The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-12-24
A Winter Niglt;;
OR,
Found in a SnoW-Drift.
Or,
CHAPTER VTI. CONTINUED.

he knelt down and put his arms about her,
saying:
"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 to give me ca
ress. will kiss them red again.
Put your arms about my neck, dear; you
need comfort Inc, for my heart is torn with
anxiety, for, Dora darling, cannot find lit
tie Ally"
'Ah, but you will, darling! l 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 hear
she will be we'll cared Tor and kindly treat
ed, for She is so sweet and loveable no one
could harm hers
do you know who stole her, darling?"
NO; who was it? She was very wicked,
The woman who tore her from me that hor-
rible night. On, Pierce, why did she do you
such cruel Wrong-what spite haG she
against you?'
when you are we'll 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 tdings. 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
|, {,I-
DERBY into the cosy sitting-room that led
from the hall.
Mrs. Steel had gone home to see her
youngsters SO the lovers were alone, and,
loVer-llke, said many sweet things to each
other.
Pierce put off the unhappy recital of his
history.
Twill wait till she has had time to rest
and recover herself" he thought as he look
ed down lovingly upon the little recumbent
figure on the pretty crimson satin couch.
The starry eyes looked up fondly at him,
tue little hands clasped over his arm were
white as the snoW-fakes that fell noiseless-
ly outside.
All inside was warm and cosy and out
side was chill and dull
Pierce, after propping Dorothy ND with
pillows, bent over her and kissed her fair
face, saying:
How nice it is to be alone together, Dora
darling! am afraid lovers are very selfish
they want to shut all the world out from
even the sight of theirhappiness. You feel
stronger to-day, don't you? [ can see lust q
faint rosebloom on your cheek like the first
flush OF dawn in the sky. Confound it, who
is that?'
This last remark was called forth bya
loud impatient knocking at the hall doo::.
From the sitting-room they could see a
carriage covered with snow, two steaming
horses and coachman in fur cape.
Il will be back directly dear. Try to get
doZe."
Pierce paused on the threshold, the keen
air flew past him from the open door, fam
ming Dorothy's cheek, and making the fire
flames leap and dance.
A well-known voice made the blood cur
die in Dorothy's VEINS a smooth clear voice
saying:
Il am Horace Middleton, MI. Penfo!d,
and have come to reclaim something which
you 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
arc alone. Jane, show this gentleman into
my study, Will join him directly"
Pierce entered the sitting-room again, flew
to Dorothy's side, and said in low passion
ate UNDERGONE:
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? shall die if you do"
mo one shall take away my promised
fo T 4
lose YOU"
In second he was gone, and Dorothy,
listening nervously, heard the study door
open and close.
She wished she could be invisible for
wee while and hear what passed between
the man she loved and the man she hated,
herself unheard, unseen.
She became so nervous at last that she
rang the bell, and requested Jane to send
someone for DR.. S.eel at once. Thinking
she felt worse, Jane fastened away to COM
ply with her request.
When the two men met face to face in the
study, where the gas burnt brightly, they
scanned each other curously.
Pierce Penfold was the first to speak.
what have you to say to me, Mr.. Middle
ton? My time is precious, please be brief"
Mr.. Middleton, who was a big fair man
with a trimly-cut 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 guardian-myself.
She ran away in a fit of childish temper
early in the evening of Christmas Eve. I