin' all the oking down, my little boy!" 1, and he put hii 0W8 frowsy head and turned the dirty face up toward hii, " Why, don't you know Crippio Blagg?" aiked the boy, wonderintrly, aa fie tried to look into Lucien's face, aud blushed and shut bis eyes. "Her— her as is— her back's broke." " Why don't you (;et the Belkton doc- torr? I'm not a doctor yet," said Lucien, still lookins into the boy's face. " He won't come, please sir. He says he'ibin so much and hain't been paid fer it, and be sez nobody can do nuthin' for Cnpuie cause her back's broke ; and mother heerd you was a doctor an i sed mebbe you'd coma and tell her wot to do." " I'll b« up as soon as I can get my supper. Tell me how to find toe placs." "It's about two miles a\> the road," said the boy, jerkinir his thumb oyer hia shoulder, "in a loK-bouse, It's the only me on the lino, and you can't miss it, please air, and there's a pig-pen just by tbi Rate, but we hain't got no pig now." " I'm afraid I can't do much, but I'll go,' Lucien thought, as he walked down the hill. " It will keep me from thinkinp of Dolly." He ate his supper in silence, and with- out explaining his errand told Jo he was Kuing for a walk and might not be home till late. Ak he wended his way toward " Drunken Archie's " he thought of Dolly, and wondered where she waa and if she was thinking of him. He met several wagons, and the drirers good-natured It bade him " Good evening ;" but startled from his reverie, he made very curt re- pliea. At last he reached an old tumble- down log house, Burrounded by a potato patch. Theroadaide waa used asachip-yard, and two wheela of a wagon and the ruins of a aleigh were reminiscences ot the days when Drunken Archie had a farm. The fence corners were full of rank weeds. The rail fence, patched and prouped up with poles and slabs, recorded Drunken Archie's neglect, and squalid misery was stamped on everv gnarly stick of unspiit- able wood before the open door. The house consisted of two log shanties, built at different times, in different styles, and though they were intended to join, decay was fast pulling them apart. Entering the open door, Lucien found aa empty room without a floor. The cracks between the logs gave him a glimpse of the interior of the adjoining apartment. A broken atove, a rickety table, a corner cupboard witb a few un- washed dishes on the shelves, some ragged varments hanging on pegs driven in the rough-hewn walls, and a couple ot com- fortless bede made up the furniture. Tnn inmates had not heard him enter, and as he pushed open the door Mrs. Blagg turned wearily m the bed and moaned, '•Is that you. Duncan?" " No," answered Lucien. softly ; "your little boy told mo you wanted to see me," " Oh, you are the young doctor teacbia' school up at the 'Berg. 1 am glad you v» come, 'out I'm 'feared both Crippie and me is past heip." Her voice waa taint, and her homely, rugged face twitched with pain as atie spoke. Her feeble hand reached out and tenderly smoothed down the sheet, d'sclosing the shoulders and face ^* a child. " That's poor little Crippie," sbe gasped. " I'll see what I can do for you first, and tticn attend to the little one." " No, no, doctor ; Crippie 6rst, or shell be past belpin', ' istruggling to sit up in the bed, she fell back breathless. " Keep still, Mrs. Blagg, and tell me what ails you," answered Lucien, sharply, as be sat on the edge of the bed and counted ber pulse. He found she bad malarial fever, which neglect, hard work, and iiisufticient food had assisted to reduce her to death's door. Sue could not think of herself, and begged him to look at Crippie. Lucien reached over the nioaninx mother and lifted the criDple from the len, as sure aa my name's Janet Blugg : Back ' Curse ye !"— ber voici! was like the shrill soieam of a maaiac— "Back, ye!-There, I've killed ye! Cripple won't get beaten any more I Drunkin Archie " Lucien stood aghast for a moment listen ing to ber feartul words, then seizing Mrn, J'laeg be forced htr to he down, and the was soon asleeji, leaving Lucien to won- der over what seemed to be a part of her history revealed. It grew darker. Frequent groping had taught Lucien the location of the boiilss and spoons, and liy fumbling ho could find them. Objects in the room could be de tected because where they were the dark- ness was a denser black. His walkini; disturbed his patients; he would sitdown, Cnppie, ohokine, called him up. K»turr. ing he couLi scarce find his chair, the room was so darlc. As he sat there liu grew drowsy, tnougii hethoucht of i Jolly, and her bright face was befora him. It was getting chilly. What was that sound ! >Sureiy that is some one steal- ing in the door ! No, it ia iniaifinati n : it 18 the doorl r nre creakiuf ! ly a rat. feome hand ; he stnkes and than putB h » ?ropiii(rly be on I cannot move; oiilIi hia veins ; be fee >hia hands jowls ot bi« toe: cboking; bis head ain hears a voice unken Archie 's drel ; I'll kill ye y throat. Crii)- mine, and I il ucien leapB to ins lesof glaHB in th" th tlte morning heavy-breath inK the dim light. en himself free se awfully real those who sleep oman was there Lions auout the :\\tn on Sunday from her quea breakfast, and itent. Jo asked id not strike Lu- ice waB likely to went up to his in face retiected bed was un t Mrs, l;'elder Muuld be aware that he was out all night, lie had better explain. No, be wouldn't, .lo would th.nk be was a hypocritH parad- infr his crood qualities. Tup sense of liav- ing done right was strong within him and he was satistled. Jo eyed him as ha came down to dinner but made no iiuiuiries, and &oon drifted into pleasant talk. Sunday moniinfr Lucian took his break- fast, and with a brief excuse, said he would bo gone for an h:>ur, perhaps for all i1 IV. Jo looked curious but .-till held his toogue. As i^ucien walked towardx Drunken Archie's, he felt how pleasant it is to do pood quietly. The pleasure of conoea.iiiEr rt godd action he toun i to bo Kreater lar than that of parading it. Hia )}atients were both improved. Jauet l'>iagg would live, be said to himself, and Cripple would die. While bis assistant nurstiwent home to fix up her bouse for " the boss," as she called her grave dig- ging husband, Lucien watched over tuu cripple and her mother. " You've been tsrole kind to us," gasped poor Janet, " it it hadn't beeu fcr yiiU we'd bin dead afore noiv. " " Say no more about it," he answered, quickly. Kemembering how it had eased poor Orippiu when he lifted her the day before, ht- took her from the bed and Held tier in iiis arm-i. She stared at i.im silently, tbaiiktuUy. Her burning eye.-^ constantly watched bis face, and»he began to talk to Her as a leiieS. '• l'"ar, far away,' he began, "' there is J place where lirOijle never get sick and little L;irlB never iiave crooked backs or cry out with pain.'' " It hain't I ncle John's, is it ?'' asked Criupie, *' They re rich, but they wont give us Duthin'.' " No ; It is away, away otf beyond the iky, and there is a nice bouse tor everyone to live in, and they never get hungry, and it doeso ., get dark or cold. " " Not at uigbt time V whispered the little sufferer. "There is no night there, Mnd the sun never ^oes down and people don'c get tired or sleepy. " Do thev get drunk ?" interrupted Cripple's eager whisper. Lticien was inexpressibly shocked, aud his face showed his surprise. " Oh ! no. Cripple, they are all good people. God lives there, and everybouy loves Him and obeys Him. God loves little girls, and one time, when He was on earth and going around teaching people to be good, He nursed lots of little girls, like I am oursing you, and told them that He loved them and wanted them to come and live with Him." " Was thay pretty little (rirls V Crip- ple's brown eyas closed, as if she were sleepy, and her vuioe sounded weary and listless. " Yes, all little girls are pretty when God loves them, because they are good." " I want to lay down with mother. Mother likes me. " Lucien, without thinking that the bairn had misunderstood him, placed her be- side her mother, and watched with moistened eyes Janet's heart-broken caress. " Well, young man. I'm here agin, and kin take care un 'em fer a long s|>eil now. It you want to go home or go seem' yer girl,' Hc^ueaked bis returned assist- ant, as she unshed open the door. Lucien could stand the disagreeable and self-imposed dutie.s of the sick-room, but could not endure the fusilade of questions and the endless t,'osNip of the old woman, and (|UicKly tied, promising to return as boon as school was over on Monday. CHAPTER XXIL I.ITTI.E CRIPPIE'.S DEATH. As soon as school was dismissed on Monday Lucien hurried back to Mrs. Bla^^ir's, expectinir to get home in time tor supper. Hh did not know thaV Jo had received a letter from Dolly telling him to meet her at helkton that niglit, nor did he see Jo's tiappy face as his team joifged past "Drunken Archie's," while be went to meet his uarliug. When Jo lifted Dolly out of old Humstir's stage he almost wept for joy, and Dolly was delighted, an>l caressed her father, careless ot onlookers, till the stage driver remarked: "Seems as if you n yer girl bed bin separated a good long »pell, the way ye take on." Jo made no reply, but belped Dolly into his buggy and prepared to started for home. But Huin.stir was not to be shaken off so easily. " How's that new schoolmaster o' your'n gittin' on ':" " All right," answered Jo, gathering up his line'<. "Ter'ble secret sort of a feller. Thought mebbe he'd turn out bad. Seemed su'thin' bid in the way he acted comin' down. Got a queer face, hain't be ? Guess he's all right. Like enuii he is. Guass mebtie be is, bcgosh." " I guess 80 ; good-nitrht," answered Jo, as he started up his team, and Hum stir had to set away from the wlieel.a. '• How have you ail be>3u, I'appie, wirliout me ?" "-Nutliin' to brasr on, Dolly, f bin ter'ble lonesome, and yer mother's bin troubled w ith her shoulder more'n usual, and the schoolmaster's bin ramblia' ar!)und, an' no tellin' where he's bin, and away nights, oa DOLLY, •n' aetin' terble aueer." Jo fait » paair of ooiiBoionce in tellinfr talea about Lucien, but the mui8a((e to liim lit DoUy'it Itttor bftd net tiim tfiinkinff. "Hnmstir ucmi to remember Mr. Ptrange, i (rueii he wouldn't aiiiwer the old bore's queationi, and tfot him mad. ' DoUy'i unf^uardud defencu of Luoien mado her father uneaaf, but lie wa« lilent. He cnuld think of nothing; tu Hav until tliey were nearinfr Drunken Arohie'H ahanty. " I gueHH Jnnet'a aick or authin'. She wasn't U|*to do tlie waHbin' thiH nnornin', an' yer ina and the ^irl had to tackle it, and with all tbe hired help it waa hard on 'em." " Maybe she is aioic, Pappio. Let me run in und sue." Jo stopped at the f^ate and Dolly went in. The »uii was ju8t settinc, and the last bars of light were streaming' throuKh the little square windows at the end of the houHO. As Dolly entered the uiiter ruoni she heard voicte and paused, Sure- ly that was Lucien ! She glanuud through the crevice, and with her (gloved handx resting on the whitewaHhed logs, watched the scene in the other room. iiuoien had the moaning Crippio in his arms, and in an old rockinsr chair was ■winirini; to and tro. He save the child Boinethinor from a cracked tea-cup and was trying to put her to iilt>ep. " Where's the place where nobody giti Biok?" she asked. " Away, away off on the other side of the aky, where Uod lives," answered Luoien, Holemnly, brushing the matted hair from hei damp foreljead. " Her you ever bin there ':" *" No, Cripple, people have to die to go there." " Did father eo there when he died ?" '* I don't Know. 1 suppose he did, and if be was good, God would let him stay," Lucien replied, indefinitly, " Will I go there if 1 die ?'' she whis- pered. " Oh, yes, Crippie ; God likes little girls, and when He was here, carried them in His arms like I am carrying you." Poor little Crippie moaned pitifully, and then opening wide her eyes, whis- pered in hopeless self-abasement : " But they was pretty little girla, you ■ed, not broke-backs, like me." " Little one, God lovea you all tha more because you are weak and sickly, and He will make you well when you go to Him." " An' will I see tather there ?" "I jrucsuso." " Will he get drunk and beat me 'n mother '!" Crippie's hands were clasped, ai;d her eyes slowly dimuiin^' with weari- neu, brightened in fear, as she thought ol heaven disturbed by tho homa-oominK of Drunken Archio. A convulsive sob from Janet was followed by tbe wail, •* Ob ! Cnopif , Cripple, Arcbie'd no' Htrike ye in hi-tiven. Iwua drink mads him do it tiere." " DneK God lovo mother ?" questioned the child. " I love mother, I Ilka her better'n God,' " No, no ; you mustn't say that. You niUHt love God best. You are soon going to Him and He will luve you like your mother does. ' "I want mother too. Kho likes mo best, cause my bac^k's broke, and uobodv likes me. 1 don't waut t' go alonn. ' " You went bo alone, Crippie. Thero nrft thousands and thoiisjindti of beautitui ampuls, dreiised in wbite, and they will coiiiu to meet you," ur^ed Lucien, hi^ eyes dim with tuart<. " Will they point thair fingers at mo an' laugh an' call me * Hunuhy,' like the girls did wlien 1 wout to school ?" The liopeleHS tone, the feur which made poor Crippie tremble when she thought of lea\in;,' the protecting arms of her mother, even togo to her Maker; hurbiltermemory uf the taunts and laucrliter ot her cliildi-'h tormentors ; her awful apparition ot Drunken Archie beating her in heaven, melted Lucien'M heart, " Poor, wounded bird," he sobbed, gathering her closer in his arms " thank God your short and sorrowful life ia almost over." Crippie clasped his face between her waated hands, and her great brown ayes looked into his. " Do you cry because yer sorry fer me ?" Yes, Cripple," he sobbed. " Does God ever cry rheii Ytx, little one ; He wept once one of His friends died," "Then 1 lova God— and vou— and Duncan— but mother most. Give me to mother," she gasped, and bar head fall back on his shoulder. Reverently he placed tne cripple beside her mother. "Mother," she whispered, faintly, id her unfaltering loyalty, "I love you best." The mother's lips were pressed clo«e to Crippie's cold face. The little hand stole feebly up until it caressingly touched the mother's neck ; tha stiffening lipi moved with dying gratitude and tenderness, and slowly the falterinor breath, as it passed away, framed the word, " M o-t-h-e-r," which came like a sign of farewell from a soul already tar distant ; a beam from tha setting sun shimmered through the logs and over the little pinched face ; the brown ayes were no loDL'er bright. Crippie was dead. The wail of anguish from the agonized mother startled Lucien from his intent watchfulness of Crippie, and ha was beg- DOLIA, 10 home-oomiDK coDTuliive lob d by the wail, 0, Arcbie'd no' rui drink mud* ler ?" queationcd I hk« her Mr, i »%y that. Yoii u aro loon Koin^ t yuu like your >. She likai mo ■oke, anil uobodv ,' K» alonn, Crippie. Thero aiida of beautitui ), and they will f;ed Lucien, his r fingers at me iuDchy,' like the ■chool ?" feur which made en nUo thought uf mH uf her mother, tiurbiltermeinory ir (it her cliildi'^h i apparition ot ' her in heaven, " i'oor, wounded ing her oloBer in your short and l»er." twtween her reat brown eyed i^ou cry because bbed. ept once when -and you— and Give me to id her head fell le cripple beside she whispered, Itoring loyalty, mother's lips Cripple's cold feebly up unui mother's neck ; ed with dying and slowly the led away.framed hich came like loul already tar ;ha setting sun gs and over the rown eyes were was dead. m the agonized 'rom his intpnt ad ha was beg- sing ber to lie calm when the doorway wan darkened by Jo lelaer'H burlv foini, WMilf Dolly, wefpinjr iiiienllj, slipped jia-it hiui and threw her arms urouni poor JniiHi. i.iicien stood opocchless with siirprisu fiH J(i put nis hand on his rhoulder in the lovitiKway in winch he was wont to caress Ddlly, and said in an awt-Mtruck whiHper : *■ U the little one dead ?" " Yen ; she died junt now." "Ivf^liin watchin' ye along of Doliy from outside ; Dolly calhd mu t' cume. I di(in t think it was m yu. Toor little cntier thet she wuz. ' Jdwasnot (|Uitn cotieront in his re- inarUfi, and the back ot his rough hand wan o;tKn drawn across hm uvea. " Say," he liruko in, "jistjrit into my bugiry atid -o to tlie village and tell tlie fuller at tnu hirniturf store to srit ready to bury this jioor little thing and I'll pay fer it, " Lii- cieiiBtood awkwardly aikiuga(|ueHtion and wdnJei'ing if Dolly had no word or look for Inm. Witli her arms wrapped around •lanot, she still sobbed a-; it licr heart would break. Lucien s telltale eyes be- trayed him. and Jo in hia softness of be.trt touched Dolly's shoulder, saying, " holly, the schoolmaster want* to speak to you, mebbc. •' Not now ! not now ! cried poor Dolly, and Lucien rushed awav, his last hopo jiiatteied. C^uickly returning from the village, his heart full of despair, he wished he u ere dead instead of Cripuio. In the tihatity Doliy was alone with Janet, .lo havine gone to get some ot the neighbors to " lay-out " the deart and watch over the sick. As he enteied th(! darkened room Dolly's amis were thrown about his neck, and Dolly's face nestled clone to hiH. "I do love you, and I never will tease you again ; I cou dn't stay away anottier day ; fortrive me for iiaving given you so much pain, tor I love you so much !" whisiKred Dolly, half crymg and half coaxintriy. Lucien's strong arms cl.»ped Dolly in an embrace of frantic joy. "Dolly! 1 lolly ! mine 1 You love me ? Thank God I am so blest.'' The cominc of t! '• died by Jo Felder disturb' ows and Jo himself illed le. They rode tog' th** ween Jo and 1.1 'ter trivmg to keep h' i >oii 1. " Vol. man," aimen Jo regret- fully, "1 111 a m in thin? to-night ; I told Dolly abou' vou runnin;,' around nights, and kinc hinted that it was suthin' agin' ye. I cuke it back, an' I'll never be so brash agin'." Lmboidened by this, Lucien told of his love for Dolly, and sho whispered to her father that it \\%i ull her lault, and in- sisted on tilling part of the story told m tht) letter. .)o was interested, :tnd what ho had seen of liUciun in Mis. lilagir's shantv had converted him. He told tin m he wouldn't (.uarrel with them and, with a ureat big sitrh, wished the lovers a happy life. Mrs, i'elder, when she neard <>f it, nue^'itioned Dolly, and was miockcd to find that it had happened in a death- room. "Why, Dolly! Blese my gracious! And yon assepted him to a wake I ( lood- ness me, yell be a widdcr in less'n a year if ye marry 'in. Yer so ign'rant, though 1 bin a teachin' ye fer years. To take him at a wake, er the same s one; ! Why couldn't ye wait a few minutes, and say ' y«B ' acomin' home, and not spiled yer whole future by bein' a widdur within a year !" Mrs. Felder was iiitferinir absolute anguish, but Dolly was too happy to share it, and ki.ssBd her mother "good niirht," and in a moment ot uncah ulating ten- derness slipped into Lucien s room and kissed him good night also, lie looked surprised and flattered, but came very near telling her she should not do such reckless things. Dolly, ))o«r little thing, was becoming very inuoii in love, and poor little sweet- heart, she was foolishly showing it. CH.\rTKK XXIII. THE COURSK OF TIUIK LOVK. " Howyer feelin', Looshen ';" chirped Mrs. 1' elder next morning when her pro- spective son-in-law came down to break- fast. She was alone in the dining-room, and had resolved to put herself on a more familiar footing with the young man, who had hitherto been successful in keeping tier at a distance. Lucien shivered with distrust, but an- swered, with a forced smile, that he was feeling very well indeed. *' So you'n Dolly air goin' to make • match of it, air ye t 'Taint no surprise t'me." she simpered, knowingly. *' I've bin a watchin' both'ii ye for u long spell, an' I know'd she d git ye ! I know'd it all th' time ! 1 seed what was agoin' Dolly's slick as they make 'em ' Ye needn't be afeared of me ; Ive bin a helpin' it on all I could, I kin tell ye that." fri DOLLY. Lucian waa horrified. So DoUjr and her mother had b«en in league, and he hud been choien aimply becauae he waa to be a doctor, not a farmer. ** I knowed ebe'd git ye, rantr in hie ears. He had been cap- tured by artifice! And " she was slick as they make 'em." Could it be poeaible that he had been trapped by an artful srirl '! Ue turned from the lilly woman, looked out ot the window, ana waa won- dering: bitterly if Dolly waa timply an ac- complished ca(|uette, nhen n gentle hand touclied his arm. and, turninf; quickly, he saw Dolly's pretty face. " You do not look happy," she said, and a cloud passed over her fair face. In a mom>?nt he had forKutten bis fears, and, ulaauinff the oand on his arm, he Whispered lovinrly : " 1 have every rea- Hon to bs the happiest of men, but clouds darken tlie bri^^htest skies, and one passed over my thoughts just as you came in.* At breakfast Ju was not talkative, and seveial tirnvs Lucien cauirht the old man's clear blue eyes hxed critaaliy on his taue. Dolly, too, had little to say, but she epoka so cently to hiin, and wfts so kind in anticipating his wants, that his heait beat jubilantly, and he %vns a';ain in love's trusttul heaven. "It's a (;ood thinj; Janet Blaf?K's cripple if> dead ; she wuz a ter'ble drap on her mother," Mrs. Felder remarked, in her shrill, metallic voice. " The little critter couldn't uf bin any help to hsr, only a holdback an' a trouble. Like 'nutf .lanei]^ irlad to be rid'n the pesky bother she's hed with tnat hunchback of her'n." " Ob, mother !" cried Dolly, reproach- fnlly. " Poor Janet was heartbroken. She loved poor little Cripple, and will be loot without her. Janet's whole heart was set on her poor little frirl." " Mebbe ! Mebbe I" warl led the old dame. " Like fniui she took on jist fer show, but she's glad all the same, an' 1 don t blame 'er. I'd bin ter'ble relieved meself if tud bin mo.' 1 >olly siiid no more, hut her deep blue eyes said to Lucien : " We Know better ; we saw Janet's sorrow, and know that it was real." *' A-talkin' about cripples," retiumed Mrs. J'elder, victoriouslv, " VVhen 1 wu/ tendin' Margit Kli/abeth tilowcomb through her third trouble -Margit Kli/a- beth was Joel here's first cousin on tiia mother's side, and looked ter'ble like Joel'h motiier's people— 1 "nowed the baby hed suthin' th« matter ith it's spineyal colluin. an' 1 told the doctor— Doctor Williams was tendin' her— Margit Klizu- beth aliu/. hed Doctor Williams and put ter'blo store by hia doins, thou);h I allu/. told her that old Williams couldn't tend to no sick cat ler me, as fur ' s I was con- sarned, fur I knowed he was nnthin more'n an old Granny Grunt as fur teodin' on sich troubles as Margit Klizabeth was a hevin' was consarned, an' I cud tell of ter'ble mistakes tbet he d made, along uf more'n a dozen of wiminin ar I-ve bin a helpin' of through ther troubles, but I don t want to say nuthin' agin the doctor as'll spile his practice, though ot course I don t set no store by him as fur as I'm conaarned, but as I was a-s:iyin', 1 knowed as ther was suthin wrong uv Margit Elizabeth's baby's fpineyal collum, an' 1 told Dr. Williams as it 'ud be a mercy t'let the baby kinder not live uii account'n the ter ble trouble it 'ud be to Margit, but he sed he guest me'obe he knowed as much, if not more'n I did bout'n hia bizzness, an' thet very remark has lost him more'n twenty wim- min as I've bin adviain' of an' a helpin' through ther troubles, an' he knows it too, fer I told him when I was waitiu' on Jerushy Maria Hisrgins, no longer ago then a year ago last twenty-fourth uv May, an' he'd bin bei^pokeu fer a week afore I knowed she was expectin' me t'help her tnrouKb her trouble, or I'd uv sot her uf;\a' him, an' be give me a ter'ble saksy answer, but as I was a telliu' ye about Margit Elizabeth's third trouble, when I told Dr. Williams that I know'd ther'us suthin' wronsr of its spineyal col- lum— " Mammy, please don't tell us any more," Dxllv exclaimed besechingly, us she rose from the table. " Mr. Stran^'e has so much of that sort of thing in his medical studies, that he isn t likely to want it with his breakfast. " "I kin tell ye this, an fur as I'm con- sarned, though I haint no doctor, an' I don't pertend to be," exclaimed .Mrs. Felder, excitedly, " yet as fur as I'm cou- Harnad, I'm willin to sav thet if more wimmin' knowed how to help one annthor through ther' troubles, ther'd be fewer'n these granny grunts like athat old silly old Williams— ' Locien and Dolly had escaped, and -lo, who had been leaning back in his chair, rose up to go. "Mother," he said in his Kind way, "yiu siio lidn't take on thet w.ay aforu Looshan and Dollv ! The young feller '11 git a prejuiiica agin' ye if ye go on gab- biu' and lecturin' like ye've bin doin'. lie haint used to it, an' it'll hurt Dolly with him, an' he'll think she hain't hed no bringin' up. l!o kinder liirht fer a spell till he gits used tc ye. like we air." "Who's bin' asin' Loosben uU through but von : I bin fer him right along, an' as fer as I'm consarned — " But Jo had gone. DOLLY. 65 ) fur '■ I waa con- he was nathin 17 Grunt M fur lubles at Margit 1' was copisroed, mistakes thet be d ft dozen of wimmin t' of through ther lint to say nuthiii' Bpile his practice, 1 1 set no ston by rned, but as I was ther was suthin hzabeth'n baby's Id Dr. Williams as \it the baby kinder B ter ble trouble it it he sed he Kueat luch, if not more'n aess, an' thet very ire'n twenty wim- lin' of an' a helpin' an' he knowa it n I was waitin' on IS, no lontrer ago twenty-fourth uv ^pnlceu fer a week was ex pectin' me trouble, or I'd uv e (rive iiie a ter'ble waa a telliu' ye )'a third trouble, ims that [ know'il if itBspineynl col- >n't tell us any besechinffly, as " Air. Stran!.'e of thini; in his isn t likely t) fur aa I'm con- no diictor. an' I i.xclaimed Mr?, fur as I'm cou- sav thet if more help one aiiothor ler'd be fewer'n athat old silly caped, and Jo, ivck in his chair, his Kind way, thet way aforo VounK feller '11 if ye go on gab- yeve bin doin'. t'U hurt Dolly she hain't hed der lisht fer ii like sveair." hen all through ight along, aa' That eveninfr Dolly and Lucien sat on the rustic seat in the orchaid by the river. The warm wind was aigtiini,' thruuKh the trees, and the rippling of the water and the creakiDff of the pines on the other bank sounded the apprnacti of a storm. Dnlly Had been silent for some tims, and DOW ber band, which Lucien bold so lov- in}.'ly in his, trembled. "You think mauinv awfully rude and talkative,' she began hurriedly, and aa if it were a liaru thing to jay, " but she loves nie, and is proud of me, and wanta you to like her, and— and — and vou don't mind, do you dear':" Dolly's soft hand waa un his chesk, as was her cari's«ins fashion, and ber pleadine face nestled clute to his shoulder. "I confess that she startles me a little, but don't tipeak of it little sweetheart— ' " But I must speak of it. Lucien dear, ibe is my mother, and I could read your face this morning while she waa talking^ vou wero awfully distrusted, and Lucien dear,"— Dolly stammered, and her un- steady voice Bank to a whisper — "you did not like me so well for a while — " "On, Dolly ''—interrupted i.ucien. re- proachfully, bat Dolly's little hand was plsced over his uiouUi — " Please don't. Please let me finish," she cried. " I am not apologizing for Mammy, for she doesn't need it, but you aren't used to hrr ways, and I never noticed how odd soma of her ways are until I saw bow they atfected you. And yet vou, with your great kni)Wledt?e of people, should Know that her weaknessta are really virtuoR. for she iiasii't deceit enouifh even to hide the words that keep coming into her bead. Mammy is as honest as the sun, and she loves nie ao tnat she thinks I can do everything I like, or be anybody I like. Ibis mornint; sue was only trying, in her queer way, to show you tnat she, too, shouldn't be for- gotten, and waa telling of her doings in sick-rooms and everything, so that you would think Dolly's mother was someone to be croud of, too. Please ji dire kindly, Lucien, for I love you and Mammy both, and can't bear to think that vou are astiained of either of us.if you are it would be better for us to part, and that would be so hard." Dolly's tearful face was gently uplifted byLucien's hand, and as he kissed away tier sorrow, ho told her that he didn't miml her mother's oddities ; he would soon oe- come used to them ; anyhow he would like her for herdau<;hter s hake. Comforted by his promises she talked merrily of the future, and they were bnppy. The wind was moaning loudly and the pi DOS were creaking and groaning before the rising storm. A few drops pattered down on the lea\es at tho lovers' feet. '* Come, we must go in," cried Dolly, and they ran up the little hill together, hand-in-hand, .loo was rocking on the veranda, looking lonely and desolate. " Pappie feels deserted, don't ha ?" whis- pered Dolly, as slie sat on her father's kneo and stroked his face, "thinking of my intrratitude,running away with Lucien and forgett'ng you ; weren't you?" "Not that way, Dolly; I wa'n't ro- proachin' ye : only thinkin' that I was gottin' old and couldn't expect you to be aittin' on my knee and comfortin' my old days much longer. It makes mo fetl ter'ble loueaoms, little girlie !" Jo's voice was husky, and big tears atooa in bis honest eyes. ''I'll never leave you. Pappie. If 1 g» away you'll come too. He will, won't he Lucien ?" " Of course," answered Iiucien, eagerly, for he had been moved by Jo's sadness — then with a groan he thought of Mrs. Felder accompanying him to a city. "I'm afeerd (not, Dolly ; I reckon 'twouldn't do nohow I Your mother'n me IS too old ever to git into new- waya Good night little one, good night IiUcien ! Mv little baby don't miud me", he said tender- ly, as he stooped and again kissed Dolly good night. The rain beating through the lattice drove the lovers indoors with Jo. The storm waa be;;iiinmg in earnest. So, too, was the storm which was to make desolate poor 1 lolly's life. Twas but a year later that the tempest of siiame and sorrow shook .io's household ."^ud robod his girluh pet in widow's weeds. CHAPTER XXIV. BAD BLOOD AND HARD BLOWS. Next day was Saturday, and Malon Klimner had abarn-ruisincr, to whiuti Jo I'eHerhad been invited, with a strict in- junction to bring botti Dolly and the schoolmaster with him. Malon'a i:iriii adjoined his father's, and the testn ities which usually accoiTip»ny auch an ov< ut veretoleheid in I'eter Klimr.er's house, and Luci'-n objected very strongly to the idea of breaking bread with the barefooted squire. Jo urged him to go and avail bimsfll of the opportunity of making a friemi of old Peter. Dolly, too, was anxioi.s that be should accom- pany her. " I won't go anyw hor>: without you," she said in ber sweet, coaxing way, " »Ki I know they will say moan things about us both )f we stay away." "Very well, I'll po, little swaethfart, to bo with you ; but I will bt fiercely jaV-»M ms «6 DOLLY. il' if Mny one . .-n looks at you, and I know I will act like a bear with a sore iioad. " "Ub, you nauita't do that; you must promise you won't be cro>8. You can tiirt with S.'idie Klimner all you like, but you will maku me feel awfully bad if you Kiara at everyone who tspeaks to me. Aow you won't, uill you?'' JJolly'a hands ware clasped over Lu- cien's shoulder and she was looking up at him half in jest and halt in earnest. Lucien stooped and kissed ttie fair pleader and promised to behave like a lit- tle man. Witii those rUuo eyes bhininij on bim he could refuse nntluiitr. but he felt that he was inakin^i^ a miBt#.e. When Jo's bugfry stopped at I'eter Klimner's sate, .Sadie rati out to meet Dolly and Lucien. " I made Maion irvita you and Mr. ^ Strange, though he isaid neither of you would come, and 1 never would have for- «(iven you if you nad stayed aAay." Lucien toliowed .Jo to the held where the bents were ready to be raised. Be- tween thirty and forty of the neighbors were as.seniuled. diiio. don't go ; you'll see no more of him, and it 'd be talked about if jruu went awav.' The thoucrht that somebody would say he had been frightened detained him, and at Tommys ■ug;.'estion he itnned the youueer men, who were running, jumc ing and throwing the sledge. }.iucien took olf his coat and entered with all his might into the sports. His training and science, coupled with his wonderful strength, made him victor in every contest. 'Test after test was proposed, and still he led them all. Finally a powerful young fel- low, whose a^'ility had won the admira- tion of everybody, suggested a wrestle. Lucien objtcted, saying it was rou;.h sport and often led to ill-feeling. It was insisted on, and the student, frech from the gymnasium of the college, had no difiiculty in giving his adversary a couple of Meavy falls, which were taken good- naturedly. Malon Klimner had heard of hit father's difiiculty with Lucien, and though ha wasted no love on the oid man, tie shared hie dislike of the haughty school- master. If he had not been drinking ha would have hesitated, but his anxiety to humiliate Lucien overpowered his discra- tion, and throwing otl his vest he guessed he'd try a fall himself. Lucion knew there would be a fight be- fore It was over, and declined. Tommy Watson saw what was brewing, and to dissuade Malon told him that he wouldn't have the ghost of a chance. I'his made Malon the more dogged in his determination and he suggested that Lucien was afraid to tackle him. Lucieu's crest ros« and he politely on- quired what style of wrestling be ure- terred. " Any kind ; rough-and-tumble is good enough far me !" answered Malon, witL a look of sullen fierceness, which you may see in tne eye of a savage bull do?. " Stand back a little way and give ui room for a ' catch aa-catch-i an,' Lucien called out with a smile and a wave of his band. The bystand- ers fell back, but before lie had turned to face Malon that burly ruffian had seized him around the waist and had DOLLY. 