People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1896 — The Next Heir.—Continued from Page 7. [ARTICLE]

The Next Heir.—Continued from Page 7.

Dolly came down to tea looking sad and distrait, and seemed to have put off all her smiles and spirits when she put off her wedding finery. Prank, seeing her inclined to silence, was silent, too, perfectly contented to gaze upon her sweet, young face, remembering how kind she had been a few hours ago. and looking forward to the great bliss of to-morrow—to-morrow when he would claim her as his own forevermore. Mr. Lisle was silent, too. The hopes of years were approaching fruition, and he was well content. There was a certain feeling of solemnity about th*e time. It seemed to him no’ ways strange that when Dolly came to bid him goodnight, and clung around his neck, she was weeping/ “Bless me to-night, papa,” she sobbed. “It is night of my old life—my old, happy, girisfpClt that has been so peaceful and sweet! Who can tell what the future has in store for them? Bless me, to-night, papa, before the new life begins.” Her earnestness and motion infected him. As she sank upon her knees he raised his clasped hands over her bowed head, and blessed her solemnly. “May the new life you are commencing be even brighter than the one you leave, and the new love be as tender and faithful as the old. Warmer it may be, Dolly, but hot more true, for a parent’s love lasts long. Then he lifted her up and kissed her. She clung to him with a strange intensity, and could hardly tear herself away. “Come,” he said, kindly* “you must go to bed now, and to sleep, or our bride will wear no roses in the morning.” At that she left him, weeping still, and casting still, many a lingering look behind her. Frank had gone home some time before. He {