The Red Cloud chief., 1882-07-06
TRUE

great friends; though W more dissim-
liar in every way IL would be hard TO
find. For, while Eleanore was tall,
dark and brilliantly coloTed. Dora was
childishly slight, with a pale, lily-fair
skin; and while Eleanorc was vivacious
and daring. Dora was shy and quiet.
And, strange to say. the one you would
deem least fitted 10 cope with the world
was the one whom circumstances had
compelled to do - from her earliest
youth.
The acquaintance between the two
girls began at school, and when Flea
more graduated. and, leaving school
DAYS behind forever. am 10 her beau
tiful home. nj her urgent solicitation.
Dora, whom she had grown 10 love as
tendcrly asa sister. accompanied her.
The first month of vacation has
passed. and the second has peer en-
tered upon, and Dora signs as she thinks
how very soon the time will rave flown.
and this delightful experience that has
come 10 her like an oasis in the monot-
onous desert of her life will have ended.
And yet the roses of pleasure have o
been entirely without the thorns that al
ways accompany them.
Five weeks do not constitute n great
portion of time. but in them much may
happen, and they have sufliced To inn
plant in Dora's gentle heart a some
thing as strong as she knows it is hope
less.
BY the terms of the deceased Mr..
Gray's will. his friend Mark Eldridgc. a
man many years younger than himself,
but one possessing his utmost conf
dcncc. ..as left executor of his large
fortune and guardian To his daughter.
Thus il is that the GRAY cottage fire.
quently sees Mr.. Eldridgc's genial.
handsome face: and thus il is also that,
in listening to his fluent conversation,
which opens before her broad vistas of
knowledge n well ~ of entertainment.
Dora has come TO think that not i'm all
this world is another SO wise and good
rs worthy of "a maiden's love.
But not 4 hint of the truth does she
suffer 10 escape, for she imagines that
she has read n secret, and she is not
surprised.
".Shc is so beautiful aud bright. il is
no wonder that he loves her." she
muses.. rs she watches with a feeling
of mingled admiration, tenderness and
pain. the guardian and his lovely ward.
The days 90 by until one comes which
il long remembered.
II has been a stormy afternoon. and
with the gathering darkness the thunder
begins to mutter m~cnacingly.
Swcct-briar Cottage, rs Elcanore's
pleasant home is called, is situated
upon a slight elevation, whose foot is
washed by n narrow stream between
which and terra iirma runs the railroad.
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 10 their vision, the girls
a see the track up and down for some
way.
Suddenly n tremendous crash startlcs
them to their feet, and ut the same
instant a lightning flash illumines the
whole sky and surrounding objects.
Eleanore's face grows very pale as
she grasps her companions arm and
points down upon the track.
Dora. the great elm ut the foot of
the terrace has been struck. See. it
has fallen across the track. The seven
Nfbth SNBiC>> VIII pc alplt1 III iUtl ~
hour. Dora, they will be wrecked, for
the curve will prevent them seeing the
danger before il is to late"
Dora looks and trembles.
"Can we do nothing. E~leanorcg" she
asks.
mo, for the nearest telegraph station
is across the river, and there is no other
for five miles"
I'VE crossed the river yesterday,
Eleanore. Can we not do it now? am
going to try"
Eleanore gazed at her in surprise.
"Dora Alton. you are crazy to think
of such a thing. To cross upon the
stepping-stones in fair weather is quite
a different thing TO attempting it in
such a storm as this. The water is very
deep. A single false step, and your life
would pay the forfeit"
Nevertheless, / shall try. / know
the way; and, God helping me, / may
be the mean of saving hundreds of my
fellow-creatures from a horrible fate.
DO not try TO dissuade me, Eleanore. 1
must GO.
And though Eleanore redoubled her
terrified remonstrances, Dora went
about her preparations firmly, with q
look of determination upon her young
face that never faltered.
At last she was ready. and Eleanore
strained her small, waterproof clad
figure close to her heart
"God guide you and keep You. NV
darling" she said, solemnly. you
60 for duty's sake to brave a danger
that. fearless IS l have always deemed