67 uble, but the by- rommy Watson irm and led him don't mind what oinpanion. aa angered by )«t as much as by jred, bitterly : ter leave or the I more of his im- i sec no more of about if you went 3bodv would say letained him. and t he joined the running, jumo dge. ]j\icientook with all his might ining and science, iderful strength, ry contest. Test and still he led werfui young fel- vun the admira- isced a wrestle, ng it was rou;:h l-feeling. It was dent, frecb from college, bad no dversary a couple ere taken good- heard of hii icien, and though tie Old man, he haughty scbool- len drinking ha t his anxiety to ered his disci e- [8 vest be guessed lid be a fight be- Iclined. |iiat was brewing, bold him that he it of a chance. Ire dogged in his suggested that :<« him. he politely en- restling be' pre- |d-tumble ia good ed Malon, with rhich you may [buUdos:. fay and give u> Ich-ian,' LucicD I smile and a 1 The bystand- before he had kt burly ruifiiiD le waist and had what the boys call the " under-holt." It profited him little. Like a flaah Lucien encircled Malon's shoulders, and springing backward he almost dragged hm oppon- ent off his feet, then seizing him by the hips he »;ave a sudden wrench, which cuusBil Maion to relax his hold. In an- otner si'cjud, before his antagonist could regain his grip or use his strength, Lucien was on his knee and Malon Khniner circled through tho air over the school- master's head and fell like a bag of sand un the crass, A shout ot fear and wonder went up, and everybody rushed to see if Malon was hurt. Dazed for a moment, he stag- gered to his ftet, and Lucien politely ex- pressed the hope that he was uninjured. " Git back, curse ye !" roared tne in- furiated man, as he shoved his sympa- thizers away. Ha was standing closn to Lucien, and turning sharply struck him a heavy blow in the face. The answer- ing knock felled Malon like an ox. but be- lore anyone C3uld interfere a brutal blow frum a stake in the hand of old Peter cut open Lucien'a scalp and made him stag- ger like a drunken man. Recovering him- self almost instantly, his bony fiat crashed into I'eter's eye and waa followed by a left- hander on Peter's nose. Thinking there was to be a general fight, he 8i)rang back, the blood streaming over his face, and was caught in the arms of Jo Felder, who had hurried forward to see the cause of the excitemaut. "Great heavenB ! what hev ye bin dom' ?' cried, .lo, aghast. " Defending myself from Maioc Klini- Dpr and his father," he answered, breath leisly, almost choked by the blood stream- ing down nis face. " I feel diz/.yand faint ;help me away." Lucien was leaning heavily against Jo, and his voice was thick and uncertain. " It's a shame tne bin treated," exclaimed voice of the younj; bad first engaged Lucien ling match, " and ther haint a man here but sez you done the square thin? and gave em less'n they deserved— here hang onto me, yer dizzy ; that old coward come near doin' fer ye. Say, you. Bill, go an' get this feller's hat an' coat, I'm goin' te' see him home " Lucien could scarce stumble along, sup- ported by Jo and his new friend, Reuben Hill, Jennie's brother. Jo bound up Lucien'a head with his handkerchief, but the blood still flowed, and it took all their strength to help him into the buggy. Jo climbed up beside him and Rube Hill went into the bouse for Dolly. Half a dozen young men came up and expressed their soriow that a stranger or anybody way the you ve hearty man who in a wrest- else should hftve bean uhed so badly. Every one exonerated Lucien and con- demned Malon and hia father, and {K>or old Jo'a heart went out to the youth who waa struggling so bravely to ttiank hia friends and sit upright on the scat. Dolly and Sadie came to the gate, and as they caught airht of Lucien's blood be- smeared face they both screamed and st.artcd back m fear, tiadie cried out. *' What IS the matter with him ?" but Dolly stood holding her hands over her he.irt, her big blue eyes staring wildly for a momenit, and then running to tne buggy she clutched her father's knee and moanea, " Oh, Pappie, is he hurt much. He won t die, will he, Pappie?" "No, child. He'll be all right when we get him home and fix him up." " Bring him in here ; don't take hi^n away like that?" sobbed poor Uttie Sadid. " No, no, home," murmured Lucien feebly. "Your father did that," snorted Rube, angrily, "and he ruther die than bo took into your house !" Sadie covered her face with her hands and turned sobbing away. Dolly clam- bered over her father's kneea and Jo litted Lucien up while Doily aeated iieraelf oit the other side. P\>rgetful of the curious eyes that watched her, she wiped the blood from his face with many tears and loving words aa Jo drove rapidly home- ward. As they passed the now barn Jo saw Peter and Malon Klimner bathing their bruised faces in a pail of water. Looking up with a malignant scowl aa the buggy passed Peter hissed : " That sneaking upstart'U pay dear fer thiB '" Jo made no answer. Hia face was stern and the hand thut held the lines clutched them tightly for a moment as if his fingers Itched to grasp the hairy neck of Lucien's assailant. ** Lucien, darling, speak to me," sobbed Dolly. "Pappie, Pappie, I'm so afraid he is going to die ! " "I'm— I'm— bet— ter now." Lucien managed te say. The wind fanned im f&ce and the rapid, easy motion revived hiiii. "Oh, I'msoglad," Dolly's sobs (hanged into a hysterical laugh. " Ho'U get well, won't he I'appie '!" " Yes, Dolly ; he's only faint and Ui/zy from loss of blood. Poor feller, he bt^d perty rough usage." Hanging onto Jo'a arm Lucien uiag- gered into tlie houae and dropped upon a lounge. Mra. Felder was in her element, and amidat a flood of questions and many references to similar wounds, bathed the tiglv cut with ice-cold water from the well. 08 DOLLY Lucien's faintHMs was over, and he would not perinic Jo tu tro for a doctor, but directed Mm. Felder to eel iiie pocket case of surgical ir.struiuent^ asd put four fititchea in the t;apin< wo :ud. He showtd Jo how to sliavu tbu ocii^us of the wound and hold it together, and wbib Dolly sat •obbinfr in anotlier rooai tlie stitchen were put in and tMi< piaster applied. Luciea Derer winced, and as Jo, with white face uiiU trombiintf hands, left the room he muttertd to himselt, "That feller's got t6r'ote ^rit. 1 b'lieve he could be cut up Alive an' never wifcKle. ' CHAfTERXXV. THK KKITKCT OF IT ALL. Dolly's tender solicitude was sweet to Lucien as the dew to thirsty tlowcra, ThruuRh the lonfr hours she sat beside him, batbingr his head, sometimes sinKinfi: to him, alwii\ s careB>iing Ins pale face and sayint; lovintr words which made bis dark eyes i^righten. He told her tbat he was glad it happened because it gave her to him for the whole of that autumn Sun- day, and showed him bow much she loved him. Ill the kitchen Mrs. Felder, who felt somewhat annoyed tbat Dolly bad as- sumed the whole responsibility of nursing her lover, wus full of dismal forebodings. "I knowed from the furst, as tar as I was cons>rnpa, tiier wa'nt no luck in a match made to where tber was death in the hoiiiie. Now comes this ter'ble fight an' sicha spiUin' of blood. Dolly 11 be a widdir insidi^'na year.and by vi'l«)nc«,too — by vi'lence. ■' "Motber." exclaimed Jo, steruly, "I hope ye don't go sayin' sich silly things to the young folks an' tryin' to skeer the wit.s outen em !" ••Well, as ler's 8 " "Then don't. I'm coiisarned I hain't They'll hev trouble It ready fer enough without you crittin' em. Throutrhout Feldersburg nnd therefrions tbereuboiit, Lucien's tip^lit with thu Klim> ners und his marvelous |>rowess were the th»me of every little irathoring. Every- budy defended him and censured his cow- ardly asiauants. "Uf course, Dolly Fel- der '11 marry him," was the verdict of the mothers and daughters who discussed her conduct in putting her arm around T.u- cien when she got into the buegy. Hav- ng settled tbat, they discussed Tummy Watson and wondered how he would take it Where Dollv would live after she got married encaged tlinir speculative fan.:y, and how Lucien would like Mrs. Felder for a mother in-law. They wondered whera Lucien came from, and guessed that he muit be a orize-figbter or ''some- thiug. '' Tlie old women revived storin about the time when .lo was courting hii wife, and how they first met, and ttm utner "sparks" they had, and the Feldera burgers wore very much obliged to Lucien for having given them such an excellent day's gossip, ^iut the fact that he had never confessed anything about himself was viewed with suspicioun. One Qame suggested at the tea table of a friend that it was highly probable that Lucien wai already married. Tbisideafoundtavor,ana that night at the meeting houst>, after tlin preaching was over, it was widely circu- lated by those wno spoke "in perfect con fidence and knew it would never be re peated," tbat Lucien had already been married twice, and one of his wives wai living out in "Calaforny." It watt the established habit of leldersburg to locate unknown and missine people in " Cala- forny." However, this did not reducs I his popularity, and might almost be passed over as a triHing youthful indiscretion, sn much were the women in love with the | gallant way in which he had borne him- self. On Monday morning Lucien came down to brt-aktaat wearing a little silk skull cap which almost covered the bandages on hit wounded head. He was pale and weak, but determined to attend to his tcbool | duties, though Doily and her father be sought him to stay at home. " No, I will teach to-day in some sort of a way. I won't have the Klimners think they laid me up. Besides," he continued, "it will be easier to face the children than | if I put It off {or a week." He was right. But few children I came to the school that day, an I It was generally expected that thsl ^schoolmaster would be unable to I tnach ; that few stared and at odd times I gii;»,Med, but the task of meeting his scbol ars was over. Though faint and dizxy. I he struggled through the day and| staggered home at nieht thoroughly e.x hausted. Again Dolly's kind hands | soothed him, and as he lay on the lounge! looking into her sweet face he loved her I with a passionate devotion and trustsdj her as few world-worn men ever trus; Dolly read in h.s eyes the story of hi? I faith in her, and ber gentle heart leapeuj with joy, and at last sbe was content— hej not onl}' loved her, but believed in her. I It was in this fipirit u she now spokel to bim, and with child i innocence audi joy she planned the home where tbeTJ would live to^'< rhei, zt.a the vista of ttaij future was one long love scene with flow- ers, and picture!, and CiU-^ic and caresses. I She opened her heart, and w:iat JiUCienI read there was a purity ho tcaroe couldl DOLLY, rue-fiRhter or "some )men revived Btoriw I .1 o WW coiirtiDR hii y first met, and the had, and the F«lder». luch obliged to Locien lem such »n excellent ;he fact that he ha»i yrtliing about himiel! ispicioun. OOB aame I table ot a friend that jable tliat Lucien wai liaideafoundtavor.and eeting hout u she now spoke I Ihila » innocencB andl Ihe home where they zfca the viKta of th« (, love acene with flow- [nd ciu.''ic and careases. lart. and w^at Lucienl lurity ho acaroe could fachoin. All her reserve uaa abandoned ; her whole wealth uf love waa bestowed on Lucien ; there was nothing kept back. and ttie nhole-heartedneas of Dolly's love iiweptaway Lucien'a constraint,and hewan a boy a^ain, sanguine, lovinfir and full of bright ho)piai)8s in atore for him with Dully by bis Bide. One night Jo came into the room where Lucien and Dolly sat by the window. Twilight was growiiiy into darkness, and in this levers' >,'loamiaoe'B any ! There hain't no doc- tor 'ithin 'lev«n miles lo the east an none ithin fifteen miles to the west, an' 1 none sojih t' th' lake, an' only one t' Belkton. an' he's not much, an's got I more'n he km rlo workin' night 'n day. Settle right here's Feldersburg, an' it U was forcrotten ?' mother would to 6he wounU her her father's n^-ck " Why, you a:.d cost ye nuthin' fer a lioise an' all that, am' 1 il build a house ler ye up a the village ; iin' I'll think I'm gittin' utf ter'ble well to hev Dolly handy by where 1 kin look at her once 'n a while, an' all I got is hern ; an' thar hain't no use takin' her 'way off an' leavin' me 'n mother t' sit u' look at one 'nuther an' cry an' wonaer wlier' Dolly is, and take on like that night utter night 1 don't see no use in it — an' she the only one I got an' ship's ter'ble near to me I" cried Jo, appial ng in tears to Lucien, who had drawn back and waa sitting rieidly uprik'ht by the window " Mr. Folder, 1 am not muirying Doily because I want to be supported, and I do not propose to do it before I can support her. ''(>h. Lucien! I'leaso don't talk to I'anpie like that. Ho knows what you mean and how proud you are. I'oor old Pappie, ' she cried, giving her father an affectionate hug, " he'll miss me and ni! wants me to stay near by. I wonder you and I never thought of it." Jumping from her father's knee she put her arm coaxin^ly around Lucien'a neck, and serenely settling herself in his lap she b^gan to plead for the scheme her father had pi-upo.-ed. " We won't touch ar.-nt of your money over in New Vork, 1 don't want you to do that. But ttiere is n<> reason why we shouldn't stay in Keldorsbursr for a few years, till we get rich enough to live m a city. You know a lot of people here and can make more money tiian you could anywhere else, and Pappie and Mammy would be sohaiipy !" Lucien was stubborn and unreasonable for awhile, lie felt that it would be a fatal mistake, but could give uo reaaon. His pride could find no in-iult in Jo's plaintive appeals for 1 lolly to stay near him, yet the idt dc; cided him to accept Jo's offer, andthoush he was still unaccountably depressed he consented, and Jo was delighted beyond measure. Dolly's joy was unbounded. She would not be parted from her lover only for a fow monthfi, and evei> then it would not mean separation from her dear old fattier. Lucien alone felt that this ap- parent kindness of Fate meant misery for thani all, but he could not bear to think of leaving Doll}', and be strove to be 70 DOLLY. happy in the tboiuht of havinc her for his owo HO Hoon, and forKOt tut learu,* CHAPTER XX VL GOOD ItY, SWKETHKAUT. Tho days t)uw uwiftly by.iind no one wai ■urpnied to aeu iJuUy and liucinn ao du- voted to i^ach other. It had been ac- cepted by all Felderaburt? tliut they were loverM, and all the world "' loves a lover." The \V ataoim had been nsBidunualy atnv in(r to induce Lucien to visit theui acrain, but in vain. Anonyuiouit letters tiail been written to iiucieii warning him against Dolly and insinnatin); mat ohe was not only a coi^uette, but Buinethin^' worse. Kvery one ot these letti-r-s k;avo Lucion the most acute agony. He uid not believe tiiem, and yet he could not forget that such thingii had been said. Tommy Watson, too, smiled at him in the most patronizing and otlensive way, and leered at Dolly until tlie poor little ffirl blunhed and looked confuted. >Still Lucien doubted only wtien he was alone, and forgot bis rankling fears when Doily's honest blue eyes shone on him. iHo heard whispers of the it-cklesa doings of biH sweetheart, and swore to niniself that he was nut moved save in anj^ier against those who took pains to let him know that in other days Dolly had boon *• awfully wild."' Doily, too, was the recipient of many nameless letters, whiuh he at once showed to Lucien and laughed when lie got angry at the insinuations ai^ainst bib character. Their love was toj sincere to De disturbed, and when Christmas came and Lvcien's trunk was packed and he prepared to leave tor college, no cloud could he seen on the bright hori/.on ot their future. Again and again bbe kissed him good by. Amidst smiles and tears uhe caresseil his face with her soft, white bands and begged him not to torget her. "Everyday, remember I Mot two or three times a wsek, but every single, solitary day, and a long letter at that !' she said to him the night before he was to leave, " and if ever you miss a day 111 get I'appie to take me to Toronto to see if you are dead or have found some one you like better than mo." " Why, he won't be able to study DUthin' if he's writm' to you all the time," exclaimed Jo, whoHe ideas ot letter-writ- ing were founded on the half day it took bim to prepare an ordinary epistle. " Every night," continued Dolly, un- heeding her father's interruption, " you must sit down juat before you go to bed, and write me everything that happened through tho day. If you meet any nice girU, toll me all about tbem, and if you like them better than me~ No, don't ' Don't evei say anything about any woman, it'll make me jealous, ani I know you wont Hirt, will you, dear? ' Lucien answered Dolly's pleading glance by promising never, never to speak to any female who did not strictly belong to the civil service of hib boarding house. IShe helped niin to put the last few triHei in his trunk, and just as ho wai clo.sing It she gave him a photograpn oi herself. " i'appie took me to town so I conld get it." Ttirowing her arms around bis neck, her eyes streaiuinK with tears, she sobbed : " I don't want you to forget me. I know you 11 i^ee lot* of people so much better and handsom>;r than me that I'm almost afraid to \ft you go, for fear your eyes will be opened, and you will see what a soft, silly O'Untry girl I am, and wish you liadn t asked nie to marry you." Luuien promised, and as he comforted her with assurances that no woman could be as beautiful in his eyes as tiia curly- haired, laughing, bright-faced Dolly, he was saddened by the thought that montha must pass before he would again embrace tiis darling. In the morning, wlnle Jo was seated in the little wagnn uhiuii was to convey Lu- cien to the depot, Dolly still clum; to her lover, and with scores of kisses bade him farewell. She watched the wa^on as it went down the hill, and as it turned the corner in the village she waved her handkerchief and tlien ran to her room to cry. Her mother went to comfort her, and after lifting tier up and bathing her face, re- marked : " Tain't no use agoin' on like this I Loosh^'nll be back an' marry ye — I feel it in my bones, as ter as I'm consarned, but It's the wuss luck fer ye if he does than if 'e don't, fer yell be a widder inside of a year, annyhow, an' — " Dolly jumped from the bed like a little fury. •* Stop ! I tell you, stop ! Don't ever talk to nie like that again ! Pappie told you not to once, tor I heard him, and 1 won't have it ! Dh, I want him to come back ! I'm going, too ! I'm going t3 Toronto ! I know some girls there, and I'm going to see them, and then I'll be with him !" and, exhausted by her tears, she again threw herself on the bea. " Of course, mebbe signs 11 fail," sug- gested her mother coaxmgly, " and as fer as I'm consarned I hope th^y will. Ot course Looshen wrote ye a letter, and in yer mind ye'd accepted him afore yt>u did up to Janet Blagg's, so that'll make a dif- ference. Ot course, mabbe it's only when peopla makes up their minds to a wake DOLLY. 71 J— No, don't ' insr about any jealous, ani I 1 you, dear? ' )ollv'8 pleading >r, naver to apeak >t ■trictly boloiig boarding house, put the laat few i just as ho wai a photograpti of >wn 80 I conld get around bia neck, eara, abe eobbed : 'get me. I know a so much better that I'm almost )r fear your eyes will see what a ira, and wish you ryou." aa he comforted no woman could yea as his curly- faced Dolly, he light that months d again embrace Jo was aeated in as to convey Lu- still cluni; to her kiasea bade him 1 aa it went down «d the CDrnar in er handkerchief to cry. Her her, and after ni; her face, re- on liko thia I irry ye— I feel it [i consarned, but he doed than it Ider inside of a Ibed like a little |p ! Don't ever Pappie told Lrd him, and 1 ^it him to come I'm croing to rirls there, anfl [nd then I'll be Id by her tears, Ithe bea. Is 11 fail," sui;- ly, " and aa far they will. C)t I letter, and in afore ybu did It'll make a dif- 1 it'a only when Dida to a wake :i- what counts, though of courae it's ter'- D.e dant'eroua even to Siiy ' yes ' into a ii^use where there's death agoin' on or ; a«t. ( If course he's in'altliy lookiii', an' i^o unufT he'll never marry ye at all, an' tiit'ii he can't leave ye a widdei, ao uiebbe— '' " Mother I' shouted Dolly, thoroijphlv aroused, her swollen, tear«dlained tnco blading witti wrath, " pleabe ^'O away and li-t me cry myself out. If vou don't, 1 II g 1 crazy und jump in the river !" "Why, ot course I'll go if ye don't want mi', but iia fer's I'm con—" "Tben go now," bla/ed Dolly, "'before I go clean out of my mind." " \Vy, wot ;v ter'blo spitfire yer gittin to bo,"snortBiiMr8.Felder,a8shebouni:edout of the room, and Dolly buried iier fuc» m the pillows for another ;.'ood cry. But the door was no sooner cloned than Mrs. i . reopened it and uKjuired: "Kin I bring ye a cup of tea or Buthm' — a biled egg 'ud be strenghenin', ur inebbe a—" Dolly was out of bed by thia time and had shoved the door shut. With a reso- lute tug she piled her trunk against the do"t :ind rolled the beda^ainat the tiunk. Mrs. Felder heard these prepariothing was discussed but 1 lolly's wedding trouaaeau and the many virtuea and talents of Lucien. Dolly had forbidden any other topic. Jo, often silent and sad, bad yielded. On Sunday r.fternoons young men often drove up to Jo H -.'ate and tied their horses, but Dolly would have nothing to say to thein, and liiey went away disconsolate. Dolly waa alwaya in the little post ottice when the mail came in, and seizing her precious lettera, ran away an happy as a lark. She '.ist d to read little Rnaichea of them to her father, but tba words of love she read and re-read and read over again wiien she was alone. She kissed the handwriting; and went to aleeo at nitrbt with Lucien's let- ter in her hand, wondering what he waa really doing and thinking when be wrote. Not a letter did ahe aeiid which did not inquire if he liked her best, and yet ahe never doubted lum in the least With Lucien the days passed quickly. He had lost half a session and had to tax his strength to tha utmost in order to eaten up with his atudies. He wrote to Dolly every ni);ht, and in his trunk a fiaclage cf letters tied with blue ribbon, L'rew larger and larger day by day. He was contented and Hopeful, and when ex- amination day came be woa the gold medal, and started for I'eldernburg u "doctor" and a proud and happy man. During his journey be tiiought of noth- ing but his reunion with D.)lly. The loving lettera he bad raceived and the hours ot jealous a^ony he had ]jasaed came back to lum and he wondered it he would find bia sweetheart unchanged. Ilia hei cely jealoua nature w.is stiried by the thouKnt that maybe UoUy had been tiirt- in»' with Tommy Watson, and the train seemed to creep along as he thought of the comfort it would be to him to look again into those ej'es of hone»t blue and read the story of her Dure love as of yore. \V hen he k'ot into Humstir's staere he absolutely longed to hear the old man talk of tue I eldersburg people, and was almost dis^'usted with himselt to feel a thrill of pleasure when old liumstir be- gan : " So you'n Dolly Felder air goin' to get married, air ye ? At least, so I've heered." Tlitj statre contained no other jtas^en- gers, and liUuien, burning to talk to some one of Dolly, admitted that audi was the case. •' Who'd a thought it a year ago when ye rid down 'itb me after the school. I reckoned then I lolly d tuck Tommy Wat- son aa she'd bin a runnin' along -of him ao long, but no one kin tell what girla '11 do. ' Lucien felt bia heart aickcn at the thought of Ton my, but be laughed and aaid he guesaed Tommy could stand the disappointment all riL'ht. "1 reckon mebbe he kin ; like enough he km. I seed them together tother day adrivin'down from town as jolly aa a pair of tinkers." " Indeed," exclaimed Lucien, feebly, bia heart in his throat " Ves, she nd up to town ith me, but ahe kem back ith Tommy ; truess mebbe she missed the Htacra, as it was percy blamed late when they cum driviu' into my hotel, and asked fer the parceU I brought down in the stage fer her," Lucinn felt faint and sick, but said he was glad she didn't have to stay all night in the city. Old Humatir looked aa innocent as a dove, but he had determined to give the haughty Lucien all lie could bear. " Site ast me what time I left, and when abe wasn't on hand I Kueaaed mebbe she waa com' home 'ith Tommy, aa J seed her a runnin' round 'ith him, ur I'd uv waited a few minutes fer her. " Lucien was almost choked with jealous rage. Dolly had done thia when they were to be married in a few days. " Uf course, the' wa'n't no harm in it, aa they cum along by my place afore nine n DOLLY. o'clock, IhooRb old Jo wm ter'bloput oat when he come to meet hie gal and tlie wa'n't there." ThiK lu«t speech |iut Luoien on hia guard, and he lauiflied and Kueaied Jo was pretty well used to Dolly's freaks. At the Hanie time h*) would have liked to have stranirlea trie snerrin'^ ulil reprobrte, and his tiDiferB iiuhed to gra.up ihe necU of the hilarious Touimv. Jo ncet hiia at ii'lkton, and Lucien's dark face and hoavy fruwu oppr«sH«d bim. The old feelincrof distrust and tear came over liim, and as he eluiiced furtive- ly at his stern and silent companion 'lo wished tliat Dolly had mitdi; a different choice. A.s they passed Drunken Archie's Jo remarked : '* Jaiiei bla 'If is living with us now. Our hired girl le:t, and so we took Janet to help iilong, seein' as Dolly's goin' to leave ur." As hucinn thuupht of the deuth-bed scene und the ride noiiiu with Jo and Dolly, he softened, but still he was in an inward fury. " I'm s^lar* to liear it," he anawereii. " The inemoiy nf her tronblo and your kindness will make herfattbfui to you. " '• Mebbe," said Jo, thoughtfully, •' but seems to me that '..ratitude and good faith and that sort o' thin^' hes to b^ born in pteople or it won t matter how much you do for them.tliey'll never say 'tlmnk ye.' ' Lucien's face darkened a^ain. He thought Jo was driving at him, and ho resented the idea of perpetually serving out a debt of gratitude. As they jiassed, a fine nev ho\isa attractn'i his attention. " Who ha» been buildiut?'' he inquired. ** Well, I put It up,' answered Jo, sim- ply. *' 1 thought mebbe it'd come handy fer you an' I 'oily, an' she's got it fur- nished and all ready to move into, but Khe was holdin' it as a surprise agiii vour Grittin' iiome, an' mebbe she won't thank me fer tellin'.' Lucien wax silent ; Jo thought he was sulky and wen", on, " >he was up to the city last Friday and got the fiiushin' touches fer it, thouK'h she had ter'ble bad luck, and missed the stage, and ncd to come back with one of the Watsons, but ^he felt so cut up about it that i couldn't scoln her, an' I hope you won't nuttier, ' blurteu out Jo, wlio shrewdly enough guessed Lucien's weakness, and felt .sure that Humstir had been talking nanty on the way up. Jo's kindness and honest faith that he, Lucien Melroy Strange, would retui-n and marry 1 'oUy was so pure and sincere, and the kind tnouglittulness of tlio good old man so impressed the jealous lover that he melted completely. " You are too good tome," he penitent- ly exclaimed " I wonder that you have such faith m me. I don't deserve it." Then when Dolly rushed out to meet him, and huL'ged him, and laughed and cried in turns, tie could not but (org'it bit suspicions, und looked in her faco ami laughed and kissed her, and said he was so happy that he would like some quiet place to gu and have a good cry. 'I'hey sat together and talked late into the night, and Dolly told him that she was 1. 1 laid to relate an adventure she had, but " I'appie" had told her tu tell Luciea all about it. " Do you know, whan I was m tho city on Friday I missed the Ntage and had to rids home with 1'oinmy Watson, and he made it just ai late as he could before he would bring ino houie. 1 was scared* 1 most to death, but I was afraid not to come home, because Papoie would be s i frightened. I would not have missed *tie stage," she added lovingly, as her plump ami enciicled Lucien's neck, and slu' pulled iiis lacs down to hers, *' only I w as so anxious to bring <* lot of ornarnentt for tiie bouse with me so that thoy would be in place when you srot home, and I for- got about the nasty old atage. You don t blame me, do vou ?" Lucieu confessed his je.ilousy, and told her how Humstir had harped on it, and she was almost aa angry as he had been. Then they both dropped the subject, and talked of their plans for tiie future. In thn ecstasy of love the ride with Tommy \\'atsou was forgotten— thoiigti he often recalled the incident, and never without a pang of jealousy. Nothing we do or aay is ever entirely forgotten, if it stirs a heart to either love, jealousy or hate. CHAPTER XXVIL niSCOBSINO THE WKDDINO AND OTHER AFKAIKS. At breakfast next morning, it was evi- dent that Mrs. Ftlder had somethin;; on her mind, but her astonishment at the conduct of Dolly made her hold her tongue for a few moments. It had been the custom for Jo and Mrs. Felder to occupy the seats at the head and foot of the table, while Lucien and D)lly, sitting on opposite sides, faced each other. 'This morning Dolly, without explanation or ap ilogy, moved her ])late and chair be- side Lucien's and sat near him, as serenelv loving as if ahe had already pos- sessed him for years. Jo glanced at the young couple, and in his eye waa some- thin? as near akin to jealousy as a noble nature can feci ; his Dolly waa slipping away from him. Mrs. Felder afterwards expr«8B«d t3 Lucien the hope that be did DOLli"k. 73 !er that you hav* 't de»ervb it," lied out to meet nd laughed and Qot b\x* toratt bii n ber face and ^nd laid he waa like some quiet •od cry, talked late mtn Id hint that she iventureshflhad, ler tu tell Lucien I was in the city tacre and had to WatHDn, and he could before he I wa« Beared %1 M afraid not to 3ie would be 8 • ot have missed ovingly, as her cieu's neck, and ;o hers, " only I lot of ornaments that thoy would home, and I for- aire. You don t alnusy, and told t ped on it, and ^ lie had been, he subject, and ;lie future. In le with Tomnav oiigh he often never without a ever entirely to either love, VII. AND OTHER nff, it was evi- something on hiuent at the her bold her It had been . I'elder to and foot of 1) lily, sitting 1 other. This xplanatioD or and chair be- lear him, at already pos- glanced at the ye was some- sy as a noble was slipping T afterwards e that be did gut think Dolly "had Mted bold in ^•ettin' next to taim so ter'ble un(|ues- tiuiiin'liKe." Lucien felt at once flutter- ed and flushed, but Dolly seemed un- aware that there was anyone present who bad the 8lightest right to be critical. The meal wis not balf over before Mrs. Felder found it inapoMsible to remain burdened by the surging iduaa which had accuinu- luted since she rose from her bed at uawn. "As ler s I'm cunsarned," she began. \vith an eloquent wave of her kniie, " I think it'f iii^h tune we was a settliu' on wiiat were gunto do tu the weddin , '.^eein's it s no futher off 'n Tbursday, an' ber It 'tis Tuesday and nothin' done. septin' the cakea made an' the folks ast t'cuin— " Dolly glanced at Lucien out of the corner nf her eye, and found hini intently crushing some crumbs witli hia fork. Jo nboved tiis chair back and stietohed him- self, and seemed resigned to a considera- tion of what be knew wad about to come. " As fer's I'm consarued, " she reiieated, "I don't want no ti/.zle, 1 u<>nt ! ' Lucien looked up en({uiringiy. " I want things to go oil ithout'n a bitch. I bin fatten the turkeys all winter, and tlie're all right, as far's the re L'onsarned. I was a thinkin of hevm' Jo git a box of baker's tiroad, but I decided It wouldn't do, fer tbe neighbors'd say how we bought all our htutf. and hed a bigger layout than hed ever bin here- abuut.-t, 'cause we could afford to uuy everythin', so I baked up a batch and tliHuk meicy I bed purty good luck, t»o, so I hain't fretted about that An' we've gilt ten different kinds of cake, an' we're gunio use Dolly's new disnes to set em off, an' I kin say tbat ther hsin t no chiney nur crockery nnr knnes an' forka au' glassware 'round here thet kin go alongside of what Dolly's gunto hev, ko I hain't nervis about that as fur as thet's (. usarned. An' aa^fer as Dolly's clothes IS consarued I guesa'them's all right, hain't they Dolly ? Ther hain't bin no sicb clothes at a weddin' in Kalderaburg afore, uur won't bo agin fer a spell, will ther Dolly ?" " I mu^t show them to you, Lucien," exclaimed I'olly, jumping up from the table. " Unly the hats an' dresses, Dolly," cried Mrs. i'elder ; " nut the— tbe other things, it wouldn't be purty. Hut "it down, DoUv, I want t' understand what's gunto be did! Who's to stand up with ye?" "No one, Mainmy, we can stand up alone, can't we, Lucien ':" He wae standing by his chair ; Dolly was so temptingly viosn to him that hn imt his arm around her and said bo guess'^d they would be able to hold one another up without any help. Mrs. Felder was not to be discouraired. "Then theies the tower an' the infair an' the hoU»e warmiu'. Whatte.- ye gunto do about them ? I want to know, 'cause the neighbors keep nskin ine sn' I don t want to keep on savin thet ye haven't settled on it yit, an' a luokin' foolish as if 1 didn't, know >\ bat my own girl .VMS gunto do. 'Taint right, an m^ikes me look Hat an' foolish, as if I was put uiion an' wa'n't tslked with 'bout nuthm'." I^iicien saw that his future mother in- law was working herself into a state of mind, and thought it was best to settle tiie n:atter at once. Turning to Doily he in'iuired what aha thought would be pio)>cr. She told him that she h.id decided on nothing, and would be satisfied with what- ever Kuited him. •' Well, then, about the tower?" ques- tioned Mrs. Felder. Lucien was thinking uiiensily about Mm d'pleted xtate of his luiancea when Dolly murmured, "I don t want any tuur ; ail [ want is to be with you in our own little bon.e '" He turned (luickiy. nnd looking into those soft pansy eyes, glowing with love, he pressed her liand and .--aid he, too, wanted nothing but test and Dolly. "Then you won't go,' cried Mrs. Fel- der, dejectedly. " Kverybody does round here, even if it hain't more'n twenty miles, an' mebbe if yor don't vou'U git shiv- ereea." "Oh, no, Mainmv, there isn't any one who would be so mean as that to us— nice ^'irls never get used tbat way." "But Tommy Watson and Malon Klimner, mebbe, might do it and got up a gang ot roughs," persisted tb^ mother. "I'm not airaid," crieu Dollv, '"are you?" "Not a bit," answered Lucien ner- vousiy, who kuew'what a charivari meant, and knew tie would almost die of rage if U9 had to endure such u fiere. " An' then ot cour.se you can't have an in-fair, nuther. cause thrre hain't no bridegroom's folks to git it up !'' " What IS au ' in-fair,' Dolly ?" imiuired Lucien, who filt hurt at the reteren e to the absence of " hi idetrrooni's folks. ' "Oh, it's nothiUL'. except a sort of a dinner like the <>ne at the wcddinu', only it IS given the newly married coupiu after they return troni their trip by the father of tbe bridegroom. I am awfully glad there can't bia one ; it would be audi an awful bore." "But of course you'll haye a house- warmin' I" insisted Sirs. Fulder. who was rapidiy becoming couvincod tuat Luciea 74 DOLLY, WM unacquainted with the wayn of first- claHB society. "That's a party in our new house,' ex- plained Dully. "I don t cai'H about it iinlciiB you think it would do you s'ood and get you au({uuinted with the rieoplc !" **(Jf course," echoed her niothiT, ex- citedly, "ax fei-B I'm conBaincd itd be a waste of money to hov BJuii a fine pliice mb we've fitted up if ye didn't ask no onu in to Bce it. Of courHO you II hev a house- warinin' Reen'e yer not (?unto tiev a tower, nor an iufuir. nur nuthin'; it'd be ■canilulous without a bousewaimiu' net- nuthin'. Comm' after the ter'iiic bad bo>.'iniiin' yo tied gettin' en^'as^vd to a wake, or the ttame'B one, where thur' waa a dead corpse in tho hou^e, it d be jist like defyin' death to ((o into u new houNe 'ithout doin's of somb kind er'othtr, an' even then " — ** Now mother !" interrupted Jo, wlio had been a patient li.stener, "aon't begin' that ! If they don't want to be tiothered with a lot of folki, why let them alone." " I hauit botherin' '«m,"' retorted Mrs. Felder angrily, " but I don't want Dolly talked about as ;,'ettin' married and hevin' no sort afdoinsner nuthin'. I'd be ashamed to look people in the face an' them knowin'tliet wd kin attord it, an' no other chick ner child neetber !' Lucien BtiU stood with tiis arm around Dollv'e waist. He aaw that Mra. Felder was bent on having a houBewurminpr, and that there would be trouliie If it was op. posed. "What do you say, Dolly? VVe might as well have it if you think it would be pleasant." ''Don't ask her ; she'll say jist as vou do ! She don't want to do nuthin' but jist hang onto you, Hbe don't. Si.e wouldn't (ret a dress ner nuthin' 'ithout sayin' I think Looshen 'd like that, and she wouldn't hev the lovelieBt weddin' dress I ever seed jint cause sha said you'd think it wa'n't good taste. *• Why, Mammy !" cried tho blushing Dolly, "We'll have the house-warminp, if you want it, the night wo are married, and you can ask all Feldersburg if you and Mrs. Felder's visited their future Blagg was installed like, So it was settled, spirit was soothed. Lucien and Dolly borne, wtieru Janet as housekeeper. Everything was super- latively new, but in excellent taste, and even Lucien could not help joining ttia enthusiastic Dolly in admiring the house- hold appliances which had been stored in pantry and closet. Standing by tiiM win- dow of the front room, which had been furnished as his uflice. they talked of the happy days to come. ()f couran thev would get rich, and Pappie had antici- pated the event in buying a little ofTico B.ite in which valuables were to be kept, She explained that lie was township trea^urer, and had long talked of getting' a safe where his napers would bo socun , HO he had put it tiiere, and both he and Lucien < ouid uxe it. Lucien ,'ue.saed he would have littlu need ot It lor years to come, but Dolly wan sure ho would make lots of money, for people couldn't help likine hiin ami heading lor liiiii when they were Bick. JuHt behind the oHice, and opuninK i»t') it, u aH a bedroom, which Dolly explained wii.H for him. It was through that same window, six montliB later, hu looked from the outside und saw a sight which mude his blood cour.^e through his veins like liquid fira and maddened his t;rain witli that feartul passion w hich murderers feel, when in a blind whirlwind of rage, they sate their veu'.'eaiice in blood. cu.vPTKR xxvin. TMK WKDhlMi AND THE HOUSE WAnMINO, The rnin was splashing against the window panes when Lucien awoke on the morning of hi.s wedding day. Owing to the weather Mrs. Felder was in a " frame of mind. ' Tiiu umeiis were too much for her, and she wept. Dolly sought to corn- tort liMr 111 vain. " I was sot on hevin' it on Wednesday insieud ot Thursday, and if my advice hed bin taken, you wouldn't hev hed yer hull life spiled by bein' married on a rainy day, ' moaned the mother. " I'shaw, mother !" .lo exclaimed, in vexation, " there hain't nuthin' in sich notionB,' •' l^lain't ther ?" snorted Mrs. I'elder. *' Mebbe you've watched it as 1 hev, and mebbo you hain't ! When L wa.s helpin Maria Helen Smith through her trouble, an' a ter'ble titiio she hed, too. poor crit- ter, acryin' all the tini^ fcr months, an' her husband abiisin' of her, I told her, an' Susan Mary, her sister. Iieard me say it, fer she was in the room to tlie time ; i said, when .Maria Helen was a sobbin' an' wonderin' why she hed sich times mor'n any other wimmen, an' such i-et backs, se/ I : ' Muria lleieii, I knowed it'd be jist as it IS, fer I was to yer weddin' an' I never seed a wuss day in all the year, a raiuin' an' a blowin' ter ble. You muiu the day, don't ye, .lo. when Hill's barn was burnt the same night .in' I told ye at the time as Maria Helen was makin' a ter'i.-le bad start, an' you sed — " ".Just what I say now. mother," inter- terrupted Jo, shai ply, " that it is all uon- seiiBe.an'Ireckonitb.'kia'tmiichencourage- DOLLY. 7f> inflf a littla ofTicQ wero t» be kopt. H waa tuwiiihiij talked of eettinK' would bo aucun , md butb ho .iiid tii^nt for the youDRfolki he-u to hear ye taTkin'sich thinffi." Kuin, bowevur, won't keep peopla away fruin a weddiuff, nnci Joh lioiiio was cK'wdod. rarHOii Meeker performed the ueremony, and wlicn he not Luci«iii iiDd the blushing' Dolly stiindinfr before bim, look ocuaaion toexp^md hix lecture on marital dutie* and reiipoiiBibilitiea into a diHCOurie of nearly an hour. Liiciua (raw weary and showed hie anxiety for the old parson to wind uji, but without efTect. Sly shafta wore aimed at Satan, tbrough liinta at " inKdclity, " and tho guests exchanged glancea ana whispe'ed, "Tliat's intended fer Joel." Ivvtcnded obiervatious on churchgoinir wore fol- iuwi'd by mature and, Lucien tbouglit, altu^ettier too minute directioua con- ceniiii^' the brintrioK up of a family. I'inally thty were pronounced man and wifo and everybody knult in pray- er. I 'arson Meeker was then enabled to pray tor Jo without diiK»i8e. He hoped that the atiliction of loiiiii; his daiigbter would Hnfteii the father's heart and make hitn accissible to Grace and Trutn. Ue pointed out the evil to the community anemic "ut of a life luch as Jo's. Ue indicated with moat unnielodious unction the reaponsibility assumed by Jo in setting a bad nxninple to the settlement by never attendini; church. Twenty minutes of prayer were then Ktven to the newly married couple, .■\nd it nerhaps miRlit have lasted lontrer hull not a baby set up a histy screain, Wiientiie company aroHe|from their Kiieea .10 looked anirry, but 1 'arson Meeker siffhed, looked piously down his nose, and wore the air of a man who had performed a painful duty. There was a rush to kiss the bride, and Lucien waa inwardly furious as he saw everybody prehent,male and ff male.Nalut- ing his wile. The weddinir dinner proved a grand aucce«s, and Mrs. Felder was in her element, but it waa not a sociable party, and Lucieo awed everybody by his haughty self possession, andi the cus- tomary wedding jokes were unusually feeble. Almost everybody took occa- sion tu observe ttiat they didn't neliove in signa and oiiieus, and );gy,he urged .io I to take the sacred truths he had heard I unto biinaelt, that they mi^'ht bring lorth fruit a liuiidreU fold. As the oUl minister cxpresditd these ."entimeiitSihc was stowing away undtu' his biige v He.;kt a ham and a section of the wi'ddini; cake, and he did not .see the curioux and almost contemptu- ous look with which Jo was regarding liitn. Lucien and Dolly were standing on tho \cranilawhun Jo came in. 1 he minister wax jo^'h'ing past, and Jo with more than usual excitement, exclaimed: " I'oor miSKUided critter, he'd enjoy a funeral better'n a weddin'.if theeatin' was as irood," At nieht Mie new house in the viUago was crowded by tho youn;; folks from miles around. Doiiv had never before looked so lovely, and as she received her guests Lucien waK astouished at tier tact and grace, lie tlioutrht bitterly of thu wealth and social position uhich beloll^'ed to him in his native town ; wh'it a soiisa- tion in society his lovely Dolly would make ! No one could compare with her in beauty, and she moved and spoke as if she 'lad been rocked in society's daintiest cradle. I'uttinf; these thoughts away from him Lucien strove to be airrecaole. lie shook hands with everybody and laughed and joked until he actually grew meiry artaboy. Dolly praised him and once she took him to one 3ide,kia.sed him rajiturously and told him he was actin? so jolly that every body was in love with him. Thus eiiooura;:ed. he redoubled his efforts. Hh danced with 'Kene Watson and Jennie Hill and swung hit partners in the qaadrilleoand cotillions n DOLLY. with lacb •nthiiiiaam and hilarity that the fun becamo iniactiouf, bolly, too, WM everywhere, dancmff with •vttrynne, the btiUe of the evening and the «oul ot gnnd humor. Lucien mw with piidn tli;tt everyone loved her and aciviiie way. Tommy, instead oJ repontini?, grew still more jolly attut anotlisr visit to the bottle in his bu(fgy, and Dolly, fearing' that Lucien would discover the cau!