The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-11-08
When we come to an understanding, If you
decide to stop as Ally's teacher, all will be
Main sailing

NOoDelter LOan you deserve, l ain sure,
Miss Snow. By the look of trouble in YOU
eyes, it is time some one was good to YOU
Mr.. Penfold went into the hall and said
to the housemaid:
Jane, if Miss Shows luggage arrives
while she is from home, ask Mrs. Garth to
pay the carriage. Miss Snow did not know
l should meet her, or how she would man
age, so she left them to follow, and being
Christmas-time, l suppose they have been
delayed"
The girl curtsied and went to tell the
ho~use-keeper, Agnes Garth.
And Agnes smiled to herself and mutter-
ed:
'Oh, the power Of a pretty face! The
master would not be so cunning on her ac
count if he did not admire her."
Agnes" said Mr.. Penfold, appearing,
suddenly before the old dame, II am ob.is
ed to go to London on business. l shall be
back on New Years Eve.
While l am away, guard my child ieal-
ously. None know better than you do tho
danger that besets her. If l We're to lost
her l should go mad. l would rather see
her in her coffin than in the power of ttiaI
bad woman, her mother.
Are you sure the child did dream oil
Christmas night? Are you sure the dream
If dream 1t were-hadn not q substance"
Old Agnes looked bothered, but answer
ed boldly:
'Of course it was only a dream, sir; don't
worry about it. PHI take care of the child;
no one shall harm a hair oil her head. Be
sides, she has Miss Snow now Which make,
1t impossible for anyone to approach he
unknown. / watch her by day, Miss Snow
watches her by night.
"A child could not be better cared for
bless her pretty face! l would be the las
to wish her away; why, she is tho sunshine
of the house.
Mind you take plenty of wraps and you
flannel night-shirt; you should never slcel
in a strange bed without flannel, it prevent.
damp. Shall l put up some whisky ant
sandwichesw
mo, I prefer to get out for what | want
We wait ten minutes at Gloucester, yot
know. Goodbye"
lle.was b%uttoning his gloves as he spoke
and Ally came running after him for a las
kiss. de lifted the child in his arms fond
ly, and said:
BE good, daring, and do what Mis-:
Snow wishes. will bring you home a bi:
picture-book.''
You dear papa!'
You dear Ally he said as he gave her
hug and stood her down OH the doormat.
The snow was falling outside, and The
scenery seemed desolate in the extreme.
From an upper window Dorothy watched
him away with a strange heartsinking, We
he was to return soon, and she knew nc
cause for fear.
When he had gone she called Ally, an6
thav huSipl fhnmsalyaS p,nr Inn (N,riStmaI
tree, which was to be sent to the sick chill
dren at the intirmary, and Dorothy man
aged TO tell a lot of pretty anecdotes of sicl
children she had seen.
TIE day passed pleasantly enough, ant
Ally was put to bed by Dorot,y's own white
hands. When she had said her prayers slis
asked Dorothy to put her head down beside
her till she was asleep.
Dorothy did so, and fell asleep herself, t.
find, when she awoke, that she had 4 stiff
neck, and that the light had gone ont, an,
that there vas someone besides herself an,
Ally in the room.
WHO is that?' she cried cur, as thu
moonlight, clear and frosty, sholyeda shad
owy shape standing beyond the window.
No answer came.
Dorothy felt creepy, but fearing for tn
~ VIZ iNi 'NA"NNt "AiN ~
for the matches on the d~ressing-table.
The blind was not drawn, and the moor
light shone full upon her as her eyes sough
tie glass, and saw looking over her Shout
der a dark %revengeful face, full Of hate an,
menace.
a smothered cry escaped Dorothy; sh
turned and tried TO catch at the form, but
heavy blow felled ncr senseless to tn
ground, where she lay She knew not hoy
long, and awoke dazed and faint, with til
peaceful moonlight shining upon her, an
all the house silent.
She rose and found it was late; then sh
crept %shuddering bac, to the parlor to tin
Old Agnes making vi e fire.
, why, where have yo been, Miss Snow
, You look ike a ghost; al YOU illY'
Hastily, with many loo. 1t the curtain
and doors, Dorothy told I nes what ha
happened, and showed the ..uise on he
seemed terribly upset, and askc, laxiously
do you think you were real y awake
: You might have knocked your hea srain,
something and stunned yoi:rsclf.'
No; | distinctly saw a face in the :
beside my own. 1t was a dark face, and
: believe it belonged to a woman. | only woI
uNl M u NV lpl NN II
: Where is Ally: Is the child safes" asl
ed Agnes i'll an agony of alarm.
5 Yes, she is safe. l kissed her as | cam
down. Oh, l was so frightened and hui
. too! Who could it have been, Agnesw
; How should l know, Miss Snow? TIL
maids are all trustworthy girls, who ha,
all worked under me for years, or | migt
fancy your jewelry tempted one OF then
Is it all safe?'
t II don't know; | did not think abb,
jewelry. l VIII look when l goback tohe'
There is no way of getting into my roo
but by the door, l %supposeW
NO; / can't understand it. Shall | e.
you some wine and biscuits, or will yc
[ have anything else?'
Il don't Val anything to eat, but ] shoul
be glad of a glass of wine, l feel so shaken.
n Enough to make you, poorchild. I'll e
back with you to look at the chsd; III
: heart misgives me on her account"
I Surely no II would harm 4 little inn,
cent child?'
81 hope not, Miss Snow
After Dorothy had drank her wine 81
went to bed. All was right, jawelry II
touched, and Ally sleeping peacefully.
y Old Agnes gave a sigh of relief; she ha
dreaded she knew not what, and was relic
ed to find, so far, all was we'll with Ii
charge.
The next day passed peacefully ava
: and Dorothy forgot to fear every shadow
! but the bruise on her forehead remindt
her unpleasantly of the nights adventur
and she longed for Mr.. Penfold to return
she felt she would be safe if he were
: home.
She missed his jovial presence and kin
: thought for her. And it is not to be wo
dered at that, considering his great kin
ness, she being young and impressionabl
she should set him up in her heart of hear
rs a hero.
!. And, indeed, he was nc ignobla one.
: man of blameless life, who had suffered
surprising wrong, that had wrecked his Ii
and made his home desolate.
!, This had been bravely borne by him thrt
years before, and the thought of that mat
old Agnes very tender to her young mastc
whom she had nursed in infancy, and iovt
, as an w child.
Dorothy awokc on the morning of Ne
Years Eve with a heart at rest. Beforetl
night came her hero would be with her, al
her heart felt light at the thought, as 81
l wished the time away.
Towards evening, when dusk had darker
ed the quaint rooms and made mysteriol