of tears.

Then Ronald paused abruptly--he had never given one thought to
the "afterward." Why, of course strawberries would not grow
forever--it would not always be summer. Lord Earle would soon
be back again, and then he must go abroad. Where would Dora be
then? He did not like the thought--it perplexed him. Short as
was the time he had known her, Dora had, in some mysterious way,
grown to be a part of himself. He could not think of a day
wherein he should not see her blushing, pretty face, and hear the
music of her words. He was startled, and clasped her little
hands more tightly within his own.

"You would not like to lose me, Dora?" he said, gently.

"No," she replied; and then tears fell from her dark eyes.

Poor Ronald! Had he been wise, he would have flown then; but he
bent his head over her, and kissed the tears away. The pretty
rounded cheek, so soft and child-like, he kissed again, and then
clasped the slight girlish figure in his arms.

"Do not shed another tear, Dora," he whispered; "we will not lose
each other. I love you, and you shall be my wife."

One minute before he spoke the idea had not even crossed his
mind; it seemed to him afterward that another voice had spoken by
his lips.

"Your wife!" she cried, looking at him in some alarm. "Ah, no!