Daily Kennebec journal., 1873-01-17

young and strong, and remember but too
we'll what pleasure there is in 1t. Besides,
YOU do not remain in 1t, as did. for long,
weary hours, every day, standing in the
shade of willow, catching fish for my
dinner. There was little else here to eat
then; and | never left off fishing until |
was taken with the rheumatism, from
which l had suffered years before. | was
all alone, and could not move, and would
have died of thirst, aloue in my shanty.
if it had not been for this good dog. y
dozen times day Bose would trot down
to the river, dip up a small tin-pail full OF
water, and bring it to me. Otherwise the
faithful old fellow never left my side, day
or night; and, though he would no doubt
nurse me through another spell Of rheum-
atism it would be dreadful to be sick and
alone here, after you and your people are
gone"
Dora was tenderly stroking the dogs
rough coat. ut would be dreadful" she
repeated, absently, tear rolling from her
cheek. Her words, and the look in her
eyes, thrilled George to his inmost soul.
"Dora"-he said, arresting the hand
travelling over Bosses head-"Dora. am
old enough to be your father.
"Ies," she replied looking up artlessly
but there was something in his face that
made her eyes drop, and the warm blood
flush her cheeks.
When he spoke again it was of some
thing quite different, and after while, tie
conversation turned to her family. Her
step father did not always treat her well;
he struck her cruelty once--and her moth
er dared not interfere, knowing his temper
but too well. George could hardly keep
Fl ON putting his arms about her. to shield
her from the mans rough ways and in
his heart he vowed that it should be differ
ent, if Dora did but will it so. The step
father and aunt had spoken Of pulling up
stakes soon-but Dora was averse to
going.
In the evening George proposed to the
step-fathcr that he remain at the station,
and farm it, near the river, while the
mother kept house for them all. and served
meals to the travelling public OF Arizona.
From chronic peryerseness he refused,
saying that he wanted to 90 to California ;
and George determined to hasten matters
in another direction. He lowered, as
much as possible, about Dora, who. since
the day by the riverside, had taken Bose
into her confidence and affection. Wher-
| ever she went the dog went, too, and his
master argued well for himself from this,
| though Dora was shy and more distant
| than when she first came to Gila Bend.
One day, the Texans commenced gath
ering up their traps and making ready
to 90. Dora's eyes were red, and George
to cheer her, perhaps-proposed to walk
to the river-bank. When they came back,
she seemed even more shy thongh she
stole up to him in the twilight, where he
stood by the mosquite-tree. and hastily put
her hands into his. He drew her to him
quickly, and pressed her head to his breast.
and murmured, "Thanks, my little girl,
as he touched her hair with his lips An
hour later. there was clamor and confusion
at ella Bend. George caused ii all, for 10
him the aunt yehemently declared that she
would have the girl to drive her OK team
into Calitornia-she had hired her and paid
for her; and the step-father shouted that
he had control of the child and 90 she
should, whether or no.
Poor George passed a sleepless night.
The picture Of Dora-barefooted weary,
toiling hopelessly through the sand on the
desert-was always before him, and he
swore to himself that she should not go
that he would shelter her henceforth from
the cruel, burning sun, and the sharp words
and sharper blows of her step-father Ex-
acting a promise from the emigrants to
remain until he returned, he started out
alone on his trusty horse, Bose running
close by his side. After he left the shelter
of the trees, he halted and looked keenlv
about in every direction. y sharp bark
from Bose detected Dora crossing the
stretch of land between the road and the
river, and when she reached the lone
horseman, a light bound brought her foot
into the stirrup, and her flushed face on a
level with his.
CONCLUDED TOMORROW.