>'r. Which Tommy an.iweroJ with ilaueh : *■ You've got to kiss me. and then after to niffht I'll nive you up, ami your hi un- strung doctor can have you all to him- self." "You'llhave everybody out here, you simpleton," retorted Dolly, ;inil lookini; toward the door nhe discovered Lucien, his face almost black with lageandhis eyes irleaminir ominously, yet his voice studiously low and steady, as he spoke : "Mr. Watson, be kind enoujjn to re- spect the hospitality you are reci'ivinc" " It aint your hosnitality, it's her's "' muttered T(/mmy, sulkily. " I'lease Lucien dear don't mind what he says," cried Dolly coaxingly. " he's been drinking,', and I was tVyiner to per- ■tiade him to go home and not make an exhibition of himself !" At this point 'Rene apjieard, and Dolly exclaimed almost antrrily, " Whv didn't vou coma when I railed you, and keep I'ommy turning to Dully she hisHed, so that Lucien should hear: " You didn't used to be HO particular !" j Dolly and liUoien returned to their ' guests, and excused theinselvea for their I absence by saying th it the Watsons were I leaving. In half an hour everyone had left thetn excepting .)o and Mis. I'eider. While DoUv and her mother were helping .lanec "straighten thiiiKS up.' Jo talked tu I.ucien, and w:i8 surpriieil to find hit Hon in law so silunt and gloomy. At lastiJo and his wife siiid (food-night, :ind Dolly, turning into the little parhjr, ixit her arms around ijuoien's neck, and looking straight into his eyes, besan : "Oh, Lucien, you do not think badly of me because that tipsy tool tried to kiai me '.' I was so afrani you would pet angry with him and make a Hcene. and that would have been awful on our woddint; mu'iit, and would have made people talk, 'i'hat was the reason 1 took hitn awav from tlie room where you were, and I ti'ld 'Kene what wfis the .natter, and mo- tioned for her to comes with us, thous,'h si.e tried to make you joaIoub by denying It ." Lucien ^tood for a moment moodily pra/.ine into those deep, blue, tearful eye.-, nnd then stooping down kissed her iore- heiid. " I believe you, Dolly : I was angry, I confess, and jealous — mostly on account of what i heard him say '." " I have been in ai;ony lefit vou might find a faUe meanini; in his words : but once for all 1 swear to you. Lucien darl- intf, that 1 never loved Tommy Watson, nor ever i»!rmitted him to kiss me. And 'llene hates me because you married me instead uf her, and is trying to poison your mind against me. I'm snio »:iieand Tommy wrote tiiose nasty letters, and 1 will never speak to them again." Lucien could not <{uic!:ly shake himself free from the horrible suspicion which had seized him. nor could he look into Dolly's honost eyes and not bo convinced oi her truth, i^oliy's arms dro] pt>d trom DOLLY. 7T d Tommy, ai I ) room together, 1 be ruiiiiirkpil ' ' II, but drawing c-lainif d : ik, iind nctinir in noot permit him , nnU I will U n to en hone I" V hi« hat, openc'i bim he couldn't i she called to igcv to the door, nth you !" Then hiiKtHi, 10 that You didn't used turned to their iiinelvoi for their iQ Watsons were Di! had left them ledor. While 'ro h«*liimfr .lanet ' Jo tall poison in snie t'lieand y lett»;ie, and 1 Bain." •hake himielf uspicion which he look into >t be convinced Is dro] ped trom )V hii shoulrters, ntid she stood looking; nt nun, ber hunUK ula>ped and her tace tlie picture ut dcMpair. " You do not belieTa me in your heart I" Hhe cried, piteously, her oyea streaming with teaiH, .Suddenly encirclincr her with his arms, he almost criixhed ber in \m passionate embrace, " I do believo yoxx, Dolly, my love," he whispered in broken voice. " I do believe you, my wife, my darlinpr. my life ; 'tis I who am to biaine witli m\' iccursed suHpicions and tr-intie jealousy, liut 1 love you so that I i annot bear t" think that there is a niolis in your heart that is not mine. 1 can t bear even ttiu ■litriiie>t fancy that yoii evai had a thoiisrlit of love befoie you loved me." " 1 didn't, i.ucieii. I never loved any one except I'avpin and Mammy till I met you. 1 was only a little cirl, and i never knew there w.is such a thin^' as the Ioto I fei'l for you, until thu mutit I kissed you :indraiiaw;iy because it trightcned me. And. Lucien, my husband,'— Dolly's hands clasped his face and drew it down to hers—" 1 can never, never love any- body hut you even if vou Khoul 1 leave mo and I live a hundred years all alone, i'lease, dear swee:heart, always believe that 1 would die for you and be clad." The doubts fled. The tears wore kisaod awav. The first drops of ram liad fallen. The storm was coming. CHAPTKR XXI.X. iUK blUilM laUwVKii. Happy days ! They are not many. Tiiuyare uneventful. When we reineni- I er them we aay they were happy, but we call hardly tell what haiipened, .">uch were the days wiuihcaine to Dolly anii Lucien. Lays whrn they aat and tslued to(;ether ; sonietinii-s read one to the other ; soinetimea silent but finding company in each other's presence. They wint for lonir drives and in the beginninK' joked and laughed about tiie patients which never came. All at once Dr. Mrange began to be busy and hia oH.ch ilate was filled with calls. \\ itn ino good luck which befalls some young doctors, bis patients recovered and his wr)ndertul cures were counted by the Bcon-. This made him haupier still, and often Dolly went with him and Hat in the butrgy while be made his visits. She was proud of him and the whole wealth of her love was heaped at his feet. He loved her and bis old auspicions seldom returned,' ex- cept when driving alone. Then his tire- les-i mind would recall some of the tattle uf the past and sugorest tearful pictures of Dolly's perfidy. So strong and vivid was his :calous imugination that haviDk onoe started on u train ol thought, he knew no bounds. Pictures ruse before him of Dolly tlutinh with others in his absence, and then he saw idmsolf — the outraged liusband— bursting in upon ber and striking' her dead in his fiery wrath. At this point h>t would hnd bimHslI ac- tually trembling with excitement, and, laughing at hiH imaginative folly ho would shako oil the phantom and finish his journey stmiying over the proper reme- dies for some case of fever. His jealous- ies and gruesome fancies, he knew, hm I uo foundation, but still they passed «Kain and again through his inina. Re- tentive memories, supplied by observant eyes, always plav sucii pranks anl inuny a sharp pang they brinir to th i heart. Other pictures and in m iriei follow (|uiokly and crowd such i.a'iliiis winch troop past III the great procession of memory, when every idea we have stored up i it-i by in grand review. In theae lonisome jour- nevs Lucien maiiu speeches iii congicss, lectund to the students of a college, was a famous lii('t;w'V man, an nt.tor-the star of the drama— a pr-acher — anything, everything. He couid im..gine tiiinseli the iiero ot a daring ieat, or thaciimiiial on the .scatfold ; there was no limit to the pictures which tioaied uefure his miud's eye. But no [lictiire maue hiin sweat in u^ouy and cry out and lash )iia horse, but the conception of Dolly lovinor another. He laughed at himself and spurned bis fancy, and swore that he was a fool to let sucli ideas pais through bis mind, but still the pictures came, and often be could not free himself from tiie thraldom of hia vicious fancy until be saw Dolly at the gate, meeting hiin with loung bmile. They had betm married nearly six moiitiiB when Dr. Strange, in the course ot Ilia practice, was called to attend an old man who had b'sn brutally beaten. The old mau'd daugiit'r, a half silly and thoroughly di reputable girl, nursed him, but seemed careii-ss wintlier her father lived 01 died. When thu old man bad sufficiently recovered, the .-iiiameful story of hii injuries was told to the young doc- tor and a magistrate who iiad liuen sum- moned t'~> hear the uroiiiplaiat. In short, the old man returning late one ni^ht from his work found Tommy Watsm and MalonKlimncrtogetherwithtiit daughter, holding a drunken oigie in his house. He K-inontitrated, and was answered witii abuse ; he ordered them to leave and bad Ijeen assaulted and beaten ; he desired the magistrate to issue a warrant for tbeir arrest The magistrate, however, urgtd I'SffJ IM 78 DOLLY. the old maa to koep (luiet and settle the trouble out uf court, and oiiered to uct aa intermedial r. Lucien, tilled witli utter loathiofi: for the two ruttians, advined tbiit the law should tak« its course, but con- Bented to keep quiet if tlie old mun was give>i ample damaKei for the injuricH be had received. The Hum fixed upon by the old man was large, but the iiiaKHtrate •atiurcd him it would bo paid by the yoiinK men rather than have the attair uxpoded, and he ut uare »et nut to intorm the cul- prits of ilu-ir dancer, promisiug that next day would see the money paid, Stran^'e told ins wife nothing about the •hamelul episode, contt-ntinu' liimself by ■ayins tnat un incident had come under his obRorviition that day which convinced liim that Tommy Watson and Malon Kliniiior were coAurdlv scoundrels of the deepest dye, and he hoped that fctio would never leL'o^ni/.e either of them again, no matter where she met them, Dolly was surprised ana curious, but ftsked IK) que^tionix She feared tliat he had had another attack of jealoUHy, ami ■ought by her loving attention to his wants to make him forget his suspicions. Along night ride wax bofoin him when ■upper wsm over, and as ho Htoud in the grassy little yard, the rem of hi.s hor^b over his arm, Dolly came out to ku.. him good-bye. The pun was setting, anJ. the red beams Klnnmir through tlie tinted trees crowned Dolly's bright curls with a halo of uutnmn glory. How fair and Rweet she looked ! Never before, Lucien thought as be fondly kis^ied her, had she looked HO lovely, i')veu after he was in the saddle he was loth to leave her, and sat talking and stroking her little whito hand, which was half buried in the horse's mane, " You won't be awfully late, will you, Lucien ?" she inquired. " Yes, it may be morning before I am home. I cannot po.roof safe in tlin towiiHiiip, " I haint much fer lockiii' doors and that sort of thing t home, but when I'm holding other people s money 1 like to feel it's where no one km git it witliout'n mv erder. ' " Who ■ Hick V en(iuirod the store- kdeper, **l seed thedcctor ridin' oft juat now I ' " He didn't say ; ho never does," answered Jo, " but I guess it's suthin ■orioiis, fer he sed lie wouldn't be back atoremornin'." The desperate Tommy turned his face away, last the guilty plan which flashed into his mind could be read in his face. Uis father was having one of his "harness tug" spells and could not ije approached, nobody would lead him any money, the disgracetul exposure threatened him, and if his misdeed became known Jenny Hill who had lately learned te look tipon him with favor ana her hun.ired acrer of lanil would oe lost to bini. Ve.s, he would stenl that money : no one would suspect him. He want home trembling in ev«r^' limb, but detei ij iied to have it. Thti magistrate told hi i that Malon Klinioer had promised to have his share ready, and b'd had gone to him and implored biip- DOLLlr. 79 atchincr for .\ou f, warninL'ly. ill by the white the many happy wooingr Dolly, e, he could nee u can koep tliii law (food night, and Jo Htrode villafire. In the iniiteH, and ane- ly in hi« band, nuired what it •ome length Jo p by lamarkiiiir put lome money who had been undrod doliari ird this, hixfuce rembled. Here to K^t bis Hhare he acrape into Klimner had id Dolly keeps ith just a faint Beaaion of tlio aiife in tliA far lockiii' t'home, hut plo -4 money 1 ne km ffit it Ith od the etorc!- ridin' oft just never does," it'a Buthin uidn't be back aa rned his face which tiasiied in tiia face. hia "harneaa appro.achud, y money, thi- ned lum, and n Jenny Hill uk i.ipon him acrexof Innit e would titfi>l Uld BUS|>PCt iinff in evnr^- have It. Thu Ion Kliniaar Rhara reitdy, impiureii bim- to raixe enoufirh for them both, but with a curse Malon had told him he would hiive all he could do to ^et enough for himself, anr locked, but the window beside it was opeu, and re.ichinfc m ho turned the key and w;is in the hnUB-*. His bare feet iniide no found, and the hall door opened noisuies«ly. The door leading to the bedroom was a;ar : a lamp turned low was burnin<; on the (Ire.iaor. Peering through. Tommy saw Dolly lying halt-drorised on the bed, sound aileep ; the biincli of key* was on ttin hook ! How loudly his heart was b> ..ting; he feared ahe could hear it. No ; she in liaeping soundly, her arm under her curly head and her breathing soft and reg- ular. Uutiide, the wind is rising and the heavens are darkened by the stormcloudR flouting through the heavy air, almost touching the tree tops on the hill. The eara of the trembling wretch hear the dia- tant rumble of tiuinder and lie startn oack a^ the faint flash of lightningf gleima through the window, lie opens tha door and glides into the room— hia hand ia almost on the keys ; a gust of wind blows through the doora he huH left open behind him ready tor Hight ; the curls on Dolly's forenead flutter tia tho bree/e pMSSCS over her face : a door ilsms shut, she starts up and is face to face with Tommy Watson ! Uer blood aeema like ice ; with a moan and 8hiver she clasps her hands and gazes athiiiiwith wide-0()en, sleep- bewildered eyes. Suddenly tin the window, and resoived to Mirprise her. Turning hie horse onto the grassy roadside, no bound was made. He tiling the reins over t)ie gate post audi stepptd up to the win low to see how hie sweet Dolly was putting in the time; while she waited for turn. The hi'.lf -opened blind revealed the dimly-lighted otfio» and his and Dolly's room behind. A lout.', low ga«p, choking, almost suffo- cating turn, sounded in his throat like a death rattle. liis brain swam di/zily, and his eyes scorclied the lids which dropped over them to hide the scene witliin. He could hear p.othing of what waa being s^.-iid. Kven had the sound reached his ears hut swirling brain could not have understood it. *' (io ! Oh, please go,'' begged the poor little girl, her brain throbbing with fear that her hu>band would return and find her vith Tommy. *' 1 won t go till I get the money," re- torted Tommy. "Then 111 call Janet I" cried Dolly, passionately "111 never let you touch a CFUt ii: that safe, and if you don t go this iiistAnt I'll tell the doctor hU about this, and he will see that you are attended to." Tommy feared he had gone too far, and t)egged hor to t>orrow the money for lum i 80 DOLLY. before noon. He aworo lie would never pereecute her agAio. Juat before he tied from her ronin h» nui/eU both her hands, and kiaaiiiu' them. exclaimiMi : " It you do thia for ine I'll worship you for *^v*-r," Durting thruiitrh the hall and out of the kitchen door and tlirough the back Kate, Tommy tied iioinewai'd. A a lie left Dolly, ttit) lace at ttic windiiw disappeared. Lu> cien had uften luctured in hid idle and jealou'4 fancy aoine MUch Monne at lie had ju>t witnoHaed; tnenlie h.'id lieheld liiniself rLM]-hnii(led with tho blood of thoiis who iiad iMtravcd tiiiii. .Now ho wiia fuce to fac^ with the reality, and he could Bcarce i, opened tne door and called ^oftly. " Lucien ! Lucien I"' Tliore wax no anawr. The lightning' wan tlashin;; from hill to hill. Tiie tnunder. witii one inceasant roar, diownod everv o'.hcr sound. The gatea ct heaven ueiu opi'iind, and the rain daahed liown throuKU the bluckneaa of the iiii.'ht in lorrcnta. i'rigiitened aitd weeuing i'cjjly called Janet tu come down and ait with her ''till Lucien came tiouie. ' Far away, (rallopinj.' mndly over hill and plain, onhcpiling th** atorin without, conaiimed by the atonii within, clinging dizzily tj his aaddle, awavim,' in deadly faintneu from aide to hide, Lucien rode away from Dolly, love, hope, and life. The wav grew rough, the tall ptnM nverhuDff the roaed against her heart ; then, with an agoni/ing, heart pierciuir shriek, ahe fell back insensible. Janet tried in viin to revive her. In despair she ran to the door, and calling to n little boy, aeut hini after Jo and Mrs. Felder. Before help came Janet (>i>ened the lit- tle white hand which convuiauely < lutch- ed the note aiie had iuund on the tloor, and hurriedly aecieted the little torn sheet which hud ao fri^jhtuiied tier mis- tress. No other eyoH should see it, thou^-ht Janet, at* she caretuUy laid it away. Jo Felder waa not long coming. With out nator coat he ran wiidly througti the village, and aprang up tne i>tei>a ot hM daughter's hou<^« and ii tt.'- " ">?n in wbich Dolly la> , white and muUuuleaa ai a oorpae. "What's the matter of her?" Jo acreamed, in iri»»tic terror, a* he lifv-d his darlln^' in his Mrms, and awun».' her t< and fro, aa when a a>»by he had lulled her to alee I . •• Oh, inv God ' i.^ sto- deail ?" he shrieked, and nis voice waa like the wild. despairing cry of a mother when abe fee.i the death chill creeping over her babe. ".She tainted, and i can t bring her to, explained Janet, between her aobi. " What uv ye done to her? Ob, my (lod, my God ' N\ hatuv ye »lone to her . ho moaned, aa ho ran out into the yarci with his white-robed girl, and aat on tbc kitchen ateps bathing her face and calling' to tier to apeak to mm. Mrs. Felder had come, and runnintr t ' Tiucien'a cabinet, aei/ed a bottle of hart* horn, which ahe held l>ane«th Dolly'i noHo ', a spoonlui of branix waa inic<"i between the coloriesa In a, and then, wn'i DOLLY, 81 cxx. ;b. d watchinflTi R »ed asaiiiBt her ,K>>ni/.ing, heart- )ack inaensible. revive her. In or, ami calling to er Jo and Mrs. :t oi>eiied the lit- ivuinvflv ( lutch- und on the tloor, th« littU torn rtituiied her mis- eb'iuld see it, caretully laid it Coming. With- lidlv throuch the tue bteua of hu t . tt'- ""^Ta in id muUualtf«t ai of her?" Jo >r. a* he lifvd (1 ■« uHk' her i<> ' tiad lulled her ito» •i«a(l ?" he like the wil'). [r when ebe fe<*.* |ver her babe, t brintr hmt tu, her ■dbt. I her ? < )h, my i« (lone to b*T . It iut« the vani land lat on ttit- tucp and calling- land running t ' IhuttlR of hart* aneatb l)<>lly i i\ wat tnic4''i land ih^n, wit'i a lobbinpr moan and convulsive trsmnr, Dollv opnneil her eyes, .lo iobbt!"'n ? I w;iiit nun," Dolly j,'a'ller Varied Jo, liiokitiu' lound with a diMpeiatrf etfort to apiifl.ir unu'incempd, *' llf h:unt n^ vor fiiind whi'ii he B wanted, is lie, Oolly ? (jiiins m blie he hiiini pot back yit."' " lli''i< ffone— ii« 11 nover cuino back ! (iti, l.ucien, Lucien, con.o back to me !' iKbbtfd Dolly. " i-ay er down. Jo I," said Mra. Fol- 'ler, nuthoritatisoh ; " leave er to mt-, ao/ht to learn from .Janft th- caua>- of the troiibb', but the cloie-inoiicii*"! ."^cotihwomin had no (jxplanution to offer •xcppc that linlly woko up in a "spell," ao'l fainted dead away. i'lniiini.' frciii tho slato where Doctor Stranifu had flronJo, with a Rmile that L-hoknd him, replied, " Not > it ; lies ter'ble busy, but I'm 'spectiii' hiiii evcrv minit." Hut I lolly was not comforted, and n sensi- of Home terrn>lo dma^tor bcpan to nppret-s poor tlo. 'I'hs iiifssfng'T came back and renorted that I lector >traiige le:t h\H patient a littl>< after ten tho nifffit before, and no trace of hiiii ttiiice could be found. Jo was perplexed. What could have happened hiin ? " Has he come r" whispered Dolly. " Not yit, giriie. iiike enousrii some body was sick, and saw hiin pn by, and called him in. lie'a all ritrht, Lucien ih ; never fear about mm." " He s gone ' '" " ^rono ! I'll noor ..ailed. And Jo had to leave her and go out in the kitchen and Weep. •lust about Hundown a man on horse- back dashed up to the gate and ui araace of his son-in law with the murder. His wo;id> red at first if I.iicien b.id also biien murdered, and he g.i.-i ed for breath as be thought of the etfect of such news on I *oIl\'. Leavin,' word for the doctor to go to !\iininer's as soon as i>oHgible, the man rode away to lielktoii to notify ttip cor- oner. Strict orders wore ^'iven by ttie r>elkt( ti doctor that nothing should be dnsliirbed in the room whcro I'eter lav until ttie imiuest Had been held. The neighbors who kept wat> h in the hoUHe of death through the lon^' and awful niffht whispered t' gethor, and toid grucsoma tales of miirdera and hanginir^, and specu- lated un the chances ot I'etcr's murderer bemc tiroutfht to justice. Trie f:iniily had gone to bed. and Sadie's hysterical kob- bint; could be heard by toe watol.ers, coui)led with the murmur of her mother's vo'ce in vain attempts to soothe. The creaking of the bed in which Maloii was rolling ceaselessly from side to side told how little lie slept The do,' hmvled under h:s dead master's window, and as ttie night Wore awny the watchers were Scarce able to conceal their superstitious fe.'irs. The morning found them pale and ha.gard. and wh>n at 'J o'clock the cor- oner ?amo and entered the room with hia jury to view the body they pee|ied siiiid- deringlv over thi; siiouldtrs of others, and shivering witii horror, hurried a'.^ay. Thlle:l up the curtain and pushed open the blinds to ad- mit ttie lieht, was horrible. The hairy, muscular b)dy, nncoTered except by tna shr d4of a shirt, lay upon the uncar|>eted tloor in a srreat pool of thickened lilood. The upturned tace, upon which the tilooj had clott' d like a mask, was no lunger human : it w is fiendish. l''roin brow to cheek o|M'ned a iraMng wound, and the eye-ball hanffiii- down upon V.,e blood- s'. .iked whi>iJtirs, still ^dareil deiianc*. Through tiic nosH and the upper 'aw, slit wide open by nnotht-i- blow of the bloody axe, which lay in thy corner, protruded the swollen toiieue and the k'l'ttenng teeth. Tlie l>«aid torn from one side of the fare, th' (fre it hairy clie>i -iiifared with irluev broun hlotches of bl^o i : the right arm almost severed from the trunk -. the letis hirsute, niuscie-knotied, rioridly extended in the death atronv ; the upward bent hand of the severei- aim, with wide opened finders aa if it had been parted from the body while grip DOLLY tag in the dark : the red footpriota on the lloor ; tiie whitetheeted bed in the •orner. with here and theie a blood ipot ; the wide open cheat and arattered pai era; the courae i^ariiienta tlirown on tlie Hoor aa I'eter had undr«^iHed ; all these, reveal- ed by the bright Huali((ht atroauiin^ throuKti the window and ov«r the blood- apatterud walla, iilended into a picture of murderoua horror uuver to be foreottrn. Tbu iiKiueat revealed little of import- ance. The eveniDif before the murder, i'etiT, a!< waa hu uuRtoip on leavinf; hia roum, locked the door, and left the houae. \Vhen lie returned none of the familj knew, lie wait in the habit ot r"'i>K awav without baying when he wouid >>e back, anuched in the room. Maloii teatitied that he had aeen and talked with hiH father during the after- noon ot the day l>efore the murder; it waa in the barn, and they Wfrti talkin;,' of thingaon the farm /iii(t whether they bad blotter aell their wbeat or holu it ; he did not know whether his father had anv eneiniea or not ; he liad beard the Rirls Bay that IiIh father kept an axe in hia room but had nsver aeen it, oa he nevur went into the room ; nn, be wouldn't know tbe axe ; he h.u' not seen it and didn't want to, and as he spoke hia face puied and buiida of aweat stood out on hia awarthy face. The room was affain examined and the jury deciiiod that the window had been broken in order to undo the far.ening on tiiu inaide ; th>s bloody footpnnta were inuaaurt!tl, .vnd one of the juivnicn point- c'd out that they bud evidently been made by a tine boot, not by tbe larga coarse ahncs generally worn by tariuera except on Sundayri and holidays. The chest had btitsn |ine'S staitinj,' up at the sound of a footstep, crying '' Has rie come''" and then falling wearily back on bur pillow. Jo sat holding' her hand in his big, trembling p.iim, often patting her clieeK and Pusliiiig the curls back trom bnr fore- head. She iD^ver answered his caieM-ses nor surmed to understand what was going on around her. Stunned and half uncon- beioui, Hbe lay motionless for hours. Tne doctor who bad been brought down from the city said abn bad auttered a severe nervous sbnek of some kind, and that he cnuld do but little for Iter, ite urged .lo to rouse ber from the torpor into which she bad fallen, but every stfort was useless. Jo had telegraphed all over, seekin.' Lucien ; no trace of him had Deeu found, ill an agony of tear and uncertainty the poor old father had 'oent down bm grey liead till it lesieci'on tbe pillow beside tiiu tangled curls of his beloved Dully, and burst into teara. Her hand toiiclied lus cheek and she whispered, "Don't crv TaiiPie ! He's gone and 1 in going too ! I want to die '" "Oh, Dolly, Dolly," sobbed Jo, his Croat fratne st\aken bv bis anguish, "uon t talk like that '. Tell me where be's gone aii'i I li go and fetch him." ■'i don t know; lie's (had ; I want to die!" Her nyis closed, and even Joe tremulous entreaties c >uid not arouse her. DOLLY. ) Urfre reward-i couaty aulhori rantra liad not le and sue tiie mentioned, aail tiH mii;lit huvu In on bini by dead." Id this li the Klimnci'6 : Wiis runiurer marryinf; an u'ter, who came >Dn or what he'd XXI. (IN. he pretty furni- I " Dr. IStrHaflre, I gilt letttin, oil llne^8 of death, om behina the intr inceBfii her piUow. nd in his bisr, :tinK her clieeK roiu her fore- his caitiMsHrt hat wai Koin^' half unuon hours. Til a nt down from I'd a aov«r<- and that he }l6 uri;ed .lo r ide tiiu d Dully, auu toiiclied Ills " lion't CIV lu goin^ too : ind or sbbed .Jo, hii itriunh, "aon'i uro he s ,u;uDtt I want to id even .Jo's ot arouse her. Whilo Jo sat watching in the sileut darkened room, the door was {lusned noii^eli'Ssiy o|ien, and .Jnnet ^hiatier'id, •■'Ih'Te's a man out hero that he/, he uantK to see Mrs. .Strange, and lie wou t pj 'way." ".Not till I see her," interrupted a I nar-^e voice, and Janet wits pushed aside ii\ a burly and disreputable lookuu' man wi.ti walked into the bedmom u ith the sua);eer and iii8oleui:o of one who not naiy had a right thr-re, but propoBed to make It unpleasant for any one who dis- Ml ted it. "Jler father, I s'pose?" emiuirtd the intruder, as he dropped into a thair be- «i' the bed and turned his meaty ex- pie-fionloi-8 eyes towaid Jo. " Ves, I'm her father, an' I want to know what yon mean cruwdiu' inio a Mck room like this," cried .lo, with an^er. The HOund of a sirantce voice roused Dolly, and raising herself up she de- m.inded eagerly, "lias heonie'.'" " No missu.i, he haint come, but I've come after im," "liesKone: he'll never come back I" moaned Dolly, Binkuit,' back on her pil- low. "Gone, is he? Never come back, hey? I guess mebbu lie will, I do ! When Dn- tective Sinker goes alter a man, the fel- ler comeH back gener'ly 8|)eakin' as a rule. " As hu spoke tne otiicer leaned forward, pointed his dirty torehiiger and Ipired knowingly at l)olly. Jo, stunneu and siieecliless, Htuod gaz- ing' at the detective, who continued in the same thr»atening tone : ''Theresa couple of fellers searchin' the house now, and if my laddy-buck is here they 11 liev' ',m afore hve minutes, an' if he bainthere 11! hev him afore hve days, betcher lite on tliet I tto y' might J St as well tell me all ye know 'ijout tne murder an' how he come t'kill the ola lusn.'' \\ ith closed eyes and dazed under- xt.%nding Dolly had hoard what theofbcer i;u(l, but coinpr( bended nothinL'. At the word " muidsr ' bhe raintid her head and looked with tarror stricken eyes at the intruler. " Is he murdered ?" she gasped. "Noh(■haln^! Lucieii huint ! It's Peter K limner he's talkin' about " cried .lo, throwing his arm around Dolly and pitting her heek. Turning fiercely to the otiicer, his fac^ white and drawn with fear. .ace : " If it I'Mii't no iiart uv yer dooty to kill sick women ye 11 shet yer mouth an' get out'n here. tt in(iuired dead? Who killed him?" Djily, faintly. " I'eter K limner's dead. Lucien's all rieht, " >aid .lo, sootlnngly, in Dollys ear. at the same time glaring threaten- ingly at Detective Sinker. ■\t this moment .lanet came in, and wi'h a p.^rtuiir caress .lo laid I'oilvdown, and niotionini; Sinker to precede hiui, left the loom. • ■' Say, look abere, mister man, I don't want no sick racket play d on me," sneered the detective, as -lo fairly pushed him out >f Dolly's apartment. " Search it thi n, blast ye, atoie ye leave "' snorted Jo, and .Sinker turmd back and looked iiiidei the bed and in the waidrobe belore be was sati>hed. Two burly men stood in the hull and repi rted that nosiii'iitt of the doctor could be found any vv here in the house or bai n, and Sinker told tiiem to gu up to holder's and search there. " An' welcome 1" ejaculated Jo, Wiien they had left Doily's room, Jo sternly demanded Sinker's tight to search either Dolly's h^use or his own. " Jest this right," swajk'ered the de- tective, ottiiiously. "that Doctor .strange is suspected of murderiii' an' lobuin' I'eter Kiimner, an' 1 m after him hot- foot." " What reason could Dr. .Strantre hiw fer killin or mbbin' enybody ." " Well, ye know, ha an' i'eter hed s tiK'ht, an' they hated each other like eat an' dog, an I a pose the youcg feller woe hard up an guesseU hed settle old sc y hadn't been touched since the aicht when Tommy Watson reached for them and was di»< overed by Dolly. The detective watched every movement, and when .lo reiurned, eagerly sei/ed the'ittle key he;d out to him. In the little safe he found nearly six thousind uoilurs marked "Township 'I'his peer girl IS half uut'u hor mind now, i Funds,' but i.ot a scrap of writing con cause her husband's mixsin' an' ef you keep on she'll be dead afore night." " Who's dead, Tappie? Is Lucien ceinini; l.utieri. "It bna'l likely as he'd eave tl et much B^^aey alyin' in bis safe and run DOLLY. away with what he could steal from Peter Klimner !" critid Jo, Kterniy. " Mebbo tie didn't know it wait there ?" retorted Sinki r. " Yea, lie Oil ; he (rave me the key he hed tliu very uight of the murder ho I could put It in, an' I km provi; it, tou, by a dozen people '" *' 'J'hi'u wot made 'ira run away ?" in- •luired ninUer, uiieaHily, " Who BHz lie's run iiway? He'e (rone, but we can't lell why or where. Sutnm' may hev hupiiened him ; I can't telL Mebbehe'i bm killed IiirboH?" The d< teciivR waii eilenced. That b\g pile of money in the safe pux/.led him. "I'll put u Meal on thet look," he eai'l, " till 1 can find what was Htole from Kliinner'e clieKt, and then I'll know if iti all riKht. " ho remarked, at he put a daub of ^eahiig wax over the key hole und ■tampfxi it with hiH riiif;. " I km prove who ifimme thet monev !" exolaimed -lo. " Thi; tax collector did, an he retnemuers the billn, too, fer lie took 'emnui'n the linnk ot iVluntreai, an' spoke ot tin nil lx>in'the sume kind wh.-n we \\M cotiiitin 'uni." Detectne .Sinker, after asUiii::hundi«'dH of ((uestioiiM, v\nnt away bir.t half satistiitd and Jo nauined his tearful vigil by Dolly's bed. Her youth an J stien^'th asserted themselves. and stie nlowly bepan to notice her HurriiiindiiiuH. iier hand would si p into JuH b\B palm and her eyes turn loviDL'ly toward nm ba^'(;ard face. (>ften she turned awav from him and wept as she remembered the little t&g^ed note in uliich Lucien Haid tareweli. Life Seemed a burcien, and ^Yl!llllf ly she would have laid it down, but the old face which watched day niid uiifht by her bodHidit was so ea(jePto»eeher look u|),(io wrenclied with pa. n «lien sho Wipt, so waichlul wiien lie thou(;ht she slept, that slit knew It must lit' her duty, ai* well as her inte, t live on and comf'.rt ti.e closmir vsoi her lather's lite, 'I his decided her ruse, and the Hiimethin(r-to-livn-lor st mulaled the feeble I'.ame until it burned more brit,'hlly dav by dav. tlosjoy was bouadiexs. When Dolly smiled he hUk'Ked her with deli(;hi, and once when she tried to comfort h>iu by one of her old-tune pleasant ri<'^, he roared with luu(;hter. and cpriiiuinir from bin chair, danced half a do/en steps of the Hii;liland tliiu', which i*olly knew he retervi'd for the annual or biennial oc- caaiun when he wan teelink' his best. Love ie a i^reat doctor. It is indeed the all-htaliiiir i'liysician. even when i'<\e for saken iH the disease. Ttie crreat, pure love ot Jo Folder Koo'lied the trouble-i iiv>ai'tof Dolly, and wnen in \i»r soul sue conNonteu to live, It waa to bless tod console the white-haired old man wh.)se love beametw upon her like the itua upon the ttowers. •io would let no one Hee hor. i.ven h'* vfife uaA not jiermitted to talk to he». Mrs. I'elder wua insulted, but Jo v as Htubhorn. " An' I can't Hay nuthin to 'er. Csji't talk to my own di*;;raced jrirl— " ** Ther' ye (fo '. Thet'ii the way ye'd (five It to her ! 1 don't want her t« Hem me ?" roared Jo, in iiirt tnrions anj;e'> Mrs. I''elder eowerud before th|rit>ti itnc e.\hibition uf Jo's temper and subsidfd. '* I'appie." whi-pered I'oUv, om day, '* what berama of— of —of.— that ler| ir '.' ' " What lottei. Doily r" " The one Lucien left when h^ went awiiy. " " I nev«r seed any letter, Do'/y. 1 don't know what ye in< an. Don't tAlk of It, baby, ' cried Jo, softly, oitl'nt; her handn .'ind trying to reom unconct/ned. *' What became of it '.'" oxolaimid Dolly, a feverish tliisn mouiitinfr into bur pale theoks. •' Didn't .lanet toll you ?'' '• No, J.met said nuthin' about a letter ner nuthin'. only liiet you woks up in a spell and fainted dead away.' " And you don't know wb/ he went away '.■'' Dolly asked, sadlv. At thiH moment Janet biistlod into the rooii', and Dolly imiuired what became of the letter. " What letter ?" responded Janet, stolidly. " Tne one you (.'ave me the morninsr after — after ho went away," answered J lolly, her voice chokint;. '* I put It away, please ma'ra. I wai afeared homeone 'U see it as hadn't ou(;ht to. Dolly 'rt eyes looked th.mkfully at the hoineiv J.iuet as Hhe aiLsweied, " That vMiH riirht ; brini; it to me now." While .lanet was :iwuy. Molly told the story of the niK'it of Lucien a diiapiiear- ance, of Ttunmv Watson's visit, and her conviction that lucien had s«en him wliiie he was in Ui^r roi^m. The letter wan bi ' iiirlit, and >lo, with wnlo open eyes, ■ciiiined the uneven lines which said fare well. " 1 xee it all now '" he exclaimed, " he lied no more to do with that murder than you < r 1." " Whai murder, I'appie''" gaspel 1 lolly. Jo saw he had committed himself, and with fear and treniblinf; e\|iluined thai Peter Ivlimner had been killed and that Lucien was suspected. "lledidut do It, I'appie ! I'm M sure -^%^^, DOLLY. •5 love beamatt. he tlowerii. it. liven h'» I talk to h«». , but Jo V as ,() 'er. Ck«'t rl-" the way yt" '1 It her t<» kk«uw )Uk'h (• a^iid I evttr aa; aich D"y« (••'111 ma anff > re th(hHtiinKa id subaulM. ullv. 00-5 day, •that left ir V ' whan ha went ter, 'Po'iy. 1 Do&'t Ulk of y, Ditt'Ok,' lier inconc«/necl. ';" (ixol«i'n''d iiMnjf Into hur et toll you V' ' about :« letter wok« up in a y.' r wb/ he went • [Urttl«id into the vhat be<'aii>e of )aded Janet, the m'>rninK ','• answered la'm. I was badii't ouKlit nkfuUv at the weied, " Th;it low.'' lolly told the •n s disaDpsiir V viiit, una hud luMii bun 1 he letter Wiift (Ic open even. hich aaid fare [Claimed, " he I murder than )ie*:"' gaapel himielt, and IvDluined that llled and tli;it 1 m Miure •H I'm aliTt he didn't. Oh, my Uod I my Uod '. what have I brought to him but luisery ! oh, Lucien, Luoien, oome back to ue I" Dolly'ii urief was terrible in ita ▼eheineuce. Vvbilo ahe weut ntid moaned ahe thought of the wron^ hia •liter did turn auo 1^ ciime about that the story ot Tommy Watson's thieTisb visit and its uwiul cnnsur|uences was never told. Jo coun»elied Dolly never to tell her mother, •nd Janet's tongue could have beeu drawn from hir mouth anl htiU her stern, •Scotcli, utubborn silence would have re- utaiued unbroken. CHAPTKK XXX IL ••tHS YOUNii WIDDKll UP TO KKt.OEri's." Nei'.rly two weeks had passed since the murder. No wiid had been heard jf I'UOien. ! 'oily had nevei been seen by the villHjrers mnoe the fateful night, and ttiey cominendeii her niodo''mbarr.iBsed, and it became currently reported that oo had "jist the same aa owned up that bis son-inluw was the msa tht-t did it." Soon this fet'lintr .>f shario was banished by the sense of Lucisa'a innocence, avid Jo felt it Ids duty t j lot hiH views bo known. (iuini; into the store ore day, his ear caught the drift of a ( isciission on tho muritH of the finding of tie coroner'ii jury. "I've heered," said one, "that tho footprints in the room t as jist the si/.e of l)t. Strange s boot, an if he'd bin any- body savin' Jo Fold ;r's son in law, tho clue 'd bin foUe.nd cluser'n t was. " Jo bridled wh a he heaid tins, and tap* ping tiio speaker ou the shoulder, re- marked : *' You kin come over an" measure it fer yerself. There's bin a do/.«n constablea un' dotoctueii tlier a'ready, an' none on 'em found the doctor's boots iihin an inch of the Bi>:e of the footmark in i'eter Klim- ner s room," The thoughtless wight crimsoned with shame when he found that Jo had heard his word:), but Jo was determined to have it out with him. " There's a heap of seiiseleHS talk about who killed Peter Klimner, an' I want you to understand that I don t believe it was Lucien .Strango us did it. He is gone an' can't speak ler hisseli, an' I don't know any more'n you do why he went away so ■uddun, lint I do kuow that he wa'n't tho kind ot a man to kill anybody for revenge er ter motiey. Ho mav hev bin murdered hiHself fer ail we know, ana X think its m dan^'ed shame to put hia wife an' me an' mother to blush fer him when none on yo has a better right to BUHpicioii him any rrtore 'n to suspicion Ketii lliU ovrr ther , er any of thi' rest oa TO, 'ci-iitin' that he's sone an' ham t come back. " " That's 80," responded a half-do/ea yoiceH. "He couldn't 'a' done It, fer be hi;d aa soft a heart as any man in this room, an' it wa n't fer money, cause he leit nigh six thoiiHand dollars of my money in mo safe thet he knowed was ther', an' he knowed I'd a gin him any amount bo wanted if he'd ust fer'u I say thur waa Butiiin happened him, an' when tho truth coires out, as it wdl some time, ye 11 find that Lucien had no more hand in it tnen we hed" At till! nument the dour opened and ^^^^>k. 86 DOLLY. the burly form of DatactiTa Hinker wm ■ven bunding ovor tha LMeuiiy cuunier. " llev ya neen Jo I'eldar 'round here T" he iiKJtiirad oi the «torekeaper. •'\as, I'm Jicre. Whai d'ya want?' aaid Jo, turning' round, with loud voica but BinkioK heur t. Without turther parley Sinkor drew from tiiM pocket ft piicUnt wrapped iii tirowii paper, and unfolded it on the counter. The loungern crowded around to ten tlie contnntB iif the parcel, and ub Jo turnetl them (ivrr, oiieby one, tbey watched his blanched face in iilence. " Thainlike Dully irmg," ha muttered, in a trenuilou« tone, " an' thet h lii^t watch, ni^'ii aa 1 kin ramaiiiber, au' tliem a doctor a instruinentt. lit.e he had. When; did yei find >in ? " he in(|iiired, huskily, pushing iiwav the blackened und greany object* beforK him. " Take a look at that poor critter out there, ' «aid ttia detective poiniing to the door, Willie ha atood ^uard over the trink- ets on the counter. A lean and jadeJ Imrie, tiad by a rope to the axle of u bugtry, Htood by the door, and, with the ready recognition wliuh farmarn ali have for horHca, a half do/.aii fxclaiiiied, "Thel'atho doctor's horae I" and Jo, with tremblini; handH, atroked tha poor hruta, muttering, " \'es, thet a Dixie, the horse 1 gived liim, poor crit- ter." The detective atood in the doorway viewing Joh diutraaalul recognition with a acif'Hatiatied awagger. " I guess the young feller'a done fer all right anutf," he exclaimed, putting the parcel in hid pncket; "there haint nuthin' more left uv 'im aept a tew unnea thet I'm got up town waitin' fer ideuterfercation." With a feariul thought of how all this would affect Dolly, Jo leaned against, the wheal of the buggy and wept, j.ven ttiu oiticioua and hardined detective waa touched by his mi>ery, and su^'gcated that he had better jome in and sit down while he heard the reiit of the story. Jo staggered into the atoro, and sitting on a box, hia face buried in his hands and ttiu taara tricklwikr between hia fingers, listened to the self satisfied and pompoua recital of the detective. "Yisterday a fellor came into town from Dickaon'a pine limit, thirty milea west aheto, an' reported that he'd found the remains of some feller thet bed bin struck ith libhtnin' and burned to a criap, an' the coroner an' me went out to look at the remaina." Fauaing to obaerva the efTtict on his audiancH, theaviaggenng detective took • fresh chew of tobacco, and < ontinued : " Vi9 found tha bones of a man an' thia ring an' watch aa' things on him, but thor wa'u't a stitch of clothin' nur nuthin' but I rubbed tiie black ott'u tiie watch an' B.iw 'L. S..' an' in a luiuit guasa'd it was the doctor. So I took the ring an' atull and hunted through the wooda an' found a bridle hangin' on a tree where iiis borne had pulled it off, an' pertv soon atruck the haddle hangin' 'oy a ntiriup to a tree \\ hura it'd got caught, an' then I found tlie horse browsin along of aoiiie rolts, an 1 fiitchad it all here far identarfer- c^ition. lie iieared to hev bin sittin' uiuier a tree by a firn when the lightnin' a^iuck him an' tlie timber, and burned bini up." ■' \\ her' d'ye say it waa?" queationad kson's limit, thirty miiu from here,'' answered Sinker, curtly, aa as he turned his meaty eyes on the ques- tioner. "Thet want in tlie direction the Doctor was, the ni;.'iit of the murder ; he was last aheard, down tothar Hide the m'ash," sug- geiited ttie mill. " Wall, iiK.bba ye know more about'n it than I do,»D'tl)«M, atrin. mabtiA you don't ; all I know is them's hit things, an' thet s tiiahor.'ie. anl^uesH whore one waa 'tather was too, ' sneeri'd Sinker, "1 haint disputiii' thet," apologi.