ttering groups each evening, only to turn away,
alas! disappointed and almost broken-hearted.

And thus another month dragged its slow length by. It was well that he
did not know where Dorothy was, or what was occurring during those days
of suspense.

The news of her betrothal to handsome Harry Kendal had spread over the
entire village, and it caused no little sensation in Yonkers, on the
outskirts of which Gray Gables was situated; for every one had said that
this was the way the affair would terminate when the doctor brought the
handsome young stranger beneath the same roof with dashing, dark-eyed
Harry Kendal, the _beau-ideal_ of all the girls.

But there was some disappointment when they learned that the marriage
would not take place for nearly half a year yet.

"It's all very well _now_, with rosy love in their sky; but delays are
dangerous," said some people, shaking their heads ominously.

Dorothy was as happy as the day was long, for she was learning to fairly
adore her lover, and treated him in a childish fashion which rather
amused every one who saw them together.

If he brought her a box of _bonbons_ she would spring up and throw her
arms about his neck, like an overgrown baby, and end by giving him a
hearty smack straight on the lips--no matter who was present.

Once or twice he had attempted to expostulate with her sternly, coldly,
but his manner so frightened her that she almost went into hysterics,
and turning away with a white, set face, he would say no more.

What could he expect? he asked himself, grimly. He had asked an
untutored school-girl to be his wife--he had sown the wind, and now he
was commencing to reap the whirlwind. Every one else seemed highly
delighted over Dorothy's childish, romping ways; but as for himself,
they rankled upon his proud, sensitive, haughty nature.

He loved her in such a cool, lordly manner, and poor little Dorothy was
always impressed with his superiority. She was obliged to acknowledge
that Harry Kendal was her master. She could never make him her slave.

At this juncture an event happened that changed the current of poor
Dorothy's after life. It was election night, and the bonfires were
blazing on hill and vale, and all the young people of the village were
wild with enthusiasm over the affair.

A great bonfire had been built in the road in front of Gray Gables, as
had been the custom for years. The old doctor had been very patriotic.

"This year there is