Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-12-27

over lnt c1ctus-cONeftU GfOunus
AT Gila Bend preparations for departure
on Georges return were kept on foot, pur-
posely to keep before Dora's eyes the fact
that she was expected to go with her peo-
pie. The days passed, one like the other;
there was no event TO break the monotony
of their desert life. There was one change.
but none knew of II or perceived 1t, ex-
cept Dora's mother. From n thoughtless,
easily-guidcd girl, Dora was changing into
a elf-reliant, strong-sprted woman. Her
mother knew her resolve as well as though
she had heard her utter II she looked up
on her eldest-born with all the greater
pride, when she discovered that the gal
had heap of her dads grit as well as his
mild blue eyes and gentle bearing.
When the morning of the tenth day
dawned Dora was up betimos, meneing
with def fingers, all the little rents she
could find in her thin, well-woru dress.
Never before had she felt that she was poor,
or that she wanted more than single
gown aud the limp sun bonnet. "Movlng'
had been their permanent state aud normal
condition, as far back az sho could remem-
v
the same condition. She had never seen
town or city yet in the settlements through
which they had passed she had seen enough
of back woods tiuery To know that her ward
robe was scantily furnished. AT last, one
by one the tears gatbt red slowly in her
eyes, and she leaned her head on the edge
Of the bed where her sister lay, still asleep,
and sobbed till Sis woke up and looked at
her with wondering eyes.
In the course of the day, Dora went to
the river two or three times, Bose always
close at her heels. Whatever may have
been the character Of the mysterious con-
sultations they held, in the afternoon tre
dog was missing, until near sund )wn, when
he dashed into the station, painting and
with protrudng tongue. Unohserved, she
stole away, and when quite distance from
the house, Bose came tearing through tho
cactus after her. The lille cloud Of dust
seen in the distance came nearer and near
er. and as soon as tue hOrseman was dis
tnguished, the race between Dora and
Bose began, and when the different parties
met, Bose was iain TO leap up and salute
the horse's flce-becausc the rider was 9TH
erwise engaged. The horse continued the
journey at slow walk, while Dora looked
the question she was TOO timid to ask.
"Yes, darling, think your aunt will Le
satisfied" answered George.
Then you have brought the man?' Her
curiosity had conquered, for she could see
no human being besides themselves.
81 have" His laugh made bcr shrink n
little-like minlosa scnsjtiro, when touched
by ever so dainty inger-lnd he added
soberly: 1.-TWO of them one is the station
keeper at Kenyon's Station. Their wagon
will come into sight directly, but don't
want them to see me ont here with my lit.
tie girl"
An hour alterward hcavily y-Hden wag.
on, drawn by two stout horses, came roll
ing into Gila Bend followed by George
| A hearty welcome was extended by all {,
| the new arricals-even b 1se, the hypucrite
barkcd and capered as though he had no
| greeted his master two miles down th
road. Supper was served by the mother
and aunt, the latter being narrowly anC
furtively watched by the sta:ion-kocper o
Kcnyon's Station. All thoughts Of buSi
ness or departure seemed bauishcd for tha
night, the aunt and the newly arrived sta
| tion-kecper enjoying their pipe in quie
| harmony a little apart from the rest. I'll,
next morning the second man was ofl'ere,
to the aunt, by George, as n substitute fc
! Dora; but as the Keuyons Station keepc
! had offered himself to her as a HUSBAND
earlier in the day, the substitute was de
| clned Neither George nor the secon,
man, however, seemed disappointed; in
deed, there was something suspicious abou
the readiness with which he went to worl
on the nalf finished corral at the station.
That night they all sat out under tb
trees together; there was no more reSe"v
or secrecy maintained. A dozen papers o
the choicest brands of tobacco, and half
dozen bottles of COLORADO river water.
from Fort Yuma had wonderfully mollfie
the step-faher. As soon as possible a Jus
tice of the Peace was imported from Ari
zona City to which place he was faithfull
returned after having made two happ
couples at Gila Bend.
Tucson, we came quite UNEXPECTEDLY, be
tween the latter place and Stcaton, on
new shanty. It was built Of unhewn loe
of cottonwood and mesquite trees, tn
branches with their foliage furnishing th
roof. \ certain cheerful. hOmeike air q
bout the place made me surmlse the pres
ence of woman. l was not mistaken, TO-
I,n ,1tr1 Il - bt,t 81,
aud could see no window, loud, br
pleasant treble voice rang out directly
"Dad-Budi como right hy'ere to me.
know that's her comm thar; l Jest kno,
it is; and little body rushed out Of tn
door and up to the ambulance. A roual
looking man came slowly from behind th
house, and Bud, with selection Of dogs 2
his heels. clambered over a piece OF renc
merely for the sake Of climbing, as ther
was plenty Of open space to cross.
The delegation insisted on nv alightini
which l did In consideration of Dora
mother being at the head Of it. The fam
" had moved back there from Oltman
Flat, where they had given Sam his India
scare on our wav out. Once in the h us
l no longer wondered how she bad discoy
cred the ambulance, with no window an
Tho door closed. Tho walls had not bee
"chinked," so that between the logs was aC
mitted as much light and air as the most fa'
tidious could desire All around were til
signs of busy preparations It was uea
Christmas, and they were expecting CON
pany for the holidays. a family movin
from Texas to California had sent wor
by some vehicle swilter than their o,
teams, that they would be with them b
Christmas day.
Beyond the half-fenccd clearing, the wi
lows and COTTONWOOD grew close by III
river, aud the mild December sun Of Ar
z1na, lying on the rude homestead SCENE
to give promise of future peace and wei
doing to those who had planted their roo