The Red Cloud chief., 1882-07-06

with the combined eaec. OF the cold
which strike. through her dripping gzr-
mcnis and the bodily cscrtions sbe has
been compelled to make 10 keep her
footing upon the slippery rocks. VII!
she be able TO reach the other side,
Braycly she struggles On. and .
length the goal IL reached and her feet
touch the other shore.
A short while later the telegraph op-
orator. leaning idly back Ia bis chair in
his warm Office. is startled by the en-
trance OF q small. dripping figure. look
ing. with It's di-beyeled hair and pallii
face. like a yisitant from some ghostly
sphere
"A tree has fallen across the track
opposite Mis-, Gray's co;tage-tclcgrsph
for the seven o'clock express 10 stop!'
Then. her mission accomplished. the
brave heart stops heating and Dora
sinks unconscious 20 the floor.
-Four weeks have gone by-weeks OF
the most intense a~nxicty--for all tha.
time Dora has lain DE .ween life and
death. But nj last the shadow has lifted
and out once more into health sun
shine she has emerged. TO the heartfelt
joy Of the friends who have prayed for
her recovery necessarily, ever when
they feared their prayers would be OF
no avail.
1t is a bright, pleasant day. though
somewhat chilly. and in Eleanore's coy
sitting-room. In an easy-chair neal TIE
bright wood-fire, Dora is seated. She
looks very lovely. for the ~fire-glow has
lent a delicate color to her pale checks.
and made into an aureole Of gold the
| short waves Of hair that cluster abou:
her fair forehead.
The door gently opens and a voice
says:
May I come imp"
II is Mr.. Eldridge. and it is the first
| time since her illness that Dora has met
him. The delicate color decpcns as she
resigns her hand TO his clasp and an
swers his words If greeting. They chat
for q while. and then 10 Dora great
surprise she learns what she has not
known before. that among those who To
her brave deeds owed their safety from
death was her friends guardian.
IL asked Elcanorc not To tell yor,'
he says; "for / wished to thank y0u
myself. and at the same time TO ask you
a question most momcntous 10 me. IL
is this: Dora, will you make the life you
have saved more precious by laying that
dear hand in mine, and saving that You
will be my wife? All. little one, my
heart went out to you the first time that
we met; but | little knew 10 what a
strength my passion had grown until the
dark hour anne when feared that
death was about To snatch youfrom me
Dora, what is my answc r TO be?'
And / always thought that il was
Eleanore you cared for" Dora says, rs
n little later she sits with a happy face
and her little hand tightly claspedin her
lovers.
$50 1 do care for Eleanore-very
much; but it is Dora-my heroic dar-
ling-that l wish for my wifc-the
guardian angel OF my heart and my
home" is his answer.
81 am more pleased than / can ex-
press" j. Elcanorc's enthusiastic excla-
nation. when the blissful secret is con-
lided 10 her. ~ do not believe that in
all the universe there is any one nobler
than my guardian. and Dora, darling,
YOU are well mated. for nobility and
heroism are kindred qualities, and after
what has passed YOU IA never call
yourself n coward"
Dora stopped her mouth with a kiss.
N. y. Ledger.