^ed the man. " i waa only a wonderiu' how he got there!" " I haint sayin' how he got there, oer why, only thet ther he waa an' thar L found bim," Sinker r'itortad, aeverely, while he buttoned up hia ouat and pre* pared to go. "Come on, mister !" be said, touching Jo on the ahoulder, " I want to see if the doctor's miasua 11 identerfy tnem things ;" Jo sprang up, and, seizing the detective by the arm, begged him to refrain from further troubling Dolly, but in vain. " I must hoar wot wlie's got t'say afore i go back : thet's wot I was sent here fer." "Tliendun't tell her about how ye found them ; jist show her the watch an' ring, au 1 say nuthin' 'bout her iKLtliaud bein' burned ; it'd kill her, I know 'twill :" Sinker consented, and though Dolly begged bim to tell her where lie got them, he refused to explain. Jo did not have her that nigh«, till sue waa asleep, and he had told her nothing except that he waa nfr^dd that Lucien had been injured by a stroke of lightning. lie promised to go and Hae him next morn- ing, and after giving her a shaping draught he waited till the heavy eyelids drooped over her tear-stained ciieckH, and then ha hitched up his team and started for the town to arrange for the burial of the charred remaina of Dollys husband, DOLIA. 87 bim, but r authm' vatcli ko' I'd il WM ao' ttalk ,a' tiiuad liii horne ill uok ih« to a traw 1 I found line pulti, J«niarfer- jia xittin' liiCtitiiin' d burned lueitiooad jirty miio curtly, a« the quea- the Doctor hn wan laub I'asli," aug- 9 about'n it you diin't ; I. an' tbetH waa 'tattiar alogi.sed the ■in' how ha t there, oar an' thar [ . tevurely, t and pre- |r !" be Haid. I wank to terfy tnem ja detectiva lefrain from vain. ," I afore i go sre fer." It how ye watch an' \eT huHoaud I know luffh Dolly ^e i;otthetM, (h*. tiil *i>9 ier nothini; iLucien had liRhtnint<> Inexi morn- la sliepmg kvy eyehdii ^iiet'kH, and knd Htarted |e buri:il ot hr aat watchingr I)i>ily'i fair fiica ahf be.'an to WHep, and bar Boba awoke thr un(|uiet alaeper. '• What's the inaiter, mammy ?" cried Dolly. " Anythin;; about l.uciea ?" " I kaowed it ! I told vu so the tery niirht you as^eptfd ^hiin 't jeit the tauii na a wake that you'd he a wid- dtloRsly out from tiie little palo face, her motherly heart yearned for th«« poor grit^f-stricken child, and throwing her arms about har ) <>n ao, Dolly, " whimpered Mra. Felder. "It hed to come inaute a year anyhow ; ho it's jiat aa well the over an' done fer 't wun.'-t ruther'n after ye hed a bi? lam ly t' keer ter and yeraaif git tin ' "Tell me what you know' What's become of Lucien t Hu un't dead, I tell you ! I Raw him juat before 1 woke up. He a alive I 1 know it ! I know it !" " No he haint aliva nuther,' retorted Mra. Felder with rising tem])er, for i)olIy had shaken her most violently :— "He's dead an' all burned tna cinder by liiiht- nin', ail' Jo'a gone after what's left ot him!" Dolly did not. scream. Her hands fall nerveless into hei lajiw In the blue ey> h there cume a look of unutterable horror; the lipa, htriigKlintr in vain to whiaper a word, were whitu aud drawn titcbtly over her teeth, and her tongue refuaed itB otiica. .Mra. Felder h.id prepared heiRelf tor an outcry, for hTRtarica, and convulitiona, but thu atony, apei-chleaH apoiiy, terrihed her. " Dolly : Dolly ! I >olly ! spuak to me !' Rcreamad the mother, " Don't look at me that way! Oh, Lord, Lord! I va driv her out her mtud t Janet ! Janet I come 'jiiici: : Dully 'a gone out her mind ! liit the nabara, git a doctor, oh ' Lord I Lord I what havl did! what bev I did! what bav 1 did !" Thi-< wild outcry sounded in Doliy'a eara, but iia purport ^^ as unheedc d. " Where waa it m:immy ?" came alawty from tiia white, ri>:id lip*. Bounding as if Hpoken afar otf . Mra. Folder's screams ceased. Shu stared at Dolly and laughed hystericaliy. Dolly's uyes appealed to her for an answ er. " Twas up on Dickson's limit, and Lucien wai unacr a tree, an' the lightiuii' Htriick It an' burnt him up, saptin' hiB watch an' ring an lanuos an' thing's. Im bkaerad t' teli ya, i'oUy, it's so tar'ble. " Dolly's hands weri! uresced ti^'htly ov> r her eyes, ax if to shut out the terriiile Hii^ht. " Are you sure there cao't be a mistake ?" "No, Dolly, sartin, sure. Lefistwi.'e it's best jist aa It IB. " With a low wail of anifuish Dolly full back un bur pillow, aud wiieii cuoscious- neKS returned and her blue eyes opened and Haw her father's face bending over taer own, there was another new-made grave in the little burying-Kround by the church on the dide road and not twenty yardK away from a costly stone, which already recorded the virtueB of I'etor Klimner, the people pointed out the mound of brown earth "where Dootor Strang.^ H reinains was buried." The funeral was a sad one. The achol- ars who liad loved and feared tiiehauriity Bctiool-maxter wept over his grave. The cotlin was not opened, but tho chill terrors of death were never more painfully brought home to the p«oplo than when the clods rattled on the shell whicn the byitandnra felt cimtainud the remains of I'eter Klimner's luurdirer. I'nrson Meeker, in the funeral Rermon which lie de'ivered, had spoken of the wedding, ot the murder, ot the pride and power ot the dead, of the innnder-bult of God. wl.icli had stricken down ihu youii^ man and avenged aciiiuu. To .lu's tor tiired soul bespoke no comfort, i)ut pointed a warning' to tiioae who try to live " with . out God, having no ho|ic in the world," by recounting the miseri; wife of •81 DOLLY, ftnothrr, and yot in hiilonollncu bit heart bitd not •ofti-ned. His loii-in-law was diiboDoreii i>y auspicionand ttricken daud by the inifflity hand of Piovidance, and Btill thu "iiifudal " rafuied to bow hiH HtifT nui k to " the yoka which waa easy. ' Jo'h face waa buried in hi.i tianda ; tlie tears run down liis clieekii, and hin whole frame was anaUeii by hiH ini^'h^y grief, ThinkiiiK tiiat the time h^id oome when tliia brand ol sin was to o« Nniit'.-hcd from the burnintr, Parson .M«»iKer Krew still more perMUiul ami pointud in hut words. lu u voiod Kiirid and trembling wiili vx- citement and fervor, he cried : " ISrutiier- ing, I.e weupH but he don t repent ; the devil is u wtiiHperin' tu hint t' go on um ho ■« agoin', tliat ilio wu.xt ih over ; but 1 tell ye It ham t over ! Uis darter liex sick ■igh to death, un' if he dou't trive hia heart to Cj')d an' tersnke his untmlief an' atubborn sin, ahe'll be took from him, too, like the fust born was slum wlier the lintel aa° doorway wa'n't marked by the blood (it the iamb," Jo's liaiidi dropped from hia fact and the whit«-crown>-d head rust* grandly up. I'or ii moment hia honest eves blu/.ed with wrath, bofure wnich Purson Meeker quailed, and in his cuiiiu->ion lie announced a hymn, after which ho stumbled tbiough a prayer, and the coffin waa carried to the grave. It wat a funeral not to be forgotten. Parion Meeker'H warning had seemed a threat which many rexenied in theii heart- fitlt pity and admiration for the grief- ttricken J o. '' I'nh " Watson was enraged, and told Farson Meeker that he bud tiiWon a cowardly advantage of Jo Felder, and going home the miiiority condemned tho parson's cruel conduct, and hoped that ** the young widdder" might live to com- fort her tuiher K old ago. The d.sgrace which had fallen on Lucluu'k^lame, made the nHighbors loth to apeak it. i'hcy did not tiko to cull her Dolly i'elder, for ahu had been married, and when they tried to say Dolly Utranire or Mrs. Sfrance, the name choked tiiem. Thui it waH in delicate kindness and in aympathv tor her sorrows, they learned to siifak of her an " thu young wiader up to Felder'a." CHAPTER XXXin. HOMELESS IIOI'EI.KSK. Crash ! With the deafening ronr of tht thunder oanie anelectricshaitwhich smote amighiy pine, and acaic iiud the biuidiug lightning paled, beforu hame envJoped the tree and underbrush. Lucien's horHe roared with a wild siiori of '.ar, and then atood tremblintr in the little narrow, un- frequented rond. Half arousi>d from th* di7./.y trance into which he had fallen, the cry of " Lucien ! Lucien !" still ringing in biH ears, and the p oture of his wife s pnrhdy t>urning his brain, he oould not reali/e his position. l''<>r three hours hn hud ridden at a mad pace, and no. v was in the pine limits, on an unused timber ro.'id. 'riie tl.ixh of lightninsr which shiver- ed the tree and wa^ burniii'.; its splintered trunk, r>)vealed to him the hgurn of a man, prone on the K'i'ound, and as his aching eyes fieerud into the darkness he could still see the nrang from his saddle and lound a body burned Almost to a crisp. At once be recognized thn nselessness of an ntlort to do any- thing, and aH lie stood tra/ing at the char- red figure, in the bitterness ot his heart he wished it bad been bis fat- to die and leave tiie world, which for love s sake hn bail lost. His futu.-a life ! What would It be? Where was ho going? Dolly falif) and lost to him for over I Wringing hia hands and groaning aloud he stood and prayed the groat God of the atorm to strike him dead. Are dead ' Tne world was dead to hira, and he had told Dolly that tu h er he was dead. She could marry Tummy Watson, hu would return no more to trouble her. .Slowly he straightrned himself, and drawing hia case o( little instruments from ills pocket lie opened it and took out a lance. He would kill him-^clf. and then she would be free. He lo( ked at the charred eoruso, and the thought that hia body might lie for weeks in that lonely wood and be torn by hogs and deyouied by vulturoH, made his soul revolt at its own cowardice. Why not let thit man be supposed t* bo the Lucien Melroy Strange who that night had bani.ihed biinsclf from the world of home and love. Ha laughed aloud, his grating voica sounding dit< ordant and inhuman even in his owneara. He wtnt nearer to the blackened figure ; it even pleased him to see that it was the remains of a tall man. and pickini; up a tstiok found that hia ho.ght agreed with that of the hody. Hair and eyes and clothing were burned away. No one cuuld tuU the difference. Gathering aome coals be dropped his sur- gical ease betide the body and s.-iw it burn where the instruments would naturally tall had they been in the pocket of th* norpae ; then his watch— his fathers watch was dropped into another heap of coala and blackened by the smcke and tlamti. Had ue anything alte which DOLLY. from th* :\\»n, the riii(rm|f [)ia wifa * >uld not h'xim hn no A wan 1 timber •h ihiTpr- plintared of a miiD, ■ achiiii; ho could >, around n(j out — « of tho bim, iind tiiH horsa hesiiranf Jy burii«d ecognized » do any- t thn ohar- i tii:^ heart to (ii<* and I « Hake hrt lat WDtild Dolly falif* rin^inK hia utoo'l and I atortn to Tin world told Dolly luld marry retura do iRelf, and jtruments [d took out [, and then >d ikt tlin iit that hia i;it lonwlv da you I ad rolt at >ta this man In Melroy bani.tticd and lore. jQU voice iman even krfir to tlie lad him to tall Iran, lid tiiai !)!• the liody. TO burned litferfnce. id hiaiur- w It burn naturally jkut of til* fathei H ;her heap imck<> and lae wbiftU would Vm ioufrht as an identification ? The buttonii on hit coat : tliny too were cut otf and ilrop(>ed into tii« fire. Me cuuvbt at; -it of a nn(c on Ilia fiueer I i'c.liy wnuUi rcoom- uer tliut he woru it I lie took it from hia finder and ku^ed it. Iluw well ho re- memiiertd when aim (ravu it to him. The liieiiiiirieH of tiio paat ovf rp>>wered him aud ID hiH atrony )»• wept uloud. 1 hen came » b(miii« ol hia aliaine and wiuntTi and hf dropped thx riot; tjamdu tho ^haittly hand, winch by ihanco wna but p.irtly burned, 'i bat. would not do, lie iniiAt putitonthu tinL'er ; and stiMipiug down ha iilipped thu band of i(old oser tli'i cracklinif joiiita, and witli a halt cra/y lau(rh hu ntuud beaide thu body and bade it farvwrli. '■ iiucit-n Mclrov .Strung", adinu ! 'I'wio di^lionored, you are dead, and your lovely widow in now free to marry tlif luol ahe loves. Tlio fool ahe did not lovH aha ^Mll never ace aRain. My dear (t^Uow you ai'u in luck to ba dead, l-'ate ba^ bun nirainit you, and now tiia duvil ha^ vuii Hil to iiiinaelf. I' ar.:Wf>ll, 1 l\u;m you'll have a Imyi- tuniral and a iiand- hunw moiiuiiient ; your moinei'iii-iaw will enjoy ihc^xcitemont immeiiaely. Adieu, riaaaant liru.imH '" I>ay wua b'-cakinR:. the rain fallinpr in torrentH, and tiie wind biowing tiaicely. A littlt) bundle oi clotbeii ti<'d in a red handkerchief uttiactHd l.ucnaia atten- tion, and with a reckltM-^ laiicii hu ai-i7.<'d U and waa atartiiiK away when hia bti>ninir. To hia anra oamo JJoUy'a ory UH he rode away from hnr, " Lucien ! J.ucien I" 1I<^ uaHaed hi'* hand over hia forehead and atitred about him. I'lio charred body and tho glisteniutr ring were be fori) til in. " Tall her I'm dead, Dixie ; remnnbor me to I'appie and Mammy, You luik'bt say I was (jintn intimate vvitti her huaband onca, and that I knew hor too, but that docan't matter. Uo won't care. Good- bye, 1 >ixi«>, I mu'it leave. 1 have (luita a walk aiiead of me b»'twecn here ana no- where, ao I muat atart, or I won't »;ot there in time for bieakfaat. I'd untie you, l')ixio, only your inaMter may wako Up and want to ndo home." He atood haHitatinirlv by tba hoiaa, hia drippimr dotliea clint;ing to liiin, the Ijurn IDK' black tr cainps. and nortii- ward wiieru aa yet the uxo had acarca bei'U heaid. liocka and iiverit were nuth- int; to him ; watcbinir the huu, ha tiaid Ilia courbe, deviaiim; lor nothing, at >p|iinK never. \VhflU ni^dit eaiiie, tiu waa four- Hcure milea from the new hoiiai lo I'eldera- burif, with tho pretty furniture, and the blue ai^'ii with gilt letters on the ttoor Mvi'D DoUv would not liave reco^'m/ed hiir. HiH elothea were torn to ahieda, bia faoii :iad lianda ttcratched and tjiiiued aud encniated with dirt. While the auii could be Keen lie had hurried forward, wiih no aitu Have to iro northward aa cjuickly aa lto-aible ; now the l.tat ^'limiiier Had died' away, and he at >o'i looking holpla^aly at the aky with vacant eyea. lie bejan to cry, aud creeping under a wild irraiHiTino, Houuht to hide hinualt. At leuirth he Miept, his arm claa|>ad tightly about the trunk of a tree, and all niKht loiii; he waa bi 'i:ginGr Dolly to keep him from falling over a pruoipica In the morning ha opened hia buiiOlu and chewed aoma of the dried meat it contained, and put! on the dirty l>lua overaila and cbecKod ahirt, with a half dehnnd hope they would protect bim from tiie briara and bruab. Ilia bat waa now, hia bootH torn, and aa he walked and ran all day lonff, liia bruiaed and blurdinkr fe«t left many a bloody footprint on the rocKa, Aa ui^'ht came again he waa no longer atridin^' northward ; lame and tottartng,' ha waa ^.'roping in the dark, crying aoftly to hiinaelf, aud a-Hkiug the trera wtiare thev' thouu'hl I lolly waa. Hia trembling liinba rofuaed longer to aarry bun, and he lay down to aleep, aching m every l>nne. All diy tie had been in vain tryintr lo think ; hii could reinemtxtr notiiini;; hia bead ached and be waa faint and di//.y. Fortunately be bad talleii near a littla tradink' poat, and ne\t monuiiK waa found by a dog wDuho maater carried him to the littla houao of the pnaHt. In a week he waa batter, but nearh- a month had paaaed before he oould read tho nainea of the aainta printed on the cneap pictiirea on tho wall. Ah be gret\' atronger, he be- gan to remember, but it aeeinnd yeara ainop ho had aean Dolly. 1 he acene in the roo:i. behind hia othce, Tninniy Wat- aon kiasing DoUy'a handi— cume back IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V // // £p M^, y 1.0 I.I :f iii IIIIM IIIIM IIM |||m 40 12.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► V] <^ /a S: ei 'cM "l 7 /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 L irch, have My not son. Tell nd I'll see an hour The re- lem back I Kult of the paa- e boauti- rue, that yez Tilowly. bfloaatb UOLLY, 91 the lightiiinfj-Btrtcken tree has now no name but mine, and I have none but th'> one 1 take when 1 leave your door to meet mankind again." " You are wrone, my son,' cried the priest, '• Your wife is innocent of sm. I cannot explain, because I do not know, but sure I am as it I had a vision from heaven that yez have misjudered tier and wronpred her. Wasn't there any reason for the man's presence there except the wan that made the blood in your veins boil over and drown your reason ':" " Father Flynn, say no more ; you cantiot Dersuado me ; my whole beintr revolts at tne idea of returning to one I am convinced is false and heartless — but 1 love her, I love her, and would give my life to believe in her aprain and die with her hana in mine." " She is innocent, proud fool, your heart tells ye tbat. But the seeing of eomethinf; ye cauldn't understand has set your pride aloft and the uoor erirl '11 die srrievinjr for ye, while you run woild in the world tninking' she is false to ye. Listen to me, wayward boy. I've seen the v orld and read the face of guilt and heard the story ot woe in the confessional, as it is spoken to C^od n'tth me there only as the witness who shall chide and fix pen- ance, and I know yez aro wrong. The poor girl ioves ye as she only should love her God, and her only sin is that," Lucien turned wearily away, saying in a sullen way, " It's no use, I made up my mind when the circumstances were all be- fore me. and I could not have been mis- taken. 8peak of it no more ! Father Flynn was mortified and angry, as he retorted bitterly. " So yez have made up your moind, have ye? Well, then, I'jI tell ye thatyez'U repint of it in years of sorrow and remorse. Loike enough, now, the poor abused little crirl is aither slapeing under ground from gnef or 13 crying out her eves because her good- for-nottiine husband is away from her. If I knen- where yez belonged I'd go to her •nd tell her how that ye were aloive, and would coma back when your sinses re- turned." " Do no such thing!" cried Lucien. " She now thinks me dead, and rejoices in her liberty. Leave it to her ! I go forth tomorrow dead to her and happi- ness, to live the rest of my days in the wilderness, and may God spare me the misery of many years!" With a heavy Bi),'h the priest bade his guest De quiet, and after much good ad- vice, he promised to find him a place in a surveying party wbich was locating a line of the Canada I'aciuc railway through the mission and northwestward. A few mornings later Lucien bade fare- well to tke priest He thanked the good man for his kindnes>a, but his heart was not in his word.4 ; he was thinking of the past and confused hopes and fears wandered througti his mina. " You've been kind to me, Father Flynn, and saved a life which is of no use to anyone, but if ever I am happy aifain I will seek you out and chank you as 1 cannot now. *' Never moind," cried the priest, " such a moind as yours will never be haopy, so we may as well say good bye for ever. But if the heart yez have wethin ye ever Hottens, tro back and foind Dolly, and learn that she's been true. Adieu, and God bless ye !" The surveyors moved on, and through wilderness after wilderness they camped, until at last, in the far Nortliwest, tbey disbanded, and Lucien, who had made but one friend— an Indian— followed ivn to the tribe, and for three long years bade farewell to civilization. * chapter'xxxiv. THE BLUESUiN WITH THK GILT LETTERS 18 TAKEN DOWN— A NEW AKP.IVAU " Pappie, please take the sign off the door. Lucien will never come back," Dolly one day whispered, through her tears. " Yer right, Dolly ; it's iist as well to give up and start fresh, hain't it ? Id tuk tb.it sign in three months ago, only I thought mebbe you'd think I was 'shamed of Lucien, an' wanted to hide any trace of him. Still it looks queer on the door when he is dead and buried so long." " Does it seem to you that he is dead and buried, Pappie ?" Jo started when Dolly suddenly pro- pounded this question. " iNo, I'll be danged if 1 kin realize thet he's gone, even if Parson Meeker did preach his funeral an' give me tits." '* He seems to me to be livinE' and suf- fering,'' sobbed Dolly. " 1 feel it every moment. He reproaches me and wants to die. I see hinr every night." Jo was unscrewing tiie blue sign with the gilt letters, as she said this, and he dropped his hands into his coat pockets to warm them as he looked up at Dolly. "An' me too ! I've seen the poor mis- guided feller a hundred times, an' he's alius tiie same dull lookin', spiritless crit- ter." " Pappie ' he can't be dead, or you and I could not see him as we do — and just the same too ! One night I woke up just as I was calling ' Lucien ! Lucien !' in mv dream, and 1 heard ' Dolly ! Dolly ! Dolly !' three times— beard it when I was awake, too." !| DOLLY. •• Don't be thinkm' that, Dolly !" ■Ijrhed Jo aa he reiuined hit work, " I mnaaured 'the remftinB,' and they waa the bame height ax Lucien where hn stood under the verandah door the uight you au' me an' him all was meaaurea — " " Oh I'appie ! Paopie ! don't ! That waa the niccht be told ua about bia tint itnpreuaion of you and me when be oame to get the school," and Dolly dropped down on the floor and buried her face on her father's shoulder, Jo put down hia acrew-driver and tried to comfort ponr Dolly. '*i alius h(id a ter'ble queer feelin' about thet younf( feller from the firat. Dansr me if I wan't skeered of him and his But- UD way?. But poor feller he wat all rigtit at heart if he hedn't hed sich a head on him !" Kven in tears DoUv loved to talk of Lucien and recall the most minute de- taila of hia life in the old farm house. *• Wasn't he lovely, Pappie? So atefii and proud and unlike evervbody. He was the amartest man that ever came to Fel> deraburt:, wasn't he Pappie ''." " Yes, Dolly !" answered Jo, aa he laid the blue sitshen trot us in. It'a ter'- ble h.ird on me, but of course I kin atand it, as' fer's I'm consarnad; fer all thet, an' people wonderin' why you keep hid all the time, an' guessin' thet mehbe you've gone louny. An' nfbre'n thet, flow 'cin 1 help you through your trouble thet s a comin . an' you a-livin' here an' me alivin' ther' ?" *' MuDiiny, dear, aay no more about it. Until that is over I am going to stay tiero and see nobody. I do not cate what people aay ia the reason, I cannot and will not leave here until next summer. " And she didn't leave until the summer waa neai-ly gone, and her little baby girl was four montLs old. The birth and proper handling of the baby had been the cause of intense excite- ment and solicitude to Mrs. Felder. The matrons of the neighborhood had been kept well informed concerning the state of affairs, and everyone who had occasion to converse with Mrs. Falder found it im- possible to hear of anvthint,' but '* the ter'ble time she was expectin' of, with Dolly's approachin' trouble." During and after the event Mrs. Felder excelled her- self ingraphicdescription of the "trouble," and how disappointed she was thet it was a girl instead of a boy. " I've hed sich trouble with Dolly, thet I hed sot great store on hevin' a boy, but oi course It can t be helped as fer a I'm consarned, let bygones be bygones ! An' then the little critter is such a queer look- in' young mite. Her great black eyes never wink but look at ye so meanin' an' steady an' unbiiakm', jiatlike its father's did, an' I can't fer the life uv me look at the poor little thing 'ithout tbinkin' uv the ter'ble end Looshen come to, an' a draggin uv the hull family down with him, too, fer of conrse ao far'a I'm con sarned I can't hold up my head like I used to, though it hain't no fault uv mine, as everybody knows. But aa fer'a Dolly 'a conaarned, it's been a good thing DOLLY. 93 fer her, poor, feeble thin^r tliet she's grot to be by ?rievin' over the way Looahen car- ried on. The minit I giyed her the baby an' Bhe looked at it, nhe cried an' Hnid it wns the ima^e of Lonihen. an' now her and Joel Ritiookin' at it and a-aayin' to one another the ter'bleit nilly stuff about Its eves and the 'xpression of Looshen and Its * hawtoor " of manner; Joei's pone clean sillv, an' tends to nuthin' but Dolly an' tnet blaokeved haby thet makes me want t' cry whenever I loolt at it, with its mournful e3°es thet alius snemH nRld tinge which ii se^n in an ember tliat a putf of wind will brirrhten into a burnintf coal. Tommy wai startled at Malon'a intensity and watched bia companion sharply while in silence thev jogged along. Every now and then Ma!on rubbed his hands on the knees of his pant- aloons as if to wipe otf some moisture, and the brutal up-i would irrow livid as some thouG;bt passed through bis tluggit^h brain. The bottle was again produced. V'hile holding it up to his lips Maloii shivered, and passed tlie fiask to Tommy, while with the lines between his knees he open ed a blade of lus knife and cleaned iiia finger nails. Ttie bottle was passed back, and Malon ftuished its coiiients. Tnen thu now Hilarious Tommy un(]uired liow it was tbut Malnn was devoting so much atten- tion to his finf;er nails and pursonitl ap- pearance— "Going to call on tne lovely Mrs. Strange on your way home meboe :' The dull eyes blazed into a reddening, scorching liirht, and as Malon turned towards Tummy the latter felt an almost irresistible impulse to j-itnp out of the biitrgy. "Don't be so smart." snarl- ad Malon, but even while he spoke he glanced uneasily at his hands, and tried to keep tiien» out of si<.'ht "What the do you see the matter of my hands ':" Tommy ausured him that tie had noticed oothing, and was only joking at them because he had noticed him rubbing them and cleaning the nails, "Dont bo so smart. I tell ye," roared Malon, " you didn't see nutinn' of the kind, and for two cents I'd thump the stutlinout'n ye." Tommy was thoroughly frightened and after apologising profuseiy wanted to get •ut and walk, but this incensed Malon •till fiirtder. Seizing Tommy's arm, he soared : " iou would, hey ! Git out and walk, hey! an' then swear that I th'owed y»u out because you saw ma rubi. n' blood — 'er— 'er some aich stuff ofi'n my hands ? Not by a — sit* ! You didn't notice authin' the mattar of me, now did ye, even it you had to swear to it ?" lummy swore again that he was only 2»king, and began talking of something 4^8e. Malon relapsed into the sullen •iletace which was his chief characteristifi. He was a tali, muscular man, in every sen^e ooarse. His dark ikin was rough and scaly, his hair a coarse, lusterless black, his lontr moustache bristling, black and uneven. Physically » well-built man, with coarsely even features and rough, hairy hands, Malon Klimner waa repulsive to the majority of men and women. Yet he had a mas- terful way and a brutal, unbending will, wl< h made him a force in the Felders- buig district. "You've irottergoinansettle fer usboth andtelltheaquirutogodown^ndgittheold man to siirn us a pauer ttraigiit'niu' ttiis hull bigness. I'll wait at the tavern, an' you kin come there while the squire la goin' after the old man's receipt." Willie Malon gave these ditecttons the gleam in bis sullen eyes warned Tommy to ask no (questions. An nour later tiiey were on their way home from the village with the matter all fixed. Tommy was not as drunk as Malon but much more noisy, "If it had'nt been ferttiat smart ^leuk of a doctor tiiere'd never bin a word said about our scrape. The squire aed so 1" cried Tommy, witti an oath. •' Let's lay fer'm some night," suggest- ed Malon, turnin? to Tommy and look- itiar him squarelv in the face. The red gloam in Malon's eyea frisrhtened Tommy, but with a forced laugh, tie asked : "What fer?" "Hell!" roared Malnn, "What fer? T'kiss him of course, I want ter shake hands and make it up 'ith'm. Why, to kill him, curse his eyes— an' then I'd marry the widder. Ynu don't care about her now, do you'/ an' if ve did ye couldn't hev 'er !" " If she wna a widder ter-morrer she wouldn't tech either of ua with a ten-toot pole. The hne-haired doctor has spiled her fer any country buck, you km bet on that !" answered Tommy, who began to fear that Malon intended to lay in wait for Doctor Strange. "Not ter-morrer, mebhe not, b'ut five \r from ter-morrer, if she d bin a widder. lo'd fert;it him and take me, 'er I'm a liar— an' T'd wait thet long fer her too, by As liespoke Mulonwas leaniner forward, bis elbows on tiia knees, his face turned to Tommy, darkened by a look of min- gled lust and hatred, which blended into a ferocious leer. Malon's concluding oaths were mistaken by his horse for a command to stop, and stop he did so suddenly that Malon lurched forward and nearly tell out of the buggy< In a fnehtful rage Malon seized the whip, and till hia arm was weary lushed his horse and awore most awful oaths that he'd "learn the — critter to keep a gcin' " till he told it to stop. Tommy had never before seen this phase of Malon's character, and as he re- membered that 'Kene had been the com- panion of this brute for the past six months and considered herself engaged to him, he cualdn't underatand why Maloo unbendiofr will, D the Felders- jettle fer usboth nsQiigrittheold ;aignt'aiu' Ui'u it at the taverD, iile the squire la Bceipt." ) diiectluna the ramed Tommy I on their way h tlie matter all aa druak as sy. itsmartaleukof )in a word said squire sed lo !" h. liRht," smrpest- my and look- face. The red itened Tommy, ) a«ked : 1, "What fer? K'ant ter shake vm. Why, to —an' then I'd on't care about did ye couldn't ter-morrer she tb a ten-toot has spiled ou km bet on who began to lay in wait not, but five bin a widder. me, 'er I'm a fer her too, by miner for ward, face turned look of min- blended into eluding oath& or aconimaud uddenly that nearly fell risrhtful rage till hia arm and swore "learn the agoia'" till seen this and as he re- len the oom- :he past six f engaged to why Malon ;or DOLL\ 96 should avow his passion for Dolly and sbow off the worst side of his tamper. Ihe same thr|ight was in Malon • mmd. "Of course," said he, with a leer, "it won't make no .difference atwixt me an' Kene 1" Tommy said, "I s'pogenot,"' and then tboueht if he could prev:iil with his gJHter it would make a good deal of difference. They had nd. lie wore good clotnes, fashionably made, and when he took Sadie out for a drive, kid gloves encased hisbiawny hands. He was rich— as riches go in a country place —Worth forty or fifty thousand dollars— and could afford to put on style. The neisrhbors laughed at first when he was putting on airs, but they knew better than to fcmile in his tace. He knew ne was awkward knd clumsy, but Sadie told him he would soon get over it. She often noard him tear the well-fittine coat from hn bank and throw it on the bed with n resounding curse, but he persevered. Even when he grew uccuatomed to bm faatiionabie Grarments, he found his words and actions were still as coar.se anu cluinay as evor. Sadie a.ssured him that if ne went out more, attended church and temperance societies, he would learn to be easier in hia manner. He tried it, and took Sadie with him. He actually helped his sister to alitrht from the buggy ; formeily it had been his custom lo let her scramble out as best she could. He took his sister on a visit to distant friends, and while away learned to take off his hat and bow. He practised it on everybody i;? met. and was considered quite courtly. Stdl he waa clumsy, and did not know what to do or how to do it. Sadie suggested a term at a commercial college, and to a business college he went, and every nitrnt he sat on a front seat at a tneater, learning from the actors how to deport himself. His contact with tba world champed his exterior wonderfully, and on his return home he was welcomed as the rural Chesterfield. He announced his intention of running for the reevaahip of the township, and at the revival which bad just commenced he joined the church, much to everyone's surprise. Parson -Meeker was quite overcome with joy, and, rising to his feet, gave thanks that anottier brana had been snatched from the burning. He spoke with emo- tion of how Malon's heart had been soft- ened by the affliction uf losing bis father, and foretold that the young man would prove a btight and shining light and a city aet upon a hill. DOLLY. MaIod'i f ao« HuBhed as the paraon ipoke, and into bin luUen ey«i cunie the ted flitAVa whiuti made hii face doubly viUuin- »\ii in exproBHion. Ha wait wcniderini? vhat "theyounir wiry girl down by the rivt r, and ha slipped thioiik'h tha orchard ana met *' the young widder, ' of whom he hatl dreamed for years, face to face, He had thought of liur as lovely, but her beauty overwhelmed hiin ; bis old awkwardnesacame back, histtnigue was stiff and his hands trembled ; thn sullen black eyes could not look into tho pure face before him, and with downcast look and half averted face, he stammered that he had long desired to tell her that he did not believe her husband hid killed bis father, Dolly was a woman now, magnificuntly beautiful. Like her father, she had a pure, noble face, which made one do reverence to the tair woman, who seemed untainted by the devices and deceit!* of the world. Still robed in black, her graceful hgure was voluptuous and shapely, her hair was tied in heavy bands around her head, and in tha liright wondering eyes there still lingered the cocuetry uf old. "I tliank you," she answered, quietly, "for taking the trouble to tell me, but 1 did not imagine for a moment that you or any other person of ordinary aenae could ■uppoae Dr. Strange guilty of aucb a crime." " Uf course, of course !" stammered Malon, hastily, "but I've bin tryin' to live a different life, and thought it'd be right fer me to come an' say what I've Bed, particularly on your account, au'you left as ye be." While Malon's faltering tongue was framing excuses for bis intruaion, Dolly watched his face and downcast ayea. Little May atood on the rustic seat, cling< ing to her mamma's arm, and staring with wonder and alarm at tne visitor. The silence was awkward, and Malon, muttering some commonplace, laiaed his hat and bis eyes to a.iy farewell. The sullen eyes, like molten blackness, were turned toward Dolly and caught the won- dering look in her face ; the blood rushed to his cheek, and his eyes dilating seemed like a blur of macnetic light, from which she could not avert her gaze. " Well ! Good-day ! I couldn't expect you to thank me, but I've tried to be worth thankin'. I know you hate me be- cause the doctor did, but I've cl anged Bin:e then, an' know I was in the wrong." " i'leaae don't speak of the past! It haa been aad enough, and amidat all our sorrows 1 can forgive everyone," answered Dolly, mournfully dropping her eyes, aa •he rai'^ed Mar in her arms and turned towarda the house. A strange sonse of having gained a step DOLLY. 97 throrgh tb^ >n Raw Dolly the rivtr, and .'hard anU met whom he had iCe to face, iT as lovely, lelmed hiiii ; nek, liiBtoiifrun trembled ; the i luolc into the with downcast he Htammered to tell her that and hid killed , mai,'niiiceDtly she had a pure, a do reverence ined untainted of thn world, graceful figure y, her hair was 1 her head, and ^ei there stili 1. vered, quietly, tell me, but I ent that you or ity senae could .ilty of such » stammered ve bin tryin' to thought it'd b« say what I'va ccount, au' you tongue was itruiion, Dolly owncast eyei. ic seat, clinK' and stariner tba visitor, and Malon, le, laised hia farewell. The [lackness, were iMght the won- le blood rushed ]ilatin|j^ seemed from which Wouldn't expect le tried to be |)u hate me be- I've cl an$;ed kn the wrong. " the past ! It jimidst all our |ne," answered her eyes, aa lis and turned gain«d a step i iipelled Malon to prflsi the supposed aivuutaf^e. " I hope," he said, in the measurcMl tones of racit^.tl, "that \ou do not fet-1 iiDfrry at mr, because misfortune an — au' trouble Cf.me to both ot us lo onc't, au' |)eo]jle— an' folks kinder connected the iv.0, while I would uv ^(ive my risrhi hand tu uv sheltered ye from sicti talk !" Into the deep blue of Dolly's eves came a look of greater wimder, nnci then — when the insinuating and protecting tone jarred on her ear — it was fol- lowed by the gathering' of the deli cate eyt^browB into a trown of utter c'onteuipt. Malons eyes fell, but in his desperate endeavor to prolong the interview until he had said all that for years he had bren learning tn sav when first he should meet i>olly, he leaned to- wards little May, and with his finger touched her under the chin. With a shriek of fear and rasre the little copy of bar father clutched her mamma's neck with both arms.Bcreammg the wliile : " Tate 'im away ! Tate ze nessy man away 1" Dolly, glad to find an excuse for anger, glared at Malon for an instant while she comforted May. " Be kind enough not to t uch her She dislikes strangers and seems to recognize her father's enemies." Dolly swept past him with the dienity of an insulted queen. May clinging to her neck and crying soornfuUy, "We don' 'ike 'e nassy man, do us, niommie ?'' " No, we do not like the ' nassy man,'" »aid Dolly, soothingly. But as she spoke she glanced over har shoulder to see if Malon was n^ar enough to hear, and the motion was unintentionally as coquettish an were the frolics of the yeais before she met Lucien, Had Malon smiled into her face as she turned she mitrht have changed her opinion of him. Instead, she saw in the sullen eyes the dull-red gleam of the coal being fanned into a blaze. It spoke a volume of hate, and she knew that the hate was for her baby and aha was doubly insulted and enraged. Without another word he strode hastily to the road, and springine over the fence rode homeward at a break-neck pace. It anyone had seen Malon at eight o'clock that night, as he walked yiciously up and down his room, drinking frequent ly and deeply from a black bottle, the ntory that Parson Meeker's pet was drinking himself to death would have gained ground. It was the same every night, not a sleep but a drunken torpor from which, unrefreshed, he awoke to Ltay the fever of hii thirst with more whiskey. CHArTER XXXVIL malon'h lovk-making. Next morning Malon was ill. liis hard drinking had bi ought on a fever, through wiiicti kSadie nursed him nio^t teiiuerly. Two weeks later, weak and spiritless, he lav gu/.ing vacantly at the chintz cur- tains over the window. His big hairy hand fell nerveless on the counterpane, and the swarthy, unshaven face was as nearly melancholy as the face of a bruto can ever be. Sadie sat beside him, reading aloud from a newspaper. " Do you know, liOn,' she cried, throwini^ the paper on the floor, "that Jo J'elder has lost twelve thous- and dollars by somebody runuin,' away ?" " No V" interrot'ated Malon, with great interest. " Yes. 