Dora Thorne by Charlotte M. (Charlotte Monica) Brame
page 92 of 417 (22%)
page 92 of 417 (22%)
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grand houses came, she would say, "Go alone, Ronald; if I am with
you they are sure to ask me ever so many questions which I can not answer; then you will be vexed with me, and I shall be ashamed of my ignorance." "Why do you not learn?" Ronald would ask, disarmed by her sweet humility. "I can not," said Dora, shaking her pretty head. "The only lesson I ever learned in my life was how to love you." "You have learned that by heart," replied Ronald. Then he would kiss her pitiful little face and go without her. By slow degrees it became a settled rule that Dora should stay at home and Ronald go out. He had no scruples in leaving her--she never objected; her face was always smiling and bright when he went away, and the same when he returned. He said to himself that Dora was happier at home than elsewhere, that fine ladies frightened her and made her unhappy. Their ways in life, now became separate and distinct, Ronald going more than ever into society, Dora clinging more to the safe shelter of home. But society was expensive in two ways--not only from the outlay in dress and other necessaries, but in the time taken from work. There were many days when Ronald never went near his studio, and only returned home late in the evening to leave early in the morning. He was only human, this young hero who had sacrificed |
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