Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall

I had seen. She could not advise me, and of course she was deeply troubled and concerned. After deliberating, I determined to speak to Aunt Dorothy that

d. I left them in Dorothy's bedroom. H

ment and consternation. "Since you left, you mean. Did you not leave this roo

om, Aunt Dorothy; you se

rothy!" screamed the old lady in terror.

Dorothy's room and returne

e plot?" she de

he exact truth. If I were accessory to Dorothy's crime, it w

dow, saying she wished to make a change in her garments

main event,-Dorothy's escape,-was easily sati

t I have not intentionally permitted Dorothy to leave the Hall. I have of late said so much to him on behalf of the girl that he suspects me already of being i

ady began

of that opinion I said: "If you fear that Sir George will not believe you-he certainly will blame you-would it not be better to admit Dorothy quietly when she returns and say no

nt Dorothy, "I shall be only too gl

door to admit me at any time during the night, and Dorothy will come in without

is complete," replie

She walked out upon the terrace where she strolled for a short time. Then she climbed over the wall at the stile back of the terrace and took her way up Bowling Green Hill toward t

o John by the hand of Jennie Faxton, acquainting him with the detail

nd. It does not lie in the power of man to keep me from you. That is, it lies in the power of but one man, you, my love and my lord, and I fear not that you will use your power to that end. So it is that I beg you to wait for me at sunset hour

d eagerly through the bars, hoping to see John. She tried to shake th

the reason love laughs at locksmi

d sprang to the ground on th

s but poorly to cover me, and I shall instead be covered with shame and confusion when John comes.

re not a woman, John would not love her, and, above all, she could not love John. The fact that she could and did

was dense, and withal the fading light of the sun and the dawning beams of the moon and stars, deep shadow enveloped Dorothy and all the scene about her. The girl was disappointed when she did not see Manners, but she was not vexed. There was but one person in all the world toward whom she held a patient, humble attitude-John. If h

eness that is the essence and the life of Heaven and of love. Poets may praise snowy women as they will, but the compelling woman is she of the warm blood. The snowy woman is the lifeless seed, the rainless cloud, the unmagnetic lodestone, the dro

her life was at hand. By the help of a subtle sense-familiar spirit to her love perhaps-she knew that John would ask her to go with him and to be his wife, despite all the Rutlands and Vernons dead, living, or to be born. The thought of refusing

from a marriage against which so many good reasons could be urged. But this evening her familiar spirit whispered to her that she need not fear, and her heart was filled with joy and certainty. John dismounted and tethered his horse at a short distance from the gate. He approached Dorothy, but halted when h

and looked through the bars toward Bowling Green. He stood at the gate for a short time with indifference in his manner and irritation in his heart. He, too, tried to hum a tune, but failed. Then he tried to whistle,

f words and actions. A little aimless stalking about at the gate was more

saw you that you were Sir Malcolm Vernon. I fancied yo

ror," answe

with great amusement on the part of one, and with

I ask whom have I t

u may ask," wa

aces away from him. John's patience was rapidly oozing, and when the unknown intruder

sir, I

is flattering,

ohn. "My curiosity is not in

ed to be insulting, sir?

ted John, warmly. Then after an instant of th

few minutes and I feel sure that under the circumstances so gallant a gentleman as yourself will act with d

ult at all with your presence. Please take no account whatev

omewhat di

struggling to keep down his temper, "but I fear you

" the fellow said; "but I assure

n, "if you expect to mee

ask," was the girl'

hn. "Furthermore, I demand to know w

, sir, is no bus

." The girl's heart jumped with joy. "And if you have any of the feelings o

bout my affairs, I tell you I, too, hope to meet my sweetheart at this place. In fact, I know I shall meet my

persons at the gate she, of course, would return to the Hall. Jennie Faxton, who knew that the garments were finished, had told Sir John that

said, "I was here first,

the person I am to meet-" Dorothy thought she had betrayed herself, and that John wo

t his eagerness to see Dorothy, and his fear, nay almost certainty, that she could not come, coupled with the hope which

n here before thi

eet-quite as often as you,

st also have deafened John, since he d

t you shall not remain here now. If you wish to save yourself trouble, leave at once. If

; by my beard, you would regret it," answered the girl, pleased to see John

," said John, dr

not so large and strong. I am unskilled in the use of a sword, and therefore am I no match for Sir John

d humor against his will; "but you must leave. He who cannot

ho retreated stepping backward,

In fact, I am eager to yield-more

red John, putting h

d Dorothy, "I w

ust fight,"

fight quite as well as anybody. But really, I am ashamed to draw my sword, since to do so would show you how poorly I am equipped to defend myself unde

no pains to hide her identity, and after a few moments of concealm

e thought, "did he wear all

cried John, amused and irrit

blood," answered Dorothy, laughing heartily. Sh

rry you away

, if you did," answered

llenly. "In the devil's name, tell me wh

I make you this offer: you expect M

Mistress Vernon?" crie

e wall where she cannot see me. When she comes in sight-though in truth I don't think she will come, and I believe were she under your very nose you would not see her-you shall tell me and I will leave at once; that is, if you wish me to leave. Af

w dare you so speak of h

ress Vernon, I pray your pardon-you will have grown so fond of me that you will not permit me to leave you." She thought after that speech he could not help but know her; but

e the wager?"

