Daily Republican., 1879-03-14

think that little Dora Klein, Of whor
she had unconsciously grown so fond
was unworthy of tender thought.
That was one side of the little, ever,
day life story at the cottage; and nov
let us take peep at the other. He
master and mistress had been gone al
hour, and Dora was chopping away a
the meat, singing some roundelay a!
she worked, when there was crack
ing on the floor, and turning her head
she started to behold two very tall, and
gruff looking men in the room.
"Who are your" demanded Dora
with frigid valor, "and what do you
wantW
"Don't worry yourself, my LASS
said the taller Of the twain, grufIly
land don't make any noise, if you
don't want your neck twisted around
like CHICKENS"
While tho other, busying himself in
reconnoitering the cupboards and the
shelves, turned suddenly around with
vollsy of oaths.
"Nothing but tin and pewter" he
snarled. "Tell us, where is the silver,
girlf"
"Ws have no silver" said Dora, fal-
tering. "What should poor people
like us do with silver p
'The money, then ? know there
is money, for saw him come out Of the
bank yesterday with a wallet full
Quick, We haven't any time to lose.'
"It's-it's up stairs, sewed in the
bottom of the feather bed, in the spare
room, ;" hesitated Dora--"but you won't
hurt me ~
"What should we hurt you for :"
scornfully demanded the rufian. 'do
up stairs Jack, and see, while stay
here to keep this girl from raising the
nsighborhood."
81 shall not scream" said Dora, ele-
waiting her head contemptuously. Who
is there to hear me, if l did We are
far from any house."
"Thats true enough" said the man
called Jack. "Give US your knife,
Casey, and we'll stir up the live goose
feathers to some purpose. The gal
won't trouble Ms"
But the heavy footsteps Of the mel
had hardly sounded at the head of the
stairs when Dora's languid assumption
OF Indifference vanished. Like winged
spirit she flew across the room, and
noiselessly prying up the loose boards
with knife, she caught up the Japan
nee box and the stocking, and hiding
them in her apron, jumped from the
low window to avoid the noise Of the
rusty door hinge, and struck into the
woods at the back of the house.
No hare ever darted more swiftly
through the tangled forest than did
Dora Klein, until at last safe in the
deepest recesses, where no one who was
not nimble as deer and slender as
herself, could follow. And then, crouch
ing down among the underground, she
watched and waited. As night ap-
preached, and friendly dusk crept
over hill and dale. she ventured by
degrees to approach the side of the,
woods, where the north star beamed
overhead, reassuring her of her where
abouts. And when at last the hoarse
voices of the two men, hurrying down
a secluded by road struck momentary
terror to her heart, the afterthought
followed with blessed relief-the Ger
tainty that they were gone and she was
safe.
Mr.. Myers and Jane were seated by
the fire that they had just rekindled,
neither of them with any heart abeat
the preparation Of the frugal evening
meal, when the door creaked on its
hinges, and something glided in pale
and silent.
The next moment the japanned box
and stocking lay in Mrs. Myers lap,
and Dora Klein was sobbing on her
shoulder.
"Why, Dora, exclaimed the farmer,
"what does this meaae"
And Dora told her story, incsherent-
ly and full Of sobbing pauses, and when
it was concluded Mrs. Myers threw her
arms around the girls neck and kiss
ed her again and again.
James, James," she cried, almost
Historically, ''you will never mistrust
Dora Klein again."
And James Myers, wiping, a stray
dew drop or SO from his eyes, confessed
that little Dora Klein had been as true
a heroine as Joan Of Arc herself.