'Rene told me last uiirht, and she said she guessed it'd bring Mrs. Dolly dou n off iier high horse if Jo had to sell his farm to pay it !" *• I wish he would," cried Malon. '* I wish they'd git throwed into the road, an' then the young widder'd listen to D'ason an' have me.' " Why, Lon Klininer ! are you still in love with Dolly?"excUimed Sadie, looking wondeiingly at her brother. " I thought you truve that up when she got married? '' *' No, ner never will. I'mgunto marry her, an' if ye hcdn't bin a fool you might ev kiiow'd what I was a diessin' up fer, an' jiniu' the ineetin', an' tryin' to be the head man fer I' cried Malon, contemptu- ously. "I thought y' understood all the time." Sadii? was regarding him with a look of mingled admiration and fear. "And you never meant to be good only to please her ?" she said, halt aloud, as if commun- ing with herself. " Don't preach to me ; that old fool of a Meeker's done enough of that. If you let him in here again with his ' passages of scripter' and hia 'word of prayer.' I'll smash his head, I will -• " roared Malon with such vigorous oaths that Sadie rose to go. " Sit aown, damn it 1" Malon continued, pointintr with sweat-covered and trembl- ing hand to the chair from which Sadie had ritien. She resumed her scat, and with her little handa folded in her lap, listened to waat tier worthy brcthor had to say. "You know'd I waa after Dolly, didn't ye, now?" he demanded. "No, I didn't! You ought to be ashamed, wanting to marry her when people think her husband murdered our own father." " I don't believe he did, an'you've said a hundred times you don't believe it your- wss, n DOLLY ■elf, but what'd I cnre even if he did ; it wa4 crood riddanoe anyhow, an' y room 'Kene Whitefoot. nuo Watson, wan listening. During Malou's illness she had often .>bt with liim, and while he was gecting better she Mattered lierielf that she at last had won his heart. In the three years sinco her marriage she had sacrificed tier honor and happinesp for Malon Ivlimner and hi« growing popularity and refinement had increased her pussion for the black-eyed and overbearing man who had so cruelly jilted her three years before. The revela- tion of hia unchanged love for Dolly was a new pang to her, and as stie heard Malon's plan, she smiled in a hateful way and knocked at the door. Sadie's face was tearitained, and Malon glared unmvitingly.as'Kene enter- ed. Mrs. Whitefoot was self-possess- od and even jolly. "I'm afraid you have been scolding Sadie ! She's been crying, and you look as cross as a, sick bear !" "None of your business," snorted Maion, as he turned his face to the wall. Mrs. Whitetoot's face flushed crimson, but she held her temper and took no notice of Malon'a insult, except to re- mark : " What a pleasant temper your brother haa ! He must be getting better. People are aw ays cross while convalescent !" " Yes, he's as cross as a bear," tiighed Sadie; "let's leave him alone !" An hour later 'Rene knocked at Jo Felder's door, and Dolly met her face to face, for the first time since the night of the housewarming. " Dolly." be^an 'Rene, " I cam* to do you a favor. Come into the sitting-room DOLLY. kllcod about ani d oy the lUKKt'*- ; him in hormr. e a fool I (io aa' (lered M»l'>P. led the tretnblinif , LoD ! don t imk ler and tell a lie. Krorse, I know 1 )! I'd do aH much I had anybody ye ? Say yee or no, I can't !" Bobbed n on the bed he- ld petted her. He ins: and be a real v.and he'd be Rond lid jjive LioUy tho So he cajoled tlie le promised to co [nre the left hi to e was to say, and word and motion, ^laliin'^ room 'Keae ion, waa listening. « ( do right. Without confessinflf her new paHSion lor Malon, siie told Dolly the plot Btie had overhf ard, and warned her to be- ware of Sadie's niissioo. Thoroughly frightened by'Kene'n story, Dolly listened in silence. When '{{cue cesHfd she extorted a promise from Dollv that she would never say a word aouut thq source of her information, and then, with a habty embrace, Mrs. Whitefoot was done. Dolly could eoarco believe her ears, and yet 'Kene'e knowledge ot Malon's vi^it •ad his dislike of little May made it im- possible to doubt her story. It was nearly eicrbt oclock when Sadie Kliinner tied her pony at Jo Kelders gate and timidly walked up to the verandah and spoke to Dully. The knowledge of her mission made Dolly doubly cold and formal, and the sense uf Kuilt was friglit- eiunx Sadie almost out of her wits, DuUv'b honest blue eyes looked ttraifrht into the dark, luminous eyes of her visi- tor, and Sadie was dumb. Little May came running forward, and climbing on a chair, looked into the visitor's face with that quesiioninK look wfiich reminded everyone of her father. The awkward silence was broken by iSadie. " Lon asked me to come ! He's been sick ever since he spoke to you in the orchard, and he wanted me to bring you to see him. He loves you, and is longing to See you, I — 1 — I hope you will come." Dolly pitied Sadie, but her anger got the better of her pity. " Tell your brother that if he were dying I would not go and see him. I dis- like him, and believe be ii a villain in spite of his good professions. I am ashamed to see you acting as his tool ; you at least ought to be above that !" Dolly's scornful voice and her abrupt refusal to visit Malon astanishsd Sadie, who had feared that Dolly's good nature would have induced her to accom- pany her. Little May was watching both taces with childish intentness : "S'e aint a nassy 'ooman, mommie ! ko 'ubly auntie, inommie ! May 'ikes 'e new auntie !" Sadie glanced at the little tace and began to cry. Bending down to kiss the child Sadie found a pair of baby arms twined around berneck : " May de 'uvea oo' not nasKy 'ooman, U oo', don' ky 00 ?" "Yes, 1 am a navty woman," sobbed Sadie, " I don't doserye that you should like me!" Uising up Sadie looked tearfully at Dolly and asked to be forgiven if she bad done any harm. " I didn't want to come, but Lon mado me do it! He thinks and talks of nobody but you; his love for you at least is sincere." " \'ery I " answeri d Dolly, scornfully, " So sincere that he trio^i to get nie to visit liini 80 that he can uount of it through tfie village and get his name coupled with mine. Never. rveHulforcd once, but I learned the lesson, and cannot be placed in a fuUe position ag.iin. 1 hate and despise your brothur, and you are welcome to tell him so ; the rest ot my life shall be devoted to my kabv, and be IS doubly hateful when he tries to intrude himself here. ' Poor Sadie could say no more, and without even "goodnight" ran down the steps to the gate. Tears of shame roiled down her cheeks us siio drove home, but when she entered Mulon 8 r./om to tell him the result of her visit she tkw into a furious temper. "Fool :" she cried, "you got nie insult- ed and covered with shame '. She spurn- ed your love, and said if you were dyine she wouldn't look at you. She told me to tell you that she hates the sight of you. She knew at once that you wanted to get her talked about for coming to see you, and says you are a dirty villain, in spite of all your pious professions ! And you are, and I could die of shame for this day's work. " Malon was sitting bolt upright in bed. His face clean shaven— in hope of Doily coming— grew white with disappoint* ment, then reddened with shame, as Sadie heaped Dolly's scorn upon him. The sul- len eyes gleamed red, and the hairy hands reached out and clutched Sadie's dross. •' Did she say that'/ Jist as you've said it ? Them very words V " " Yes, every word, and the way she said it was more than what she said," re- torted Sadie. '• Then, by . I'll kill her !" With these words Malon sprang from the bed, the pictuie of a madman, and taking some garments from a hooK began to dress hiiuself, his hands trembling; and his knees knocking together, with weak- ness. Sadie fled screaming from the room, and her cries brought her mother, who forced Malon to go back to bed. "Gimme some whisky, then, quick ! My head is bursting !" 'To quiet him his mother gave him his bottle, and after a long draught he banded it back— empty. 100 DOLLY, ** Th» key of the barn celUr i« in my p.'intg pockel. (io nod fill thnl bottle to onc't.' " Malon I Mnlon I YodVo killing vor- ■elf witn drink," cntiMtt'd his motlim. "Sliettip, or I'll smuKti yon on tlio haad with thH txitlo. (Jo when 1 till you, and g" damn <|Uirk ' ' She xwrt. and .ijfaiii Miilon, alieady drunk, miLxlifd dMoc-y, und Hi ihi- morn- ins liiul r«'lai noil ii.io i\ raKini.' fnvei, irotn vsliicl: lio (lid not rocover for many davH. When Ui ill V he;iid oi Malon's ri'lajis'' sill' riid iioi l.now th.it It, wan c.niied by whisky and raL'o, and h>'r eeiitlo heart WU8 trcubluil li Ki •lie liiid b«en too nevero. Wliensiu) CDnMuiied Jo ahout it lie Dattod her 'III the check and iiikL-d hir if sho renii'mbcrod imk nipht. he and i.uci'^n had the talk about instinct and re;i>olly. Stick to it this time an' don't let the critter como ni(;h ye. Ile'a a bad one, the very worst thet'ii made, in my opinion, an' he'll be found <'Ut yet, Ki-e if lie don't." Still Dolly's heart was a httln softened towards Malon. No woman is without vanity that she cunriot enjoy the seiisa- tioii of pride which comes with a senae o( power over a stroni,' man. She bepan to teel loriy that it was impossible for Malon ever to be hapny. CHAPTER XXXVIIL Foil HIS HONOU'S SAKE. Five or six hundred yards in advance of a company of United Stuteu cavalry, an Indian and a white man aro riding wanly nloncr. It woula be dithcult to tell at a (rliincR the white ii:an trom the Indian, but the macrn ficent proportions of the horseman and the white brow beneath the broad brimmed hat revealed » better birth than thitt of the Sioux beside him. In the three and a half years which had elapsed eiace his flight from FelderHburg, Lucien Strange bad never vmited either village or town. For three years he had lived in Wyoming or Montana, and now he and the Indian, who became his friend while they together carried a surveyor's chain in the Northwest, wore guiding a company of troops toward a hostile Indian camp. The camp was captured, but several soldiers were wounded. Lucien's ready skill in dressing the wounds attracted the captain's attention and the scout was pressed to return with the company to nurse the Aick. Lucien had greatly changed; the free life he had led devel- oped hit pbvsique, until he was a giant in ■tiength. His magnificent figure, and darkly denant tacf, together with an air < f proud reserve and complete lelfposHr* Sion, made him the hero of the cla>it with whom tifi lived. He sehh'in spoke, and do oiii- knew whence h« came. Ilia strengti and >kill made him respected, and "hiir Antoiiie " had the reputation of being th» bravest and most reckliHS man in the ter ritoriea. Always seeking danger, harm never befel him. 'J'he oantain eiideavcir ed to tilk to Big Autoine as the troop went back to the tort, but got nothing for h:s piinii, "Yon are a doctor," axserted the ofRcpr confidentially. " Indeed. ' answered Lucien, coldly. " Yes, indeed ; and a skilful one, too. I wonder that you live as you do?" 'J'o this lucien made no answer, and the otlicer quit, in di«gu*t, the attempt to con- veiHii with the taciturn guide. At the fort I.ucicn and nis companion remained over niu'lit before sfirting back to the lonely rattle ranche whence they had been taken by the captain as guides. A mail had just arrived and Heveral New York papeis were within hin reach. The imonise to read and see what wat goiair no in the great world from which he had tied wai irresistible. liviiig in the strong sunlight, his head pillovved on his saddle, his loner black hair and beara and the wide hat almost burivng his face, he read the head- ings of th3 articles and scanned the tele- graphic news with a dim, hnlf-formed wisii that he might see something with a familiar look. Thoughts of the old life canio cr )wding into his mind, and he read witn feverish interest the scraps of iieW'i. At last his eye caught an article headed thus : A STRANGE STORY, A LARGE KOUTLNK LEFT BY A.N ALLEGED MURDKREll AND FORUER. From tho Star. Application was made yesterday in tho probate court for letters of administratiou of the estate of one Lucien Melroy Strange, said U) bo deceased and intestate. The ap- plication is made by Forney 'W'. Choatc. who is brother in-law of deceased. The estate amounts to over 9-(iO.UUO. The history of young Strange, to whom this properly belonged, is a continuous record of crime. His father died when he was young, leaving him in charge of his mother, who was passionafjly fond of hi'ni, and spoiled her boy. as many mothers do. by being over indulgent. When she died her son produced a will leaving nearly the whole of her property to him, but Forney 'W. Choate, his brother-in-law. was the custodian of the true will, which divided the estate between young Strange and )u» sister. The wills were tested in the court, and Cboate'a will was cstablishbd and by inference the other one declared a forgery. ether witli »n air ipl-'te leK-tiotKF* of tlie cla^it with l<'inipoke, and no II*. ilia itreDfit I lected, and "l^iir .'itum of beinK the *■ man in the ter iiR diiTiger, harm lantain endeavnr me ai thn tmop jt got iiotbint; for tfsertcd tht ofKcFT Lncien, coldly, skilful one, too. I you do ?" loaniwer, and the he attempt to con- B-uido. At the fort i>n remiuned over ack to the lonely ey had been taken lea. A mail hud \ew Yorkpapei* The impiilii* to I (rointr on in th^ h he had tied wai !• Htrontr nunlisht, is saddle, hit luntr ftnd the wide hat lie rerkd the head- Hoanned the tfle- dim, hnlf-foriiied f)omathing> with ^ ta of the old life mind, and he read ■crttjii of new«. article headed STORY, BY AN ALLEGED ORUKIb yesterday in tho of administration n Melroy Strange, ntustate, Tho ap- irney W. Choate, f decuased. The (lO.UOO. trauge, to whorn ia a continuous ler died when he in charge of his at'jly fond of hi'iii, lanv mothers do. VVhen she died laving nearly the him, but Forney in-lavr. was the ,11, which divided Strange and hi» jtftd in the court, itablished and by iclared a forgery. DOLLY. 101 Foiled In his attomnt to defraud hia sister and lier husband, he left tlu; town, refusing 10 touch tho share which was iightfully its. It wan invcHtcd for him liy tho trusirta _it(T lyiiiK in the bunk for yciirn, and ii now nearly ii miartor of a million dollars. ,\iti'r leaving here ho went to t'linadu, ifrudiiaird in medicine, married tho hollo jf liiu viUiigo wlKiro ho settled, liroko her lieiirt with hn violence and ubuHO, robbed tin fiuhei'ln law of a largo sum, mur- iireil a man nuiiiod I'ctcr Klimncr. Ii'iaiise ho had struck him oncu in n uiiiiikun brnwl, and fled. Uetribiitlon, sowfVir, came quickly, and tho very night jltlie murder tlio cowardly a.iHaasm wa.s itriick dead by lightning whilo escaping hioiiKb tho woods, and burned to a cinder. riie awful news of her hushand'.i crime ind tragic end killed Strange's wife, and Jilts left tho estate in its present condition. The application was made very quietly, ind it was bv niere>4t chance that tho 8iar eDiirlcr got nold of tho facts, as the family IS a very old and honorable one, and fed eeiily tho disgrace which has br«n roiignt on their name by the young scallu- As?, who died throe years and a half ago. Ai Luoten read, ha shoved his hat back in hii head and rubbed tiis eyea, as if to iwaken himself from a dream. He a murderer !" Dolly dead ! His scoun- Irelly brotbar-in-law trying to tret hold of iia estate ! His brain, benumbed by tha orce ot the news, could not grasp at first ioy one point. Dolly's death began to iicture itself in his mind, aud turning irone on hia face, he lay upon the ground, IIS bead resting on his arms. Night camo iDd his Sioux companion asked him to lave somethins to eat, but was roughly bakea off. At last he rose ti> his leet, ad strode ap and down the little parade round. Dully was dead, and it was nu oDger a kindness to her for him ta con- eal the fact tliat he was alive. He would :oand keep his brother-in-iaw from seiz- ng the money— And be arrested for mur- ier!— was the awful thouifhtwhicbflashed brough his mind. He must go back and lear his reputation from that blot ! 'Perhaps," thought he, " it may be like He forgery case, and I will be hung for a time of which I am innocent." Stoppincr n bis hurried walk, he called the 8ioux Dd bade him saddle the horses. He had letermined to go back to Feldersbur^ nd hunt down the murderer of Peter vlimner. He must free his name from iiat stigma, and then he would see that Ik smart brother-in-law was not permit- ed to touch a cent of the money whicl '; i oveted. ile had no looner made this resolve ban he hurried to the captain's quarters. "Captian,"heBaid, "You desired ti> le friendly with ma and I refused. I re- )«nt of my refiual, for now I need a tiend." " All right, old fallow," cried the cap- tain, goudnaturedly. "I'm triad voii've boftened down ; what can 1 do for vou? ' \ ou remuii.ber the ranch where you met ma up on the Little Hor-e river 't N\ ell tiiat IS mine, and I have three or four thousand dollars' worth of Ntnck there. I have taken a sudden notion to go b.ick to my home in the eaHt and I want money. 1 will ^iva you a bill of sale on inv stock and stuf! for a thousand doll.'irx, and if 1 cumo back I'll square it witii vou and good interest besiden; it 1 m-vprcome baoK it will bo yours and thoro'll be a couple of thousand dollars to pay you for your trouble. " " 1 haven t tot that much money, but I'll borrow it from the poat trader and you can give him the bill of sale. As tar as 1 m concerned, I wouldn't be afraid to lend you my commission on your word— I ?)elievo in yoii.'* liUcien thanked him. and an hour later was riding down the trail which, in two days, cro.ssedthe upper Missouri. Tiiere ho Hold liiB horse and trappings, and ten days later he was in Chicayo, closeted with a clever detective. He told his story, and wantedapood mantogo withhim and work up tho caHe. Tho detective feared that it would be too late to get any clues, but acreed to t,ry it for a week or ten davs, and by that time he could tell whoro the lines lay. In a warm June afternoon two hard- looking tramps left the railway line which now passes within two miles of 1< elders- burg. They were dusty, ragged and un- couth, and .IS they trudged along the pike, the taller one occasionally motioned with with hia hand towards a farm house or road, which seemed to be familiar. At the eross-roads they stood for a moment looking at each other and arraniring a meeting later on. The short, heavv set fellow had a yellowish, stubby beard of a week's growth, and wasapuarently a town bred youth who bad taken to the road. He was a detective with a good connec- tion, and was wearinj,; for the present the name of Bob Ryan. In his companion no one could have recognized the clean shaven school-master or the well dressed doctor of four years ago in the shambling hgure with the loiip', unkempt hair, the matted whiskers care- fully tied so as to distort the face, the sove-looking eye with the strip of plaster over the lid, and its mate, covered by a green shade, the round shoulders and high, humpy back, from which his nock and head projected like a turtle's. As he walked an artificial lameness made him deviate to one side, and gave him a crab- like progress. His voice had been changed by a string stretched between hit teeth. 102 DOLLY. and in tbe racrf^ed, wheezy tramp who tiidlcd up to Jo Felder'a K*te that soft June evenin(r not a trace waa left of Lucien Strange, except the steady quea- tionine: gleam of the eye that looked sure, but which blazed with a coniuming tire. How well he remembered the night he fint came there, when Jo said : "Thu 18 my Dolly," and how often he had told hia wife in the early days of their married life that he loved her then. Aye, he loved her now ! Dead ! Four srirl ! so cweet and lovingr, but weak and inconstant ! He could see the bedroom window out ot which he looked nieht alter night, while askini? himielf, " Does she love me ?' The scene came back to him. und leaning hia aims on the fence and burying his face in iiio hands, he wept. The yellow moon- light, the gleamintr river, the pines on the hill, the deep green of the orchaid, the dusty road leading' over the bridge into the village, his vision of Dolly robed in white as she bat with him on the rustic seat by the stream ! He sobbed aloud and the great hot tears rolled between his rineersover the greasy coat-sleeve rest- ing on the fence. But now ! He did not bear the baby feet of little Mayde as she climbed upon the inside of the fence, and with her face directly opposite to and with- in BIX inches of the du>ty tramp, whose tears were flowing so freely. "l»o'n nobody 'ike oo ?" queried Mayde, coaxingly, in his ear. The tramp started back, his eye gleam- in^r strangely as he stared at tne little girl on the fence. She too, alarmed by his tangled hair and whiskers, and his distorted face, leaned away from hini, her black eyes dilated and gazing intently at him. " 'Oo ain nassy man, is 'oo?" she inquir- ed fearfully. "No, I'm not a nasty man, though many people think I am '." he answered in hia strange, wheezing voice. •' 'Oo dot a bad told, e'inatter 'ov 'oor talk?" cried Mayde, quietly slipping down from the fence in order to get away from her new acquaintance. The reference to his voice rpcalled his disguise, and he coaxingly called Mayde to tell him her name, assuring het that he was old and sick, and would not hurt her. "What a 'oor name?" she questioned BUBpiciously. *'Kig Antoine," he answered slowly. '• What IB yours ?" "Mayde Melroy St'ange," cried the little girl, who hadretieated several paces from the fence and was watching him wi';h the grave inqusitiveness of a growa -WJman. " What?" gasped the tramp. "Mayde Milroy St'ange; I t.l« once I" Lucien clung to the fence with bb:^ hands or he would have fallen, so diz: and faint was be. Uo saw the look ui ci own mother in the little baby face baio bim. " Where's your mamma?" " In e house, an' Krandpa toa If i __ nassy man ev turn out an' dit oo !" auHell 1 weied May, reixeating a little further, " Where s your papa?" The wheea voice sounded like a sob. *' It isnt ' papa,' its ' poppie,' " she coi rected, gravely. "E's dead. E'.s 'ubl poppie, dreat bid man. Kg dead an' pi away in e dround," whispered May.i the solemn way in which tbe£torybi always been told her. ihould ace. He fumbled along the fence for the bi^kirt. stick he used as a cane, and holding on; the boards with one hand and biicit with the other he crept away, his bandagiilADtdii assumed to make his disguised garb p« tttbe n:anent, and his awful fuintness almot ;helai overpowering him. He couldn't tiur^jsm his brain was whirling and his hei: beating violently ; he felt sick, ant^ ; the feeling was half jovous. Above i spell, he must get away, he mu.'^t hide wiule i Jo, as thought of what he had heard. At tl heiped bottom of the bill be sank down utM)atfl^ grass by the river, and as it had growa be his fashion, lay upon his face, i he ivii' "1 ;rum lim, i'oliy ceDH. mo Thd ye :oiiie i iie m IflllU' ,0 nd. lialinf hands pressing against his eyes. " Mayt mcj Melroy Strange !" Could it be pussib.i Often before he had heard of iiollt death, he had thought of the possibilit; and wondered if it had come to pass tbi jt ; Dolly had a baby ? " And Dolly still alive I" Then ti awful tale he had read was not true. Ft haps Peter Klininer h.td not been ms dered and tne newspaper story was true '! "What's the matter with ye?" claimed Jo Felder's hearty voice, as t: old man bent over the prostrate tram " Air ve sick ?" Lucien 's heart almost stopped beatii as he heard that familiar tone. He di not answer lest he betray hinaielf. I feared no dissruise would hi his identity from his honest o father-in-law. He cringed like a culpi and a sneak when the old man tonched.k ■boulder, " He told Mayde he was sick, Fappi and then she said he sta<:gered otf dot here," said Dolly, who, with May in hi arnrs, was watcnine Jo's efforts to iiftti tramp from the ground. " 'E's only dot one eye, ain'd 'e, Moi mie ?'' Mayde remai ked, as Jo forced ti tramp into a sitting posture. Dolii voice had co»:j.!etely unnerved bim, ai W 'laee Ml there t you cat toi ibarp, 1 Jo whil rv( nc here jui Anto boi'beb and he per by iide di belnnd tohii loit all "Yo on't si into a 1 "Oh, alive, (;.u ! I I'd giv( her ha once, e Ob, D wheezy For i log the aoi y St'anpe ; I t. le « the fence witU bo., Iiiive fallen, lo di;.; Uo saw tlie look ui c; little baby face btio:^ namma?" ' grandpa too. If out an' dit oo !' _ Ang a little further. pupaV" The whee a Hoh, its 'poppie,'" ihecoi "K's dead. E's 'ub! lan. E's dead an'p: ," whigpered Way,! which the tUny bi er. g the fence for tb« bt lane, and holdinj,' on e hand and hiiai ept away, his bandafft is disguised garb pt nrful fuintness almi He couldn't tinr lirling and his hei he felt sick, anc* ; ,lf iovous. Above i he must hide wnile i '. had heard. At tl iH sank dosvn ui)onti and as it had grown* y upon his face, ii n^t his eyes. " Mayi Could It be pussib.i ad heard of Dolh ght of the poasibilit had come to pais tlii 1 1 alive !" Then ti ad was not true. Ft had not been ms aper story Was n latter with ye ?" e liearty voice, as ti the prostrate trami nost iliar itopped beatii tune. He di betray himself. I uise would hii his honest o ringed like a culpi e old man tonched.b he was sick, Fappi e staicgered otf'dou bo, with M.ty in k' Jo'a efforts to iifttl nd. 3 eye, ain'd 'e, Moi ked, as Jo forced d Dg posture. Doll; unnerved him, ai DOLLY, lOS litrlit of her seemed to rob him of ivery sonae except that of sight. " He's either drunk or hevin' a fit !" rumbled Jo. ' He's a pal of mine ; I'll take care of lim, exclaimed a low voice from l^ehind i'oliy. Bub Ryan had arrived on the icenfl. and none too soon, ** He got hurt ^ month or t>o ago, an' takes di^zy spells ; ;ell be all right by moining. " There was nothing of dizziness in the re which gleamed from beneath An- toine s matted hair. Its steady, feverish e made Dolly tremble and hide her face iiinil little May. Bob took hold if his pal's arm and helped him his feet Antoine staggered, nd, as he started forward, his lidling gait made him almost touch Dolly's kirt. He halted and leaned as'ainst Bob's houlder, gazing into the beautiful pitying ace. Bob dra^'^ed him forward, bui still ntdire turned his head and gazed back the ]>ure and lovely face of Dolly and heliitle dark baby, who looked so like is mnther. We'd better take him up t' the ker- laee barn and let him lay down fer a pell, an' we'll git him suthin' t' eat," said 0, as he grasped Antome's other arm and elped htm along. "Much obliged, mi«ter ; if ye leave him there till sun-up we'll hustle along, unless uu can give us work, and then we'll stay nd coil for a spell." Bob Ryan had a ihtrp, honest face, and looked s luarelyat Jo while he spoke. "Ive got plenty of work to give one uf «; no one need go trampiu' through btre just now," said Jo, kindly. CHAPTi'.R XXXIX. A TRAMP IS A PHILOSOPHER. Antome was made cointortable on some hoi'tie- blankets and bags in the barn, and ha and bis partner were given sup- per by Janet, wno slipped quietly m the ■ide door and approached them from behind as Bob was whispering earnestly to hit companion, who had completely loit all control of himself : "You'll give yourself dead away if you don't stop this fuss— and run Tour head into a rope like enoucrh. " "Oh, my God, it was Dolly. She's alive, alive, and baa a baby I Oh, my ■^U ! my God ! how I love her ! Bob ! 'd give the rest of my life just to touch her hand and know that she loved me once, even if she has forgotten me now. Ob, Dolly ! Dolly !" sobbed ihe stranee wheezy, choking voice. Fbr a moment longer Janet stood hold- ing the pan in which were plates and sup- per for the tranips ; her hands began to- tremble as a gleam uf hope flashed into her mind, but as her hands shook thu plates rattled, and Bob Rvan sprung up and approached as if to seize her. "I — I— I've broiigtit some supper to ye !" she stammered, reaching inrward the pan toward Bob and striving to get a glance at Ancoine. Her honest and anxious face betrayed her, and Bub, seizing her wrist, lapsed savagely : . " You >e been listening." •*1— I heard him say sometning, and I listened, for I thought mebue it was the doctor come back.' Antoine had raised himself up on his elbow, and the light from the dirty web- covered window, streaming into the dark barn, made his face stand out like a silhouette, no one feature distinct, yet the contour of forehead and nose, and the poise of the head almost perfect. "It IS him !" cried Janet, starting for- ward, but Bob's hand on her wrist held ber back. " Yes, Janet, its me, come back to get hung I ' wheezed Antoine. ".Shut up, fool," cried Bob, angrily, " or you will be hung sure enoiit,'h. ' *' Never, if it's me that's left to say the word:" snapped Janet, wrenohinKfreo her hand, and rushing over to Antoine. But Bob followed her, and while tha honest Scotchwoman held the hand that had soothed the last hours of little Crip- pie, the detective spoke rapidly and im- peratively. "Go back to the house this moment, and say nothin;:— nut a syllable, and make qo sign if you do not want to ruin your friend. I'm a detective, and we are here trying to find out who did kill the old man, and . if you breathe a sound of it, the task is hopeless. This man is innocent, but if you whisper even to his wife that he is alive, be is rumeu. Meet us to-nig!it snmewhere--come here and be told the rast ; be silent and all will be well; say a wovd, and you spoil all." Bob gave Janet a ri>ugh shake as he concluded, but even the sturdy Janet did not resist it ; she was looking tenderly at the distorted face before iier. "I'll no breathe a word," she promised. •' Then go to the house or your absence- will be noticed. Come back here at mid- night !" cried Bob, shoving her tow.ird the door, Jaoet walked like one in a dream, and as she left the barn almost ran into the arms ot Jo Feider, who, having finished his supper, was going to sea how the tramps were making out "Ye look frightened, woman," ex- claimed Jo, " have the men scared ye! " yy^^ 104 DOLLY, "No! no! its the mantrled look of tb« poor lad that's breakm' me heart !" trein- uluUBly answered Janet, hurrying a wsty. Hearing voices, liob forced his com- paniun to commence his repast, and Jo found them eatine when he entered. The weather was warm, and Jo threw open the biij doora and seated himself tor a long talk. He had always considered the tramp a philosopher, and liked to hear the ragged wanderer tell bis story. In Bob he found a treasure, .and tor two hours the detective romanced about him- selt and companion in a way that iiiaae «)o love them both. Bob said they were very dear friends— Antoine and he— and wanted to get work near coirether. They bad wandered far in cou.pany, and would always bo pals. Gradually the skilful Bob drew Jo out and had him asicing questions concerning every conceivable subject ; and at length Jo paused after describing the murder of Peter Klimner by a tramp, and the awful death of his Bon-m-law, who was innocent though sus- pected. Jo ventured to incjuire if tramps AS a rule had any religion, and this drew forth a description of the sermons Bob had beard, witb every now and then a laughing comment from Jo or a repri- mand wben Bob went too far. " Say, what makes men tramps, any- how ?" queried Jo. " Despair," answered Bob, who spoke not from experience, but with knowledge gained from a study of the genus tramp. *"When a poor.homeloss devil,without any home tie, becomes convinced that there is nothing but scant bread to be gained by •workin!j;,if ho hasa lively imapinatioa and a contempt for conventionalities he goes on a tramp. Once started as a member of the great fraternity of homeless wander- ers, he finds it pleasant and without a care. The ordinary tramp is a fellow full of humor and imagination and pbil- osophv. He can see fun in the fear shown by the housewife when she gives bitn something to eat, to propitiate him and not have bar building burned down ; he imagines that by-and-by he will , trike eomethinsr eood and quit tramping, and his philosophy teaches him to be reckless of the morrow and careless of the end which comes at best without hm calling for it or being able to ward it oft. Society «3ks too much of its members, and there- by makes hypocrites and trauiDs. prosti- tutes and profligates, who either refuse to do anvthing or be anything, or else pre- tend to be what they are not and what no man can be — an honest man who breathes dishonest air." •• Say :" ejaculated Jo, •* you talk mighty well lor a— a—" "Tramp !" continued Bob, serenely. " call me what you will, but my frieAend and I are simply looking for work. \V«| md not idlers. it i.-^ ou^ custom to move i ibarpl every month or so, but still we work* inu t^ way and steal nothing, not because it ;in t'c Bu wrong to steal, but because it is loi So pleasant to go to jail." lUrtel Jo was pleased by Bob's honest talku ipplyl hired hun for a month. "1 can't i<(| to-day if I knowed ot a man he could ;ii ini:uo:| If he can't find work, ill fix h:m iei month anyhow," Jo )jromised, ashti them. At midaiirlit Janet stole into the bi and sat on the door-sill while Bob Rti made her promise to be wise and v ler's 1 nothing. And}* said little, but she leac lut ti ed out both her hands and clasped histi tood begged him not to think evil of Dolly, " Do not .speak of Iter, Janet. Shedi honored me, and though I loved her, fled tliat she mieiit be fiee. I don't w> ;now t her to know I'm alive ! Let her be l.'f id^'c^f to love whom she pleases." •' Why, mon, ye're crazy. Dolly coi no' love ony one but you, and for thi four years shas cried her eyes out fer y Janet's voico rose with her earnestnt me of t and her Scotch accent increased pro|> "Moi tionately. She loved Lucien, but ii "Air couldn t hear Dolly slandered. Lucien laughed in bis harsh way, ai his disguised voice made it sound doul cruel. " Oh, doctor ! doctor !" pleaded .l.ui ia(l c| eaineq ind wi icces, I ixpii>ii| \9 ■ ' iim a hem ui it bis her Scotch accant softening, i| "dinaa rts wai fitop 1 noufjh ; Lame iob for' so cruel ; she loves yer meiiuiry and wet o' nights that yer dead. >>'or will siiet lievo evil of ye, and tolls the baby L good her pappie was." " Say no mure, I know she was fahef im so i "Shvwasno such thing," interiup',^alon I Janet "Shut up," interposed Bob sharci "I'll look into all these things, for' g' ing to work here, and Andy can coi often and see me— he's going down Klimner s or Climers, or what is it- irotner you go to bed and hold your tongue, uo mind ye." " Its no hard fer me to do that, as seen' < be thinking, but I dinna want I roar o pulse .nd gia Say third. He'. ther,"j The ti urious 1 iigh 'ore DK and atiy, f idled ir harp c Wh Vho've "Lar naz n havi le poor boy thinkin' she was fifis cor( when I know that she wasn't, and 'de .d " Go to bed,'' cried Bub, giving Janel shove. " Talk of it to-morrow." CHAl'TER XL. *'LAMK ANDY's" EXPERIKNCK, "Don't call yourself 'Big Antni Say your name i? 'Lame Andy,' audi ruaket oimita ueer ef rotesqi fowled Lame imply reakfai Malci will, but my frie )kinfr for work. Wei ir cuatom to move buc btill we work « itiK'. nut bscause it ut because it ii> lo 1." - Bob'a honest talk { «nd to be half-witted. Tou'll see more ind hear more than if you seam to be harp. At niitht see who gu«i and comes, ^nu take the bandages off your ietrs so you ;tn tollow those yoii can't recognize.'' So Hob Ryan counselled Andy aa he urted ne.\t mornint; for Kliuner'a to pply for a job— "And talk French and ith. "1 can't !ld your tongue, uj |me to do that, as but I dinna want iinkin' she was fi I wasn't, and 'de.d Ito-morrow." R XL. KXPEniKNCK. rself 'Uis Antoi stand his abuse and work for next to nothing, and on a pinch could be pushed into doing three days' work in one. Aa he scanned the crooked but iturdv musclea of Lame Andy he decided to lure Inm. The burly frame showed power, and the French accent and idiotic manner indi- cated the amount of ignorance necessary to make a man forget himself and be a elave. " How much do you want, Andy ?" en- quired Malon in bluff, offhand style. '• Had brake-fast-a. 'Want-a work." *' How much do you want a month ? — and me board ye," " Ten dolla. Can't work-a moch for two, tree week ; got sore leg : affa that all'ite." "All right, Andy, yen can stay, Where's your valise ?" Malon asked, with a coarse laugh. •' I'm-a clean ; no valice ona me— waah-a mooch al' time-a," wheezed Andy. " All right, you fool ; you can attend to the chores for awhile, and then you'll have to flax 'round. Understand ?" " Uui, monsieur. 1 puU-a ze flax vea s'e is ripe." Turning anprily to Sadie, Malon snort- ed, " Keep this tliin? around the house for a while, and make him help till you get a iriri. You needn't be afraid of him ; he s only got half sense, and he's French enough to know how to work." With this Malon sauntered out, and Andy watched him go to the bam and down the cellar- .vay. In a few minutes he returned to the house, and he detected the smell of whisky and the shape of a big bottle in Malon's pocket. Sadie looked reproachfully at her brother, prob- ably for having given her a tramp as kitchen help, but Malon, ever ready to take offence, snarled out aa ho offered the bottle to his sister, " Take a drink your- self, and don't look so damn mournfuL It's good fer old maids like you an' me !" "You'd better look out or your new help will toil what you do, and get you put out of the church," whispered Sadie, sharply. " Never, my dear, while I have any- thing to give away, whiaky or no whisky, depend on that ; the fool can't hear u-t anvway !" With these cynical remarks, Malon swaggered up atairs. By and bye ho rame down and strolled toward Mrs. Whitefoot's. Sadie was embarrassed by the ugly-looking customer, who sat and watched her so sharply, and anxious to get rid of him, said : " Go out and hunt some eggs— looK in all the barna on the other side of the road, too !" Detectivo Ryan had told Andy to watch lOfJ DOLLY. Malon &u much an pi>iiibl«, and Sadie's orders permitted tiim to ^o and stand hentrjr over the dark browed Malon. Slipping out without a word, Andv enter- ed a loni; shed and, doderinj,' out on the other Bide, crossed the road and located himselt in the barn, which faced the back part of Whitefodts house. He did not know why he watched, except that he liad been told to. The green shade was lifted from his eye, and as he peered thruusrh a crevice in the boards, he saw some one come out on the half closed porch at the back of tha liouse. It was Miilon and 'Rene Watson— she kissed Malon. He wondered if the Watsons had moved. It was evident th^t Malon and 'Rene were on very intimate terms, though the man shoved the woman away as if he were wpary of her car-sses. Wlien Malon started homeward Andy, with his hat full of eggs, was uidlincrinto the house. '* What yebindoin, Humpey?" he demanded. " Fmda I^ aig, monsieur," answered th4 tramp, meekly. " After dinner go over to that house there," pointinsr to Whitefoot's, "and split some wood and do whatever the woman tells ye." As Malon watched Andy lurching out of the house he broke into alaugh, and called after him, '* Mind now ye don't try to tint with the woman across the road. She'll likely try to catch you, too." An hour later Andy stood on the back porch of Whitefoot's house, talking In broken English to the splendidly formed woman, who was idly rocking to and fro reading a novel. " Monsieur Klimnaire «end-a me for do-a work for madame," barked Andy, with a polite bow. " Well he has sent me a beauty, to be «ure — almost as pretty as he descrided 'Rene remarked to herself, half aloud. Andy heard her but made no sign. *' VVhat makes you walk so funny ?'