The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-24

the idea of a wedding. was mentally arranE-
ing everything in most satisfactory way
as she sorted her silks and toasted her toes
By the FIRE.
After time Dorothy woke up, ate her
dinner and then said eagerly:
Il can get mp now, can /, Mrs. Stsel%'
'Yes, dear: will help you dress and you 1
must sit in an easy-chair, and keep quiet. /
Perhaps Mr. Prui0d viii return to-day"
II think he wilt Do You know, ] dreamt /
/ saw nim riding along the high road on /
Blanche. AMI beard the ring Of her hoofs on
the frOst-boupd earth. Somehow the sound
seemed sweetest music 90 me
u can scarcely hear, she murTnured,
For my heart beats loud and fast
But surely iu the far. far distance
can hear ID sound at last,
sang Mrs. 5 eel. as she shook out the pretty
white robe. ami placed itready for DDrothy's
use. and the shining hair was brushed, and
the pretty -r.i-H iiEu,e was adorned ia the
picturesque dressinz-coTn.
at is "a pleasure only to look az you, dear
you are so pict' said g9od-natured Mrs.
Steel. az she fastened the last satin knot
under Dorothy pretty dimpled chin.
Il never thought % be we'll again a week
ago death seemed so near; yet, though l
have SD much 20 1--we for-love, lie and
earthly bl.--iI1s-I was not afraid"
"HarGi WHAT thatg Someone has come
in; 90 and see who it is, there's a dear little
woman"
Mr.. Steel left her patient to 90 down
stairs. Jane took her duster away, and
Dorothy was left alone % listen and long
for the sound Of a voice that was the best
music in the world 10 her.
Presently she heard the sound Of eager
footsteps, and Pierce-a haggard and alter
ed Pierce-entered with outstretched arms
Dorothy saw only the loye-light in ms
eyes, the smile Of welcome On his lips, as
he Enelt down and put his arms about her,
saying:
'Oh, my beautiful love, how ] have long
ed for you! Darling, are you better? You
are white rs the snowdrors under your chin.
and your lips look too pale 10 give me ca,
ress. ] Will kiss them red again.
"Put your arm, about my neck, dear; you
need comfort me, for my heart is torn with
anxiety, for, Dora darling | cannot find lit
tie Ally"
'Ah, but you viii, darling! l shall soon
be strong and well again. and we will go
out in the world to look for ner together;
my wOman's wit shall help you, and we will
wander the Wild world over till we find our
little treasure Take comfort, dear heart
she will be well cared for and kindly treat
GU lbl Nllt - 30 HWttt anu iDN tdblt lp OAAD
could harm her"
do you know who stole her, darling?'
mo; who was IL? She was very wicked,
the woman vino tore her from me that hor.
Tible night. On Pierce, why did she do you
such n cruel wrong-what spite had she
against your
''When you are well enough to hear my
history, dear, you will understand and pity
me. Now you must think Of nothing but
getting well.
mo one has discovered you, DEAR that is
good tidings. You could not bear worry
now, my poor pale snowdrop.'
The dusk cIme upon them as they sat in
the bright drel gat, chatting happily.
Pierce held Derothy's hand, and he look
cd into her face, listening to her voice in a
lull of spirits very pleasant after the rush
ing life he had led Of late.
The next day was dull and stormy. and
after luncheon Dorothy was taken very ten
DERBY into the cosy sittingrOOm that led
from the hall.
Mrs. Steel had gone home to see her
youngsters, so the lovers were alone, and
lover-like, said many sweet things to each
other
Pierce put off the unhappy recital Of his
history.
II will wait till she has had time to rest
and recover herself" he thoushtas he look
ed down lovingly upon the little reeumbent
figure on the pretty crimson satin couch.
The starry eyes looked up fondly at him,
the little hands clasped over his arm were
white as the snow-falles that fell noiseless-
ly outside.
All inside was warm and cosy, and out
side was chill and dull.
Pierce, after propping Dorothy up with
pillows, bent over her and kissed her fair
face, saying:
'How nice it is To be alone together, Dora,
darlingl / am afraid lovers are very selfish,
they want to shut all the world out from
even the sight Of theirhappiness. You feel
stronger to-day, don't you? [ can see just a
faint rosebloom on your cheek like the first
flush OF dawn in the sky. COnfound it, who
is that?'
This last remark was called forth by a
loud impatient knocking at the hall door.
From the sittingroom they could see a
carriage covered with snow. two steaming
horses and coachman in fur cape
II will be back directly, dear. Try to get
adoze"
Pierce paused on the threshold the keen
air flew past him from the open door, fan
ming Dorothys cheek, and making the fire.
flames leap aad dance.
A well-known voice made the blood cur
die In Dorothy's veins a smooth clear voice
saying:
II am Horace Middleton, Mr.. Penfold,
and / have come toreclaim something which
you have OF mine.
Unless you wish to take the whole house
hold into your confidence, sir, kindly, let
whatever you have 10 ask me wait until we
are alone Jane, show this gentleman into
my study | WI join him directly"
Pierce pnfprCd the sitting-rOOm amin flaw
to Dorothy's side, and said in low passion
ate undertone:
Don't be frightened, my own darling all
will be well. Lie still, no one shall disturb
you"
''oh, Pierce you Will not let that man
take me away? / shall die if you do
No one shall take away my promised
wife. Trust 10 me. | would rather die thar
lose you"
In second he was gone, and Dorothy
listening nervously, heard the study dool
open and close.
She wished she could be invisible for 6
wee while and hear what passed between
the man she loved and the man she hated
herself unheard, unseen.
She became so nervous at last that she
rang the bell, and requested Jane to sent
someone for Dr. S,eel at once. Thinking
she felt worse, Jane FASTENED away to com
ply with her request.
When the two men met face to face in the
study, where the gas burnt brightly, they
scanned each other cariously.
Pierce Penfold was the first to speak.
What have you to say to me, Mr.. Middle
ton? My time is precious, please be brief
Mr.. Middleton, who was a big fair mar
with triinly-cut red beard, clever gre,
eyes. and the smile Of a seraph, said in hi.
smooth clear way;
Il came here, as the polies reports say
from information received to demand that
my ward, Miss Cover, of Castle Cover bG
restored TO her proper guardian-myself
She ran away in fit of childish temper
early in the evening of Christmas Eve
hear she sought shelter here, and has re-
manned ever sine. content with the enter.
tainment you have afforded her."
Pierce Penfolds lips curled scornfully,
then, as he was about to reply, Mr.. Middle
ton hastily interrupted him, his suavity
giving place to rage.
DO not deny the charge of unlawfully
harboring an infant in the sight of the law.
Sir, demand that my ward be given up al
once to my just authority
And | refuse to give her up to one who
has outraged every tie of honor. / consider
your conduct to that defenceless girl scam
dalous lii an extreme. There is no court in
England that would not release her from so
debasing guardianship. l would rather
die than give her up to bondage that dis
honors her SEX"
How dare you speak so to me, sir? j
will make you prove this dastardly acclsa-
ton. Who with any sense would credit the
vile fabrieations of an hysterical girl, who,
In mt of childish temper, chooses TO fling
aside the restraint society puts upon her,
and wanders away from home like com.
mon tramp or gypsy wench, such as YOU
once nicAed ON. finn hnr M -, .i...n,,