Year: 1879

dlsperse whatever heat the July weather threatened. Two couples had already gone upward, when Dora and Grace, at. tended by MT. Horton and Ned Schenck, 8 cousin of Dora's, began the climb.

 Both gentlemen had been sufficiently accustomed to forest paths to make the matter easy as far as they were con. cerned, but to feet used only to the pave of the city or the smooth turf of the cro- quet ground, this rough yet slippery as. cent looked fearful enough; nor were delicate kid boots tbe best preparation for sharp rocks and moss strewn with pine needles. It seemed all but impos. l sible for Dora to attempt such task, but her pride forbade retreat, while Grace in despair suffered herself to be half carried up the steepest pitches by Ned Schenck, and lifted bodily over stones and logs that she declared herself altogether unable to surmount. For tunately for her protector, she was slight, and not tall; he could easily spare all the strength necessary. But Dora would not allow herself to be more than guided, though the guidance was peremptory.

 Put your foot here, Miss Schenck ; now the other on that stone. Give mo your left hand, and take firm hold of that bough to the right.

 Dora obeyed with the most child-like confidence, for the abyss below her and the height aboqe were alike terrible i; but she had that best of courage which will not turn back, though trembling with terror.

 Grace, from below, helpless burden, saw with sort of pique how well Dora endured the march, and caught Mir. Horton's admir1ng glances at the 1.-the figure that was once so brave and so docile. To tell the truth, Grace had intended the handsome young clergy man should be her own escort, and was not at all satisfied at being relegated to Ned Schenck's care, who was strong and good-tempered, no doubt, but neither good looking nor rich. It was not from pure desire to tease that Grace called out, in her soft, drawling tones |" Doll, you are really miracle. I never ex- pected to see you mind man so inn plicitly."

 Dora was indignant. She knew very well that Grace could be spiteful; but the spite did not hurt her as much as the answering consciousness that, in spite of her fine theories, she had been most implicitly submissive to MT. Horton's escort. The girlish silly pride that was her great fault rose in arms she did not answer Grace, but, with resolute look on her flushed face, sprang onward after her own fashion, stumbling and clinging as we'll as she could, every moment expecting MT. Horton to advise or remonstrate, but bent on needing his voice no more.

 She expected in vain. He said nothing, and the smile on his face would not have pleased her he only followed fast behind her till they came to little grassy platform at the bend of the stream, where the rocks retreated and the trees had been swept away directly in front of the last and highest fall, which descended here at right angles with the rest of the stream, behind cliff that hid it entirely from the lower pool.

 Grace had stopped far below; she was heated and tired, and angry too. Ned Schenck did not mind her petulance, for he did not care for her so he sat down on the other end of the log where she had seated herself, and profaned the delicate forest odors with cigar. Dora stopped moment to take breath and admire the beautiful fall before them, which dashed it's white water down the sheer black rock, and sprinkled with bright dew the luxuriant ferns and vines that fringed the bank on either side. Then she turned to follow the very slight indication of path upward. MT. Horton was ready to follow but the moment she set her foot on the rock which was her first step, and extended her hand to grasp ledge above, which must be climbed, he cried out, in 8 loud, imperative voice, "Dora, stopl'

 The voice was so decisive, so power ful, so full of that command which is the counterpart of obedience, that without thought of rebellion Dora stood like statue. In an instant MT. Horton put his arm about her, swung her back, and began to strike rapidly and fiercely at something on the crest of the ledge; and in another minute he lifted dead rattlesnake on his cane and flung it far into the stream. Dora turned sick, and sat down on a stone, shuddering and pale. MT. Horton only said, "Excuse me, Miss Schenck; the danger was too near for me to be less imperative"

 Dora shivered. eff you had not, I should be dead now"

 "Not at all," laughed MT. Horton. "I know these woods too we'll to be ever without the proper alleviations for a snake bite, but I never yet used them, though I have met and killed good many. Rattlesnakes are dull creatures unless they coil to spring, and one blow with heavy stick will kill them. Very few people die of their bites. I have only heard of one case in these regions, and that was child who had strayed alone into the woods"

 He purposely heightened his explana- tion, that Dora might calm herself; he did not know how it was still throbbing through her heart that he had called her Dora" Her natively generous in- stinct demanded some thanks at least to