%• quired 'Kene, who was glad to have some 'One beside her sister to talk to, her ex- ceeding mature husband being absent on •ome cattle business in a distant city. " Fella off train ; gott-a laigs smasha all ope." '* Did that ' imasha ' your voice 'all ope,' too?" continued 'Rene. " Oui, madame," Andy answered, shortly, raising his one visible eye and looking Rene tull in the face. As he looked at her he remarked to himself that she had chan.ed but little since the nigtit he stood witii Ler at the gate and the tear tickled the back of his hand. She was larger and her eyes were bolder and hfsr clothes were richer, other- wise tha was the 'Rene Watsrn whom he hnd kissed at the gate. A cynj. cal laugh came with the memory, but the discordant sound of his own voice re^ called his position. It alarmed 'Kene, who law the look of recor^nition and heard the grating laugh without beinf able to truess their meaninsr. " Did you bring an axe— oun is bro- ken?" she asked. " No madame, monsieur say noting o[ zeex!" " Oh, he didn't, sb; 1 guess he doeiD*! like the looks of an axe very much !" "* I go-a beck por ze ex ':'" interro<;aUil Andy. " Yes, you'd better, and you'll find thi wood m the shed there. Split enoutili 'vood to last three or four days, and theo I U give you something else to do !" Andy hobnled back after the ax*. No one was in sight at he drew near thi house, ard he had no idea where the ast was to be found. No one was in ttii kitchen as be peered through the door, but he could hear voices up stairs. Klip- ping into the room he opened the dnot leaaingupstaire, and could distinctly hnu what was being xaid : *' I can't stand it Malon, and I won't You are drinking again, worse than ever, and talked hefore that tramp as freely u if you tiad nothing to hide—" " Shet up I tell ye— say nuthin' 'bout that—' " Im not going to say anything abc it, but you'll betray it to mr.re than me you ever get delirium tremens again, and perhaps they won't keep the secret as well as I have." " What if I do ? They can't prove it,' answered Malon thickly. "You don't know. Malon 1 You can't tell when some detective will get a clue or something. Maybe that very tramp ym hired is one, and you went and said things batore him as if he couldn't hear "I won't any more Said, I'll take care; Oh, yee, I will ! IS'ev'mineme ! 'm solid, 'm .all soun'," concluded Malon in drunken, cajoling tone. Andy could hear the door close behind Sadie, and bi slipped out of the kitchen as quickl] and quietly as he could. Five mmuteL afterwards he knocked at the kitchen dooi '^ ^^tic irlean tiien Whai " / mad a ex.' 'U| your Am begin Mrs. liid : i\ mon- Kel iOd in W uean M and asked Sadie where he could get ai «xe. Sadie was crying when he spoke to herl, and starting in fear from Andy, retreatodJ°^y_^^J towards the woodshed door. Andy, am iouH to have her trust him, exclaimed ii his whee/.ine, barking tone : " Mam'zelle not needa beafraida Lani Andy. 1 nevair harm any ting." Nothing could disguise the honest sid cerity of the words, and Sadie looked ai him for a moment, catching the acsad) ay /-< spaili For tbe wo iitrn th ler's. . iPd w Rene 1 loitly ■' 10 ans> inlockc )fadet ad it. nd out as thr my ind M ID the ind A elf by i or Mrs vith tbi dear \ lot be b vould a :on. iniehed elated rould n nd she ee her uessad ras leel oncludi >ifn reti food wi ccompl . • Thii Vatson 1 sup ittle no obe aw •ever ai loodof DOLLY. 107 ftletm of the much ba-plHtpred eye, and i:,en with a tieh of relief, answered : You'll find an axe in the wuddshed. What do you want it for ':" Ze boBsa tell me split wood for la madaiiie aclois ze road, ana ■he have no ?) ex. "Oh,' exclaimed Sadie, " tell her that your boas has one of his apelU. " Andy did as he wus tuld, and before beginning work knocked at the door, and Mrs. Wmtefoot appearing;, he ouwed and iJid : Mum'zelle tella me for tella you zat Bon.-ieiir have von gov heez 'spails. '" Rene hardly understood the meBsafja, tad inquired : " Who do yon mean, and what do you itean bv 'spails'?" "MamV.ellenot oxplaina notini?. She iir /e monseiur have von oov heez 'spails.'" For half an hour Andy worked hard in the woodshed, listenine, however, for a nzn that 'Rene had gone over to Klim- ler'i. At lust be heard the door slammed, -nd watchiiier through a crack he saw [Rene hurryinsr across the road. He tapped loitly at the back door, then sharply, but 10 answer. He tried the door ; it was mlocked, and m he walked. The instinct )is detective is born in men, and Andy ,»d it. He had always Deen tryintr to iod out facts and motives, and now he na thrice anxious to reach the bottom of myaturioui intimacy between 'Kene ad Malon. A writing desk was in the table of the sittint; room, ,nd Andy, seizinfir it. seated him- elf by p. window where he could watch or Mrs. Whitefoofs return. A letter fith the Buttalo postmark informed bis deor wife " that Jonas Whitefoot would lol be home until Monday night, when he vould expect her to meet him at the sta- lon. A very prettily written but half- inmhod note, addressed to her " darlinar," elated the fact that " the old man " vould not be home until Monday nieht, nd she would expect him (her darling) to ee her often in the meantime. Andy U'l°h-r*ui''nmrklJ :>'esBed that this note was for Malon, and "^iH Vi^! ^?miJ 'a. seeking for further mtormation when ■' ^f h. klf nh^a do '« noticed 'Rene starting homeward. This at the kitchen dooi .n^luded his search, and when the tabe vifn returned she found Andy splitting food with a violence which was consider- t the gate. A cynj. the memory, but )f his own voice re It alarmed 'Kene, of recofinitton and kugh without beini aninsr. LD axe— ours is bro- isieur say noting o ; I guess he doeiD\ CO very much !" e ex V" interroskttil , and you'll find tU there. Split enough four days, and thea ig else to do '." ifC after the axe. No he drew near thi [) idea where the au No one was in tlii ed through the door, tices up stairs. Slip. he opened the d(>oi could distinctly heur Mal>m, and I won't,! un, worse than ever,l tt tramp as freely ul . hide-'" ire— eay nuthin' 'bostl say anything abc, to more thitn me i! tremens again, end aep the secret as w«i hey can't prove it,' dy. ilalon ! You can ve will get a clue ot hat very tramp ym you went and stid . he couldn't hear ' Said, I'll take care, mine me ! 'm solid, luded Malon in i ine. Andy could hind badie, and h( ;re be couid getao , door. Andy, ans him, exclaimed II tone : )da be afraida Lanu I anyting, use the honest am through his veins as it did then. How he would like to kill Tommy Watson '. At any rate he would expose 'Rene, and make her hilarious brother feel the shame which a woman can bring ' Yes, he would show to the world what the Watsnn breed was like, and then he could meet Tommy face to face, ana spit upou him and beat him, and then he could kill him, and-" As he thought his blood boiled, and he threw a heavy bloek of wood to the floor with a sounding crash. Looking up to see that other blocks were not displaced by the disturbance, he saw 'Rene watching him with most interested eyes. She startled Andy for an instant, and then he drew himself up to denounce her, forget- ting in his passion every lesson Bob Ryan had taught him. " 1 know-a of what-a you've done," ho began, but agaitf his'own voice frightened iHtn. He could not speak intellieibiy, and leaning his hanas on theaxe, heaa/edat her in silence his perspiring face purf)le, and liis eye speaking the rage his tongue refused^to express. " What did you say ?" she asked, half frii;htened. Andy was himself again. He saw hie error, and in the same quick, disjointed way en luired, " Hcw-a t'ink you I jretta on wiz 'a wood ?" 'Rene was satisfied, but as she eat in her room, thinking uf the swuilen, drunken face of Malon Klimner, she recalled Andy's strange conduct and wondered what it meant. len he 'Poke to hei ^^ proportion to what had been cm Andy, retreatol ',-,JL ^ iccompliehed. " This sort of thing seems to run in the Vatson blood," he thought, as he toiled. '1 suppose Dolly used to send similar ittle notes to Tommy when 1 was likely *i - h.-«.f .in » be away." Thie thought enraged him. A .sinia ««Wpri I ^'«^« since his sickness had he felt the Itching the S iood of revenge for hi. dishonor stream CHAPTER XLL ANDY RKPOKTS PUOGRKSS, At six o'clock the other hired men from Malon's farm came in for supper and they were much surprised to see the lame and repulsive tramp helpine Sadie do the household work, and they were beginning to wink and laugh, when they caught the ugly look in the maimed eye, and Andy,^ as an exhibition of strength, with one hand lifted one of the men, chair and all, so as to make room for himself. " Where's t' boss ? " growled one of the men. "Sick," answered Sadie, averting her face. "Oh. he is, is he? D'ye reckon he's too sick to say if he wants the peas sowed t'morrer 'ei not?" " He won't say a word about anything, Bo just leave him alone till morning," counselled Sadie. Andy heard her words as be lat eating 111! supper and resolved to go up to Fel- dersburg. He would tell Sadie he was going, but if ibe refused be would go at ■t|^'»'-i-?i.^5-;'' >;»«■ 108 DOLLY any rate. All day Ions DoUy'a i'ao« had haunted him : the baby b eyes were his mother's, and Burely little Mayd* must be tiia own. Hia own, hia baby, his own little baby i;irl : be would have her then, she wa» bis ! He had decided, and down came his fist on the table. The hired i.elif looked startled, and Sadie, tired and down hearted, (raxed at him witU a 6\ul- nus paina he took that every dish should be clean, but she bepran to trust the un- gainly object who was her " servant Kirl," for the time being. He said ; " I wanta eo oue por ze villaige whain I getta done ze w.-iorkV" " All rijjht, Andy ! You can go now, Sadie answered, kindly, "Sanks! Sanks," .and ^'ith that Andy was uti'. It was nearl)' simdown when he again leaned over the fence in front of Jo Folder's white tarm-houae, and watched for little Mavde, Dolly or hm partner. Bob Ryan, with the little girl on his shoulder, came out for a run, and Andy, uushinp: open the gate, demanded Mayde from hia friend. " Mommie naid 'co was a tnmp, an' if Mayde paid 'ith tamps dey'd 'un off 'itb her." Andy had clutched Bob Ryan's arm and was holding him while he beeped the little girl to come to him. " (io to him, Mayde; he won't hurt you," said Bob, as he lifted her onto Andy's shoul . .^r. " Grab hold of bis hair and hang on." May was no coward, and bur'^'inif her little fists in Andy's Ion? black i- ■, she cried, " 'Un now. 'un fast !" Andy ran around the orchard, up and down the lane, down to the river and up the hill, and whenever bis sideloni? steps grew slow, hia merciless driver cried : *' 'Un, 'oo nassy man, un. If oo doan, I doe to udder man." The fear that she would cry or leave him made iiim wild. With labored breatn and limbs that trembled under him, he galloped find fri^^ked, all thn time trrasp- ing the little knees which were over his shoulders. Dolly, standing; on the ver- anda, watched her little dau.::hter's cruelty in making Andy run, and wondered at the lame man's patience and self-sacrifice. " Mayde ! Come here to mommie !" pha cried, and Andy, his breath coming hoarse and with a pantine wiiee/e that frightened Dolly, cantered up and tender- ly lifted May over to Jo, who was stand- ing bv. •' Why, Mayde," cried her mamma, re- provingly, "you should not make the poor lame man run with you like that ; it hurt him." " He 'aunted to, mommie," sha crigj, with a riiinsr inflection on the last lyi- labia which was always intended by tot imperious baby as not only the last word, but the last sound in every argument ig which she was concerned. " Nevair mine, i lika ze baby," Afid; interposed, as be leaned atrainst the ver anda, alniwgt uofchls to move. His div tress stirred ! < \ 'a corapat'sion. Thatbi bad w earied nimbelf in carrying Mnydi was a ^'reat recommendation, but that he liked to do it and liked the baby settlei the matter in Andy's fivor. Withsoineo: h'er old coquetry blended with a conde- scension which Andy resented, eht tonchea his shoulder and told bim to m down and rest. With an augry gestur he jerked his shoulder away, and motion ing Bob Ryai^ to follow, he turtled o toward the barn, feeling with every step the humiliation of being unable, bv reason of his disguise, to walk eract un shame Dolly's patronage. It was midnight when they parted. Thi big yellow moon was sinking behind tht pine-clad hill befoie Andy had related every word he had heard and descriM every movement he had seen. ** Tell lui again what Malon Klimner said ^to hii sister and what she said to bim ; tell ii slow, so as to make no mistake, and eivi me no opinion of your own." In return Bob said but little. His m tcrview with Janet and his talks with Ji and Mrs. bolder were summarized intoi few words, but Andy was still unsatisfied, " \V hat do you think of her? Do yo; think she is a good woman now '!" he is quired, hoarsely. " Yes, and always has been, Eithn you are insane now, or were then, if yo! imagine she was untrue to you." " l>ut I know she was false. I sti them togetl er in my room the night left her. That cannot be explained arirued away. If she is behaving ber^;: now I am thankful for the baby's saki but I must have the baby. It la ti) image of my dead mother," and ha spoli slowly, as if talking to himself. "See here," said Bob, sbarply, "* came here to get at the bottom of Klin ner's murder, and if you begin any fiinni business over your wife and baby you be jailed, and the jig will be up at once You must either do as 1 tell you or I ; back to Chicago to-morrow !" " I have done as yuu told me, and ii r«iady to obey your orders now," answors Andy sadly, " You dont know the aeon I sutier when I see my wife and baby an think of my 8h.ame and dishonor." "Go home and go to bed, but wheocti rid pio ikt l:in Wat and thti den the of. I way Kill Uo« uevt aboi mur forg 8haii IQgl \V ha h ness ciitui and ward Becre decid walki Imtec be he and t aa th( stepM erann la a in thi and a lurke eee th the g] dentl Whit younj idea i bed, c morrc Xej He gs peren aaddh watch conve irate. to cha «to th d(w. g'tiUSl ith jou like that ; u mommie," she cri«d, Ion on the laat lyi aytt intended by tat t only the last word, n every areument ia ned. ika ze babv," Andy led airainit the ver to move. Uii dis iorapaHBion. That h« : in carrying MaTdt ndation, but that Led the baby aettlei i favor. Withsoineo; nded with a cond idy revcntfld, Biit ' and told bim to sii th an augry pesturi er away, and motioD )llow, he turtled oJ ling with every step beinc: unable, bv e, to walk ersct and DaKe. hen they parted. Tht I sinking behind ttti Andy had relaiei heard and deicriM had seen. " Tell w Klimner said Ito hii ■aid to him ; tell no mistake, and givt tir own DOLLY. 103 but little. His ir. d his talks with J summarized intoi was Btill unsati.sfied ink of herV Doyo rom&n now '!" ha in hai been, ]''ith( or were then, if yo ue to you." was false. I ea room the ni(;ht be explained o IS behaving hers; the baby's sakt . baby. It is to ither." and he spok :o himself. Bob, sharply, he bottom of Klin ou beerin any fiinn ■ife and baby you ig will be up at onw as 1 tell you or 1 e lurrow !" ou told me, and ai dersnow," answore iont know the aeon y wife and baby ao d dishonor." ;o bed, but wheDr> tot le you hear a sound get op and listen. I will visit you to-morrow nitrht. Go now I'' Andy huboled away hi deep Oittarae^s of spirit. His prid-i he tult wati beinir brukiiu by this degrading service, even tiKiu.'h be was doing it fur liis honor's itaKe ; he had becume a servant, his faisu wiie bad touched hisshouidercondescenu- in^'iv as if lie were a doi; ; hu baby had ridden ou his neck as shu would on a (|uiet plow horse, and now he was goin^' to spy at tiK' ke\ holes ot the house whicli gave lam shelter, itnd on the man whoso oread he was catmg. The bandases ou his lej: chafed and tio leuued in utter des^jair a^'ains thu trunk ot a tree, which spread its dense foliage ever tne wayside andsnaded the little gate leading up to the trontdoor of tlona-i Whitefoot's house. Across the way lie could see a li^dit burning in Malon Kliinn'^r's room. How he hated himself 1 Uow much better it had been if he had never ucen the story in the newspaper about Dolly's death ar i Peter Klininer's murder. He had been finding peace and forgetfulness, but now thu passion and HDameof the past Were again overwhelm* log him. While buried in these hateful thoughts he heard a slight noise and from the dari<- ness of hin shelter saw an elderly man Climb cautiously over the fence near by and slip along the edge of the orchard to- ward the house. His movements were secret and mysterious, and Andy ut once decided to follow him. The stranger walked cautiously around the house and listened at the windows. No sQ|ind could be heard ; the woodshed door was opened and then m a few moments closed aerain, as the man came out and directed his steps to a small building, probably a (cranary, which he unlocked ana entered, la a few moments the little window in the gable of the granary was opened and a face appeared. For an hour Andy lurked in the orchard, but still he could 6ee the indistinct outlines of the face at the granary window. iSomeone was evi- dently on watch ; probably old man Whitefoot was trying to find out how his young wife acted in his absence ! This idea satisfied Andy and he went to his bed, determined to see the result ou the morrow. Next morning M^lon was almost sober. He gave orders to bis men in sullen and peremptory tones, and then told Andy to saddle his horse. As he rode away, Andy watched him, taking special note of the conversation he had with 'Rene at her irate. In the afternoon 'Kene came over to chat with Sadie, and Andy watched to afu the face reappear in the granary win- d(W He had not long to wait ; the g Mttvy door opened and someone stepped quietly into the woodshed, and tiiough Andy watched till nearlv dark no one came out. 'Rene went home, and Andy framed as an excuse to go over and see if she had any C' mpany. an inquiry whether she could g.\e a friend uf his rt job. 'Reue was alone, looking mure reckless and fas- cinatmg than he could ever remember her. " No, I have no work for a man," she said, with a laugh, Andy was watching the bed in the next room, and imagined he saw the vallunce move. The suspicious husband was evi- dently located where he could take obser- vations. CHAPTER XLIL SOMETHIKO MOKB IS LEAUNBD ABOUT TUB MURDKR. When Bob Ryan came to visit his client at Klimuer's in the evening, Andy told him about the mysterious watcher, and the detective at once declared that it must be old man Whitefoot. Both men prepared to watch the liouse. and late in the evening Bob slipped throueh a win- dow and secreted himself behind a book- case in the sitting-room. Andy was out- side euard, and was instructed to slip up to the window and listen should Maloa Klimner enter the house. The old Dutch clock withm a yard of Bob's ears was just striking ten wnen the latch of tile bask door was lilted, and in strode Malon Klimner. His face had the heivy stolidity of the man who is always half drunk, and in his eyes the red gleam of excitement showed that somethiug had aroused his disploaiure. 'Kene met bim with an afTectionate jocularity which was much more than half assumed. He repulsed her roughly, and said he didn t want to be " slobbered over." Her f;ice reddened with anger, and she leaned in silence against the bolted door, watcbino; Malon as he threw himself into a chair by the window. *' Don't t'lare at me. it ! I'd rather hear yer jaw goin' than hev ye put on that reproachful look and try to do the saint bi/.ne.ss." The ro(jm was warm, even with the opened window, closely shuttered on the outside, and as Malon spoke he took off his coat and threw it on a chair near Bob Ryan a hiding pluje. The detective beard a rattling of keys, and lost no time in going tlir >ugh Malon's pockets, appropri- ating letters, keys, and a memorandum book, which he slipped into the bosom of his blouse. 'Rene made no answer to Malon s brutal speech, and her continued silence galled him. 110 DOLLY. •• it, say suthin' ! Don't stand there like a bump on a loi; ! 1 rainc be- cause you ast me, not thet I wanted to, vou km bet yer bis* ftg^er on thet ! Now I'm hnre, say yer say, and make it short '" *' I was just woiidennK how I c.ime to fall ill love with a brute like you— a beast without a human instinct '" replied 'Kene slowly, itill contemplating; the man Ijcforc her, " It's jist as easy explained as how I •ver came to run ntter an old cat like you ! And your fallin' in love hain't ijn conii|)limunt aeein'x you've lally-uragrcred with everr feller thet's been after yo fer the last fifteen years or more I'' ^lalon Btri'tchpd out his burly figure and yawned out the Inst sneer, 'Rene had been taunted by Malon be- tore, but never so otlensively as to-iiii^ht. Her hands clutched her dress and her brain swam as she swayed forward from the (icor and then fell back a^aiii. All day she had expe^'ted tliis viiut, and had looked forward with pleasure to the com- ini; of the bullyinp^ and tyrannical brute, who Boirehow had crown into her life and become a part of her plans. She had greeted him tr^nderly and had been spurned, she had lovi^d him and her pas- sion had been called worthless and com- mon and had been spat upon. Remorse comes in waves and often times sta(;gers us. It is a combination of selfishness and cowardice which is akin to neither love nor virtue, nor a hatred of vice. It makes trie heart sick, but as the basis of a cood resolution it is as worth- less as sand. 'Rene cuuld see her decrre- dation because she was spurned by even the brute she had associated with. A retrospect of her life flashed through her mind and her (ruilt and shame for the mnmbnt made Malon's bitter words seem deserved. It was but for a moment and then she turned savaffely on her tor- mentor : '• You dare to taunt me, you drun! tn hypocrite ! You lying sneak ! You sneer at me ! You ! You ! you that niurdered your own father ! \ ou— " " Stop !" thundered Malon, sprinuing up and seizing 'Rene by the wrist* ".Some one'U hear ye." " I don't care if they do ! I saved you once, but I'll never do it again ! Fool ! coward that you are—" Malon's hand covered her mouth before she could •ay more. " Shet uper I'll murder ye — Dy e think I'd taKs chances on ye tellin' if ve had tlie proof ! But ye hain't I And I want no taikin' an' wot's more I won't hev it ! Don't try to bluti me or yell git hurt !" tiiviosr her a violent ihake, be was about to release her when she bi*: the hand svhich had coverod hnr mouth, and with a howl of pain Mulon struck hpr a blow in the face. She stag^'ered af^amit the 8ideb(>ard and her hand fell on the carving knife, which lay oiitwide. fcjoizing it she tuo\od threateningly toward him, her head thiuat forward, her bruised face livid with rage. " I'll cut your heart out, coward, if yon ever dare lay a band on mu again !" she hissed. "I'ut up that knife, or by I'll knock ye down and take it away fro!;i ye I" Malon warned her as he swuuk a chair over his nead. But ttie burly rufhan was tboroui;hly frightened, and dared n it betrin tlie attack. " I'll go to-night and tell a mai,'ii^tra e that you killed your father to yet money to pay old Hawkins for assauhin;; niui,' cried 'Kene, fiercely. " "S'es, an' tell thet your own brother got ballot it, alter trying to raise it by robbin' Doctor Stransc," sneered Malon. " 1 dont cure what happen^ me. I'll get even with you if I get liung for it,'' "No, ye wont. I say ye wont say a word, and if ye do it can't be proved, fer no one saw me do it, an' who'll take your w ord agin mine, if ye go out an' sav what yer threat'nin' to'/ You'd never knowe^ a word of it if ye hadn't been with wb when I got the 'treeraers,' an' how couia ye explain that'/" Malon spoke threatem ingly at first, but finally, halt coaxiiigiv, ho put the chair on the Hoor and leaned over the back of it towards 'Rene, who stood grasping the knife, and trembling with excitement and rage. " You can't coax or scare me now, Malon Klimner ! The time's past for all that. I've nothing left to lose, and you've got to suffer now some of the horrors you have inflicted on me." There was a premonition of hys- terica in her voice, which encouraged Malon in his attempt to excuse his con duct. "I know I done wrong." he said coax- ingly, "but 1 was feelin' mad over the way I was used up to I'elder's, and felt like spittin' it out on some one '." The ilush in 'Rene's face, and ..le flash in h^r eye should have warned him that he s\as rousing a demon of jealousy, but the re- collection of the rebuff he had received angered bim and made him reckless. "What was it?" enpured 'Rene slow- ly. Her lips were swollen and one eye bruised with the blow from Malon'e hand, and the words seemed to burn her as she spoke. Malon was well pleised over his easy victory, and while con- gratulating himself ou having been able to turn the subject, he felt apropor- when ehe bit- the d hnr mouth, and ialoa struck bora iitiiEf)i,'ere(l aKainit er hand fell on the ,y outside. Seizing linely toward hira, (i, har bruised tace out, coward, if yon on mu afcain !" she fe, or by I'll take It away iTov.: icr aa ha swung a at the burly ruthan ned, and dared n a d tell a magii^tra 6 ttber to tcet muuuv tr assaulting tiiui," your own brother yuiK to raise it by t>," Hoeered Malon. , happens me. I'll f;et hung fur it.' say ye won't say a can't be proved, fer n' who'll take your CO out an' Kav what ou'd never knowed adn't been with me ers,' an' how couii Ion spoke threatem ly, tialt coaxiiiKlv, le floor and leaned iowards 'Kene. who \ life, and trembling Re. }r scare me now, n time's past for ini7 leit to lose, to ButTer now u have inflicted on renionition of hvB- which eiicouraKod to excuse his con- /." he said coax- belm' mad over the I'^lder's, and felt some one I" 'I'he Ind (..le flash in hi>r Id him that lie was llousy, but the re- iff he hnd received I him reckless. l^iuiied 'Rene slow- loUen and one eve from Malon'a Meuied to burn her iras well pleised and while con- having been able I he felt a proper- DOLLY. Ill tionate contempt for tho weak souled woman wliu could ba to easily cajoled. " \\ ell, ye see, wnen 1 was comin' home from town 'bout dusk — Sit down there, damn it, don't stand sbakin' there M if ye're ready to sprinK onto me and jab ttiet knife into me — " 'Kene half sat nnd half leaned on the cornor of the table dist.int from Malon, and laid the knife beside her.'' "Goon." '♦ Well, 'bout duBk I dodsred into Fel- dt-r's t'ask about thet lame i'rench fool tiiet's doin' chores over t the house— fer an excuse ye know— an' asluik hed it I saw Dolly t'onct lookin' lovely ns an aiifjel an' ai sweet an' frosti lookin' as anythini:. By Rosh I wouldn't of refused none if jhe'd offered to kiss me, beicncr life on t;:et ! I list wantpd t' irrabbor and hucri^cr, and fer a second I felt like takin' chances an' tellin' her all I felt, but the uords wouldn't come. She started back, an' 1 trembled an' she blushed, and hi>r eyes dropped as if she'd bin thinkin'of me an' the ter'hie s^ickni'ss 1 11 gone throusrh on account of the brash was she uied me, an' I was jist ready to rush in an' grab her hand when the little cub, a hangin' onto its mother 'sgown, commenced to holler like ttie devil, an' old Jo got up an' rushed at me as if I u as a mad dofr, an' pushed me back un' want- ed t' know what 1 was after. I sed 1 hed a man workin' fer me thet claimed t' have a pal workin' there, and 1 only wanted to kwm ef it was all right and the men was 8 ,uare. He looked at me fer a minit, his danged face blacker n the hinges of hell, an' sed he didn't want no truck 'th lie ner mine, an' Ihet I was a liar an' was botherin' Dolly, an' if he caught me on the farm ugm he'd fill my damn skin with buckshot, then he slammed the door in my face, an' I gototf'n thet place cursed quick, now 1 tell ye !" "An' served you right," muttered 'K.ne. "It did, hey? Well, by , you needn't think I've given up tryin' t' git the young widder yet. I"m nearer gitten her now than I ever was afore, I know thee 1 She looked sorry fer me when Jo was turniii' me out, an' I know she's bin thinkin'of me, even ef ehe didn't come to sea me when I was sick — " " Ynu can thank me for that. I heard you planning with Sadie and went and told Dolly every word, and you can rest assured, Nialon Klimner, if you ever get Dolly Strange, it'll be over my dead body an' because there ain't a jail strong enougn to hold you I" 'Hene had slipped from her seat and was itao'l iig now, knife in hand, as she l>i;n; over tnut-ible andhiss^ d out the words cf warning. Her face was sat, thrrn was nu trace of faltering pui DOM in her voice or eyes. .\Ialon had leaDed to tiis leet when vbe exuiained how she had foilud him, but the curie stopped on his li|jg when be recognised the fatal mistake he had made and saw opposite liim ihe bruised face with its gfHQ pur- pose. " I don't see why ye went an' did thet,'' tie growled, "even if 1 did marry the widder it'd alius be jest the sime t'wixi you'n me !" " Yes, ' jeet the same,'" mocked 'Kene, "but It IS going to oe ' jest ditlrrent t'w ixt you'n me. ', You promised over two years a^o to sell out and take me to the States. You re going to do it now or I'll burn every barn you've got, and the house, too ; and you're going to do ittjuick, too, mister man. 1 give you to Monday noon, to iiand tne ten tli(>usan>l dollars as a proof that you intend to leave Doily ."^trange and come to tne States with me. If you don't your barns have to go, and 1 dare you to accuse me of it if they are fired. Now, go home, and drink no more whisky to-nigtit or you'll , forget wh;it I've told you :" With his hand on the latcV- and hia coat over his arm, Malon looked back at 'Kene, and there was murder in the red gleam ot Ins Miiouldfriiig eyes. " Vou'ro crazy, woman I If you burn my barns I'll murder ye, an' then we'll be square I' " 1 mean what I say, and I'll show you that I mean it if I don't have the money by Monday noon. Go 1" Without another word Malon slammed the door behind him, and the lamp was extinguished at the same moment by the draught of air. The detective was near the d'ba ami toHra marked tlia cnininc: of tender thought! of Dolly and repent:mcn for hia jeiilous ■uipicions. Hut tliu leopard can- not chan'.'o hit ipots, and even yet tho tormented heart of l.ucieu StrMnge had not found peace. When ho thoui;lit of the poMibility that Dolly wan leaining to like Klimner, li*; Hat up in the lll asleep, dreaminpr that ho wan acrain beinp kissed by the soft lips of Dolly Felder, CHAPTER XLIIL LUCIIN'B BROTHKR-IN-LAW VISITS FELDKUS- BURG. *' How'e the weather smt ye ? 'Bout right, haint it ? Yes it 'tie! jee-e-st about right; tisbegosh." "Yes, it 18 very pleasant weather in- deed," answered the passeneer, with a polite bow. *"Tis haint it? je-e-e st about bully, danced if it hain't !" added Humstir, en- thusiastically. He had a comniunicativa ■tranger in the seat with hiin, and the prospect ot having a erood talk cheered the proprietor of Humstir's royal mail line of one stage and a spavined team, al- most as much as a couple of drinks. " Bin over from the States long ?" " Left there this mornin« i Made rood time, haven't I f " Yes, ye her I Yes, ye hev ! Danged good time, ye hev, b'gosh ! Gunto make much of a visit hereabouts ?" ** No ; just a few days !" " Like enough it's bi^nis more'n pleas- ure, hamt It neow ?" " Yes, it is business that Inadn me into thie out-of-the-way place, and very un- pleasant business. " " No-o-o-o Y ? ?" ejaculated Huinstir. " Yeh To see after a widow and an orphan, or at least a woman and a baby down at Feldersburg— five miles from the end of your trip, isn't it ':" " Or thar-a-boutB. Like enough, a good five miles ; guess it's all a' that. 'Tis b'gosh ! Whose widder did ye say ? Guess mebbe I didn't ketch the name? Sure I didn't, b'goih !" " Stranga— a daughter of one Joseph Felder, I believe." " iS'o, not Joseph; Joel'e hi^ name. Jo, wo ci\l him. Well, I will be dod- ■watted ! An' tbet's what yer after, hey ! Well, neow !" " You seem to know the family." ** Well, I should say eo ! Know the fain'ly ? (iu^ss mobbe I know my own hroriier some little I Know tlie fam'ly '. Well, I should cluck right out, I do- root 'ii blanch, an' Stran;;e throwed in. an' n bad git he w&^ too. hn was, b'proHh ;' Hiiiiisttr was inter«>sted. lie Heldom struck such a bonanza as this paBsenir>'r friim tlie Stato^*, who won not only a talk' IT but was likely to afford ~oine informa- tion concprning Dr. Strantre's atf:dr». ilumatir turned to look mote closely at hia comp^inion, and found him a wirv frainsd, tiat-faced man, with reddish side wlu-keis and no nioustivche. It was not a striking; face, even- featured, smooth and oily in exprea sion, and withal poHscssing a certain ea>e and diirnity which cornea of ovtiy day contact with rehn<'d so; ety. I'orney \V. C'hoat was not a large man. nor itmall, nor was he either fat or thin ; his olothin - wa.-t not btriking in either stylo or material. If you studied tho make-up of the man you would wonder wii,it made him noticeable, and yet noticeable he was. Perhaps it was hia conhdent manner and iiis quick and al- I mnat obtrusively frienaly bearing. He I was exactly the kind of a man of whom i an observant traveler would ask a quLo I tioii, he always seemed so sure of himself and his surroundings. Unscrupulous, in- sincere, almost gushing— a reader of faces would see ail this at a crlance— cruel, persevering and malignant, observers would say it they read him day by day. *' Gunto see after'm, hey ':'' repeated Humstir. '* Well, 1 reckon they need it, I do. b'eosh." " In what way do they need it ?" in- quired Cheat, turning sharply upoa Hum- stir. The old man was always cautioja, and he reckoned he had said too mu.a. and ou^ht to liL'dge. '* (Jf course, I was speakin' g'nerallv like, meanin' no offence, nor nuthm' au'in 'em. No, I didn't ; not a thing, I didn't, bgosh." " I didn't ask you take anythii.g back. I only wanted to know what you laeani, ' enquired Choai, with anexpanaivp /mile. Uunistir leaned over the wh«el and ejected a mouthful of tob icco, a^id whila he rubbed his mouth with the bac'c of hia hand, ho glanced at his companion and settled in his mind that ne was no friei d of eith'T Mr.iii^Q or the I elders. " Weil," he commenced, " onlj; repeat- in' what I've heerd Hain't nuthin', is it neow ?' " ( ertainly not." •"Tain't, tain't, b'gosh. heered, an' I guess true than t'other way. uo Wikrm to W*!!, I've its nigher the> Jo9 lost the heft of his propeC'iy, an 1 1 know my own \iio\v the fam'ly ! right out, I do— rani;o throwed in, I. hn Will, b'tri'^h '.' ted. (ie Holdont us thii paRRentriT p^ nnt unly a talk' ord >i)tne inforiua- Strantfe'e affalm. nk more cloiely at mnd him a wiry- with reddish aide nioustaclie. Ic m? face, even- 1 oily in expro seosinff a certiiui I (;onit»8 of ovcry rchni^d iOJ.ety. not a lartr* man. lither fat or thin ; Htrikini; in eithiii- you itudied the ou wiiuld wonder iceable, and yet >rna])B it was hii liis quick and al- laly bearinjf He f a man of whom ivould aik a qutit so sure of himself Unscrupulous, in- imjj— u reader of at a erlance— cruel, i(?naiit, obfierverB him day by day. 1, h«y ':'' repeated ickon they need it, they need it ?" in- itiarply upoi Hum- irays cautioMi, and \\d tou mu.o, and ipeakin' g'nerallv , nor nuthin' a'-'in ■.a, thing, I didn't, ike anythii.pr back. what yiiu laeanc, ' expansivp Mnile. the whte'. and )b icoo, anici while th tne bac'c of hi« is companion and he was no friei d I elders. ed, " onlj; repeat- ain't no Wihrm to ?osh. W*!!. I've psB ifi ni«?her Vkty. th»> J()9 ' propeif tjr, an DOLLY, 113 baint tendin' half to what's left Jo'^ i;ot ter'lile snleeoy l.itciy, bo lie luv, he ill?/., b'frosb, an' haint like he used lo was, an I've heerd it's on account ot hevin' •lened notes fer everybody mid hevin' t" nay em. If n man wants t' be a hell of a faller an' jiopular an' bo called good- hearted he's i!otter pay fer t, an' 1 gess thet s what Jo's bin' doin', an' he's in a ter'blu funk bout what 'll| become of the younrf widder an'the young 'un. So I'vo he-e-e-rd. Hearsay haint wuth nuthin' in court, but 1 reckon tuint tor oti' in this triu. No, 1 don't ; I don t, b'gosh 1 " Chnato listened attentively, his ligbt blue eyes watching Huinstir'ri coarse face and hia long thin lius bieakiUL' intu a smile, as llumstir threw in his legal pro- viso at the end. "So you think being anxious to be Known as a good- hearted fellow will re- sult in Felder being bold out of his farm, ehr "That's what I've heered ; have, b'gosh. " "How long has this benn guin^' on I I'elder's troubles I mean '/" 'Six months raebbe, er a vear, er a year'n-a-halt, or thar-a-bout.s, mebbe more,'' Humatir said this with the air of a conscientious and truthful man wiio desired to be exact. Chuate turna.l Ins back on Humstir and be^'aii to think. "Kiie cannot know uf Lucien s money, or she would have claim- ed it before this ! No mother would let her child suffer or permit her father to be sold out if she knew where a quarter of a million dollars awaited tier order. Likely Luoien had concealed his history and dis- grace from his wife. It so it would be easy to get her to sign otF. If it were known that her husband left a fortune which for some reason she woula not touch, this goaBipy old stage driver would know all about it : " Did you ever hear anything about this Doctor Strange, who ho was, or where he came from '' ' he enquireu. "Hesred plentj-. \Vell I should re- peat ! Reared a thuusund stones ef I iieored one ! Have b gosh. None thet 1 b'lieveu, no, sir e-e, didn't b'gosh I Mrs, I'o der tells thet there's heaps of money waitin' fer the young widder et she asks fer't, but tiiere ham t no way of exiilainin' why the blazes she don't ast fer't I No ther hain't! No way of exjilainin' it, ther hain t, b'gosh, sept some softy talk 'bout it bein' dishonorable t' his mem rv, or suthin' silly like that, but I don't (xunt thet nothin" — don't b'f.08h, but i liev heered thet be Kot inter trouble by bigaii'y or BUthin', an' hevin' too m.