Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-03-05

strewn with pine needles. Ii seemed
all but impossible for Dora to attempt.
such task, but her pride forbade re-
treat. while Grace, i'll despair, suffered
herself to be half carried up the steep.
est pitches by Ned Schenck, and lifted
bodily over stones and logs that she de-
clared herself altogether unable 70 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 all alike terrible;
she had that best of courage which will
not turn back though trembling with
terror.
Grace, from below, a helpless burden,
saw with a sort of pique how well Dora
had endured the march, and caught Mr..
Horizons admiring glances at the 1.-THE
figure that was at once so brave and so
docile. To tell the truth, Grace had in
tended the handsome young clergyman
should be her own escort, ard WAS not
at all satisfied at being relocated 10 Ned
Schencks care, who was strong and
good tempered, no doubt, but neither
good looking nor rich, 1t was not from
pure desire to tease that Grace called
out in her soft, drawing tones Doll,
you are really miracle. l never ex-
pected to see you mind a man SO inn
plicitly,"
Dora was indignant. She knew we'll
that Grace could be spiteful, but the
spite did not hurt her as much rs the
answering consciousness that, in spite
of her fine theories, she had been most
implicitly submissive to Mr.. Horizons
escort. 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 on
ward after her own fashion, stumbling
and clinging as well as she could, every
moment expecting Mr. Horton to adj
wise or demonstrate, but bent on heed
ing his voice no more.
She expected in vain. He sa. moth
ing. and the smile on his face would not
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 il entirely from the lower
pool.
Grace had stopped far below; she was
heated and tired and angry too. Ned
Schenck did not care for her; so he sat
down on the other end of the log where
she had seated herself. and profaned
the delicate forest odors with n cigar.
Dora stopped a moment to take breath
and admire the beautiful fall before
them, which dashed its white water
down the sheer black rock, and sprln-
Killed. with bright dew the luxuriant
ferns and vines that fringed the bank of
either side. Then she turned to follow
the very slight indication of path up.
word. Mr.. Horton was ready to follow;
but the moment she set her foot on the
rock which was her first step, and ex-
tended her hand to grasp ledge above,
which must be climbed, he cried out,
in loud, imperative voice, Dora
stop !"
The voice was SO decisive, so power
full, so full of that command which is
the counterpart of obedience, that with
out thought of rebellion, Dora stood
| like q statute. In an instant Mr.. Hor-
ton put his arm about her, swung her
back, and began to strike rapidly and
fiercely at something on the crest Of
the ledge; and in another minute he
lifted dead rattlesnake on his cane
and flung it far down into the stream
Dora turned sick, and sat down on a
stone, shuddering and pale. Mr.. Hor-
ton only said, Excuse me, Miss
Schenck; the danger was too near for
me to be less imperative"
Dora shiyered. IF you had not, l
should be dead now"
"Not at ALL" laughed Mr.. Horton.
81 know these woods too well to be ever
without the proper alleviations for a
snake bite, but never yet used them,
i thOISl L NAVY IlGb AIM a EOOu
many. Rattlernakes 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 child who had
strayed alone in 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 natively generous
instinct demanded some thanks at least
to be paid, but she could not speak yet !;
she was shyly glad, yet angry with her
self 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 wa
ter's edge, and seemed absorbed in
looking at the fall, but his heart beat as
wildly as hers in that moment Of dan.
ger he bad discovered what deep hold
Dora had taken Of his life. He did not
think OF her unftness to be his wife, OF
her scorn. her wild impulses, her quick