Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-12-04
DOROTHEA INGRAM.
A Story of Early Colo
NAL Days.
BY CHARLES G. HAHN.
CHAPTER VIm-ContinuedO

CHAPTER VlIs@fContInued.l
These meetings between Dorothea and
Achsah at length became so painful to
the latter that the minister exerted all his
power to prevent them. He allowed his
daughter to go out with no one but him
self, and while taking their solitary
strolls he carefully avoided those places
where they were likely to encounter
which he could not avoid the young
witch, for such she was now called by
the settlement generally. In the meeting
house on Sunday and on lecture days the
whole population were obliged to gather.
Here, for an hour or two on those days,
the two were obliged to sit, and although
1t was Gods house, the minister was
never easy lest the DEVILS power might
find some weak place in his prayer and
break through, even in that sacred place.
Consequently he changed his own family
pew to a remote corner from DR.. Len
nox's, where Dorothea sat, and con trived
as much as possible to keep his daughter
from the sight of the girl.
He had it in mind several times to for
bid DorOthea from entering the meeting
house but his deacons dissuaded him.
Then, too, the minister knew that the
time to strike an open blow had not yet
come. For DR.. Lennox, with whom
Dorothea lived, and to whom she had be
come as a daughter, stoutly denied all
insinuations against her, and had pub
licly stated that he would fight for her as
for his own flesh and blood
Dorothea's beauty.also had its influence
upon great many of the congregation,
principally the young men of the settle
ment. AS has been stated, she had grown
up a comedy girl. the equal to whom there
was not in Sagnauck, and, despite the
reputation given her by the minister, and
the evidence before them with regard to
Achsah Granville, Dorotheas suitors
were many.
Neither was there ever any jealousy of
her in the hearts of the other maidens of
the village, for Dorothea possessed that
openness and good-heartedness which sell
dom fails to make friends. Then, too, her
readiness to serve a neighbor, to watch
by the sick, to nurse fretful child, or do
any of the many acts which a good
hearted woman can do if she will, made
her favorite with her elders. True, they
half believed her false, but they silenced
themselves with the fact that nothing
had really been proven against her, and
that to them she had always been kind.
Some, no doubt, were influenced by the
thought that, did she possess the power
ascribed to her, it were better to treat
her we'll and secure her favor than to in
cur her emnity.
It was a troublesome young life; and
had not Dorothea been supported by DR..
Lennox and his wife, she, long before
would have committed some act of in
discretion, or allowed some outburst of
temper which would have given the min
lister good cause for proceeding against
her as he had against her father. But
this worthy couple watched over her as
they would over their own child, and
many times succeeded in soothing heI
feelings when severely tried, and in in
ducing her to forgive and. if possible,
forget, the wrongs done her.
In one instance the Doctors we'll
meaning plans came near fastening on
the end against which he was guarding
Like all medical men of the colonies in
England, and was consequently fairly
well acquainted with nervous diseases.
To him the girl Achsah's trouble
seemed due entirely to physical causes
although he could not understand just
how it was brought about. He accord
ingly decided, one day, to bring the CIR
into Dorothea's presence and test the
effect it would have upon her, doubling
not that her fear of him would hinde.
any deception.
BY a little maneuvering he was able q,
length to secure the girls presence in hi
Office and then sent for Dorothea
Scarcely had she entered when Achsal
began to show unmistakable signs o.
some outside influence being brought Il
bear upon her. Her face rapidly changed
its expression, her arms dropped to he
sides, and her whole body became limp
For an instant the Doctors faith in hi
adopted daughter was shaken, and b
glanced ND quickly at her. To his hor
ror and the confirmation of his fears, sh
too was visibly affected. Her eyes wer
steadily fixed on those of the girl shrink
ing back in the chair, and her face wor
q look which the Doctor had never seel
there before. 1t was pale, and the mus
cles of the face stood out in relief. Thu
she remained for several seconds, the
gradually resumed her usual manner, an
{ contemptuous smile rested upon he
lips.
The Doctor was about to speak +
Dorothea when his attention was Gale
Achsah. With q shudder she slippe
from the chair and lay upon the hool