Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-05-04


self into corner Of the coach. Thus,
for time, she lost all consciousness Of
outward things IN sleep.
| A sudden lurch awoke her; and she
soon learned tha. they had stuck las. in
snow.drif; and ,ha, no efforts OF the
tired horses could exirica,e the coach
from its unpleasant predicamen'. The
guard. mounting one of the leaders, set
of in search of assistance. while the
coachman comfor,ed Miss Stirling by
telling her, that as near as they could
calculate. they were only mile or two
from .ihe squIre's.' and that if ,he guard
could find his way there, the squire was
certain TO come to their rescue with his
sleigh. 1t was no, the first time that the
squire had go. the mail bags out of a
snow-wreath by that r. leans.
The coachman's expectations were
fulfilled. Within an hour, The distant
linking Of the sleigh bells was heard,
and lights were seen cleaning aiar; they
rapidly advanced nearer; and soon a
hearty voice was heard hailing them
A party of men, with lanterns and show
uls, came TO their assistance, a strong
arm lifted Miss Surfing from the coach,
and supported her trembling steps to a
sleigh close at hand; and aImos. before
she knew where she was, she found her
self in large hall, brilliantly lighted by
a blazing wood fire. Numbers Of rosy.
glowing. childish faces were gathered
round her, snumbers of brigh. and eager
eyes were gazing eur'ousIy upon her.
kind hands were busted in removing
her wraps, and pleasan, voices welcom-
I'd her and congratulated her on her ea-
cape.
'Ay. ay, Mary said her host. address
ing his wife. Il told you ,ha, the sleigh
would have plenty OF work this winter,
and you see lha, was right.
AS you always are, uncie,' a merry
voice exclaimed. I'VE all say at Hax
tree, that Uncle Alher,on never can be
wrong
'Asherton f! Hawtree!' reapeaied Miss
Stirling in some amaze,nen.. 'and uttered
in that familiar voice! Ellen. Ellen Mid
dleton. is II possible ,ha. you are here!'
A joyful exclamation and rush into
her arms were the young girl's ready
reply TO this question. as she cried:
'Uncle Alherton, Aunt Mary, dom I
you know your old friend, Miss Sur.
iing!'
Mrs. A'herton fixed her sof. blue eyes
on the stranger, in whom she could at
first scarcely recognise the brigh. haired
girl whom she had not seen for eighteen
or twenty years; bu. bye-and-bye she
satisfied herself that. although changed.
she was Ellen Stirling still, with the same
sunny smile and laughing eyes that had
made every one love her in their school
days. Heartfelt, indeed. were the greet
iUgs which followed. aud cordial the
welcome Mrs. Alherton gave her old
friend as she congratulated herself on
having dear Ellen under her own roof;
more especially as she owed this good
fortune 10 Mr.. Alherton's exer,ions 10
rescuing her.
Il, is the merest chance, 100, tha, he is
at home a. present. she said; he ought
TO have been in Scotland. but the state
of The roads in thi. bleak country has
kept him prisoner here for weeks
And others as well,' Ellen Middle.
, ton added; but both children and grown
people are only too thankful to have so
good an excuse for staying longer at Bel
field. And then, laughing, she asked
Aunt Mary how she mean. TO dispose Of
Miss Stirling for the night, for the house
was as full AS it could hold.
oh, said her aunt. we shall manage
very well. Belfeld is very elasnc.'
She smiled as she spoke; but il struck
Miss Stirling that the question was. new
ertheless. puzziing one, so she took ,he
first opportunity of enireating her to take
no trouble on her account; chair oy
the fire was really all the accommodation
she cared for. as she wished 10 be in
readiness to pursue her journey as soon
as the coach could proceed.
We shall be able to do better for you
than that, El!en.' Mrs. Ather,on answer
ed cheerlully. 4 cannot. il is true. pro-
mise you .s.aie room, for every bed in
the house is full. and | know you will
not allow any one to be moved for your
convenience. but have one chamber
still at your service. which. except in
one respect. is comfortable enough
Haunted, OF course!' said Miss Stir.
ling gaily.
oh, no, no, il is not that! | had i,
fitted up for my brother William, when
he used to be here more frequently than
Of late, and 1t is of,en occupied by gen.
ilemen when the house Is full; but. as i,
is detached from the house, | have. of
course, never asked any lacy to sleep
! there till now
oh! il that be all, ! am quite willing
TO become its frs, lady ,enant.' ssid Miss
Stirling, heartily. So the matter was
settled. and orders were given to prepare
the Pavilion for the expected gaest.
The evening passed pleasantly; music,
dancing. and ghost stories made the time
fly fast. |, was long pas. ,en-,he usu.
al hour of retiring at Belield-wheu
Miss Stirling, under her hos,ess' guild
ance, took possession OF her out-doos
chamber. /, really was pleasant and
/ Ch oa ,G,l a n, ,t,aar, sHho c..su.cu h..r