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

lgnt OF lamp fell on their faces; the
mans was fivid with the hue OF death, the
soman's white as the snow on whica she
ay.
Once before had Pierce seen that far lace
IN such chill pillow; once before ne had
'ound her just so on heap OF snow. lie
ell on his knees beside her and called her
1y name. He guessed it all at sight OF the /
handsome deathlike face beside her.
Il am Doctor" sad a kindly voice, let /
me see what injuries these people have sus-
.ained."
An old man pushed through the crowd, |
and knelt down to make a brief but com
prehensive examination He attended TO
Horace Middleton first, because he, he saw,
was the most injured.
Both legs broken Just above the ankles
injury to the head; what besides | can't
tell. Come, my men, get a hurdle and
carry the pOo- fellow TO some place of shell
ter, his is a serious case. Now let's look at
the young lady. Come come. this is more
there are no bones broken
that | can find: she has swooned from
fright a little brandy VII revive her"
He spoke truly, Dorothy was uninjured,
and after Pierce had satisfied the officials
as to his right TO her, they were allowed TO
resume their journey. leaving Horace Mid
dleton, Of whom they had given a brief his
tory, to the care of kindly doctor, who
took him to the infirmary and tended him
with his own kind hands.
A week later there was a simple wedding
in the sombre City church; Pierce CHANGING
the law, took his darling into his own ten
der keeping, chcertd by his good friends
DIR. and Mrs. Steel, who saw the bride and
BRIDEGROOM set ont for the United States,
accompanied By Jem Garth and Jane.
Dorothy was pale and unhinged by the
recent events. but the sea-breeZes soon
brought as bright a bloom TO her cheek as
was even called there by her fond husbands
earesses.
They had very fair passage and arrived
in the great Republic in good health and
spirits The news from home was to tue
effect that Mr.. Middleton was recovering,
but could never hope to be anything but a
cripple all his life, and had told DR.. Steel
that he bitterly regretted the past, and was
! willing and anxious to resign the manage
ment OF the Cover estates into Mr.. Pen
| folds hands, il he would consent to hush up
| the part he had played as cruel guardian to
| Dorothy.
| Directly after this, they received notice
| that Lees Circus would perform in New
| York on a given date. and that if was be-
/ lieved that the child they had lost was
among the p 'rfOrmerS.
Poor baby! what could they make her
! do?" said d Jrothy, tears in her sweet eyes.
Pierce set his teeth. and his eyes flashed
as he said huSNiiyt
Il will take couple of detectives with
me, and see for myself. NJ poor baby! God
| give you back to me, and there is no other
| blessing need ask Of Heaven, except its
! care for my dear ouesH
/ Pierce obtained the aid he needed, aud
started OF, fAIl Of vague anger and excite
ment.
one of the detectives paid forthetr adnlis-
| sion.
The money was taken by handsome
! gypsy in flame-c0iored satin dress, shroud-
| ed with Spanish lace.
The sight VI her almost unnerved Pierce
| Il was Alison, more handsome than ever,
with proud exultant grace about her thai
| spoke of success.
Halfway down the bill it stated that
Miss Thistledown, aged three, would show
| the Americans how easily the British Lion
was led" etc.
When the time arrived for this perform.
ance, Alison entered the ring for the first
time as the Lion Queen.
She led in a huge sleepy-loOking lion, who
| was guided with silken cord by wee
| thing dressed as the Grand Cd Man, &
| woodman's a&e in hand and miniature
tree over its shoulder.
The figure wore pepper-and-salt trousers
white shirt, and pair Of slippers. and bore
a mimic head which WAS a splendid likeness
to the Grand Old Man.
4 IN 1t,sv
| lay down and the child jumped off its back
lifted off the mask, tore off her outer clothes
and stood conf sSed perfect fairy prince
| in sGaly suit of silver mail.
After the performance, which elected {
storm of applause, the child stood alone
! bowling prettily and kissing the tips of hel
| fingers.
The music ceased, and the child was about
to bound away, whsn a man rose up with {
heart-yearning cry of;
Little Allyl'
Papa, papa, papa!' cried the mite, fiyins
to the spot whence the sound proceeded
and was cIasped to her fathers heart, liz
tears running down on her little pale face
while the audience rose to a man, looking
| on in silent amazement.
There may be a scene sir; make for thu
main entrance. I'll go before, my friend be
| hind you. Now rush, or we shall be mob
bed"
How Pierce got through the crowd hi
never knew. Outside they were stopped by
policeman, who, after ta ing to the de
| tectivcs, allowed them to jump into q CARR
age which was waiting with Dorothy inside
She took the tiny, quaintly-dressed chilC
to her heart, and cried over it quietly. while
for the first and last time in his life, Pi-rc,
| Penfold tainted away.
Inside the circus all was confusion: tht
people would have the sce3e explained. 81
old Lee, fine-looking Old man. came to tht
front and gave his own version Of the affair
| which was that 1t was all a part of the per
| Torrance, a dramatic situation to interes
the public in the clever little actress, etc.
| But the old man looked anxious when h,
left the ring and found his daughter ravin.
like a madwoman at the loss of her child.
After this Alison fretted herself into
| fever, and her old father grieyed over he
as over the most dutiful and Yirtuous daugll
ter the world contained.
Thanks to his nursing, she came back Il
life, different woman though, broken il
health and spirit, with but ghos: OF he
cd superb beauty.
Pierce lost no time in returning to En-
gland and taking possession of the Cove
esta es; but poor faithful Jem did not re
turn with them.
At the last moment he wrote to say h,
had gone with his relatives, the Lees, t.
tent the horses.
Pierce sighed. ard said:
Poor Jeaa. he may as well sell his soul t.
the devil IS to fnliow that FREELY ola wo
man in hope of any reward.N Well, Pill sen,
him handsome ehaque, he deserves it fol
faithful seTv &c 10 me.''
/ For once Pierce reasoned wrongly. Afte
| years of deep loving devotion old Lee died
leaving Alison to Jem's care, and she, feel
ing lonely, took pity on the faithful fellow
and married him.
She made him a better wife than many
more virtUCus woman; and, when sturdy
eli dren were born to her, loved her hus
band, and helped to make the circus a great
er success than ever.
Years have passed. and it is Christina.
again, and the world is white aboutyCasti,
Cover, beautiful place on the summit of
| wooded hiil.
Inside the grand old house all is mirtl
and reveiry; stately lady stands, the cen
ter of rosy group of beautiful children, hel
handsome husband leaning over her, and by
her side slight daTk-eyed maiden who calls
her mother with as true affection as hal
brothers and sisters.
Pierce Psnfold kissed his wife under a
bough of mistletoe, and tells his guests
among whom Dr. and Mrs. Steel are the
most honored, that Dorothy is a priceless
treasure that he once FoUSp IN A Snow
DRIFT,