The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-04-07

don't think it was quite safe for 'em to go
with so much money about 'em SO late at
night"
7Pshaw, child, don't get nervous !" cried
Mrs Blake, drawing on her night cap
"Father and Robert amt afraid of nothing,
and nothing will harm 'em. You had bet
ter come to bed, only be sure and rake up
the fire."
Dorothea bowed her head, and resumed
her knitting, while her mothers hard, reg
ular breathing, in an incredibly short space
of time, showed that she had forgotten her
husband and son, and her own lonely con-
dition, in sound slumber.
An hour longer Dorothea sat by the fire,
which had nearly died away, when the dog
lifted his head with a short, low growl
"Had bad dream, old fellow2-t there,
there, lay down !" coaxed Dorothea, laying
her hand on his thick, silky hair. But the
animal refused to obey. He arose and
shook himself, then walked to the window,
where he stood moment in silence, ana
then came back to the fire.
clay down, Bruno-lay down, sir p
But for all Dorothea's commands, Bruno
still kept his position, his ears bent as if
listening, and his keen eyes fixed on the
window Dorothea, in spite OF her steady
nerves, began to grow little uneasy at
the restlessness of the dog. She glanced
towards the window, over which the snow
was rapidly drifting, with an anxious face,
but seeing nothing to alarm her, turned
again to the fire, commenced slowly draw
ing the embers together. Just as she was
crossing thes shovel and tongs over the
ashes, there came low rap at the outer
door.-Bruno sprang toward it with a
hoarse growl and flashing eyes, while Do
rothea followed slowly, and with slightly
paled cheek
"Who is there?" she called, striving to
steady her voice, which, in spite of her eff
forts, trembled.
"a friend-a traveller overtaken by the
storm-will you let me come in, and sleep
by your fire until morning2'
A moments hesitation, while Dorothea
revolved in her mind the loneliness of her
situation, and the possibilities which might
ensue should she open the door to stran-
ger. She had heard two or three stories
of frightful murders committed years ago
on this very moor, in the dead of night,
and her blood ran cold at the recollection
of them. But on the other hand, should
she refuse admittance to one who must in.
evitably perish in the wild storm that
ragged each moment with greater violence
the blood of a fellow being would rest upon
her head. This was enough TO decide tue
supplemented girl-far rather run the risk
of being murdered, than refuse the shelter
of her humble roof to one who needed it
sorely.
She drew back the bolt of the door, and
opened it wide, while Bruno stood still be-
side her, as the traveller came slowly in,
shaking the snow from his cloak, and
stamping his feet on the threshold of the
door. The light which she held in her
hand was too faint to show her his face,
and it was not until he was fairly seated
before the hearth, and she had drawn open
the Goals, and put on more wood, that she
could distinguish his features He was a
tall, strongly built man, with profusion of
black hair, and a heavy beard that quite
covered both mouth and chin His eyes
were dark and piercing, his eyebrows
overhanging them, and giving stern, Sc
we're cast to his face, On the whole, Do
rothea was not pleased with the appear
ance of her guest; and Bruno, crouching in
his accustomed place, watched every mo-
ton without once closing his eyes.
''It is a cold, dreary night said the
stranger, when he had warmed his feet and
hands at the blazing fire. II have had
tough work facing the storm this last hour,
and had about given up hope of finding
shelter for the night, when | saw your light
in the distance"
at is hard storm, indeed" said Doro-
thea, and she hung the tea-kettle over the
fire.
"Do you live here alone2" asked the
stranger, after pause.
"Oh, no" replied Dorothea, quietly
'No indeed. My father and mother, and
brother Robert live here with me-"
care they all at home tonight"
Dorothea glanced quickly at her ques-
toner, only to meet the keen, dark eyes,
that seemed to read her alarm, and delight
in it.
"No, sir" she said bravely. "My father
and brother have gone to Markham-my
mother and are alone"
A shadow of disappointment crossed the
mans face at these words. He was silent
for moment, but as Dorothea handed
him cup of tea, he resumed his question
ing
"What business called them to Mark
ham :"
The girls temper was reused, and fast
ening her eyes full upon his face, she said,
with spirit:
II shall answer no more questions, sir.
! have opened the door to you, as would
to any of Gods creatures on a night like
this. have made tea for you, and now,
if you are warm enough, will show you
room where you can sleep. That is all |
have to say"
'Not all have to say, however" said
the man, angrily. "And / will thank you
to answer my questions-or it will be the
worse for you"
aDo you see that dog 7" asked Dorothea,