You promised to
stay a whole week."
"I know," said the young farmer; "but you have many to think for
now, Mr. Thorne. The time will come when the poor, wearied girl
sleeping above us will be Lady Earle. Her husband knew I loved
her. No shadow even of suspicion must rest upon her. While your
daughter remains under your roof, I shall not visit you again."
Dora's father knew the young man was right.
"Let me see the little ones sometimes," continued Ralph; "and if
large parcels of toys and books find their way to the Elms, you
will know who sent them. But I must not come in Dora's way; she
is no loner Dora Thorne."
As Stephen watched the young man walking quickly through the long
gray fields, he wished that Dora had never seen Ronald Earle.
Poor Dora's troubles were not yet ended. When the warm August
sun peeped into her room on the following morning, she did not
see it shine; when the children crept to her side and called for
mamma, she was deaf to their little voices. The tired head
tossed wearily to and fro, the burning eyes would not close. A
raging fever had her in its fierce clutches.
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