The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-03-30
FAITHFUL DORA.

the west; inc nuGe OAK trees Auu plueS
OF the forest were murmuring omi.
nously. and the one chimney OF the lit.
tie farm house on the edge OF the
woods sent up its blue column OF
smoke like a CHEEKY hand reckoning to
the way.worn traveller. over the
hill. And how bright and cosy the in.
terror Of the kitchen looked as Dora
Klein stood on the Threshold. cold,
hungry and inexpressibly weary. A
little girl, blue-eyed and blonde.h haired,
scarcely yet sixteen, with shy aspect
and a shrinking mein, she had walked
all the way from the city, seeking
vainly for work at the various habi-
tations that she had passed, and now
at nightfa!l che was nearly discour-
aged.
IA grip" said Mrs. Myers, dubious.
ly, as Dora Klein preferred her meek
request. II did talk about hiring q
girl, but don't know anything about
you."
"Please try me-" faltered Dora. II
am SO tired, and l know not one in
all this country, and indeed will do
my best to serve you"
Mrs. Myers turned to her husband,
who sat by the fire trotting chubby
two.year.old on his foot. "What
shall I do, James?"
"She's O total stranger" said Mr..
Myers.
"But she looks so weary and worn
out"
"Well, let her come in and stay all
night-a bowl OF bread and milk and
one nights lodging won't break us"
So Dora Klein was admitted into
the farmers little family, and SO neat
and handy was she about fireplace, so
light and agile in her movements. so
quick to learn and steadfast to re-
member that good atured little Mrs.
Myers had engaged her before she had
been in the house q week.
"You women are oimpulsive, said
the honest farmer. sha king his head.
"suppose she should turn out bad?"
"How can she James," said Mrs.
Myers Indignantly. "She has n face
rs innocent as baby's."
my dear, Idon't believe in physi-
ognomy."
Nor /. altogether, bat do believe
in Dora Klein"
And as the days ard weeks went by
Mr.. Myers was Obliged to confess to
himself that SO far at least, his w;fe's
judgment, orratftr instinct, had been
correct. The last November leaves
were iluttering down one clear, cold
afternoon, when Mrs. Myers stood at
the door ready to join her husband
and baby in the wagon to attend
merrymaking at the nearest village
some miles beyond, while Dora Klein
was to remain at home to "keep
house."
"NIlnd you feed the chickens at 5
O'Clock, Dora, and don't forget the lit.
tie calf in the pen; and if youhave any
extra time you can just chop the
heart and apples for the Saturday
mince pies. and"
"Come, vile, comew called out her
husband from the wagon.
"And if the house should catch fire
or anything" added this prudent lit.
tie modern edition OF Martha,
"troubled with many cares, "remem.
Der. Dora. that the money is in an
old stocking under the old board, by
the south window, and the silver in O
japanned box close to it,"
"Yes. m'n,,' said Dora, kissing her
hand to the laughing baby, "Pll re-
member"
"some people would say, my dear,
that that wasn't a very smart pro-
ceeding OF yours" said Mr.. Myers as
they drove away.
what do you mean?" asked his
wife.
ITO tell the girl just where our val.
uables are kept"
"James! What an idea! Why, l
can trust Dora as implicitly as I
would trust myself"
Mr.. Myers whistled and drove on,
and his wife vas vexed with him for
even thinking such doubt of Dora
Klein.
But as they were jogging slowly
homeward in the December starlight,
u neighbor hailed them, joyously,
from the top OF a load of barrels.
81 say. it's time you were home"
said Nehemiah Hardbroke. "Your
gals got company"
"What do you mean?" demanded
Myers.
"Why, the doors and windows were
all open as came by the cross roads,
list where We can see cross the med
der to your back door, and there was
two or three men i'll the kitchen. I
thought it was some OF your folks till
see your wagon jist now"
James Myers locked at his wife.
Mrs. Myers white, anxious face re-
turned the gaze.
Dora is there" gasped the wife.
"She would see that-that nothing
happened"
Dora is there. "assented Mr.. Myers;
chats the very reason Pm worried.
Hold the baby firm and I'll see what
speed is left in old Dobbin."
How they ratified over the frosty
road, Dobbin galloping as if trying the
turf, and the old wood rushing past
them like the scenic splendors OF n
panorama, while to the anxious
hearts OF wife and husband, every
moment seemed an age. The house
was dark when they reached it. Mr..
Myers flung the reins over the dash.
board and srrang out.
Dora! Dora! klein!" he called, but
there was no answer save the faint
echo of his own voice.
And when the lamp was lighted it
shone on a scene OF dismay and confu.
sion; but the first corner at which the
farmer glanced revealed to him that
the loose boards beneath the south
window had been torn away, and the
treasure nook which had held the sill
YER spoons and the stockin,ful Of
bank-notes-theirli little all-was emp
ty.
$50 much for your girl and he,
friends, Janie" said Mr.. Myers, in the
bitterness OF his first anger, and Mrs
Myers burst into tears. not so much
after all, at the loss of money
altllouy that was IL serious enough
matter, rs to think that little Dors
Klein. OF whom she had unconsciousl,
grown so tond OF, was unworthy of {
kind thought.
That was one side ofthe little, every
day life story at the cottage; and nov
let us take y peep at the other. Hel
master and mistress had scarcely beer
gone an hour. and Dora was chopin:
away Mt the heart. singing sorce roull
delay as she worked, when there wa
a creaking on the floor. and turnin,
her head. she started to behold two
tall. gruif-lookins men in the room.
.Whn arc WOMB don, !, Il ad Dora vit