Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-11-02
TRUE HEROISM.

liar in every way it would be hard to
find.
For. while Eleanore was tall, dark,
and brilliantly colored, Dora was child
ishly slight, with pale, lily-fair skin;
and while Eleanore was vivacious and
daring, Dora was shy and quiet
And, strange to say, the one you
would deem least fitted to cope with
the world was the one whom circum.
stances had compelled to do so from
her earliest youth.
The acquaintance between the two
girls began at school; and when Flea.
more, leaving school days behind for
ever, came TO her beautiful home, at
her urgent solicitation, Dora, whom
she had grown to love as tenderly as IA
sister, accompanied her.
The first month OF vacation had pass
ed, and the second had been entered
upon, and Dora sighs as she thinks
how very soon the time will have flown
and this delightful experience that has
come TO her like an oasis in the monot-
onous desert of her life will have end
ed.
And yet the roses of pleasure have
not been entirely without the thorns
that always accompany them.
Five weeks do not constitute great
portion of time; but in them much may
happen, and they have sutficed to inn
plant in Dora's gentle heart a some
thing as strong as she knows tits hope
less.
BY the terms of the deceased Mr..
Grsy's will, his friend, Mark Eldridge,
man many years younger than him
self, but possessing his utmost conf
dence, was left executor of his large
fortune and guardian to his daughter.
Thus it is that Gray Cottage fire.
quently sees Mr.. Eldridge's genial hand
some face; and thus it is also that, in.
listening to his fluent conversation,
which opens before her broad vistas of
knowledge as well as entertainment.
Dora has come to think that not in all
the world is another so wise and good,
as worthy of maiden's love.
But not hint of the truth does she
suffer to escape, fol- she imagines that
she has read secret, and she is not
surprised.
"She is so beautiful and intelligent,
it is no wonder that he loves her." she
muses., as she watches with feeling of
mingled admiration, tenderness, and
pain the guardian of his lovely ward.
The days go by until one comes which
is long remembered.
1t has been stormy afternoon, and
with the gathering darkness the thun-
der begins to mutter menacingly.
Sweetbriar Cottage, as Eleanore's
pleasant home is called, is situated up
on a slight elevation, whose foot is
washed by narrow stream between
which and terra firma runs the rail
way.
From their position in the bow. win
dow, where they are watching with
fascinated eyes the cloud-phantasy of
gloom rent by lurid light which the
Storm presents to their vision, the girls
can see the line up and down for some
way.
Suddenly tremendous crash startles
them to their feet, and at the same
instant lightning flash illumines
the whole sky and surrounding OBJ
jects.
Eleanor's face grows very pale as she
grasps her companions arm, and points
down upon the line.
"Dora, the great elm at the foot of
the terrace has been struck.
''See, it has fallen across the line.
"The seven o'clock express will be
due in half an hour.
dora, they will be wrecked, for the
curve will prevent them seeing the
danger before it is too late"
Dora looks and trembles.
"Can we do nothing. Eleanorep" she
asks.
"No; for the nearest telegraph sta
ton is acress the river, and there is nc
other for five miles,"
"We crossed the river yesterday,
Eleanore"
"Can we not do it nowp / am 90.
ing to try"
Eleanore gazed at her in surprise.
Dora Alton, you are crazy to think
of such thing.
ITO cross upon the stepping-stoncs
in far weather is quite different
thing to attempt in such a storm az
this.
"The water is very deep.
"a single false step. and your lit
would pay the forfeit"
Nevertheless shall try.
81 know the way. and may be tn
means of saving hundreds of my fel
low-creatures fl ON horrible fate.
"Do not try to persuade me, Eleanore
must CO."
And though Eleanore redoubled he
terrified circumstances, Dora wen
about her preparations firmly with
look of determination upon her younI
face that never faltered.
At last she was ready, and Eleano
strained her small -proof-clad fig
ure close to her heart.
Heaven protect you and keep you, M
darling" she said solemnly.
"You 90 for duty's sake to brave
danger that, fearless as have Away
deemed myself to be, l would neve
dare attempt.