The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-02-26

| drace, 8ttenueu Dy MI. HOIDOu anu
Ned Schenck, cousin of Dora's began
the climb. Both gentlemen had been
sufficiently accustomed 70 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
ouch task, but her pride forbade re-
herself to be half carried up the steepest
pitches by Ned Schenck, and lifted
bodily over stones and logs that she de-
clared herself altogether unable to sur
mount. Fortunately for her protector
she was slight, and not tail; he could
easily spare all the strength necessary.
But Dora would not allow herselfto be
more than guided, though the guidance
was peremptory. 90 4a.s.-. 4...l,-z4
Put your foot here, Miss Scherck;
now the other on that stone. Give me
your left hand and take firm hold of
that bough to the right" l1s .@
Dora obeyed with the most chililike
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. .,.ls ~. Z. { -. ...i... dg1-.s9
Grace, from below, a 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 rclegated 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 to tease that Grace called ont, in
her soft, drawing tones: "DoI, you are
really miracle. : / never expected to
see you mind a man go implicitly."<
Dora was indignant. She knew well
that Grace could be spiteful, bnt the
fspite 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.. Hortonis es-
cort. The girlish, silly pride thaE was
! her great fault rose in. arms She did
not answer Grace, but, with q resoiute
look on her flushed facey spsang onward
: after her own fashion, stumbling and
clinging as well as she couid, every mo.
: ment expecting MI, Horton to advise or
remonstrate, but bent on needing his
voice no more. ..
E She exrected. In vain. KIzs said moth
: ing, and the smile on his face would not
,haye pleased her; he only followed fast
behind her till they came tol q little
: grassy platform at the head of. the
stream, where the rocks retreated and
i the trees had been sweptsa way directly
IN front of the last and highest fall
, which descended here sata right angles
? with the rest of the stresrn, behind a
Z cliff that hid it entirely from the lower
pool. aasnsn1i. = = b iesaiisislsg ~ 81
'sG race had stopped far below: 'she wa.
I heateti and tired zanI angry too. Ned
iScbenck did NOT care fer her:sso he sal
! down sn the other end of the log where
sbe had seated berself f5 an q ,nrofaned tht
1 delicate forest odors WITH 4 CHAR. Dora
), stouped a ap,omeut 10 take frsatb and ad
/, mile the beautiful fall before, them
4 which dashed its white water down tbs
0 sheer black rock. and ,sprinkled with
!. whitedew the luxuriaut ferns and vine
Q that frinoed the hank on either side
J. Then sbe turned 70 follow the very sligbt
Indication of a patb inward. 1Mr. Hor
4 ton was ready ta follow. bnt tbe moment
q sbe act her foot on the rock which wa,
;, her f,rst stem and extended er.hand t1
l. grasp. ledge above, which must b.
% Climbed. he Cried ont in a loud. impera
;, tive voice. "Dora stopp' -
The voice was 40 decisive. 40 mower
fuI al fniI of that command which i
;, the counternart of obedience that with
e ont Thought of rebellion. Dora stoo,
e hike astatue. In an instant Mr.Hortol
q put his arm about her. swung her back
q and BEGAN to strike RAPIDLY and fiercel
Ie at somethino ON the crest of the ledge
q and ia another minute he lifted, dea
q ratlesnake on his cane and fiung it ia
y dowr into the stream. Dora Turned sick
and sat down on stone, shudderIng an
:. pale. Mr.. Horton only said, g xcus
= me, Miss Schenck the danger was to
y near for me to be less imperative"
" Dora shivered. S"If you had not,
, should be dead now"
u "Not at ALL" laughed MFR. Hortor
q "I know these woods too well to
~ ~ ever without the proper alleviations fo
y a snake bite, but / never yetused then
70 though have met and killed. a goo
40 manya Rattlesnates are dulfereatur,
2 unless,they coil to sprinp, and one bio,
'e- with a heavy stick will kill them. iVer
90 few people die of their bites.s d hay
- ONLY heard of one e&se in these-region
= and that was a child who had straye
2, alone In the woods"
" ne purposeiy lengtnened MS expi
i, nation, that Dora might calm herself
30 30 he did not know how it wasstill throl
bling through her heart that he hs
= called her "Dora" Her natively ge
~ =. erousinstinct demanded some thanks
~ laapt IN ha Y,aid hut sba oou not