The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-11-26
A Winter MONT;
OR,
Found in a Snow-Dritt'
OR,
CHAPTER !.-tDNrINUED.

''' NNH'AAc " WV
child, summoned up her courage, and felt
Tor the matches on the d~ressing-table.
The blind was not drawn, and the moon
light shone full upon her as her eyes sought
the glass, and saw looking over her Shout
der a dark revengeful face, full of hate and
menace.
A smothered cry escaped Dorothy; she
turned and tried to catch at the form, but q
heavy blow felled her senseless to the
ground, where she lay She knew not how
long, and awoke daZed and faint, with the
peaceful moonlight shining upon her, and
all the house silent.
She rose and found it was late: then she
crept %shudderiny back to the parIor to find
old Agnes making up the fire.
why, where have you been, Miss Snow?
You look like a ghost; are you ili:"'
Hastily, with many looks at the curtains
and doors, Dorothy told Agnes what had
happened, and showed tn" bruiSe on her
forehead where she had been struck. Agnes
seemed terribly upset, and asked %"nXiously:
do you think YOU We're really awake:
You might have knocked your head against
something and stunned YOURSELF
mo; | distinctly saw Il face in the glass
beside my own. 1t was a dark face, and l
" 'iAA'Ni l SAAiJ "NAA
der my fall did not wake Ally"
"Where is Ally! is the child safe?' ask
ed Agnes III an agony Of alarm.
Eyes, she is safe. l kissed her as [ came
down. Oh, l was so frightened and hurt
too! Who could it have been, Agnes"
"How should know, Miss Snow? The
maids are all trustworthy girls, who have
all worked under me for years, Or | might
fancy our jewelry tempted one of them.
Is it all safe?'
II don't know; l did not think about
jewelry. l will look when | 90 back to bed.
There is no way OF getting into my room
but by the door, l suppose"
mo; l can't understand it. Shall 1 get
foA some vine and biscuits, or will you
we anything else?:'
Il don't want anything to eat, but 1 should
be glad of a glass of wine, l feel so shaken"
Enough to make you, poor child. III go
back with you to look at the child; my
heart misgives Inc on her account"
Surely no one would harm a little inno-
cent cEild?'
Il hope not, Miss Snow"
After Dorothy had drank her wine she
went to bed All was right, jawelry un-
touched, and Ally sleeping peacefully.
Old Agnes gave 4 sigh OF relief; she had
dreaded she knew not what, and was reliev-
ed to find, so far, all was we'll with her
charge.
The next day passed peacefully away,
and Dorothy forgot to fear every shadow;
but the bruise on her forehead reminded
her unpleasantly of the nights adventure,
and she longed for Mr.. Penfold to return;
she felt she would be safe if hi were at
home.
She missed his jovial presence and kind
thought for her. And it is not to be won.
dered at that, considering his great kind
ness. she being young and impressionable,
she should set him up in her heart of hearts
as a hero.
And, indeed, he was no ignoble one. A
man OF blameless life, who had suffered a
surprising wrong, that had wrecked his life
and made his home desolatc.
This had been bravcly borne by him three
years before, and the thought of that made
old Agnes very tender 10 her young master,
whom she had nursed in infancy, and loved
as an own child.
Dorothy awoke N the morning of New
Years Eve with a heart 1t rest. Before the
night came her hero would be with her. and
her heart felt light at the thought, as she
wished the time away.
Towards evening, when dusk had darken-
ed the quaint rooms and made mysterious
shadows in hooks and corners, Dorothy sat
down on the fur rug by the fire, and draw
Ing little Ally into her lap, began to talk to
her of long walks in the woods when the
frost kings reign was over.
The room grew darker and darker, but
the freight glowed bright and warm, and
tho fWn Uyara on.i1y ,oct1oI torofhnr A LIVE
dark head on Dorothy's breast, Dorothy
resting her back against her armchair.
'When the frost has gone, Ally dear, We
will 60 to Caerphilly Castle; among the
ruins there are always beautiful lichens and
mosses."
"Yes-yes, Miss Snow; we'll find lots OF
lovely flowers for dear papa, he loves flow
ers; and Drift shall go with us, inc run and
leap about amid the ruins, sha'n't you,
Drift?"
Drift, reused from his slumbers, wagged
his tail-a dogs way of saying YES" Ally
explained, as she smOOthed her little hand
over his rough head.
Dorothy loved Drift; he had been the
means of rescuing her from death in the
snow, so she allowed the bonny brute to
put his big head on her knee.
After a time Allyss voice grew drOwsy,
and she fell fast asleep on Dorothy breast.
Dorothy was glad she had done so, for she
wanted to sit up and see her papa. So she
kept very still, and after a time fell asleep
too, lulled by the steady tick of the clock,
and warmed by the bright blaze.
When she awoke, apillowhad been placed
nnder her head, the light burned dimly, and
sitting opposite, watching her with admir-
ing eyes,, was Mr.. Penfold.
She could not move for fear of waking
Ally, so she kept still with her eyes moi
quite closed, and waited. She was afraid