s Dora
was like her, I do not wonder at anything that happened."

Instead of thinking to himself that he had done a foolish thing that
bright morning, and that his plain duty was to forget all about the
girl, Ronald lighted his cigar, and began to dream of the face that had
charmed him.

Dora took the fruit to Mrs. Morton, and received no reprimand; then she
was sent home to the cottage, her work for the day ended. She had to
pass through the park. Was it the same road she had trodden this
morning? What caused the new and shining glory that had fallen on
every leaf and tree? The blue heavens seemed to smile upon her; every
flower, every song of the bright birds had a new meaning. What was it?
Her own heart was beating as it had never beaten before; her face was
flushed, and the sweet, limpid eyes shone with a new light. What was
it? Then she came to the brook-side and sat down on the violet bank.

The rippling water was singing a new song, something of love and youth,
of beauty and happiness--something of a new and fairy-like life; and
with the faint ripple and fall of the water came back to her the voice
that had filled her ears and touched her heart. Would she ever again
forget the handsome face that had smiled so kindly upon her? Surely he
was a king among men, and he had praised her, said her name was like a
song, and that she was like the Dora of the beautiful poem. This grand
gentleman, with the clear, handsome face and dainty white hands,
actually admired her.

So Dora dreamed by the brook-side, and she was to see him again and
again; she gave no thought to a cold, dark time when she should see him
no more. Tomorrow the sun would shine, the birds sing, and she should
see him once again.

Dora never remembered how that happy day passed. Good Mrs. Thorne
looked at her child, and sighed to think how pretty she was and how
soon that sweet, dimpled face would be worn with care.

Dora's first proceeding was characteristic enough. She went to her own
room and locked the door; then she put the cracked little mirror in the
sunshine, and proceeded to examine her face. She wanted to see why
Ronald Earle admired her; she wondered much at this new power she
seemed possessed of; she placed the glass on the table, and sat down to
study her own face. She saw that it was very fair; the coloring was
delicate and vivid, like that of the heart of a rose; the fresh, red
lips were arched and smiling; the dark, shy