eply John deigned to give

shall remain at the gate til

s possible with you," he returned. "You are a

's affection is to amuse him. That old saw which says the road to a man's heart is th

at us. There is a vast difference in the t

ding to be angry. John waved her off with his hand, and laughingly said, "Little you

ut it than you would belie

n I would suppose," said John. "It is absurd to say that

arm, it is true, but they also love a strong heart, and you see I am not at all afraid of you, even though y

many," inte

ve, John,-Sir John,-you possess all

ter me,"

Dorothy, "that

sitatingly: "Doubtless many women, Sir John, have seen your virtues more clearly than

ob while she awaited his reply. A new field of discover

he persistent girl pursue

hy, in flattering tones. There were rocks and shoals ahead for

e a fool replied. Dorothy was accumul

she, "the fine ladies must have sought

ber such affairs." His craft was headed for the rocks. Had he o

hearts to you?" asked the persistent girl.-"What a senseless question," returned John. "A dozen times

saved her from tears, and she said, "You are so brave and handsome that you must have found it a ve

ually they have been quite easy to convince. I am naturally bold, and I sup

he path of petty vanity, save this man! But no, Doroth

false to all of the

ake it! A man can't be true to

be true," the girl answered, restrai

fair form was concealed within the disguise. He attempted to lift my soft beaver hat, the broad rim of which hid Dorothy's face, but to that she made a decided objection, and John continued: "By my soul I

ped toward the now interesting stranger. But she d

. You are a wom

scover her identity. At first it had been rare sport to dupe him; but the latter part of her co

I admit that I am a-a

y and gallantry were aroused. "I will watch for Mis

ready to weep. Then she thought: "I little dreamed I was coming here for this. I will c

all she wanted to know

d John, coaxingly. The girl complie

you are her

an," she replied,

held the hand in his, and after examining it in the dim light saw that it was a

ist and drew her yielding form toward him. Dorothy, unobserved by John, removed the false beard and moustachio, and when John put

e, John; that would be no consolati

prang to his feet, you may be sure. "Dorothy! God help me! I am the king of fools. Curse this h

d was, to tell the girl that he had only pretended not to know her. He thought he would try to make her believe that he had

ever have forgiv

d, in very dolefulness, "is that I m

help matters,"

re no longer. I must leave you. I cannot even ask you to say farewell. Mis

could no more throw it off than she could expel herself from her own existence. All this she knew full well, for she had analyzed her conditions, and her reason had joined with all her other faculties in giving her a clear co

e learning of the ancients and all the cunning of the prince of darkness could not have taught him a wiser word with which t

not know what I wish," she said sim

ed with joy, but

remained at home. I would to God I

s of his wisdom di

ool of myself about a man who has g

e," moaned John

you. I felt that I must come. I felt that I should die if I did not. And you are so false. I wish I were

ot remain and look you in the face. If I dare make any request, it is that despite all you have heard from my lips you will

ther two score women," said Dorothy. Tears and sob

word I can utter. Forget, if possible, that I ever existed; forget me that you may not despise me. I

while she bent low her head and to

. He took a step or t

maintained his voice at a mournful pitch and said: "I must go. I can no longer endure to remain." While he spoke he moved toward his horse, and his head was bowe

all swept away by the stream of her mighty love, and she cried again, this time without hesitancy or reluctance, "John, John." She started to run toward him, but my cloak was in her way, and the s

isite loveliness sped through the moonbeams. So entrancing was her beauty to John that he stood motionless in admiration. He did not go to meet her as he should have done, and perhaps as he would have done had his senses not been wrapped in benumbing wonderment. His eyes were u

sobbed. "You made me come all the

had dared to hope was that she would listen to his prayer for forgiveness. With all his worldly wisdom John had not learned the fact that inconstancy does not destroy love in the

?" asked John, almost unconscious of the words he was speaking. "Is it p

and softly passing her hand over

u," she answered between low sobs and soft sighs. Though she

truth," answered John, with growing faith in his system of passive r

ard to him, and John's reward was altogether disproportioned to the self-denial he had exercised a f

you said was untrue, for you are a bashful man, John, you are downright bashful. It is I who

e pity and to make no jest of me. Your kin

e a jest of you if it gives you pain. Tell me, John, tell me trul

n he cared to confess. He feared and loathed a l

be no woman but you in all the world; if you do not know that you have stolen my soul and that I live only in your presence, all that I can say will avail n

his neck and pressing her lips gently upon his. "N

renzied with joy, hurt the girl by the violence of his em

ench beside the gate, and aft

have kissed the other woman? W

d policy in that instance. The a

ld," answered Jo

e you tell me is true. I was trying you when I asked the question, for I certainly knew what you intended t

she know?"