>ny wives over lu the States, an' thct's b'hevcd round here m'ra'n anthing clue— so I've heered ; hev', b'gosh." Choate inuvod uneasily in his seat when he beard thai theiu were well dnlineri rumors thai there was a fortune to be had for the asking. His loir/, tliin lip.s wero drawn tijrhtly over the lark^e tseth, and the light blue eves darkened. But v^ hnn he heard tlie rumors th.nt Lucien had been married bo- fore he smiled in a plow, mii tiiless way, and compressing his under lip PatN^een his teeth be stiaigntened hji.seif up with that look of uehnite ]iurpose which made liim strung. He was a methodical man and believed in going slowly, but witii a well-prepared plan, every move in which must be studied in detail and all chancer guarded against. After tea Humstir's son drove Choate over to Feldersbiirg, and the villace hotel was provided with a guest and the whispered information tliat ho was a "Yankee lawyer." The fact tnat a Yankee lawyer w as staying at the tavern, speedily excited comment. It was gener- ally decided that his visit was in con- nection with either lio 1' eider's protested notes, or el.se Hiram (Quick's patent gat». When late in the evening, Choate made en (Uiries and took a walk towards Jo's white farm house, the theory that Hiram Quick's useful inventions had at last attracted notice was abandoned and Jo J^'elder's jjecuniary embarrassments accepted as the only possible reason for the lawyer's visit to leldersbiu-L'. The thin lips of the Btrnnger closed tightly on his cignr, and the puti's of (■moke came in fauit, steady lines from the almost unoiieiie J mouth. A woman and a little L'lrl were playing togetlier in tlie grass under an immen.-e apple tree, and as he strolled slowly pan, ( hoate took a rapid sui ve\- of Dully, deci jing tliai the intense love she maniteKied for her child was her controlling passion, He walked past rlie bouse and birim and then turned back, it was .-Umost dark now and his cigar was out. Tiirowiii,' aw^y ilui stump he leaned .isramst the fence oppo- site Jo i-eider's gate, and leisurely pre- pared to lipiit another. As he held tiie li^'hred match before his face he heard a choiiing, hai; -b .rkin:r exelamation, and saw lu liie (Lirkeiiing load a mo.it ungain- ly sight, l.ainc Andy, coioiuu: to visit Bob liyan. Had eaujht si.lit of tlie law- yer's face aiui siood a> if tran>f]\ed. The detective, standinK' in the shadow ot the orchard, saw tiio sudden paiiso and beard the cry of .tstonisument inaiit) by nia client, and fearin.' some f:)oi ah ino\eon the D.Trt of Andy, sprang ove.- the fence with the exclamation : ** Hello, chummy !" 114 DOLLY. An Iv di'1 not unom to hn.ir tlie niilut.'i- tion ; hi> hukkI tri'iniiln ,.', Iiim liiin>U ii|i n- iiif; niui uiiiHiiiif ;iii(i lain iiuifiTit t\\ ituiiiiikr ncrvnu-ly. r>obi liii.'uy liiiiul fi:tl on Aii'ly H ^nulllli«l■, ami lii« cheery vuice ckUe'l out t'> till) Htrarici'i' : " 1 n'ckoii \(>ii Miiirud chummy hero by nut olii.'iitK,' liitii u, ci^Mr, ' " l!\cii«o lue, Imlp yelvo»,'' lnti(;hed ('hoiite, who uiii (rlmi to bo rid of thu rx- cliuivo )>ociutv of th« itrariKO boini; bofuie hiiii, " lliivB a clear, Amlv '/"aHkinl liob. Andy iiiitdu no aii>wur, but roughly |iu.sIi(h1 tlie ci^'at' caau uway from l:iiii. " lion'l w.iiit any, hey '.' Then I j,'uohh I'll taliH n (ou|ili>. 'rhiiiika ! ' Hob laid, at ho hrdptnl niiniiiilf to three and pa-add the ciKar (mho i ack. " l>oi'8.Mr. I'cliier live in thi rn, my friend .' imiuirud (_ hoati', inolinniUo' to- wards the liouHu M'lth liiH (Mirar. " Vi'h, «ir,'' i.n-wored Jiob. pidlin^' at the arm of tiiHuomi'aniun. " Come along, Andy, 1 "ant to nave a talk with you. " And\' bad not spoki'n a Mord, ami now he followed I'oh in a da/.cd Kort of way throuyh the bijj ri'd gat" towaril the barnd. As thoy dogi'il the t'a'.e (wliiiid thciii tliev saw Choate cro^s the loaii and ('Qter tlin yard in front ot the hmiGu. " Who is that snoo/er ;'" whisperod I'ob, " What's h'i a wistful Bortuf way, x^'Udei int.' what was infant by so late a call. I lolly and her moth' r came in. as the itrauger had expressly st ituil t at hia visir had much to do with •' Mib. Strange. " and took seats near . I o, all waiting alike tor the bolt which they felt was about to strike their home. I'orney W. L'licit ten iniinite- ymi woulil \\.i\'t w s ttir.i.U '' to acUnowlud '0 I lii)l) lorwaiil, ;lmy were uiidi^i u hiTK I licy iikw eU lump ua tlic LIV. IT TOO OKTKN. le Iniiip on tli>' 1 Miind.iy iii(;tit, looking' ui hit way. \M'niioinik- a I'all. I 'oily i» ttid itrauKtii his vi8ir liad . Stranfjo. ' atiri Ultimo uliko tor was abuut to vaa devot(:d to i, lio often coil- ibtlo and astute, . what lie called JDoKl! sottly to 1)0 attuned tiiH As he 1' oked at pulsi's ijuicken. HO iiuautiful a rocetul ticure, red lips, the y curJs whii'li coils of liair |e dainty biinii* iiiiT iinpiL'Bstd IB words we.o to her father, ) you when you did not conii) my reason at you my card. 3 ; beyond that ua of Doctor lender fnrnish [o address hur, hf began : StraiiRe, and led to belif w' before, aiid Iber-inliw n; |nything but jwtivor, as you I'uce of Luc I'll you will not |o the talcs bu lUeeed wr'n.- Ib natural for lelf, and to do IJULIA*. 116 that bf wft* not virv nartiaiilnr whom iio LilnUind, III ynii likely know." " 1 unow notliuiK "t thi* sort," cried 1 loliy Wiitmly, "I iiuvm' knuw of liiin ti'lliiiK a liu, and no iii;iit)>r what others niav siy, I will believe in hiin till I dm ' 'liie biK'. biaL-klienrdud trami> under thu window truiiiblud witn Joy, and in hiH iile;isure clutchiMl the .inn of I'-i s Itvun, WHO rutiirned the (rrip liy putting Iiih hand ovnr Andv's mouth. ( lioaio w.u hurpnscd at Doily's defence of hnr hus- b:tnd, but uontiimad to addrexi her in thu same (loiite tone. '' Vour deteuHe of the iloco.iBi'd does you inliiiit«; credit, and I am ufraid that tho cruolest part of my task « ill be to un- deceive yon. I assuri",>ou. nndanie, lh.it 1 cnmo hecnu^e I knew vou li.id been wronged — cruellv wron;.'('d" and 1 deiin'd to proU'cc you fmni any Hcand.al or e\- poiuri! which could le avoided. It is iieedleH.s to say that siiiso I have seen you my symiiathv has inrroaaed, and I will s])aro no oliort to nviid uivinfr iiain." UoUy looked helples.sly at her father, and jioor old Jo, wonJi'riii'.' what was cominp, and o))pio8sed by an undefined fear, ruacheil over and took Dolly's h.>n(i in hiH oun. Mrs, I'elder had K'''>8''<'d tho idea that a cal unity af 8onie kind was up m them, and was )>rep.iriDg t<> itpuak her mind. " Well, as fer's I'm conBained, I've bin 'spoctin' It, HO I hov'. lAor since I )ollv took up 'ith liOoHhtjii to a wake, cr the naino 8 one, I knowed things 'd go wrong an' so they hev', \ent an 1 sod. an'sed not only onct but hundreds an' hundreds of timuH, an' I'll leave it to Joel and Dolly if 1 haint ; haint 1 now ':" " Yes, mother, hundreds of tiines, but that don't matter now. We are waitin' to hear what thu stran^c^r has to say, an' the sooner iho better. ' said Jo, slowly. " N\'ell, as fer'a I'm consarned I — " *' Yea, niadame, exactly,'' interrupted Choate, with a polite wave of his hand, as he addressed her, " Your knowledge of liunian nature led you to distrust l.u- ciun Strange, and the subse inent proceed- ings have p'oven the wisdom of your jud;r:nent. There is no doubt that he was a bad man— an exceedingly vicious and unbcrupulous man, wiiose early death wa.s really a fortuiiate event for his friend.-. But to return to the liuBinegs which bror.giit me here," exclaimed the lawyer with a bow to ] lolly. "There is a sum of nioney in the hands of the e.iK'n, niid thu Court, without siiuen' iii:; hini. bi mded bun as a longer. This eiiragea the s( oundrel, and iitier asiaiil'in:.; niu in tiie mo-t bi iital inaiinor, he tied from thu htate, leaving his tiiiaru ol the e-tatu in the handri of his molbers e\ei iitors. ISu doubt, fearing that he woiihl bu pro.iu- eutod for forgery if he applied for the money, and thereby diHclosed hiii wheie- abouts. the fiin'it were permitted to re- m.iin in the bank. Well, alter thn news- paiiern published tho account of his death, olniins were fyled in the court by his wile — or at least by one claiming to hold that relation to him, and — " " liut 1 did no such thing, " exclaimed Dolly. " I know of the money, but 1 would rather die in the poorhousa than lake a cent of it after Luc en told nu; that his honor was saved by leaving it un- touched." " Ah, yes, I understand your— ah— noble motives — but your— ah — husband was— or— apparently the hustjand of other wives, and two of them wore the applicants to whom I refer.'' Jo's hind had been clo.sing tightly on Dolly's slender lingers while tho lawyer spoke, and his eyes weie tixod on thu wnitn face and widestarinf; eyes that ap- pealed in vain to Choate. Dolly, m a voiceless agony of Kiirprise, turned to her father, and.ios strong arm waa thrown around his daughter's waist. " Why, deary mo I liless my gray- sliusi' cried Mrs. I elder. "Then Dolly hain't even a widder an' Mayde in a—" *' Jt'salu! !'' screamed Dolly, bprini,'ing to her feet, her father still clinging io her hand. *' I was his wifo and I do net be lifive he had any other. Hi' told mo you wero a scoundrel, and now I'm sure of it, you—" '■ Madame, please remain (piiet until I finish, and then you will be 1 etter ablo to judt,'0 — ah —what was that ?" exclaimed Choate, tuininj,' tow;',rds tho window. Whore I'lob Kyan had just succeeded in ciushingAndy against tho wall, whila thu lattir was making adi'Sperate attempt to rise and climb throuj.'h the window. " It's tho calves iiasterin' out in the orchard, ' answered Jo, feebly, "Say, mister, you hain't wrong about this, air ve ': There hain't no mistake, hain't ther?" Dolly, white as a ghost and trembling like an uspen, stood staring at the stran- ger, her eyes dilating ami her mind vainly trying to jrrasp the idea ot having been fliahouorod by a s-oundrel. She thought of Mayde— that the baby she loved more than she loved her life waa the homcletis IIG DOLLY offsprinp of % bipamist, and cU'^pinj,' her haudu over her eyes fhn cried again : "It's a lie ! It'a a lie : ' "1 am sincerely sorry to be the bear«!r of »uch painful tidings, but I assure you that I have kept my own counsel in tliis matter, and !io one Ivnows exceptinfr my friend, the prubate juiue of our oount>-, that lAicien bad married more than once. 1 have invfiHtipated tiie marriaees, and find tliat both in the United States were legally pei'tormed, and indeed 1 visited butti of the wives and found them exceed- itiB'ly plt'MBiint and honorable persons, ilaviner O/ttablished the priority of one of the marriagen. 1 was iiifetructed by the wife who has the lecrai claim on the estate ot the dpcea.ied to settle with the— all— er— the otliers and prevent any exposure or Bcandal. I was clad to do this as ttie — er — ah family— our fainiiy is an old and honorable on»», and was never tainted with dishonor before. In fact the wife of the deceased instructed me to settle hand- somely rather than have any scandal, and I tiave been able to «?et wife Number Two to siirn a document abandonini? any claim to the estate for nn amount which is far leid than I would tliink ot otfeiini? you, as yoj have a child, which must be consid- ered." Choato paused to note the effect of his wiirds. Jo and I 'oily sat lookint: at each other in mute terror, Mrs. Felder alone seemed to have retained the faculty of spiech. " I'd never thousrht it of him," she said. " lie didn't seem that \cind of a feller !" A Bliorht BcuHlintf noise on the verandah attracted d'hoate's attention, and he rose and moved towards the window. As he passed Mrs>. Felder she grasped the skirt of his coat and detained him. He looked anxiously at the window, and ISIrs. Felder assured him, " It was theni calves." " Sav, nobody knows tins 'round Here, does they '!'^ she iiKiuired, in a siatje whisper. " There hain't none of the neigiibors kno\\ s anythiner on it?" '' No, ma lam ; I can assure you that I have been prudence itself. I knew how agoni/.inic the news would be. and have tried bv every means in my uower to shield your daup:hter from icaiidal. No one know 8 of it. and no one need know ot it as lonp: as the estate la released from the claims of the various wives that have been led into misfortune by my wife's re-'klpss brother. Lucien's lawful wife instructed me to settle fifteen thousand dollars on— ah— er— on your dauehtar, on condition that nothIelroy titrange, and give me, as the re- presentative of his lawful v\ife, a writing to the effect that you will never expose the memory of the deceased to further obloquy by dnulging his crime as a bn:- amisr." This artful sneech was lost on Dolly, and even .Jo but half comprehended it, so dazed was he by the news he had heard. " Say, Dolly, fifteen tliousand dollars'd pay off them notes, an' more, too, an' no- body need know of ttie scrape you got into, an' that Mayde hain't iegit-umate,'' whispered Mrs. I'elder, in a wheedling tone. " "i'ou'd better 'gree to what this feller says, or else the hull thing'li come out, an' you'n the baby ll be tlisjrraced !" Dolly looked into the face before her an '. then at Choate. Tlie lawver, overjoyed by the anxiety of Mrs. Felder to settle the whole thing, was smiliuL' benignly on everybody, but when he caueht Dolly's elanee he looked sad and .sympathetic and slowly rubbed his hands together as if m painful suspense, '* I don't want any money from you or anybody else ! I do not believe what you have said. It couldn't be." Dolly spoke as if her lips were stiff with coli. and witti ber hand pressed ag:ainst her heart, she movFd unsteadily toward the door. "But I have the proofs, and to-morrow I will show them to you. I see you can- not endure more to-night. Pardon me, if in mv desire to serve you I have been the bearer of painful tidinus. To-morrow 1 will call again and you will be more able to discuss the matter. Good night '' Choate had risen frim his chair and 8to<.d close to Dolly, while she stood with her treinbliuEr hand on the door knob. As he said "good nierht " he extended his hand, but she looked scornfully at him and cried : "1 do not believe you! I think you have lied ! I haie you !" With sliakin.' limbs she passed through the door, and Choace, turninir to .Jo, bee- ged him to think over what he had said, and advise his dauL-hter to protect the Kood name of liersolf and child and the memory of her vicious Imsband by agree- ing to the .settlement. " Mother, go an' see wiiere Dolly's gone to,"' said Jo, and after his wife had left, he drew himself up and towered above his visiter while lie (ieinaiided : "Miatei", before God, do you swear tliat TOGme by the dis- va hill cftUBed, but an, and came to iiL>triide thin phase ctiona are to pay lars on condition teclinicallv— that 18 a wife of Lucien ve me, as thu re- ul wife, a writing will never expone iceaBtid to further is crime as a biL'- as lost on Dolly, mprehended it, ao 15 he had heard. Iiousand doUars'd nore. too, an' no- 16 scrajje you jfot lin't iegit-um:ita,'' , in u wh(;adlin^ trree to what this luU thin{r'U come 1 be tlisjrraced !" ace betore her an '. lawyer, overjoyed I'Vlder to settle lilini: benignly on 1 caueht Dolly's 1 sympathetic and I together as if m sney from you or I believe what you Dolly spoke with coli, and ainst her heart, •ward the door, and to-morrow I see you can- Pardon me, if I have been the To-morrow I II be more able ood nisht '' his chair and she stood with door knob. As extended his rnfully at him ! I think you passed through ninir to .To, beer- at be had said, to protect the il child and the sband by agree- 3re Dolly's jrone wife had left ored above his you sweat tiiat DOLLY. 117 what you ve told me to-night is true, every word, an' tliat niv girl is dishonored and her baby a bastard ':" Choate's pale eyes looked squarely into Jo's as he answered : " l-vcry woia I've told you is Gospel truth, so help me God '." After a long uauso, .Jo befrged Choate to return with his proofs in the afieruooti, when UoUy had haid an opportunity to think the mattrr over. As Jo opened the front door for Choate, he found Bob and .\ndy standintr near by. looking westward, where, a brigiit licrnt was creenins into the slcy. " i;uesa there's a tiro over there," .'^aiJ Bob, ierkinsr hi< thumb over his shoulder. " 'Tain't fur off, nuther,' answered .io, with wakening interest. And it wasn't, Malon Klimner's barns were oa fire. CHAPTER XLV. JONAS WHITErOOT KESOI-VKS TO DO SOXIE- THINU liE.srERATE. "Get down to Klimner'a just as quickly as you know how. Thf>t woman has fired the barns. and there may be (i(!velopinents to-night. I will be down there in an hour, or maybe less. Meet me at the end of the west barn." Bob and Andy wera sitting on the grass in the lane puttin'-r on their shoes andwatcliing the redliiiht springing up in the sky. Andy, trembling with race, was dirposed to act on his own ]iidgnieat and declare himself to his wife and father-in- law, denounce Choate, and take chances of clearing liimself of the charges of mur- der and forgery. One thing, at least, he could disprove, wns tliat he had ever mar* ried before he met Dolly. " You'll ruin everything by your in- fernal temper, and live all your life branded as a felon if you make a break :.ow. Go where I tell you, and I will look after this brother-in-law of yours and trop hiin all right. It you don't, you are an infernal fool, and deserve to get the worst of it." " I )(in't be so unfeeling. Bob ! You seem to think that I ou!,'ht to be without the natural instincts of a man." " You must have nothing but the in- stincts ot a detective until this whole business is settled, and then you can be as spoony as you like. Till then, follow my directions and permit me to know what is best, I have been a detectiye for ten years, and you are not yet ten days in the service. I give you jo orders but thoao imperatively necessary, and it you do at 1 tell you there's no doubt but yon will be stra'ghtened out vot before the world." " But think of my wife, and what she will bave to sutler baiore she huds out that she was lawiully married. Imagine tiie acony she must endure to-niirht thinking tiiat she ia dishonored and little Mayde is a nameless waif !" liob looked at him for a moment ana then dryly remarked : "You have suddenly become extremely considerate. The woman wlio f ir four years has b?ea able to bear tne shame of beiuif known as i, raurderer's widow can bear for a few hours to think of bein^' de- ceived as well as dislionored, 1 have been in t'ue house now for a week and know right well that your wife has suffer- ed every affny except a lack of faith in you ; and 1 know, too, that you have suf- fered nothing that has not been caused by a laek of faith in her. jjeave her to the final test, and then even your jealous eyes will see the truth. Go now, and meet me at the end of the west barn in- side an hour." Andy u assilenced. XeverheforehauBob spoken to him in this way. and the rebuke cut him to the heart. Without a word lie lose, and was walking rapidly awav when Boi) called to hini and said, " Take care and fix your leg before you meet any- body." When Andy reached Klimner's all the barns were in tlames. Perhaps two score neighbors were there doing their b-st to save the horses, wagons au'i impl-menti, and to every one it was apoarent that Malon Klimner was drunk. Aroused from the drunken stupor which uiphtly ti)ok the place of sleep, he dranic deeply to tortify himself. There is always a point beyond which it is un8:iie to pass, and the majority of men nave, to find this point by experiment. While his barns were burn- in;; Malon Klimner passed the line and becamo obviously drunk, b?astly drunk, and ins abusive ton^nii', unlimbered Vjy wniskv and excitement, declared that tlia barns liad been set on fire by the "' across the road.'' As the flames rolled upwards and the crowd increa,sed, Malon staggered here and there, l)raeging that he could stand the loss of his barns and not feel it. " Stie w an'ed nie to 'lone 'ither, but I piiden see it— damnier an' she saui iffer diden dute, she'd burn m'barns. an'burner barns she did an' even 'en I get oli cheap nulT the ole-— " The neighbors were horrified, and 'Reno, who, with a shawl over her head, stood beside Sadie, ran home in terror lest the drunken bully might catch sight of ber face and fulfil his murderous threat. •ij8S;> 118 DOLLY, Near a clump of eUlerB bushes a prroup of i men were diacu^siD^' Maloit's •candalniis \ accuBatinn, and hidden deep in the 1 shadow Jonas Wliitefoot listened to the opinions of hia friends. " I know one thing," said one, " if she was my wife and anyone talked about her as Loa K limner did, there'd be some gun- powder iiurned the minmt I hecrd of it, even if she was guilty and I got hung fer squaring it up." " 1 wonder what old Whitefoot'U do when he hears of it ';" remarked a second. " Nuthio !" exclaimed a third. '* Any old man as is fool enougli to marry a young woman is fool enough to let her do as siie sees fit !" " Well, I bet money thet the old man gits down his trun when he gits home and gives it to some one !" said a fourth em- phatically. "We'll soon know whether he's a mouse or a man or a long-tailed rat." " Id give it to Lon Klimner fer bra?- gin' about it dfer nuthin' else if it was me," added the first speaker; "the drunken hyi ocnte. I wonder he's bin left in tne ohurcii as lone as he hez !" Jonas Whitefoot heard these and many other opinions while he lay concealed in the clumn of elders. He shivered when he thought that the neighbors expected him to do something desperate. He was not a bloodthirsty man, yet he at once bepran to arrange a plan for the killing of Malon Klimner. For three days he had been lying in wait for nis wife and her paramour, scarce eating a mouthful, and brooding over his dishonor, and now he felt that he must be a man and revenge himself properly on the destrover of his peace, or forever lose caste in the neighborhood. He had heard his wife's threats that she would burn down the barns, and had quietlv resolved that he would save her the trouble by burning them himself. He had telt sate from prosecution for he knew that Malon would suspect his wife and be afraid to accuse her, but now he saw his mistake ; the drunken braggart had published his shame to the multitute and nothing was now left but to prove him- self a man by shooting his wife's betraver. Jonas Whitefoot was a businesslike man, and when he decided what lo do he prepared a definite scheme, the first ^tep of which was to cet out of the neigiiborhood ot his home as quickly as possil le. Long before the sky coased to be reddened by the Han.ea of the tiurn- iiig barns. Jonas Whitefoot was hasten ing away from the scene of his dishonor. Had any one seen him that nigiit as he trudged wearily alontr the dust-covered road, they never would have suspected him of having murder in his heart. He was nearly si.xty years old, small in st.'itiire, wsa/ened and unkempt I'or twenty-five years he had marketed the cattle of the Feldersburg district, and was a shrewd, sharp old man, who knew how to buy for little and sell for much. He was nroud in his way, had courage and tact, and the greatest pos- sible confidence in his own jndt'mcnt As he walked alon,^ he communeii with him- self, and asked what he, as a drovt r and man of business.should do to preserve him- self from being the laucrhiiie stoi k of the district. He knew it was the boast of every man in ail the country round, that should wife or daughter be misieil, blood mu-t flow. Again he decided that 'Lon Klimner must bo snot But it must not have the color of premeditated crime ' Certainly not, that was why he wts iiur- rying away from home ; nobody had seen him in the nei,i,'hborhood. and in a, day or two he would suddenly come back on the train, go home, hear of Malon's in- famous char^^e against his wiie. charge her with having dishonored hini, and then seizing hia jrun, he would sjo over to Klimners and shoot Malon on siglit. " No jury in Canada would bring me m guilty and I will be square with both 'Rene and her paramoni I' As he thought of this scheme old man Whitefoot chuckled and rubbed his hands. He was a business man and knew how to plan a lay-out of that kind ; it was a simple plan, full of the sudden fury and outraged virtue which jurymen admire. .Jonas quickened his jiace as he thought of the sensation he would cause, the drovers in Buffalo and Montreal would learn that old Jonas Whitefoot was no slouch, and it would help him to do business. Jonas knew his own morals would not bear investigation, but his wife was ex- pected to be moral anyhow. At any rate he would teach her a lesson, and after this she would beiiave herself. Into r.one to his thoughts ct the crime he had deter- mintin' Dolly Felder— it hain't no use talkin'; if you won't settle, then the hull of us'll hev to ((it out aliere afore snow Hies, an' then what'll ye do? Of course, as fer a lip consarned. I'm willin' to starve, an' .Inel'd £ro begffin', but what'll you n .Mayde do ? You can't do nuthin', an' like nuff'd take up ith aome wuthlcss town critter fur his style an' frit nuthin' t'eat ! Er air ye punto marry Malon Klimner, er what ? Ye'li hev t' make up ycr mind now, fer Jo'n me's cum to the end of our rope. I kin tell ye tiiat I'' Mrs. ]'"elder felt it her duty to speak plainly, and thoui^h she was a well-mean- infr woman she was succeedinsr in speak- ing brutally, Jo stood for a moment bo- fore he sat down in his bie rocker, listen- in? to tlio flood of words which were ad- dressed as much to mm as to JJoUy. " Mother, don't ye think Dolly's bin hurt about all she kin t^tand fer one night?" he inquired. " Joel Felder !" exclaimed Mrs. Felder, in a high key, as she reached forward and pointed her finger at iier husband, " I'm resolved onto ono thing. I'm trunto take things into my own hands, an' I'm ^'unto to do it now. You'n Dolly's bin bossin' it long 'nuff. an' things he/, all gone t'racken ruin, an' perty Boon there woii't be a r.iof over our boads, Dur nuthin if you'n Dolly hev yer wav." '• But mother—" ^ " Joel Felder ! I'm gunto speak out now it 1 die fer it. an' as fer's I'm con — " " But, mother, wait a — " *' JoKL Fkldek '" almost screamed the dame, as she rose from her chair, " I'm gunto speak my mmd now er never. I bin down-trod long nuff ! I hain't bin consulted about nuthin' ! You'n Dolly thought yerselves too smart fer roe, an' hain't done nuthin' fur years but play ith bahy, an' go ftver softy talk 'bout Looshen, as brought ftll this trouble onto us. but 1 hain't gunto stand it no lon^'er, an' I ter on(>, as fer's Fm consarned, am fersettlin' 'ith that lawyer feiler, an' not bem' turned out'n house'n home right here in Felders- burg, where we bin born <4n' bred, an' where we ve bin hoidin' up our heads as high ai the best ; an' hev them laughin' at UB, even them .is I've helped throusrh their tvoobles time n agio, an' them us I've washed an' dres.sed when tiiey was list born, an' 'tended fer till their mottiers uv got round, an' hev them a-pint- in' their lingers m a scornful toiu! of voice at me, an' mo a.s good as enny uv em even 'if we air turned poor an' our girl did go wrong, an'-" "Mother, shet up, er I'll cuff yer ears ." roared Jo, jumping up an' seizing Dolly, wlio was leebly and faintly strug- jrun;,' to leave the room in speechless airony, whore she had been listening, not iiiiiv to her mother's selfish babbling, "but to the voice within her which said that little Maytlo's future was wrecked and plackenoii. In another moment poor Dolly would have fallen, but her father's strong arm was around her and her head rested on the faded jeaa.s blous-e which covered old Jo's loyal neart, and she felt that the wor.st had not yet come— she still had her father. *• That's a nice way t' talk t' yer wife, Joel Felder, threatening to strike jer wife as hez bin true, an 'lovin' an' a good housekeeper t' ye fer thirty years'n more," sobbed Airs. Felder, bursting into tears. " Ye know, Hanuar, I never hev struck at ye ror laid a hand on ye in any way, shape or manner, but ye seem t' of gone out n yer senses t'-night, abusin' Dolly aa ye've bin, when she kin jist bear up under the ter ble trouble thet lawyer throwed ua into !" Jo spoke apologetically and patted Dolly's head while ho strove to quiet his excited wife. " I don't care, Joel Felder ! You haint no thought fer ma while Dolly's round, an' now you'll stick by her an' what she thinks, if It sends ttie hull of us t'tha poor house." *' Now, mother, sit down an' let's talk it oyer, an' then you'll know what's best," said Jo, seating Dolly and himself. "Now yer goin' in advance of whfit — " *' It haint no uitl'renco what I say. an' as fer's I'm consarned, I mitrht ji.st as well be in Calaforiicy fer all my say 'mounts to. 1 sed 1 c'ouldn t sec no harm inlcttin' Malon Klimner come t'see Dolly if ha wanted to an' ! >oHy didn't mind, an' he'd a' bin wiUia'to pay them notes of your'n, an' what'dyedo? Wy threat 'iied to shoot him if ho ever came on the place a'.,'in 1'' " Ijut he was bottierin' 1 'oily, mother—" " Botherin' nuthin ; that's all you know 'bout girls. Tney like to be run after, and Dolly was beginnin' to think kinder sweet ou Lon Klimner — " " Mammy, 1 was no such thing 1 ' cried Dolly, with sudden ang«!r. " Yes, ye were, too, an' one day ye ast me if I dian't tnink that if Lon Klimner had a good wife that be liked, wouldn't 120 DOLLY. he be a better ir.an, an' then bimeby you ■cU you were torry thet you couldn't bear bim, an' siehed an' looked—" " Mammy, I wasn't thinkinsr about him then. I was thinkmcr of-— ' "Nevermind, Dolly, " said Jo, inter- rupting them both. "Wo inust think ot what we hoard to nif;ht and decide on some — " " I'm ^er signin' oflf, as fer's I'm con- ■arned. and no talkin' '11 budi;e me a hair ! Fifteen thousand dollars ! Why, thet 'd pay o[f them notei an' eveiythin' ! It 'd be sewercidB not to ! An' if ye don"t ! Why. then what ! A lawsuit gpendin' what little we jfot left, an' evtiiy- body '11 know thet ynu hain't been legally married, and thet Mayde haint nuthin' but a—" " Stop it ther' ! Don't git started aprin," snorted Jo, pointing his finger warn nciy at hi* wife. '• 1 don't believe it's true ! I'm suro it's all a lio to get ho.ld of the moniiv Lucien left, and I won't Migii the paper. It you get turned off the farm I'll work and support you teaching inusic or some- thinjr. We won't starve, mammy, i?o don't tease me to do it," begged Doily re- proachfully. " But then hain't it better t'hev' Mayde hev' a name than t' go makin' a fuss an' gettin' everyone to know how ye b;u' fooled ?" This staggered Dolly. So long r.a the argument kept away from litile Mayde she was firm, but when the picture of her little l)l:ick-eyed baby, with her proud look and haugnty manners, rose before her, she grew weak and trembling with tine fear of the shame winch might cloml her future. Jo saw that Dolly was hesitating, and begged her to go to bed, and next mom ing they could make up their minds when the proofs ot Lucian's i re- vious marriages had been examined, Eager to escape an immediate de- cision Dolly went up to her room after being embraced by her mother, who clung to her, iayinEr : " 1 >on't be hard on me, Doily ; it's best fer's all, an' nuthin' wrong about it, nuther !" Jo opened the side door and looked out. Bob Ryan, sitting on the verandah very near the door, rose up and motioned Jo to come out. Jo instantly suspected Bob of having been eavesdropping, and with the quick instinct of love feared that Dolly '■ secret was a secret no loni:er. Hopmer to conciliate Bob, he stepped out on the verandah and closed the door be- hind him. "Come out to the barn. I want to have a talk w ith you where we oau't be overheard," Bob whispered. Jo followed him, and for an instant wished that he could throw lus burly guiile into tiie well and close his mouth forever. But such a thought could not dwell in the pure mind of Jo Felder, and with a sigh the bare- headed old man sat down ou the door-sill of the drive-house beside the yellow-haired tramp who held in his power the secret of his Dolly's life. " You are a man of honor, aren't you — a man w hose word is aa good si hi? most solemn oath," inquired Bob in a busiuess- like tone. •'Yes. I hope my word is good ; I don't remember evtr breaking it," answered Jo sadly. " Will you promise that what I tell you tonight shiil not bo repeated to any one, not to a living »oul, especially not to your wife or daughter '!' " Yes, I promise !" answered J.» un easily, and moving slightly further away from Bob. "Well, then, I'm a detective, not a tramp, and I have been listening to every word spoken in your house to-night." " You infernal sneak !" ejaculated the tioubied old man, moving still furtiier away. " Don't be so fast. I told von once that tramps are philosophers ; now I say that detectives are. It ii tx matter of business witii UB and many a crime would eo unpun- ished if we did not play the sneak. But to the point: Forney \V, Choate is a liar of tne first wat( r, your aon-m-law was never married to anyone but your daugh- ter, and ho is trying to cheat her out of a quarter of a millitin dollars' worth of funds." *' Great Casar I'' " And more thun tliat, he is prepared to go any lengtiis to get her to assign her claim. I want him to be made to swear to a half a do^en dncurnents, and then I will have him sewed up so tight for per- jury tiiat h'i'U never get loose. It was he who first b'aited the character of your Bon-in-iaw and drove him forth branded as a forger when he, himself, was the forcrer, so you need have no acruples in trapping him. Do as I tell you and you will not only punish Choate but will clear the name of Dr. Strange from the taint of forgery, and will make it honorable tor his wife to take the fortune his mother left nini, which amounts to nearly three hund- red thousand dollars." "Whaaaf.'. "Yes, three hundred thousand dollars and an honorable name for Dr. Strange and his family." "Thank Gu.sp beside thu held 111 Ills power lie. lor, aren't you— erood ai his most ob in a busiueaH- 18 Brood ; I dont It," anawered Jo t what I tell you attfd to any one, iially not to your nawered Jn un tly further away detective, not a ateninpr to every ie to-night." 1" ejaculated the ing still furtner t. I told you 3 philosophers ; letectives are, business with luld BO unpuii- he aneaU. But Choate is a liar son-in-law was 'Ut your daugh- leat her out of oUars' worth of he IB prepared ir to assign her lade to swear |its, and then I tight for per- joae. It was he [racter of your forth branded iself, was tlie Ino icrupleB in In you and you le but will clear }om the taint of tnorable for hia is mother left Irly three hund- ■>U8and doiiara Dr. Strange tittered be- I both Bobaad DOLLY, 121 J 3. In an instant the detective waa in the hiding place and pulled out a woman, '• Where's ttie doctor, pocr boyV" cried Janer, tor It waa she. "Poor lad, how happy hell b«," '• Kh !" gasped Jo. "Shut up, fool 1" snapped Bob, angiily, " he doesn t know !" But Jo did know. The thought that Lucien wao still alive flashed througli Ins mind, and sei/ing Bob by one arm and Janet by tlie otiier, he demanded the truth. Hia vise like grip was almost un- bearable, and Bob confessed at once that while ho did not intend at present to tell him so, yet Lucien ^^t^ange waa alivo and well and not far away. " The tramp that fainted ! Don't you remember ? That'a him !" cried Janet. " Confound you. shut your 50D, or everything will be mined yet 1" exclaimed Bob, aavagely, as ho gave Janet a violent shake. " We came loack to hunt out the secret of the murder, and we have just Bolved ttiat problem, so that Dr. Strange will be cleared of both charges at once if wo are careful. " " Oh, God ! God ! Thank God !" whis- pered .Jo, reverently, repeatine aprain and again, in almo:>t inaudible tob. nointing to bis garments and then to 'Rene. " I am not a criminal, and I did not burn Malon Klimner's barns," answered 'Rene with returning courage. " Indeed ! Do you expect us to believe you arter hearing you promise this con- flagration last Friday night, when you and Mr. Klimner were having that in- teresting debate, during which he struck you in the i.vca and you got ready to cus his heart out— cut his heart out, wasn't it — yes, tiiat was it," continued Bob, re- placing ttie memorandum book to which he had referred. '* You see I was betiiud the book-case there, and hud an excellent opportunity of jotting down tho more in- teresting features of the conversation, and DeCeL'tive Anderson, there, was near bv to bear witness to everything. And here are a few trilles which I took from tlie pocket of your amorous friend when ho took ofi hia coat in the beat of the discussion. Do you know any ■ thing about this document, 'Johnson to Klimner''^' 'Rene's face had in turn been pale and crimson as she listened to Bob's sneers. When she saw the paper in the detec- tive's hands her wnite lips faltered : •* Where did you get that !" " From your friend's pocket, and as it bears the exact date of the murder, I am interested in knowing liow Malon Klimner pot hold of it, and why it has turned up just now. You know all about it and I propose tnat you shall tell. You know whai turning <^)ueen'8 evidence moans— t!iat you tell what you know and save your own neck ! Will you do It •/" _ "Save ray neck ! I had nothing to do with tho murder ! I am in no danger of hanging I 1 knew nothing about it !" cried 'Reno tremulously. "Didn't, hey '.'" roared Bob, taking a pair of handcuffs from his pocket and siiakmg tliein significantly at 'Rene, '" I'll soon show you ! You were not accessory after the fact, d've know what that means? It means that you knew all along whodidit and concealed yourguilty know- ledge, and It means that you will have to bear the punisiiment. I want no more fooling, either tell us all about it or hold up your wrists for these 1" " I wasn't an accessory ! I didn't know It was croing to bo done, and it was months afterwariis before I knew anyttiini; about who did it,' protcst-'d 'Rene, thorouirhly friphtened.and shi ink- ing away from the handcuil's, " Oh, then, you lio know something about who did it then I You didn't lie when you told Malon Klimner that you knesv he did it ! Denials are useless. Y'ou and your brother Tommy both knew of it. and Tommy shared in the proceeds ot the crime. Not an accessory, hev '.' I'll bet a jury will say you were, and this barn-burning scrape to-night, and Klim- ner's charge tiiat you had been living un- lawfully with him. and tirert his barns because he wouldn t run away with you. 124 DOLLY, will rather tend to prove that you are an abandoneil womaa and a fit uubjecc for twenty yean in the penitentiary, if not for life. I can save you from jail, Dut I can't fiave your reputation. You know that after to-ni^ht, that is forever trine, if yuu tell us the whole truth my par tner and I will prive you a writint;, aolemn- ly proDiismf; to see that you are left at liberty. Everythinff i» aKainet you ; your brother's participation in the money stolen fiom the murdered man ! his attempt to rob Dr. Strange, which can be proven by two witnesaea ; your scandalous intrigue with Klimner; your furious quarrel with him and threat to burn his barns ; the fact that his barns were burned and my partner saw you apply the torch " " That last iis n lie. every thine; else ia true, but that last is false ; I did not burn the barns, ' " Even if you didn t, we heard you threaten to, and Malon Kliinner swore to-nii;nt that yuu did. There is no salva- tion for yon except to tell it all. What Rhould hinder you ? You can't clinsr to Malnn Klimner after what he said to- niffht. Decide now or else put on your bonnet and these biacelets !" " But my husband—" faltered 'Rene. " He knows all about it; He was under that bed while I was behind the book-case."' " Then it was him that burnt the barns, '"Rene stammered out after a long pause. " 1—1— I thought— I saw him to- nisrht just at dark." " All the better for you, then. If he has turned fire-bn;; he'll have to stand in with you or ^o down— tell us all about the murder and the tire can be kept quiet. " 'Rene sat in silenc«> for a moment, her heavy eyelids droooing and her h.inda clasped tightly against her heavni>; breast. Suddenly springing to her feet she cried : •* I know much less about it than you think, but I'll tell it all ; give ma tno paper you promised me, first !" " Give us paper and ink. Andy will give you the agreement, and take down what you sav," CHAPTER XLVIIL 'bene whitkfoot's confession. Andy was furnished with a copybook which had been used for kevpinsr petty accounts, and having selected some blank pages, began to write at Bot>'a dictation : " I. Irene Whltefoot, do solemnly declare that I make the following statements of my own free will, and on condition that I am not to be prosecuted as an accessory after the fact, I hereby mako what reparation ts poasiblo for my long and— as I am in- formed -criminal silence. My tlrst suioicion as to the murderer of Peter Kliinner was caused by what was told me b7 my brother. Thomas Watson, on tho night of the said murder. My brother had been riding with Malon Kliin- ner, and had noticed that the said Malon Klimner was conlinaally wiping his hands, looking at them, cleaning his nails, and rub blng his flnKers, and when he, Thomas Watson, called Malon's attention to it he, Malon, ticw into u passion and swore he would kill my brother if ho ever went into court and tcatifled that he saw him, Malon, wiping blood ott' his hands. II e,Malou Klim- ner, was partially intoxioated at the time, and asked my brother to help hin. kill Dr. Strange, because the doctor had caused some trouble which Malon Klimnor and my brother had to pay for. My brother could not raise his share of tho money, and tno day before tho murder asked Malon Kliinner to help him out, but Malon said he had no money. The money, nowever. was raised by Mnlon, and my brother was loaned enough by Malon Klimner to pay his halt of the damages. My brother told me of his suspicions in order to break otf tho engagement between Malon Klimner and myself, but I did not believe it, and I had resolved to marry him, when he re- fused to fulfil his part of the contract, and I married Jonas Whitefoot. and continued my acquaintance with Malon Klimner, who lives almost opposite my place of resi- dence. One night in the winter followint my marriige, Malon Klimner, who had been drinking heavily and continuously, though in secret, came to my bouse while my husband was absent. He was delirious, and thought some one was trying to arrest him for murdering bis father. I tried to quiet him, but he was terribly frightened, and went on and told mo that nc did murder his father and did not know where to hide the proofs of his guilt. lie handed me the document marked exhibit 'A,' and ini- tialed by me, and a half sheet of paper with a lot of figures on—" "Is that it?" inquired Bob, showing her apiece ot paper. " Yes, that is it." •' Go on writintr, Andy." "I recognized tho paper marked 'B' as the one 1 had in my possession. I asked Malon Klimner how he got them, and why he was atraid to have them found. He said they were done up with one of the packages of money ho took from his father the night ho killed him. He hid this pack- age and did not go near it for three months, and in the meantime Mr. Johnson, who had received a large sum of money tor making the agreement for some sale of lands, hear- ing that the document could not be found, denied tho sale, and holds the lands stilL When Malon found the paper his father's interest in the lands had grown to bo worth ?15,000 or 120.000. and he did not want to destroy the paper, or he would lose tho chance of getting the property away from Johnson, and yet 3 What feparation and— as I am in- :e. to the murderer of used by what was ihomas Watson aid murdep. Mr with Malon Kllm- at the said Malon r wiping his hands. 