Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-22
A Winter niglt;;
OR,
Found in a SnOW-Drift.
Or,


riage.
4 She was heavily yelled, and seemed very
feeble.
1 Jane rode apart, feeling very jolly; the
idea of so much change was pleasant TO her,
and she liked Dorothy immensely.
Il suppose | was foolish TO travel with
you, darling, but could not bear the idea
Of you enduring the long journey alone.
fear it will tire y on terribly. Are you sure
you are well wrapped mp? have tipped the
guard to keep all outsiders away. Is your
toot-warmer c0mfOrtable?"
/ ''YeS, am quite too cosy; | shall go to
sleep, believe"
80 you shall, sweet, II you will rest your
dear head on my shoulder, so that can kiss
you when like. | hate that hOrrid veil,
can't get at your lips
! Dorothy laughed, and lifted It so that he
could kiss her sweet red lips. Then she
said:
When do we start, Perce?'
+ almost directly Keep your head turned,
will lean out of the window, and see there
is no one about"
( Everything went smoothly, and The train
steamed out of the station without any
unusual delay.
The journey passed pleasantly enough to
the lovers.
At Gloucester Perce said he would get
out second TO get n drink, and asked Dor
othy if she would have anything.
NO, dear, thank you, Mrs. Steel filed my
! TASK with wine; but you get yourself a
bottle Of Bass know there is nothing you
like so well, and don't forget you want
some matches, or you will be done out OF
your smoke"
'All right pet; keep your scat I'll shut
The door. j hope no one will get in
( Pierce swung out of the carriage, and ran
across the platform TO the refreshment-bar.
! Directly he had gone, gentleman opened
the door and got in, sat down in corner
tilted his hat over his eyes, and remained
as still as q mute.
! He was on the same side as Dorothy, who
did not take much notice of him, SO anxious
was she for Plerce's return.
/ Take your seats"' shouted the guard,
banging the doors to noisily, and Dorothy's
heart sank.
She saw Pierce come ont Of the bar and
hesitate. The rush confused him.
! Dorothy was about TO get up TO wave her
hand to attract his attention, when the gem
( tleman stood up and filed the window with
his big bulk.
"Oh, please let me look out, my friend
has missed the carriage
Still the man did not stir.
Dorothy got desperate, and putting her
hand on his arm, said eXcitedly:
You are no gentleman TO stand there
preventing my friend from finding me! Let
me look Quit"
Still he was as immoveable rs fate.
The train moved, and another moment it
had steamed away.
Dorothy afraid of she knew not what, sat
down shiyering.
! just then the man turned round, and sat
down beside her, saying:
/ 80 1 am no gentleman. Yet l am your
guardian, Miss Snow and have a right To
know why you are travelling at night with
man of whom | altogether diSapproye."
/ With shrek Of terror Dorothy sank back
In her seat, her eyes riveted on the eXultant
face of the man she feared more than the
King of TeTors.
"God help me!' walled Dorothy. "Wha'
shall do?"
/ why, act as modest girl should: return
/ to your home with me, and try 10 trust youi
best friend"
You my friend. Sooner than be at your
mercy would throw myself among pack
/ OF hungry wolves Keep your distance,
don't dare to touch me, or | Will throw my
1 self out of the train. am no coward, there
| is nothing under heaven fear as | do you"
/ You are in my power, Dora; if you are
I wise you will not provoke me. am des'
/ perate man. and this is dangerous venture
for us both. You see this pistol? IL you
don't promise to return TO my protection, j
swear l will shoot You, and myself after
wards"
| He put the shining toy away, and stood
. over her, white with passion.
\ She tried TO get away from him TO ring
the alarm, but his strength was 9omuch fol
her. yet he held her kindly.
! keep quiet, Dora and listen TO me. lam
/ your guardian, the law gives me control
! ovCI you. followed you here tonight to
keep you from clipping with a man ofwhom
I do not approve.
IL can enforce my authority, but prefer to
use persuasion. Listen TO me. IL YOU will
get out next time the train stops, l will for
/ give all; if not, and Pierce Penfold and
meet, there will be murder done, for i am
desperate, and would risk more than life to
keep you with me-"
! Dorothy looked at the stern set face, re-
/ viewed her position quickly, then said, with
her innocent eyes appraised to his:
I Horace Middleton, let me appeal TO your
better nature. Hear me. | love Mr.. PEN
fold, and have promised to marry him at
any cost. / will keep my promise. do
not fear death, but do a loveess life.
! For the sake OF my fathers friendship,
my mothers trust, do not betray me let me
go my own way, and be happy. Even If
/ had not got to care Cox Pierce | could never
have cared for yea.
For once be kind to me; If you loved me
( you could not be so cruel as to make me
wretched. II you attempt to harm me
will find way 10 punish you, or die in the
attempt. Remember | have friends-per-
haps but q panel divides me from my cho-
sen protector. Pause before you make
yourself amenable TO the law"
~ fear nothing but your loss. swear
that man shall never marry you; would
XII You first. Oh, Dora! why won't you
love me li,tle?"
porothy did not answer. She was sick
with fcar he held her as in n vice, and if
she screamed, the wind. through which they
were rushing at phantom speed, would carry
her voice away like whisper.