The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-12-31
CHAPTER Y.

Pierce, pcrpleXed by missing the carriage
jumped into one lie knew to be near tho
compartment in which he had left Dorothy.
He felt uneasy on her account, but
thought he should easily find her when the
train stopped.
But somehow he could not rest, and kept
looking out first of one window then the
other.
Once he faucicu smothcred cry floatcd
to him. This fired his blood to fever-heat
and when he felt the train slackcn speed
he was almost inclined to set out and walk
along the footboard, as guards do, till he
came to the right carriage, but the idea of
grinding his legs between the platform and
the train kept his impatience in bounds.
Still, he hung out as far rs he could. In
the distance he could see the siynal-posts,
their lights looking like huge gems. Then.
oh, horror! he saw, two carriages in front
Of him, door fly open, and u man spring
out with struggling woman in his arms,
The train was then running past big
snow-leap, piled together in clearing the
line. He saw the two forms huddled in o
heap, slckening sight, suggestive o.
broken bones, and thanked God the people
fell clear of the train.
lie was quick to ring the alarm, but the
train did not really stop till it got mo the
station.
Pierce's excited account of what he had
seen was gravely listened to by the guard,
and men sent at once to search the spot
where the snoW-banks were.
Pierce, i'll his anxiety, was about to follow
the men, but the thought of Dorothy alarm
at not seeing him decided him to forego the
adventure till he had assured himself of hel
safety
He fastened along the row of carriages
till lie came to the one he fancied he had
left her i'll; this was empty but for foot.
warmer, lady's travelling-bag, and some
wraps.
He sprang in. Mercifu heavens! where
was Dorothy? These were her things. Sure.
ly she must have got out to look for him.
He sprang out again in evident alarm, but
could not find her. Then came the terrible
idea that it WAS her lie saw flying from the
carriage in the arm, Of the man. Alarm
seemed to lend wings TO his feet, he flew,
rather than walked, to where crowd OF
people Stood over two PROSTATE FORMS The
light Of a lamp fell on their faces; the
mans was livid with the hue of death, the
Womans white as the snow on which she
lay.
Once before mad Pierce seen that fair face
on such chill pillow; once before he had
found her just so on a heap Of snow. He
fell on his knees beside her and called her
by name. He guessed it all at sight of the
handsome deathlike face beside her.
Il am a DOCTOR" said kindly voice, ''let
me see what injuries these people have sus.
tained.''
An old man pushed through the crowd,
and knelt down to make brief but COM
prehensive examination He attended tc
Horace Middleton first, because he, he saw,
was the most injured.
Both legs broken just above the ankles
injury to the head; what besides I can't
tell. Come, my men, get a hurdle and
carry the poor fellow to some place of shell.
ter, his is serious case. Now let's look at
the young lady. Come, come, this is more
encouraging; there are 10 bones broken
that l can find; she has swooned from
fright, a little brandy will revive her."
lie spoke truly, Dorothy was uninjured,
and after Pierce had satisfied the officials
as to his right to her, they were allowed to
resume their journey, leaving Horace Mid
deton, of whom they had given brief his
tory, to the care Of kindly doctor, who
took him to the infirmary and tended him
with his own kind hands.
A week later there was simple wedding
III the sombre City church Pierce, CHANGING
the law, took his darling into his own ten
der keeping, cheered by his good friends
DR.. and Mrs. Steel, who saw the bride and
bridegroom set out for the United States,
accompanied by Jem Garth and Jane.
Dorothy was pale and unhinged by the
recent events, but the sea-breezes soon
brought as bright bloom to her cheek as
was even called there by her fond husbands
caresses.
They had very fair passage and arrived
i'll the great Republic in good health and
spirits. The news from home was to the
effect that Mr.. Middleton was recovering,
but could never hope to be anything but q
cripple all his life and had told DR.. Steel
that he bitterly regretted the past, and was
willing and anxious to resign the manage
ment of the Cover estates into Mr.. Pen
folds hands, if he would consent to hush up
the part he had played as cruel guardian to
Dorothy.
Directly after this, they received notice
that Lees Circus would perform in New
York OH a given date, and that it was be.
lieved that the child they had lost was
among the performers.
'Poor baby! what could they make her
do?' said Dorothy, tears in her sweet eyes.
Pierce set his teeth, and his eyes flashed
as he said huskily:
II will take a couple of detectives with
me, and see for myself. My poor baby! God
give you back to me, and there is no other
blessing need ask of Heaven, except its
care for my dear enes.''
Pierce obtained the aid he needed and
started off, full of vague anger and excite.
nent.