Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-01-15
A Winter Niglt;;
OR,
Found in a SnOW-Drift.
CHAPTER VIII. CONTINUED.


"Oh, my beautiful love, how have long
ed for you! Darling, are you better? You
are white as the snowdrops under your chin,
and your lips look too pale 10 give me ca
ress. will kiss them red again.
Put your arms about my neck, dear; you
need comfort me, for my heart is torn with
anxiety, for, Dora darling, cannot find lit
tie Ally"
"Ah, but you will, darling! shall soon
be strong and we'll again, and we will go
out in the world to look for her together;
my woman's wit shall help you, and we will
wander the wild world over till we find our
little treasure. Take comfort, dear heart,
she will be well cared Tor and kindly treat
ed, for she is so sweet and loYeable no one
could harm her."
"Do you know who stole her, dnrling?"
mo; who was II? She was very wicked,
the woman who tore her from me that hor-
rible night Oh, Pierce, why did she do you
such cruel wrong-what spite had she
against you?'
when you are well enough to hear my
history, dear, you will understand and pity
me. Now you must think Of nothing but
getting well.
mo one has discovered you, dear, that is
good tidings. You could not bear worry
now, my poor pale snowdrop."
The dusk came upon them as they sat in
the bright freight, chatting happily.
Pierce held Dorothy's hand, and he look
ed into her face, listening to her voice in a
lull of spirits very pleasant after the rush.
ing life he had led Of late.
The next day was dull and stormy, and
after luncheon Dorothy was taken very ten
derby into the cosy sitting-room that led
from the hall.
Mrs. Steel had gone home to see her
youngsters, so the loYers were alone, and,
lover-like, said many sweet things to each
other.
Pierce put off the unhappy recital of his
history.
II will wait till she has had time to rest
and recover herself" he thought as he look
ed down lovingly upon the little recumbent
figure OH the pretty crimson satin couch.
The starry eyes looked up fondly at him,
the little hands clasped over his arm were
white "a the snow-hakes that fell noiseless-
ly outside.
All inside was warm and cosy, and out
sids was chill and dull.
Pierce, after proppng Dorothy up with
pillows, bent over her and kissed her fair
face saying:
How nice 1t Is to be alone together, Dora,
darlngl l am afraid lovers are very selfish,
they want to shut all tho world out from
even tho sight of theirhappiness. You feel
stronger to-day, don't you? l can see just
faint rosebloom on your cheek like the first
dush or dawn in the sky. Confound it, who
Is that?"
This last remark was called forth bya
loud impatient knocking at the hall door.
From the sitting-room they could see
carriage covered with snow, two steaming
horses and coachman in fur cape.
Il will be back directly, dear. Try to get
q doze."
Pierce paused on the threshold, the keen
air few past him from the open door, fan
ming Dorothy's cheek, and making the fire.
flames leap and dance.
A well-known voice made the blood cur
ale In Dorothy's veins, smooth clear voice
saying:
II am Horace Middleton, Mr.. Penfold,
and have come to reclaim something which
Iou have of mine"
'Unless you wish to take the whole house
hold into your confidence, sir. kindly, let
whatever you have to ask me wait until we
are alone. Jane, show this gentleman into
my study, will join him directly"
Pierce entered the sitting-room again, Aew
70 Dorothy's side, and said in q low passion
ate undertone:
Don't be frightened, my own darling, all
will be well. Lie still, no one shall disturb
you."
''Oh, Pierce. you will not let that man
take me away? l shall die il you do"
mo ono shall take away my promised
wife. Trust to Inc. l would rather die than
lose you"
In second he was gone, and Dorothy,
listening nervously, heard the study door
open and close.
She wished She could DO invisible for
wee while and hear what passed between
Che man she loved and the man she hated,
herself unheard, unseen.
She became so nervous ut last that she
rang the bell, and requested Jane 10 send
someone for DR.. Steel 1T once. Thinking
she felt worse, Jane FASTENED away to COM
ply with her request.
When tho two men met face to face in ths
study, where the gas burnt brightly, they
scanned each other curiously.
Pierce Penfeld was the first 10 speak.
What have yeu to say to me, Mr.. Middle
ton? Ny time is precious, please be brief"
Nr. Middleton, who was big fair man
with trimly-eut red beard, clever grey
eyes, and the smile Of . seraph, said in his
smooth clear way:
II came here, as the police reports say,
from information received to demand that
my ward, Miss Cover, Of Castle Cover, be
restored to her proper gusrdian-myself.
She ran away in a ht OF childish temper
early in the evening Of Christmas Eve. 1
hear she sought shelter here, and has re-
NAMED ever sines content with the enter
tainnent you have AFFORDED her."
Pierce Penfold's lips eurled scornfully,
then, as he was about to reply, Mr.. Middle
ton hastily interrupted him, his suavlty
giving place to rage.
Do not deny the charge OF unlawfully
hsrboring an infant in the sight of the law.
Sir, demand that my ward be given up at
encs TO my just authority"
And refuse 10 give her up to one who
has outraged every tie of honor. / consider
yeur conduct to that defeGceless girl scan
falous In an extreme. There is no court in
England that would not release her from so
desssiRg q guardianship. l would rather
die than give her up TO bondage that dis
hcnors her sex"
How dare you speak so to me, sir? I
will make you prove This dastardly accusa-