Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-03-15

lie reeled heavily onward through the
binding snow, and saw just before him a
low shed, one more struggle, and he fell
against it. In an instant he divcncd its
character. With last desperate effort
he found the door, threw it open, and
rushing in, flung himself at full length
upon the floor, knowing only that he was
in an atmosphere recking with the fumes
of bacon, and warm with the smoke
which rose from a pan of smothered Goals
in the centre of the place. 1t was set
tiers rude smoke-house, left to care for
itself during the long winters night, and
the travellers grateful heart sent up a
tribute to Heaven for this place Of refuge
in the desert Of snow.
In large log cabin in the valley of
the streamlet Miily Dean sat alone
Her husband had gone to a distant town,
and the young wife was left with her ba-
by. .tcu9tomed to the solitude, She felt
safe, and sat in contcntmcnt before the
blazing fire the flames leapel right joy
fully up the chimney, and the green logs
sizz!cl and cracked in the heat like
things Of life. Out doors the wind was
howlng drcarily, and the snow falling
heavily; but Mily cared not for it only
made the fire more cheerful.
There came rapping at the door.
"IIow strange Who can that be at
our door in this wild night ," she said to
herself. a. she rose and went into the lit
tie entry.
The rappine was repeated.
"Who Is there ," she asked.
"For heavens sake, let me in; am
freezing to death - was the reply.
Who are you and how came You in
this lonely place on such an evening as
this -
II am traveller, from below; | lost
my way, and am dying with cold. For
pity's sake let me in, or shall perish -
MIly hesitated She was alone. and it
was three miles to the nearest neiLhbors.
What should she do? She paused in
pcrpIcNity.
"O, ,ayeme-saye me l ara dying =
were tAe words that met her hearing.
There was a heavy Etll against the sill,
aud then low moaus. Her woman ua-
tare could stand no more true to the
nstinet, ef Ler being, she unbarred the
door aa1 threw it open. \ elosely-mut-
ael ftire reeIeI by her into the room,
ana shutting the door She followed. On
reaching the fireplace, the stranger threw
OF his disguise. and stood erect and
stronr. without sim of in.oay ,nicnce
from fhc effects Of the weather. MilIy
retreataa from him in amazameat but
recovering herself, aud putting the best
.arc on the matter, She tremuiou,y all
dressed the mau:-
Il am sorry, sir. y5a are 50 cold. 1t
i. bitter nis6t to be abroad VIII you
not st By the dre ~ And She pushed i
chair forward
The man made no eerou,e. bat stoop-
in. over ran his fingers through the biazc.
Then he turned aud stared at her with
look which made her blood run cold. y
bright thought came iuto her mind. She
would pretend there were others in the
house, for sae alreflg felt afraid Of the
m3n. aHl bitterly rssfc;tei having adm''-
ted him.
"Weull you like to SO some oil the
men folks, ar - She inquired, al so l
viii call them from ther beds"
Ta, man laughed h1arseiy and rePIi-
ed -
.Mdy Dean, for thai believe IS your
nam, fou cannot deceive ne. You are
all alone in TINS house. took partieu-
u.lr care to ascertain that before | came.
- You may a, we'll make yourself easy on
that score and do as bil yoa.'
"Do a. You bid me- cxlaimed Miliy, in
terror. what do you want of me ,"
II want the twelve hundrel dollars in
cold your husband received for his pro-
dace two days ago, You probably know
where it is
Millg sagant into the entry and would
have hel, but the stranger caught her by
the wrist and dragged her roughly back.
you cannot escape me, young @oman'
he said. You will fnd it most conYen-
lent to make a clean breast OF it at once.
1t will be better for you
MlIley stroYe to release hef arm ine
rough treatment she fe'e'No' aroused nS' ~
temper and Indignation oEefea'ne al o'N'
ct iGcIl''S'' .-...,.., =, -.
ne. .,i 'no e. =" ~ "'e
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