Year: 1879

could be, but he knew also that without
her his life would lose its SAVIOR, and
become routine OF the dullest order,
perhaps misery, though conscience
warned him not to be 80 weak as this,
while his work remained yet to be done.


The next day there was 10 be that re-
sort of country boarders in lack Of all
other amusement,a picnic to Glen Falls,
a wild ravine in the heart Of the hills
through which rapid brook tore its
way, plunging from one precipice to
another, at no one spot to be seen in full
beauty, but reserving its coy surprises
for those who had skill and strength to
climb upward to its source-a clear
mountain pond that slept amid dark
woods, fed by hidden springs. The day
was warm, yet fresh with the wonderful
freshness Of mountain air; and when
the long wagon of Saltash house arrived
at the foot Of the ravine, all the younger
members of the party were unanimous
in their resolve to climb TO clear pond,
while the older ladies, and one white
haired bachelor who cared little for
scenery and much for his ease, remained
quietly on broad rock by the lower
pool, where thick pine boughs sheltered
them from the sun, and the cool odor OF
dripping water seemed to disperse
whatever heat the July weather threat
ened. Two couples had already gone
upward, when Dora and Grace, attended
by Mr.. Horton and Ned Schenck, a
cousin OF Dora's, began the climb. Both
gentlemen had been sufficiently accus'
toned to forest paths to make the mat
ter easy as far as they were concerned,
but to feet used only to the pavement
of the city or the smooth turf of the cro-
quet ground, this rough yet slippery
ascent looked fearful enough; nor were
delicate kid boots the best preparation
for sharp rocks and moss strewed with
pine needles. 1t seemed all but impos-
sible for Dora to attempt such task,
bat her pride forbade retreat, while
Grace in despair suffered herself to be
half carried up the steepest pitches by
Ned Sohenck, and lifted bodily over
stones and logs that she declared herself
altogether unable to surmount. Fortu.
nately for her protector, she was slight,
and not tall; he could easily spare all the
strength necessary. But Dora would
moi allow herself to be more than guided,
though the guidance was peremptory.


Put your foot here, Miss Schenck;
and the other on that stone. Give me
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 above were alike terrible; but
she had that best Of courage which will
not turn back, though trembling with
terror.


Grace, from below, helpless burden,
saw with a sort of pique how well Dora
endured the march, and caught Mr..
Horizons admiring glances at the little
figure that was at once so brave and SO
docile. To tell the truth, Grace had in
tended the handsome young clergyman
should be her own escort, and was not
at a Il satisfied at being relegated to Ned
Schenck's care, who was strong and
good-tempered, no doubt, but neither
good-looling or rich. 1t was not from
pure desire to tease that Grace called
out, in her soft, drawling tones: Doll,
you are really a miracle. 1 never OK
pected to see you mind q man go i'm
plicitly.'


Dora was indignant. She knew very
well that Grace could be spiteful; but
Che 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 Mr.. Horizons
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 well as she could, every moment ex-
pecting Mr.. Horton to advise or remon-
strate, but bent on needing his voice no
more.


She expected in vain. He said moth
ing, 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; 80 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 dow the luxuriant ferns and vines
that fringed the bank on either side.
Then she turned to follow the very
slight indication of path upward. Mr..