Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-03-04
DORA'S ADVENTURE.


Thanks, Frank. I've no doubt both
a bright smile at the young man, and a
kiss of her hand to his mother, who stood
IN the farmhouse door Watching them,
Dora rode Oft upon her pet SNOWFALL.
She was an orphan; but she had never
known the want of a mothers love and
care. Her sweet baby face had won the
heart of the wealthy Widow Omar, who
with her only son, Frank, lived at the
substantial homestead which had been IN
the Omar family for generations, and
which was surrounded by the broad acres
of as fertile and valuable farm as could
be found in the West.
Frank Omar was b0v of ten when
his mothed adopted baby Dora, and from
the mOmenr of her entrance into the fami-
ly he had taken the winsom child for his
special pet. The reddest apple, the dew
lest bunch OF grapes, the first cluster of
nuts sent rafting down from its leafy
covert by the biting breath of the frost
king-all must be Dora's As the two
grew older an attachment for each other
had sprung up in each tender young
heart, although as yet they were still
lingering IN that delightfully."- border
land of uncertainty which ever proceeds
the full glory of loves perfect day, even
as the dawn heralds in that sunlight
which gilds with splendor the misty
landscape.
Dora had been invited to Hill Farm to
spend few days, and as it was quiet,
peaceable neighborhood which lay be-
tween the two places, it had been consid-
cred perfectly safe for her to take the
Quincy by herself upon horseback. Her
way lay along country attractive from
its rural beauty. First, for about mile
piece of woodland skirted the road on
either side. 1t then emerged into an
open, swampy space, divided in the Gen.
tel by pond. 1t was a harmless-look-
ing sheet Of water as it lay this morning
basking in the sunshine; but as Snowball's
hoofs struck with dull thud upon the
planks of the rustic bridge which had
been thrown across 1t, Dora shuddered
involuntarily. It was quicksand, and
had proved fatal to life in several instanc-
es, so the tradition ran, and the place
bore a bad name. 1t was haunted, the
country-folk said. Any way, Dora was
ldu W ICA oLIC 1ICbA SNOS0CO II CLhN SILGSh
into the mountainous path which she
was to follow until she she reached Hill
Farm. It was picturesque route, Dor
dered by signing, shadowy pines, and di-
versifed by babbIing rills, which dashed
in white foam from the overhanging
rocks, now snd then subduing their
songs to gentle ripping accompaniment
to the patter of SnoWball's hoofs along
the road, so Dora thought-for the girl
was full Of romance. and her heart was
so fully attuned to Natures mysterious
whispers that every sound carried It's
meaning to her soul.
At last she reached Hill Farm. She
received warm welcome from her young
friends, Flora and Belle Irksine, and it
seemed that the specified time set for her
visit passed on wings, so soon came around
the day for her return. She was urged
to prOlong her stay, but knowing that
she would be expected home, and that
her non-arrival would cause anxiety, she
was firm in her refusal to remain over
the appointed time.
The hours wore on until nearly night
fall, however, before she mounted the
impatient SNOWFALL, who had been
whinnying to her young mistress fol-
several hours, evidently thinking it a
grand mistake to be tied to post so
long in mute expectancy Of start
home, without having the slightest at
tention paid to her wants meanwhile
But at last all was in readiness for a
start, and with gay "gOod-bys," the Cir
started on her journey. Flora and bel
JoI har 70 IN
end of tn mountain pass. Then they
turned back, and touching Snowfall
lightly with the whip, Dora was soor
carried along like the wind. A happy
smile was on her red rosy lips as sht
murmured, almost unconsciously, thu
words of a song. Just as she reached
the swampy space which have Spoken
of, her saddle began to slip, and she dis
mounted to fix it.
AS she did so tall figure rose from it
crouching position beside the rsadsid
and crept silently up behind her. Draw
ing a leather strap from his pocket, h
struck SNOWFALL savage blow with ii
The frightened animal snorted, reare,
wildly, and then started off on a ma,
run. In another moment she was out O
sight.
Dora turned and saw dark, malig
nant face, the expression of whose bale
full eyes made her heart stand still. ]
belonged to huge negro, who had bee
discharged from the farm few week
before for misconduct, and who had gon
away vowlng vengence. Since that tim
nightly watch had been kept upon th
out buildings lest he might make b
threats good by some act ofincendiarisu
but no thought OF personal danger ha
entered their minds.
Now, however, as Dora met his su lei
yet triumphant look she felt intuitivel
that her life hung by thread. She Wa
alone with him, and unprotected. Ever
ing had already hung her dusky veil ovC
surrounding objects, and the moel
whose silver crescent was showing i
timid light from behind a passing clou'
gave but more dismal appearance
the spot, with its weired atmosphere
ghostly memorles-for they were near IL
haunted pond.
"Pedro," she said with an efort-f
the words seemed to freeze upon her lii
-"Is 1t you2"
eyes, Missy" he answered with gri
''It's me. Seems to me tables is turnt
now. Things'll all go my way now,
'spect. Young mass'r's a-lookin' fer VI
now, reckon. He'll have to lookl Con
with me-" and he siezed her roughly
the arm.
With her senses sharpened by terrc
Do.a thought of stories she had hea
told OF the superstitious nature of t