The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-04-21


hearty voice was heard hailing them. A
party Of men with lanterns and sbovels,
came TO their assistance, a strong arm lifled
Miss Stirling from The coach, and supported
her Trembling Steps 10 a sledge close al
hand; and almost before she knew where
she was. she found herself in large hall,
brilliantly lighted by blazing wood fire.
Numbers Of rosy, glowing childish faces
were gathered round her, numbers Of bright
ea.er eyes were eazng curiously upon her,
kindly han,is were busted in removing her
WRAPS, aud pleasant voices welcomed her
and congratulated her OH her escape.
"Ay, ay, Mary" said her hosi, address
ing iis wife, al iold you that the sleigh
would have plenty OF work this wnler, and
YOU see was right" ,,...
"As you always are, nncle," a merry
voice exclaimed. ave all say AT Hawiiee,
that Uncle Aiherion never can be wrong"
Aiher,on Hawiree !" repeated Miss
Stirling, in some amazemeni, land uttered
in iha, familiar voice. Ellen, Ellen Mid
dle,on, is il possible iha, you are heleW
A joyful exclamation aud rush in,o her
aims, were the youn. girls ready reply 10
This question. as she cried: --..
"Uncle Aiherton, Aun, Mary, don't you
know Your old friend Miss Stirling ~ 3!
Mrs. Aiheron fixed her sofl blue eyes on
The stranger, in whom she could a, first
scarcely recognize the brighi.haired girl
whom she hid no, seeG iorei.iieen or ,wen-
" years; bu, by aud by she satisfied her-
self that. though changed, she was Ellen
Stirling still, with the same sunny smile
and tine same laughing eyes that had nlade
every one love her III their school days
Heartfelt indeed were The greetings which
followed. and cordial the welcome Mrs. Aih.
erion gave her old friend as she coligraiu-
lated herself on having dear Ellen under her
own roof; more especially as ,he owed this
yood fortune 10 MI. Aihenon's eAeriions in
rescuing Eer.
alt is the merest chance. loo, ,ha, he il
al home ai present." she said =" he oush,
10 have been in Scotland, but The state Of
the roads in this bleak country has kept him
prisoner here for weeks"
=" Aud others as well,p Ellen Middleton
added, "but both children aud grown peo-
ple are only TOO ihalIkiu to have 80 good aI
excuse for staying longer n, BeItield" Aud
then, laughing. she asked Aun, Mary how
she mean, 10 dispose of Miss Stirling for The
night. for The house was US full already as il
could hold. ..
"Oh," said her aunt, ave shall manage
very we'll Belfield is'very elas,ic."
She smiled as she spoke; but il struck
Miss Stirling ,ha, the question was, never.
lheless, puZzlmg one, so she took the tirst
opportunity Of eu'ieaiing her TO take no
trouble on her account; a chair by the fire
was really all The accommodation she cared
for, as she wished to be in readiness to pur-
sue her Journey as soon as the coach could
proceed. .... .........r
awe shall be able 10 do better for you
than that, Ellen,n Ms. A,herion answered
cheerlully. ~ caunoi, il is irue, promise
you a s,a,eioon,' for every bed in The
house is full, and know you will not allow
any one To be moved for your convenience;
bui have one chanbers,ill al your service.
which. except in oiie respect, is comfortable
enough" .. .....
"Haunted, of courseW said Miss Stir.
ling. gaiy.
"Oh, no, no, il is not that! had il fiji.
led up for my brother William when he
used Ia be here more frequently than oi late,
and il is often occupied by gentlemen when
the house Is fnll bot, as il is detached from
the house, have, OF course, never asked
any lady 10 sleep there till now
'"Oh! IL thai be all. ! am quite willin.
10 become It's first lady ielian,," said Miss
Sizzling heartily. So The matter was sell
tied. and orders were given 10 prepare the
Pavilion for the unexpected guest.
The evening passed pleasantly; music,
I..t
hy ia-t II was long past ,en-,he usual
hour 0i reirin. n, Bel6eld-when Miss Stir
! ling, under her hostess guidance, took pos
session oi her outdoor chamber. II really
was a pleasant. cheerful lille apartment
The crimson hanyiu.s of the bed aud win.
dow looked warm aud comfortable in the
nashin. fire.li.hi; and when the candles
OIL the man,el- piece were lighted, and The
two easy chain drawn close io The hearth.
The long parted friends found il impossible
10 resist The temptation of sitting down iU
have, what in old days they used 10 call n
1.-TWO handed chat There was much 10
tell OF wha, had befallen boih. ofchequered
scenes Of Joy and sorrow, deeply Interesting .
TO those two whose youth had been passed
together; there were mutual recollection ol
school.days 10 be talked over; mutual
friends and future plans 10 be discussed -
and midnight rnng oui from the siableclock
before Mrs. Aiherion said goodnight. She
had already crossed The threshold 10 90,
when she turned back 10 say, 81 forgot 10
tell you. Ellen, that The inside bar Of This
door is mol very secure. aud that The key
ouly turns outside. Areyou inclined 10
trust TO the bar alone, or will yor. as Viii.
liam used 10 do, have The door locked out
side, and lei the servant bring The key in
the morning. William used 10 say that he
found i, rather an advantage 10 do so, as The
unlocking oi the door was sure 10 wake
him. ..,i. .,.r...s ...... r,.s..., ...t. r..
Miss Stirling lauohingly allowed, that
though, generally she could not quite lhiuk
il an advantage TO he locked inlo her room,
still she had no objection 10 j, on this par.
,icular oc,asion, as she wished 10 rise in
reasonable time. ,t.. ..s. e. .,'f
avery we'll then you had better mol fasi-
en- the bar al all, and l will send my maid
with The key, a, eigh, precisely. Good
night" -" ..-....... - u. s...,..: r.,{,
"Good night" 49,, te., ... ..... n f.
!, They paried The door was locked out
side The key taken oui; and Miss Stirling,
standing BY The window, watched her friend
cross'ihe narrow back path, which had been
swept clear OF snow 10 make dry passage
from the house 10 the pavilion. A ruddy
Ii ih, sireamed from the hall door as il opeu.
ed 10 admit lis mistress, aud gave cheer.
fol, friendly aspect 10 the scene but when
the door closed and, shut ,oui that warm,
com fort,bl,s H., hi The darkensd porch the