Poor Dorothy felt as if the world had gone, and all the woes of death
were upon her!

Looking about him hastily the man loosed his hold on her throat for an
answer, but instead another shrill scream rent the air.

"You little fool!" he muttered, "do you want me to throw you over?"

But at that moment an answer came--Ralph Willoby bounded through the
grove and had Dorothy in his arms before she could realize he was there!
Then with a look of baffled rage the man disappeared.

"Ralph!" whispered Dorothy.

"You are all right now," the young man assured her, putting his arm
firmly around the trembling girl, "if you feel faint I can carry you. Do
not try to walk."

The noise of the falls was gone now--the sky was all black.

"Oh," gasped Dorothy, "I can't hear, or see, I am--"

It was welcome oblivion, however painful that clutch at her heart.

She could not remember--was it Ralph, or the squire?

She had been thinking how brave Ralph was--But now she could not think,
it was all dark night!