The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-05-07

Ought 10 nave minded" Grace said.
A woman's natural duty is obedience;
she ought to have known that it Is our
destiny to yield to cur superiurs,n
whined Miss Hamilton, and this, which
seemed to Dora superlative cant, had
brought out her sharp exclamation.
She herself was utterly undisciplined;
blind indulgence had set her adrift in
life without an idea of duty, and she
had yet to learn any law but her own
will, or any restraint but her own ca
prices Poor child life is the sternest
of teachers, even with all the prepara-
tions that can be made for its encounter,
and merciless pedagogue to the willful
and ignorant. Mr.. Horton was be-
witched with Dora against his judg-
ment, and her very insurgent way Of
action and speech, captivated him; he
knew with painful clearness that she
was sunfit for minister's wifeas awoman
could be, but he knew also that with
out her his life would lose its SAVIOR, and
become routine Of the dullest order, per-
haps misery, though conscience warned
him not to be 80 weak as this, while his
work remained yet to be done.
The next day there was to be that
resort Of country boarders in lack of
all other amusement, picnic to Glen
Falls, wild ravine in the heart Of the
through hills, which rapid brook tore
its way, plunging from one precipice to
another, at no one spot to be seen in
full beauty, but reserying its coy sur
prises for those who had skill and
strength to climb upward to its source
a clear mountain pond that slept
amid dark woods, fed by hidden springs.
The day was warm, yet fresh with the
wonderful freshness Of mountain air;
and when the long wagon of Saltash
House arrived at the foot Of the ravine
all the younger members Of the party
were unanimous in their resolve to climb
to Clear Pond, while the older ladies and
one white haired bachelor, who cared
little for scenery and much for his ease,
remained quietly on broad rock by the
lower pool, where thick pine boughs
sheltered them from the sun, and the
cool odor Of dripping water seemed to
disperse whatever heat the July
weather threatened Two couples had
already gone upward, when Dora and
Grace, attended by Mr.. Horton and
Ned Schenck, q cousin of Dora's began
the climb Both gentlemen had been
sufficiently accustomed to forest paths
to make the matter easy as far as they
were concerned, but to feet only used
to the walks Of the city or the smooth
turf of the croquet ground, this rough
yet slippery ascent looked fearful
enough nor were kid boots the best prep
aratiOn, for sharp rocks and moss
strewn with pine needles. 1t seemed
all but impossible for Dora to attempt
such task, but her pride forbade re-
treat, while Grace, in despair, suffered
herself to be half carried up the steepest
pitches by Ned Schenck, and lifted
bodily over stones and logs that she de-
cared herself altogether unable to sur
mount. Fortunately for her protector
she was slight, and not tall; he could
easily spare all the strength necessary.
But Dora would not allow herself to be
more than guided, though the guidance
was peremptory.
Put your foot here, Miss Schenck !;
now the other on that stone. Give me
your left hand, and take firm hold of
that bough to the right"
Dora obeyed with the most childlike
confidence, for the abyss below her and
the height above were alike terrible; bat
she had that best Of courage which will
not turn back, though trembling with
terror.
Grace, from below, helpless burden,
saw with sort Of pique how well Dora
endured the march, and caught Mr..
Horizons admiring glances at the 1.-the
figure that was at once so brave and
docile. To tell the truth, Grace had in
tended the handsome young clergyman
should be her own escort, and was not
at all satisfied at being relegated to Ned
Schenck's care, who was strong and good
tempered, no doubt, but neither good
looking or rich. 1t was not from pure
desire 10 tease that Grace called out, in
her soft, drawing tones: ''Doll, you are
really a miracle. never expected to
see you min am o implicitly"
Dora was indignant. She knew well
that Grace could be spiteful, but the
spite did not hurt her as much as the
! answering consciousness that, in spite Of
her fine theories, she had been most i'm
| plicitly submissive to Mr.. Horizons es
cort. The girlish, silly pride that was
her great fault rose in arms. She did
not answer Grace, but, with resolute
look on her flushed face, sprang onward
after her own fashion, stumbling and
clinging as well as she could, every mo
( ment expecting Mr.. Horton to advise OF
demonstrate, but bent on needing his
| voice no more.
She expected in vain. He said moth
ing, and the smile on his face would moi
have pleased her; he only followed fast
behind her till they came TO little
grassy platform at the head Of the
stream, where the rocks retreated and
the trees had been swept away directly
in front of the last and highest fall
which descended here at right angles
with the rest of the stream, behind {
cliff that hid it entirely from the lowel
pool st
Grace had stopped far below; she wal
/ heated and tired an angry too. Nee
Schenck did not care for her; so he sa
/ down on the other end of the log where