Nevada County picayune., 1891-02-19
jump, auntle.

softer 10 lipht OHto llal astohc pave
ment."
''Then we must slide down the
liyhtning-rod, or-oh, I'll tell You
the wind is rising, and we will spread
our skirts and descend like para.
chutes -
Il thought you had some little
sense, Dorinda," exclaimed Miss
Prudence, severely.
Il have, ever so little, auntic.
Give me the hatehct and I'll finish
this mcndlug. >
But how shall we get down, girl?'
why, auntie, seriously, | sup
pose we shall be obliged to stay here
until someone happens along. Won't
they stare, to see Miss Shaw and her
niece roosting on the ridge-pole, high
and dry. Dry, that is, if it don't
rain before they come"
wait? Wait, an the rain Accom-
ing as fast as it can come! We
shall be struck by lightnin'-I know
we shall!'
Wonder if it hurts much to be
killed by lightning?" said Dora,
meditativcly. She well knew her
aunt's terror of storm, and, it may
be, took y malicious delight in tan
talizing her in return for some of the
hard things which she had SAID of
Phil.
1--WE shall be killed. know we
shall - reiterated Aunt Prudence, in
despair.
At the sight of the white face,
Dora's heart rclented. Rising, she
looked about for aid, and presently
discovered an object that brought the
dimplcs to her checks again.
Il see Phil over yondcr, auntie !;
but | suppose you would not have
me call him 7"
Call him-call him quick
Dora sent long clear "Halloo!'
Phil paused in his work, and, as
the call was repeated, discovered the
little figure upon the roof, waving
her apron wildly in the now heavy
wind, He dropped his hoe, and, a
few moments later was painting
below.
"What in the world is up?" he
demanded.
ave are up" answered Dora, de-
murely. And" she added, I'VE
are very anxious to get down. At
least, auntie is"
"But why are you there; How
did it happcn?"
ooh, We came up for an airing and
to take scientific observations on the
coming storm"
Tut! tut, always a-fooling,"
exclaimed Miss Prudence, row
wrnging her hands. "Only help us
down. DO hurry, os the storm will
ketch us. How it blows"
A CLEAN of mischief shone from
Pills eyes.
"You have forbidden me the
house, Miss Shaw, so perhaps | had
better 90 for John Birch. No doubt
he will be glad to come to your as
sistance."
Don't stau' there a-awastin'
time! Help us down, for marcy's
sakc-plcasc doW cried the woman,
in an agony of alarm, as the first
great drops fell and the thunder
rolled nearer.
"Will you give me Dora if do"'
"Wc'll be killed if YOU DON'T
"les or no. gravely. Il would
rather Dora were dead than another
man wife.
"Ficnd! you have no heart"
"No-Dora has it. And Phi
eyed the lowering sky with pro-
voking Indifference. Its going tC
be II terrible storm the heaviest OF
the season, think. May have herr:
"No! | will never"
a heavy clap of thunder inter
rupted the sentence, ahd the heavens
were again illumincd, The terrified
woman sank down-a ncrveless heap
"Phil, help her down." inter
posed Dora,
Phil, a little repcntant at sight o
Miss Prudence's agony, put the lad
der in place.
"Now, Miss Shaw--come !" h,
called.
But the woman was now almost
too weak to stand far too weak tC
move against the driving wind, sc
greatly had her fright unncrvcd her
Phil climbed the ladder, and, lift