The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-07-17

something on the crest OF the ledge; and
in another minute he lifted a dead rat
tlesnake on his cane and flung it far into
the stream. Dora turned sick, and sat
down on a stone, shuddering and pale.
Mr., Horton only said, Excuse me, Miss
Sohenck; the danger was too near for
me to be less Imperative
Dora shiyered. If you had not, 1
should be dead now
Not at all, laughed Mr.. Horton. Il
know these woods too well to be ever
without the proper alleviations for q
snake.bite, but / never yet used them,
though / have met and killed a good
many. Rattlesnakes are dull creatures
unless they coil to spring, and one blow
with heavy stick will kill them. Very
few people die Of their bites. / have
only heard of one case in these regions,
and that was a child who had strayed
alone into the woods
He purposely heightened his explana-
ton, that Dora might calm herself; he
did not know how it was still throbbing
through her heart that he had called her
Dora Her native, generous instinct
demanded some thanks at least to be
paid, but she could not speak yet; she
was shyly glad, yet angry with herself
for being glad; and trembling SO with
the sudden nervous shock, she could
not for some minutes speak again.
Mr.. Horton stepped down to the
waters edge, and seemed absorbed in
looking at the falls, but his heart beat
as wildly as hers: in that moment of
danger he had discovered what deep
hold Dora had taken of his life; he did
not think Of her un6tness to be his wife,
of her scorn, her wild impulses, her
quick temper. Like many another man
in his case, he thought only of her
beauty and sweetness, ana felt that she
mustlove him, or he would be miserable.
Blessed ordination of things If men or
women chose their mates as they do their
shoes or their books, with deliberation
and cool Judgment, this dear, delightful,
naughty old world would come to a sud-
den end; it is the wisdom of Providence
that they never do.
It seemed an hour to both of these
astonished people, yet it was barely five
minutes, before Dora looked up at Mr..
Horton and said, Il don't know how to
thank you. 1 can acknowledge now it
is good to mind a man-some metimes.'
There was a soft arch look in the beau
tiful dark eyes that contradicted the
quivering lips; but the lovely blushing
face told what Dora never meant to tell.
Mr.. Horton knelt down on the grass be-
side her.
oh Dora, would not be a tyrant,'
he said; and Dora dropped her head SO
low it rested on his shoulder.
Mrs. Horton always declared her hus-
band never asked her to marry him,
which he Indignantly denied as often
as she asserted it; but however the union
came about, it was true-for every body
said so-that no gentler, sweeter,
happier minister's wife ever filled that
difficult position in the city of Ludlow,
where Mr.. Horton was settled; even
Grace Hamilton could not find fault
with this match, though she had pre-
dicted all sorts OF sorrows from its rad
ical unfitness.' But time had not soft
ened Grace's native spite, though she
controlled it during her brief visit at
the parsonage. On the next Christmas
morning package came by express,
directed to Mrs. Horton; on the inner
cover of the thin box was written, For
Dolls room;' and as the last fold of It's
sue.paper was lifted, an elaborately
illuminated motto appeared:
Come when you're called,
Do as you're bid,
Shut the door after you,
And you'll never be child
Her husband was looking over Dora's
shoulder, and they both laughed. Grace's
arrow was pointless for such trust and
happiness.
I've only changed my mind, said
Dora, and that is every woman's priv
elege.'
And I have only abdicated, and that
any king may do, reported her husband.
Have your said his wife, incredu-
lously.
The truth was that neither knew how
to differ from the other with comfort
Harper'S Bazar.