Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-03-30

| The coachman's expectations were fulfilled
Within an hour. the distant tinkling ofthe sledge
| bells was heard, and lights were seen cleaning
afar they rapidly advanced nearer and nearer ::
| and soon a hearty voice was heard hailing them
| \ party of men with lanterns and shovels came
to their assistance strong arm lifted Miss Stir
ling from the coach, and supported her trembling
steps to sledge close at hand and almost before
she knew wnere 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 ca
ger eyes were gazing curiously upon her, kindly
hands were busted in removing her wraps, and
pleasant voices welcomed her and congratulated
her on her escape.
cay, ay, Mary said her host, addressing his
wife. Il told you that the sleigh would have
plenty of work this winter, and you see 1 was
right"
''As you always are, uncle" merry voice
exclaimed. ''We all say at Hawtree that Uncle
Atherton never can be wrong"
'Atherton Hawtree ~ repeated Miss Stirling
in some amazement, and uttered in that fml-
lar voice ELLEN, Ellen Middleton, is it posi-
bic that you here a'
joyful exclamation and rush into her arms
were the young girls readyreply TO this question
as she cried, ''Unce Atherton, Aunt Mary, don't
you know your old friend Miss Stirling?"
Mrs. Atherton fixed her soft blue eyes on the
stranger, in whom she could at first scarcely re-
cognise the bright-haIed girl whom she had not
seen for eighteen or twenty years but by and
by, she satisfied herself that, though changed,
CHI EllaD StirIino cti yrifb ha
ny smile and the same laughing eyes that had
made every one love her in their school days
Heartfelt indeed were the greetings which fol-
lowed, and cordial the welcome. Mrs. Atherton
gave her old friend as she congratulated herself
on having dear Ellen under her own roof more
especially as she owed this good fortune to Mr..
Atherton's exertions in rescuing her.
1T is the merest chance, too, that he is at
home at present. - she said che ought 70 have
been in Scotland, but the state OF the roads in
this bleak country has kept him prisoner here for
weeks
"And others as we'll" ," Ellen Middleton added;
but both children and grown people are only too
thankful to have so good excuse for staying
longer at Belfield." And then, laughing, she ask
ed Aunt Mary how she meant to dispose of Miss
Stirling for the house was as full already 1t
could hold.
"Oh," said her aunt, we shall manage very
we'll Belfield is very elastic"
She smiled as she spoke; but it struck Miss
Stirling that the question was, nevertheless,
puzzling one, she took the first opportunity of
entreating her to take no trouble on her account;
a chair by the fire really all the accommoda-
ton she cared for, as she wished to be in readi-
ness to pursue her journey as soon as the coach
could proceed.
1--WE shall be able to do better for you than
that, Ellen, - Mrs. Atherton answered cheerfully
"I cannot, it is true promise you 'state-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 COM
Portable enough"
Haunted. of course z" said Miss Stirling gai-
ly.
"Oh, no, no, it is not that! had it fitted up
for nv brother William when he used to be here
more frequently than of late, and it is often oc-
cupied by gentlemen when the house is full but
as it is detached from the house, have, of course,
never asked any lady to sleep there till now"
''Oh if that be ALL am quite willing to be-
come its first lady tenant" said Miss Stirling
heartily. So the matter was settled, and orders
were given to prepare the Pavilion for the unex-
pectcd guest.
| Tho vre-ire passed pleasantlY; music, dan
cling, and ghost stories made the hours fly fast.
1t was long past ten-tho usual hour Of retiring
! at Belfield-when Miss Stirling, under her host
ess' guidance, took possession Of her outdoor
chamber. 1t really was a pleasant, cheerful,
| little apartment The crimson hangngs Of the
! bed and window looked warm and comfortable IN
the flashing freight and when the candles on
the mantlepiece were lighted, and the two easy
chairs drawn close to the hearth, tho long parted
| friends found it impossible to resist the tempta'
tion of sitting down to have what IN old days they
used TO call two handed chat" There was
| much TO tell of what had befallen both, Of che
aucred scenes of joy and sorrow, deeply interes
| ting to those two whose youth had been passeC
i together; there were mutual recollections o
school-days to be talked over mutual friends
and future plans TO be discussed; and midnlgh
rung out from the stabe-clock before Mrs. Ather
ton said goodnight. She had already crossed
the Threshold to go, when she turned back t.
say, q forgot to tell you, Ellen that the insid
bar of this door is not very secure, and that tn
kew only turns outside. Are you inclined to trus
TO the bar alone, or will you, as William used t.
do have the door locked outside, and let the ser
want bring the key in the morning! William
uscd to say that he found it rather an adYantag