The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-06

Auu uu Win NOly dreams my sleep.
Until we say good morning!"
-LMLE E. BURR.
DOLORES.
1t was getting dusk, and I could hear
the church clock striking, across the
water, Elk o'clock. There were still
faint streaks of red and bars of light in
the western sky, and the new moon hung
like sickle overhead. Twas country
born, young and strong, and I knew no
fear, though the road was lonely and
there had been much talk in the village
Of gypsies and tramps, and the passen-
gers in the coach coming from London
had been robbed not SO many weeks
ago. I had been long way across the
country, and Tiger and hurried home,
now thinking (at least, thought, and
Tiger was the most sympathetic of
dogs that before the clock struck the
half hour we should be sitting comfort
ably by the fireside.
The path ran for some little distance
close to the Black Pond; the hill rose
steep on either side oft; here and there
with cluster of bushes, here and there
atrce hung over the deep water. In the
fast fading twilight I could still see the
reflections sharp and clear. I was SO
close to the water that / could watch
the little ripples on its surface. The
path was muddy in places; picked my
way cautiously from one dry spot to an
other. Tiger was few yards in front
of me. Suddenly he growled and
dashed forward with bound. "Tiger,
Tiger!" called, and even at the same
momentI felt rather than saw that dark
figure was moving in front ofme-mov-
ing swiftly, noiselessly, away from me
under the shadow of the bushes. "Who
is there?"
Noanswer. only Tiger turned sud
denly and skunk back to my side.
There were stories enough about the
pond and its deep waters. Not SO ma
ny years since couple of lovers had
lost their lives there; it was said that
the body of the girl had never been
found. Something I had seen, AMI tt
ger had seen it too. Could it be the
ghost of that luckless maid? A low
moaning sound fell on my ear; horror
stricken I turned and fled up the hill
as fast as my feet could carry me. But
I did not run far. "What is this?" ask
ed my better self. "Phebe Lyncombe,
will you, the daughter of brave Sol.
der who died for his country, the wife
Of as true sailor as ever sailed on the
Kings feet-will you turn coward and
1y in panic? Return, and see if you
can help any fellow-creature in misery.
Return and face the danger, and God
be with you"
Some such thoughts ran through my
brain. I was always one to act on i'm
pulse, and l retraced my steps, walking
with bold front and beating heart
straight in the direction of the shadow.
I could see it now again, tall figure
woman's fgure-in a long cloak.
Once it stopped and hid itself beneath
tree-I must have passed by had not
Tiger growled and shown his teeth.
"Who are you?" I called in despera-
tion-"tell me. Are you i'll? Can
help you?"
Then in the silence of the evening it
crept out of the darkness and glided
quickly toward the edge, the very edge,
Of the pond.
"Take care!" I Ishouted, "the water
is deep"
For an answer it flung off the cloak,
threw Up its arms, and plunged into the
Black Pond with a shrek. One
glance had of q white face.
Che face of beautiful woman,
her black hair streaming rouni
her; and then I rushed to the water
edge, beside myself with horror. I was
more than mile from the village.
could get no hel pit was vain to scream.
By good luck the dog was with me.
"Seize her, Tiger! seize her!" and as
raised my hand he sprang after the
woman. A tree spread its branches far
over the pond at this point. I crawled
along bough as far as it would bear
me, and so hanging over the water man
aged to gain firm hold of her dress.
By Heavens mercy the pond was not so
very deep at this spot; do not think
that she was ever fairly out of her depth,
and she had not lost consciousness.
How we did it cannot exactly tell you,
but between us-Tiger and me-we got
her out, shivering, but alive, on to the
bank-moaning and wringing her hands
but alive, and, IS far as I could see, un-
hurt. There was no time to question
her, | must get home-home to the warm
fireside, and take her with me- "Come, {"
] said, holding her hand tight in mine,
.come." She lifted her eyes and looked
at me-they were wild with terror; her
lips moved. but she spoke in strange
tongue that I could not understand.
I took mp the cloak that lay ON the
ground and wrapped it round her, TAX
ing care that her face was turned away
from the pond. I went my way very
slowly, half dragging her, up the hill,
and ever and anon she stopped to grasp
+ r breath and to sob and moan. Half
past six struck, and seven struck be-
fore we reached the garden gate, with
Tiger shifting at our heels. Marian,
the housekeeper, was there Watching
for ME. She is Q discreet woman; I
knew I could trust her. "There hos
heen an accident; help me take the
lady in," I said.
Miriam asked no more she put her arm
around the lady and carried her faint.