8 hianail3,unarub vhcn he. Thomus attention to it he. lion and swore he he ever went into lesaw him, Malon. Is. He.MalouKlim- loatDd at the time, ) help hin. kill Dr. Jctor had caused Ion Klimnor and for. My brother or the money, and lor asked Malon I but Malon said money. However, i my brother was I Klimner to pay My brother told )rder to break off II Malon Klimner )t believe it, and I him, when he re- ' the contract, and lot and continued Malon Klimner, > mv place of reai- wmtor following -limner, who had '.nd continuously, 5 to my house as absent. He thought some arrest him for ried to quiet him, tened, and went did murder his here to hide the handed me the t 'A,' and ini- sheet of paper d Bob, Bhowing marked ' B ' as session. I asked them, and why Ihem found. He 1 with one of the |from his father le hid this pack- pr three months. ihnson.who had ley for making of lands, hear- I not be found. the lands BtilL per his father's grown to bo and he did paper, or he 5 of gettinjr inson, and yet DOLLY. 13» be dare not produce it, as the lawyer re- membered seeing Peter Klimner tie the papers up with a larRo bundle of bills, which were afterwards known to have been stolon, whan Peter Klimner was mur- dered. He told me be was in his father's room and had pried the chest open with an axe and had Just taken what money was there when nis father, returning home, suddenly opened the door, walked in. and looked it behind him. He said he stood still in the corner, hoping to escape notice in thd dark : the handle of the axe was touch- ing his ilngerd, he seized it. His father undressed himself and got into bod, but got up again and took a package from liis pocket and started to go towards the chest by which Malon stood. He saw that his father would find him. aud resolved to strike him with the back of the axe and es- cape. As his father came groping along he struck at him ; the axe hit the wall and almost fell from his hand, and ho .i^aaped it with the other band as well and struck violently at his father. He heard the edge of the axe crashing into his father's face and the blood flew OTer his hands. A flash of lightning re- vealed him to his father, who cried. "It's you. Malon," and tried to sci/co him. and, maddened by fear and excitement, he struck a:^ain and again at his father till he dropped to the noor. The package of mouey lying near the chest was revealed by another nash of lightning, and seizing the money he sprang out of the window, whioh slipped down again after he jumped out. "The outside of the package of money was stained with blood, and so he hid it without opening it, but later he cut the edges off the bills and used them. He told me all this while he had an attack of do* lirium tremens, and gave me the papers to keep for him. I would not give them back, and kept them until he promised to elope with me. He said he wanted to settle up and sellout first, and needed those papers to get hold of the Johnson property. He said he would pretend that he had found them among some old papers which had been overlooked, but he didn't dare do it. and tben be put me ofTby saying it was too soon, and he was afraid the lawyer would remember about them being tied up with the monej tbat was stolen. Ho was up town the day we had the quarrel, and probably showed the papers to his lawyer, and things passed off so well that he thought he could throw me off. '• He often talked to me about the murder when he was sober— that is. as sober as he ever has been for the past two years -and never denied the story he told me ; in fact, he has told it to me over and over again when he got frightened, and asked nie if there wan any danger of him being founU out. Ho confided in me and said I saved bim, because I took the papers away from him and kept him in my room until he got over the ' blues,' and could take care of himself again. " His mother and sister have both heard him speak of murdering hJs father while he has had spells of delirium tremens ; 1 do not know whether they believe it. I noticed blood marks on the two papers, ' A ' and ' B :' the stains wore on the edges and where the papers were folded. lad- vised Malon to cover the stains with ink, and ho did. •' I solemnly believe that Malon Klimner killed his father, but do not believe he went to bis room with the intention of doing it. (.Signed) " Ikene Whitefoot." "That's all you can tell, is it?" de- manded Bob, as 'Rene sitrned the deolara- tiim. " Yes, that's all. It shows no guilt on my part, and is hardly worth the paias you have tbken to get it, but now that it's over I'm glad it's done. I have told all I know, and that frees me, I didn't burn the barns, and thouijrh 1 can't prove that I didn't, you can't prove tbat 1 did, so tbat IS settled. Now I suppose there is nothing to prevent me leavini; here as soon as I like," "Yes, inadame, there is much to pre- vent you. TniB whole statement must be in evidence before you go. You are fool- ish to think o( going. Kiimner has gab- bed in his cups, but stay here and fight it out. We will make no public use of this piper, and you can stay and live on and help us, and perhaps by your aid we can trap our man without involving you at all. You know that wi go slowly, but depend upon it we get there. You are in the presence of the two best detectives, so it is said, in America, perhaps m the world. You know our skill : do as we tell you. Work with us and for us, and no harm will befall you. Go against us, re- veal a word of tonight's proceedings, and you are lost if Anderson and I can ruin you." " You needn't be afraid," said 'Rene, bitterly. ** I have no one to tell it to ex- cept my husband and Malon Kliiimpr. My husband would kill me if h<^ knew it all, and Malon Klimner has been so drunk since Friday that he doesn't know that he IS running his neck into the gallows by abusing me. I'll be faithful, and when you go away take me with you, and I'll serve you well ; m.ake mo a detective, give me a chance to live; whnt I have told to night changes my whole life, and I may be thrown into the road." " Oh, no, my dear madam. If Jonae has gone into the barn-burning business you are Kolid ; he will have to abide with you. never fear !" *• Bob, don't you think you have made promises enoush ? Let's go," said Andy, rising, "All right, chummy!" answered the jubilant Bob. " Im with you ! Now dont breathe a word and I'll see that you're cared for. Good night !" 126 DOLLY "Yei, it'i a bargain. Good aiKht." 'Kene atiHwered. udcu (luuidf) the house Bob Uyan clutL-lifld Anily H arm (uid wtiiapered : "We'vfipot 'oin ! liob J{yan'a repu- tation's nuKJe and yourV saved !" "How' ' naked Liicien. "I'll ahuw you I It may take weeks to work it uut, or lunjrbe it'll como in a few days. Keep mum. Come up to I'el- der'a to-murrow about luuBet if I don't send a niesRupre for yoii sooner. Don't (piit watchinf?. I'm Koiiifl: up to ttie county town iii^htHtraitrht and tomorrow Mr. Choate walks into the trap, and 1 get authority to iii;vloliy, overcome by the distress and un- quiet of a sleepless night, bursi into tears. Mrs. J''eider was viHibly softened, but added, because she thought it her duty to bo ievere : " Well, he'a bin accused of enough, any- how, iorcrery an' murder an' bigamy au' e V ery thin'. W here there'a so much bmoko ther must be some fire.'' Jo, coming in from the barn, throw'hia hat on the lounge and told Dully and her mother to follow him to the parlor. " An' one thing," said Jo, emphatically, aa he glanced meaningly at Dolly, •'don't aereeto nuthin' till^I ai;rec first." Choate greeted ttiem with efTuaive politeness, and in addreasing Dolly h*; assumed an air of sympathy and tender solicitude, winch at once made her spirit rise up in rebellion. How are you feeling this morniner ?" he enouired, as ho reached out hia hand. The hand was ignored by Dolly, and he placed it on the back of a chair, as if he had not been offering it to her, and continued : "I sincerely hope that the unfortunate tidings which it was my unfortunate duty to bear did not prevent you from sleeping ur cause you to— ah— er— feel any — er— er— annoyance at me aa the— er — vehicle of the evil tidings." It waa not often that Choate stammered or forfirot his part, but while he spcke Dolly's deep, dark eyes looked straight into his, coldly and contemptuously, and in spite of every eHort his red lashes dropvedover his pale eyea and he forgot what he had determined to say. " It doesn't matter ! Where are the proofs you promised to brina ?" she asked, dropping wearily into a chair. " "They are here. Fe:*mit me to explain them," said Choate, with a bow whicn was in itself an apolo<<:y for the unplens.mt developments which must follow. He drew his chair neitrcr her and was almost beuJing over her knee wtien she pushed It to bo diF>eraoed (i to beg, jiat bti- took some crniik, tliat, tit fer'ik I'm )t on hevin' it that t;ot to be er I il Jo '11 find out thi>t care of ye all ttiis lon't want to dis- will," said iJoUy, do ri(;ht and fol- have mo do if ne le never had any >ogitive ai if I iiad It wtii impoiiible lue or deceive lue le distress and un- t, burai into teard. bly softened, but >ght It her duty to ed of enoufrh, any- r an' bigamy au' b'» SO much bmoko a barn, throw'his aid iJuUy and her the parlor. ** An' aphatically, as he ; Dolly, -'don't ;rec first." n With efTusive re«sinK Dolly h>: ithy and tender made her spirit this mornini; ?" ed out his hand, Dolly, and he a chair, as if it to her, and the unfortunate unfortunate duty roufrom slespitiir —feel any — er— the— er — vehicle hoate stammered while he sp^ke looked straight iinptuously, and his red lashes and he forgoi ,0 say. Where are the ns '/"shea^ked, hair. It me to explain a bow whicii r the unpleasant at follow. He and was almost nen she pushed DOLLY. 127 ner seat away from him and coldly le- (|ueated nun to address tier fatlier. An uifly tiK'litunitiflr of nis thin lips was the only Sign he madx of liuvinfr been hurt, and without furtljer ado he showed Jo two marriai^'e certitica'es which uom the names of hucien M. Strange and anuthei cuntractinir I'arty. In addition thoro were atlidavits from ix ciorRryman and a justice of tlio peace, doscribinw: Lucien's appearance ; two troin the wive.4 to the effect that they had married him in ignor- ance of hu history, and bulievinsr hiiii to L'e unmarried. ruUowinc tlie^e were the athdavits ot peoi)le wlio had vented moms and furniiihcd board for Lucien Htrangu and his wife, describing; both the man and the woman, A memo- randum was exhibited mentioning a half dozen hotels, the registers of which showed the sitrnature, " L. M. Straiii;e and wife," and last of all, a copy of a declaration iyled in a odndin^; divorce suit, wherein plaintitT pleaded the deser- tion of her hus and, Lucien M. Stransre, as sufficient reason for the annuluieut of the marriagA. While ChoatB read over these papers he often looked at Dolly, and his voice began to tiave a triumphant ring as hci saw she was beginning to feel the strength of his evidence. Jo often looked curious- ly at the lawyer, as it unable to compre- nend something, and Choate invariably Nvcnt over the papers aeain with addi- tional explanations, never imaGrininer that the farmer was simply wondering that even so bold and accomplished a villain as Forney W. Choate dare perpetrate forgeries such as the ones before hitn. "Well, now!" exclaimed Mrs. Felder, as Choate, leaving the documents in Jo's hands, leaned bactc in his chair, clasped bis hands behind his bead and looked triumpnantly at Dolly, "as fcr'sl'm con- same I it's clearer 'n noonday that Looshen was a bigumist of the deepess dye ! An' T can't see how anyone kin resist them air proofs I" Dolly's face had grown chalky white and the corners of her mouth trembled when she raised her sad eyes to her father's and awaited his reply. A look Hashed between father and daughter, and hope again revived in Dolly's heart. " I can't Bee how them papers kin be got around !" exclaimed Jo. " Tnev hang together an' prove that Lucien wan a mighty bad man.but I hate to see my only child disgraced 'ithout askin' some legal advice, an' if you'll go up town 'ith me an' submit tneir pauers to a lawyer friend ot mine au' do what he soz is rignt I'll foUer his advice an' tell Dolly t' sign." •' But my dear sir, you are making a grave mistake, "suggested Choate, hastily. " r>y adding nnotlior to the list ot those NNho already know ot this iinf'Tttinate affair vou incur great danger danger to which 1 am not preiiared to expose either my cliuntH or n.y tamih-." '"I'ln not scared oke of the money, his whole nature revoltint^ against even tne semblance of a trade with di-i- honnr, but Choate at on'e caught the idea that it was fear about tho money that held Jo back. "You needn't bo afraid about the money," he said, q-iickly, "I will get a check marked 'good,' or pay you the cash before I ask your daughter to re.sijfu her claim by signing this paper. " ■' You hain't got the money with yo, hev ye';" enciuirod Jo, suspiciously. "No, but I'll go to tho town and fix that all ritrht, and be back this evening I" " Why not go 'ith me'n Dolly and crit the money, an' let old Laird look over these dockvments ';■ It wouldn't take half an hour, an' me'n Dolly 'd feel satisfied," peisisted Jo. " But this Laird may want to show his smartness, and make a big feo by delay- ing me tor days and weeks. I have spurit a vast deal of tiiue over this affair already and came in person to attend to tins set- tlement to insure secrecy, and now I pro- pose to wind the matter up at once or let matters take their course. You must accept to day or not at all, no matter what Laird says. I assure you that this IB final." As he conclude i Choate stood up very stitlly and readied for his hat. Jo betrayed great anxiety as he also rose to his feet, and his voice trembled as lie bejr^JTod Choate to be easy with him and let his lawyer see the t>apers. *' It can't be worse than Dolly refusin' to sign them, nohow, an' chances air thet J^aird 'd 'vise her to sign. Anyhow. I'll urom- ise fer ner thet it'll be settled to-day one 128 DOLLV way n t'lither, if ve'll lot T her tnntlior : to my room ; I rd to find, but it li>M uKonv of that Li[) nt liim for an L-ii the door to let ■ \y8 I t'ant doe 1 "uiit to doe !" ight ht-r iiiother's rline'i voice over- kinf; on the flor, ) her nriiii and Uaydr>, I'm ffoinfr B and mine for will bre.»l; !" rde unt tv anv y t'aiiHe Mayde »ie I'' oooed May, sand hair, haint no time to moment Go an' )(>nnet an' ttiinir* ir, an nhe tried in al L>ully from the >ve the little irirl; ' Chiiate advised. ul voice quieted ee yielded to her er to her feet. ilayde,' the said. Rhe prepared for prepire fur the it'd her into the bie 1 forthe wan, coul'l not even t, ae the lawyer Sha leaned lieav- ode alonpT. ixib nhe did not look Tes". His heart uflly wounded Tup theBtnirato burBt into tears pie, Pappie, I money for my L. Ithe toils. office, a W3ll- l)\v over n desk ^'hen tho door up, bliDped a his noBM, and of hi8 mous- ted develop- in was a Bob Ryan. Ilothes, which DOI.LY. 129 liad been awaitinp* him in tho bacrtraf;"- room i)t the depot, ohnnged hm apna -d tor over tw enty minuteB when it ' 'Mijx'ned and Clioate and i.uird came out toKetbfr. Thi' latter was a fat, itoft, iniiocuiit lookiuk' (love of a man, whose cnief buHincss \n a:* coovayanciii(( and oMlce practice. His advice wbh said to l>«' the bust in the diH trict, but It was K>^en in a jokin((, don't- inatter-wliether-> ou-t.iki:-it or not Hort of tone, which impreH^ed stranKers diHa^ree- ably, " Only a matter of form, my dear sir, made abnolutely uocu.'«sarv by our code ana practice, ThiH is a monarchical coun- try, and wo surround law and it» urocesses with every formality mid all tiie iiomu und circumstances of a court puReant :' Choate looked disKUbtcU and dittnon- certetJ, but the jolly Luird npuke t<> Ryan and told him to read aloud the altiduvit lie ea,vo into hia hand, ar.d uimessthii Nit:na' ture which ^Ir. Choate would aiHK. Kyan reau a declaration which in etiect Kolemnly affirmed that the duponunt tiad personal knowledi.'o that the sit.'nature> on ihe certitii'uti'S of mai riutre and affidavits were ptmuine and thoso of Doiia-iidn per- sons, und he of Ins pKrson.'\l knowli'Ufre know that said atiuliivits had been made by those purportinfr to have made ti. em Ijefore tliose whose Hignatures made ttium official." "This IB the most absurd office rule I •fver heard of,' prumbled Choate, as faj signed ttia declaration and kiased the book. •* Imajijine a lawyer niaking everybody swear who comes into bis office that, thev shall tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth I It reauits, I sup- pose, in the most wholesale perjury." " Yes, very bad I very bad I but it keeps one lawyer from iniposing' on anot:.er,a!:d prevents us from tiaving to go to the troubleof investifiratinpr every trifling affidavit. Now, if you wdl go and get a marked chejk, 1 will have all your paper.s signed ana ready by the time you get back." Detective Ryan had left the office and was back a<;ain before Choate returned from the bank with a check, which was inspected by Laird and iironouDced satis- factory. Dolly stood by the window, looking hopelessly over the busy street below. Laird held tho check in bis hand, and C'hoate had folded up his papers and was buttoning his coat over tne pocket which contained them, when the door opened and a policeman entered, followed bv the detective. '*' That's the man '." cried Uyuu, point- ing to rhuate, " roinoy \V, Choate, you ivre my pris- oner !" recited thu constable, uxhibitiog » warrant. " Ami the charge ?" di manded C boat*, hiiHki y. "I'erjury and f.ilae pretence^k, *« wvr- ed the constaliit-, " I suppose 1 have you tv> thank tor the tl\ I am in," hissed Choate, turning to Laird, bourse with ])aHHion. *' Not at all, not at ail : you Hatter ra's " smiled Laird, rubiuug his iiands gl<^- fully, "rorinit uie to introduce you to Detective Kyan, w ho has followed you from your own country ; he kt tbe gentle- man who has atoppc-d your brilliant ca- reer.' " Have aoigar : ' in luired Kvan, bland Iv, offering Cnoato a w i. tilled case. "'The first iiBBO 1 met v'u m Canada you urave mo a cn{.\; and »j>kvd me i ■ re Mr. Feldor lived *' This IS a conspiracy from whioft I ''iU soon civ^.tr myself,' Choate began— Im wa.* furious, but too old a head to gwe v t • n, his wrath in word-. He glar*d «> at liyan, and then turuiiit; to the con - Ktabiu told hiir, to tuke iiim tw the police station and procure hnn the beat l-gul assistance in the town. *' I'll go with NOW, my bunko, and see that you are properly searched. Ulticer. take hi- arm, 1 will take the other, .md we'll see that hu tlropg nothing from hi-i pockets." /\iid awoy tlicy went, Cboata pale and silent, Boh kyan hilarious, aovt thu policeman stilt' and without "Hioti«)n. Dolly had watched the aoene with wid« open, wondering eyes, not rei»li/!»< how great a change had come ^ver her fortunes, but feeling that s le waa relii vod of the disgrace which Choate had soughi. to heap upon her, Jo Felder was wild with excit€m4?«% and grabbed i^oily in his anna and hug- cred her and patted lier head, and Kr.e.ssed "That feller's fixed now, dod rot:m Things '11 git better now, Doll, Jo DOLLY, niph onto SiiOO.OOO. What'll motlier lay now ! An' say ! that haint the be.st— " Jo's elbow received a violent nudi^e, and (rlancini; around the hapuy man found Lawyer Laird looliini; warnin^ly atbim. Jo subiidfld at once. "Yuu had better reiurn home with your dauffhter at unce. It has no doubt been a trying time for her, and she can do no more to-day. I will dee that Choate is not liberated on bail, and Ryan will do the reat, Sharp fellow th.^t Ryan ; seems to know exactly how far a criminal will go. For my part I never thou(;nt a law- ver could have been induced to Hwear to that riermarole, but Choate took it, thousrh he objected very seriously, I assure you. Yankees seem to think they are out of tne world when they get into Canada, and are surprised at nothing. I wouldn't have believed it, though ! ' A moment) later Ryan entered and said he wu« ready to return to Feldersburg, and wanted a ride. " How '11 ye git the horse ye rode up here back home if ye (ro with us?" inquired Jo innocently. Bob scowled at bim and said a friend of his wanted it to come down later in the evening. Dolly felt grateful to Bob, and in thanking him for the services he had rendered her axpreRsed surprise that after capturing his man he should care to return to Feldenburg. " I'm RoinK back after my trunk— and partner," said Bob, with a laugh. "Don't thank ma tor what I have done. It is only what I am paid for." Dolly would have given considerable to know who had sent him, but she restrained her curiosity, and with returning gaiety listened to his stones of experience. At last she could no longer conceal her anx iety to know who had sent him and what he knew of her late husband's people and a question followed. " My dear madam," smiled Bob, *' de- tectives never tell anything about a case until it ia finished. "This isn't over yet, BO pleaao excuse me for being silent." Dolly felt hurt, but as he told her of hia plans and how he intended to make Choate confess his former crime, she for- gave him. As he helped her to alight from the carriage ho remarked, with a profound bow : '* I congratulate you on returning to your homa the richest woman in the county. " " But not the happiest," added Dolly, aadlv. "That may come later," said Bob, m he helped Jo unhitch the horse, " naver despair." After Dolly went in the house Detective Ryan had a long talk with Jo. aa to their future courae. "I don't want to make any bad br'-aka," he said " for even now the whole acheine could be spoiled by injudicious management. And more than that, there is agreat deal of ttiiH unhappy story which it would be unwise to reveal to the gossips of tne village. It should be made to seem aa if the whole scheme from beu'inning to end was intend- ed as a blind, as far aa Doctor Strange la concerned, and necessary for hia proper vindication. I would aavise tbat you persuade Mrs. Strange to move at once into hci' house in the villa;;e, and that can be accomplished to-morrow. Then when { the doctor shows up it will seem as if he j had been expected, and there will be less ; talk. I have promised that Strange shall ; have the privilege of announcing his ex i»tence, ana I think things will be ready before very Ions,'. " . So it came about that the pretty furni I ture waa replaced in the doctor's house in I Feldersburg. Janet washed tne tioors ' and made the windows glisten almost as i brightly as did her face. With many j tears Doily saw the chairs and tables in < their old places, but she thought with i pleasure tbat she could henceforth live as ' Dr. Strange's widow, not as Jo FeHer's ^ daughter— not that she was ashamed of { the latter, but because it seemed to make ; her ap'jear ashamed ot the name her baby I bore. It seemed queer to Dolly that ; her fathar should be anxious to be rid ol ! her, but he explained that he was goinsr i to give uu his tarm, and he wanted to see I her settled at once. I Mrs. Felder, silenced by the arrest of ! Choate, had joined in the idea with some I enthusiasm. She was anxious to rectify I her error, and did it by continually brag- , ging to Dolly of what a sensation would j be caused when it became known that I " ther was a lady livin' in the peak-ruffcd ' house up t' village with millyuna an' miU- 1 yuns UT dollars," I DoUy'a teara fell fast when ahe put ! Lucien's books back on the ahelvea, and, standing by the front window, she looked back into her room and remembered with a shiver the night of terror when Liucien left her to meet his death. Bob managed *.t so that Andy ahould aee none of these preparations. HARKS CHAPTER LL THK HORRORS — UALON KLIHNEB HIS EXIT. tiefore tha time appointed for Andy to come up to Felder's, Detective Ryan lehouae Detective th Jo. M to their to make any bid '* for even erne could be anagemenl. And iRi-eat deulof tiiiH would be unwisa E tne village. It M if the whole o end was intend- Doctor Strange la •y for his proper aovige tbat you move at once a(?e, and that can ow. Then when rill seem ad if he ^hei-e will be less lat Stran^b shall louncing hiH e.\ g9 Will be ready the pretty furni doctor's bouse in ashed the tioors Rflisten almost as ?. With ii:any irs and tables in he thought with lenoeforth live aa Jt as Jo Felder's was ashamed of seemed to make e name her babv Ir to Dolly that ous to be rid ol t be was g'omir e wanted to see >y the arrest of idea with some i.xious to rectify tntinually brai;- lensation would le known that the peak-ruffed lillyuni an' mill- when she put |a shelves, and, low, she looked lembered with |r when Lucien |t Andy should ma. Ll. LlMNEB HARKS DOLLY. 131 for Andy to itective Ryan knocked at Klimnsr's door and inquired t(ir his client. A woman opened the dour and told him that the Frenchman was up- stairs holpinfr with the sick man. "Who's sick?" snapped Bob, pushinR his WF^y into the hall. "Malon Klimner ; he's got the 'tree- mera ' asrin ! Air you the doctor ?" "Yes, one of them. Show me where they are. " The woman looked auspicious, bat Bob could no: be put off, and ran up the stau s as if he were at home. The sound of heavy breathing and the creakiuf; of a bed located the sick man. Bob pushed o])Pii the door and entered unannounced. Andy sat on the edge of the bed where Malon lav exhausted, his bloated face pallid and wet with perspiration. Sadie sat beHide her brother, and tho poor.faded old mother stood weeping: at ttie foot of tue couch. Malon, rolling ceaseiesslv from side to side, sat up and stared at Bub as he entered. " You've come fer them cattio ; I'll git up an' show 'em t' yo !"' Malon began, ;>,s he threw his feet out of the bed and pre- pared to jret up. "I've bin 'xpectin' yo ler a week." Andy forced him back, and met with but little resistance. Malon seerned to forget his purpose before it was iialf form- ed. Before Iving down he looked c.ire- fuUy under the sheets as if he feared snakes were hidden there, and then with a sudden jerk lifted the pillows and began to strike Uiadly at the vermin which his disordered fancy revealed, Andy pushed him down on the pillow-'. but so real were the terrible creatures which his morbid perc<^ptions found craui- ing from beneath the sheets that li'i shrieked in horror ana threw Andy away from the bed. l''earing that he would du himself harm. Bob seized the tremblin:: wretch and threw him down upon the mattrass. Again the delirious Malon firation stood like beads on his livid face. •' He's dead ! "sobbed Sadie. " No he isn't !' barked Andy, who was counting the siclv man's pulse, "he's for- gotten what he saw. I'ortunately for them, men in the horrors have bad mem- ories. " Malon slowly opened his eyes, and look- ing at Bob asked liim what be was laugh- ing at. Bob denied that be was laughing, but Malun persisted and accused his mo- tner of having insulted him. Tho ner- vous and tearful old woman assured him that her heart was breaking over his suf- feiincrs, but he called her a filthy name, and forgot his anger and began uproar- iously to pollute the name of maternity, and pull his feet up from the foot of the bed where he swore someone was tickling him witii a straw. After a short silence he rolled to the edge of the bed, and crauiiig his neck, looked under to see if anvone were hidd.'u there. Ferocious animals glared at iiim, and with terror- stricken face he rolled back in the bed .'vnd hid his head in the sheets. While they weri; a;l watching Malon a stranger rode up to the door and threw tho reins of h.s liorse's bridle over the eate post. L nannounced he entered and went up stairs and joined those who kept watch over the case of horrors. Malon was quiet for a motnent, and tlie stranger in- quired, turning to Detective Ivyan : " Is he really sick or shall I arrest him •;" Bob glanced at Malon to see how the ciuestion would affect the tremblini: wretcii, wiio slowly gathered himself to- gether and sat up. " You'd better wait till morning."' answered Bob, "we'll watch that he don't escape." Malon was standing up now at the foot of the bed, the head of which stood be- side a large Gothic window. Andy rose up to seize him, but with a despairin<; howl of fear, Malon sprang forward and threw bimself through the window, the frame and glass crashing down with him upon a little heap of stones below. Andy ran downstairs and was the first to raisi! the poor, crazed drunkard from the ground. Desoite a broken arm and leg ana fractured ribs he was trying to es- cape, blood pouring from his mouth, and his disabled limbs refusing their office. The black eyes, reH ;vith the madness of terror and delirium, gleamed savagely at Andy as he and Bob carried Malon into the kitchen, out the flowing blood soon relieved the cnneested brain, and the :32 DOLLY. KhiTerinjr hands lay quietly on the carpet louiipe. " .Send for the doctor, quick !" cried Sadie. *' It's no use," stuttered Andy, "he's burst a blood vessel and cannot live half anhoiit' — periiap? not ten minutes" " Tlion let me speak to him and hev' a tew words of prayer atoru ha jroes to meet his Maker to pive .in account of his Btewartship, and meet the jedRmjnt of the A'mighty God. ' Parson Meek*— '""^ coine in. and prop- erly sought to i e the solemn occa- sion by relii,". : zeroises, Imt Malon, dyinsrashewa idently did not appre- ciate his efforts. Parson Meeker knelt down and began to lift up his voice in prayer, and was just reaclnn? tlie hitrhest key of his elocutionary eamnt, recouut- mff the trenerous srifts of thedyiu? m;>n to the church, wiien Malon, chokinsr with blood, looked at Andy and then at the Kneelinff supplicant, and muttered : "Take the damn tUiiipout." Andy hesitated ; ho could hardly believe his senses ; could it be possible for a dyintr man to be so ))rofane '; Wriile tie hesitated, Malon spat ". mouth- ful of i))ood on the nands of the parson, and tried with failiuj? htreii;,'tii to f-ject a moutiiful into the f:ice wiiich, with closed eyes and many linos of seif-abaseinent, wa? turned up ceilinprwar i. " T 'ke 'im awa . ," airma :,'asued Mi»lon. and BoP led the preacher away from the bed-ide. The offieer, who had r:dJen down from tho town to arrest Malon i\ limner, askiid him to conresB his knowletifto of his father s murder, and assured him that death would soon make it impossible, "I - killed— him. 1 didn't— mten' tn — but after— I struck — 'im— once — couldn't — ■top. He saw me anil I daren t -iettim live — I'm sorry now — I wan' — see — IJoUy Felder ! — lo\ 'ei ' — Teller ! — I — aed — lov'er — lassinp— lass' bre'f— aed lov — er !" The red gleam was gone from the heavy tjlack eyes, the smouldeiin;- tire w;;s quenched, and the only love that the heart of Malon Klimni-r ever knew, softened, with the passinu' gleam of a tender smile, the face that was stilleniug in death. The blood cea-ed to liow from the half- open mouth ; the pulse that beat feebly beneath the pressure of Jiamo Andys linger, stopped ; Malon Klimner was dead. The aw-ful silence which follows a know- ledge that death has come, held the little group, broken only by the sobbing of Malon's heartbroken mot;ier and sister. "Rene Whitefoot ran in. excited, breatti- lesR. as if the herald of evd tidmcs or some awful warning. The question died on her lips when she pushed her way into the room, and saw Malon lying dead on the bripiit colored lounge in the kitchen, lie- hind her but a few paces came Jonas \\'hitefoot, prepared to do soniethintr des- perate. The loaded pistol in hia pocket was never drawn ; death had settled Dis claim tor vengeance. No one ever fonrot that scene. Sadie and her mother, still dwelling in the old house, see it often, and its shadow fngh'; ens av\'ay the lovers winch the soft iiearted, lonely Sadie well deserves. In a far westiirn state 'Kene Whitefoot and her aged liusband iooic at each other acro.-8 their loveless table, and tne ghastly face o' Muiou Ivlimner's corpse ciulh even the kindue-8 that would coin' from the habit 01 dwellmjr together, ( »fti;n wlien Rhe wakes in the night and sees thai slirivel.ed face on the niliow beside her, siie Would i ke to strangle jioor old .lonas, w:io is more dictatorial, " busmesslike, and annoying every day, rarely forpettine to remind her of her past ; but the burning barns and the dead face recall the scenes of ciime, and she decides tiiat she must wait till Jonas dies. And it is for this she longs. CHAPTER LIT. AN" UNWILLING UKPAUATION, The same night that Malon Kliraner co:;[es3ed to the murder of his father Audy and Uetectivo liyan rode to the county town to demand a confession from Ciioate, ilaily next morning they visit"d his cell, Andy still disEruiscd as a trami). lie was preparing his defence and ex- pecting his legal adviser. "You were over smart, my dear fellow, ' he sueered. as Bob entered. '* The con- spiracy is so manifest that I will bo liber- ated at once." " Is that so ?" Bo"p asked, as he seated himself wn heavier and ortions, he wat >f old. I the store stared He said "Pleas- d at oDo Another out their chew- horse-man, then 3w, went baclv in wore that it wai hinp that ever the |?ate when IV his reina over ran to the door >oUy, not ytt n store for her, oinu-coming of 1 witnesb the re- t'rave. and Dolly fman who was fcd it was "the thet she ever ler, and opened len with Dolly DOLLY, 18» in bis arms and little Mayde sittincr on nis shoulders, asking him where he'd been— "Aw 'e time ?" Lucien answered nothincr, but kissed the baby lips, and a?ain and again kissed his wife, who clung to him, only half believing that this joy was not a dream which would pass away in a tearful and lonely awaken- incr. All this was not long ago, and the future holds its own secrets. iJoUy and Lucien have been in New York and ccme back again with riches enough to gratify Dolly's prophecy " that some day they'd be able to go everywhere and see every- thing," Feldersbure never asked ques- tions, but, overawed by Doctor Strange "s wealth, received him back as if hu had never been absent. Had you stood on the dusty road that winds throuhh Feldersburg the nisrht after Dolly and Lucien returned, you would have seen a happy little party on the doorstep and heard Mrs. Felder begging Dolly not to live away from her mother, or she would have no one to see her through her "troubles." Dolly laughed and said her " troubles '' ot every kind were past. " You can't tell, Dolly. I've heered lots on 'em say the same, an' I've bin helpin' 'em through agin afore long. No one can't tell nuthiu' any more after this, and the way things he/, turned out, kin they, Joel?" "No, Hanner, we can't, but the Lord'* bin ter'bie good to us after all, thougti we've bin so keer'.ess of Him. an' we kin reckon it '11 be perty nicrn right." Wbila they were talking Dolly's fair hands held up the little painted board while Lucien fastened it in it's old place and now if you ever go that way you will see on the door of the new house with the pretty furniture the same blue sign with gilt letters, "Dr. btrMige, Fhysioiftn and Surgeon." THE END. Note— This edition of "Dolly" is printed from the original storeotpye plates uade each week for The Toronto News, where the story first appeared as a aerial. I'or this reason the author has been unable to make a much needed revision of some of the chapters, the weaknesses of which are those incident to serials that are forced to iiold the interest each week. TuK Author.