eakers ahead

replied the girl, na?

ich forewarns her," said John, stealthily seeking from

innocence in her manner. John was in no position to ask impertinent questions, nor had he any right

is sure to know,

urse there are times when-when

rely seated with her eyes cast down, and then again he took his place beside her on the stone be

sily aroused jealousy was good proof to her of his affection. After all, she was in no danger from rocks and breakers. She well knew the currents, eddies, rocks, and shoals of the sea she was navigating, although she had never before sailed it. H

e side in a half-contemplative attitude. "Experience

nd she remained silent, willing to allow time for the situation to take its full effect. The wisdom of the serpent is black ignorance compared with the cunning of a girl in Dorothy's situation. G

se him! Tell me his name." He caught the girl violently by both arms as if he would shake the truth out of her. He was unconsciously making full amends for the faults he had committed earlier in the evening. The girl made no answer. John's

ill not tell you his name. In trut

med John. I feel sorry for John when I think of the part he pl

or your generosity in forgiving my sins weigh one scruple against this you have told me. No man, unless h

after all, while he was slower than she, he was much stronger every way, and when a

aid the girl, looking up to him, and then casting down

ohn, angrily. She partly rose, and tak

anded John, sitting rigidly b

kill him?"

nswered. "Of that y

so, you must commit suicide. There is no other man but you

vinced of the fact than either you or I can be. I do not like to have a fool for the hero of my history; but this being a history and not a romance, I must tell you of events just as t

full of mirt

king up into his eyes. A ray of moonlight stealing its way between the forest boug

e never has been and ther

turned he said, "Dorothy, ca

t I do with all my

me for this last fa

answered softly, "because d

not doubt me

somewhat haltingly;

the home of faith," sa

too much faith, but faith, like virtue, is its own reward. Few persons are false to one w

you that I stand abashed in

n do not-do not altogether dislike. They cause us-they make us-oh, I cannot express exactly what I mean. They make us more eager perhaps. A too constant man is like an overstrong sweet: he cloys us. The faults I speak of hurt us; but we thrive on them. Women enjoy pain now and then. Malcolm was telling me the other day that the wise people of the East have

e given you too much 'vent,'

rtions of reason, imagination, and will,-there was a great plenty of will, John,-and all the other ingredients that go to make a human being. But after He had gotten them all together there was still a great space left to be filled, and He just threw in an immensity of love with

othy. I have never known you t

t, John," she interrupted, co

no other way can I so well make you to know the persons of whom I write. I might have said Dorothy was so and so, and John was such and such. I might have analyzed them in long, dull pages of minute description;

n of love, right from the hands of God Himself, as the girl had said. John was of a coarser fibre than she who had put him up for her idol; but his sensibilities were keen, and at their awakening he saw clearly the worth of the priceless treasure which propitious fate had given him in the love of Dorothy, and he sat humbly at her feet. Yet sh

impse of a human soul, and more seldom still does it show itself like a gus

e your promise to be my wife.

nd contentedly. "Why else am I here? Tell me, think you, John, shoul

hstanding your father's hat

n," she answered; "surely y

a moment. We have already delayed to

angry with me, and as I told you in my letter, he keeps me a prisoner in my rooms. Aunt Dorothy stands guard over me. The dear, simple old soul! She told me, thinking I was Malcolm, that she was too old to be duped by a girl! Oh, it was too comical!" And she threw back her head and gave forth a peal of laughter th

nor will he speak to me. Think of that." The tears that had welled up to her eyes fell in a piteous stream over her cheeks. "Aunt Dorothy and Madge," she continued, "are so dear to me that the thought of leaving them is torture. But I will go with you some day, John, some day soon, I promise you. They have always been kind and gentle to me, and I love them and my father and my dear home where I was born and where my sweet mother died-and Dolcy-I love them all so dearly that I must prepare myself to

e side. I should forego nothing, and I should receive all. You would forego ever

know I shall suffer. I suffer even now when I think of it, for you must remember that I am rooted to my home and to the dear ones it shelters; but

n you and me. He, of course, was greatly pained at first; but when I told him of your perfections, he said

n?" asked Dorothy, half in revery. "I

, but-let us not talk on that theme. You will know him some day, an

Stanley. I intend otherwise. The more father hurries this marriage with my beautiful c

force you to marry Lord Stanley?" a

. You don't know how much I have of it! You never will know until I am your-your-wife." The last word was spoken in a soft, hesitating whisper, and her head sought shamefaced ref

Dorothy, "because I cannot go with

. I shall await your pleasure and your own time, and when you choose