The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1865-03-30
OUT IN THE SNOW.
by CLARA AUGUSTA.

she drew near the glowing fire on the |
bread hearth. Still it could not be with
the cold, for her eyeswe like stars, and
her cheeks with blood-red heat.
The wind moand weildly in the great
chimney of the Moor House, and rat
tied loose blind against the drawing
room window. The pressure of air pen.
etrated even that closely sheltered apart
ment. and struck cold and chill across
the uncovered shoulders of the heiress.
She drew up her magnificent shawl of
some bright woods, and shrunk closer
into the protection of the deep arm. chair
she occupied.
"Nothing she said between her shut,
white teeth" could cross the moors to-
night, and still be living. Well, she
paused-her red lips compressed, the
veins standing out like cords on her
forehead.
! The whistle of locomotive, shril and
clear, burst over the din of the elem
ents, and in a moment Miss Prescott
heard the th1ndering rumble of the
train. 1t halted at Moor House station.
only few rods away, aud directly there
was a sound of labored footstcps-the
hall door was thrown open some
body stamped off the snow, spoke to True
the great Spanish houd, and then the
drawing. room was invaded by tall fig
ure wrapped in furs, and gray with
snow.
"Your pardon. Miss Prescott, but the
hall lamp was dark, and could not sec
to get myself out OF my packing. How
comfortable you look. AND without the
atmosphere is fit for the poles"
"The train was late ~ Miss Prescott,
looking at him with her eyes Of fire.
1.-TWO hours delayed by the storm.
Marplot Led ge is ten feet uudel. The
men at the village turned out and SHOW
elled us through. l haven't known
such storm for years"
He settled himself in his chair with a
, breath of satisfaction. Miss Prescott
took up her crochet, and began working
with fingers that quivcred in spite OF
her.
"You are industrious, Madeline. l dc
not see Miss Pembroke nor my mother
I trust they are not iudisposed p
"Mrs. Prescott is in her room, Mis-:
Pembroke at the village" returned
Madeline, coldly.
"At the village2 She was here thi.
morning"
True, She went just before it be
gan to storm. She had letter, an i'm
perative call from"-she hesitated.
"From Mr. Montgomery Z"
"Yes, from Mr. Montgomery. Yor
have guessed it: l have not told you
His regiment was to pass through South
gate this afternoon, on the way to The
seat of war, and he wrote for her t.
meet him there"
$ "She took the carriage, suppose ?"
/ "No she went on foot. Papa use tht
: horses himself"
"She will stop at Southgate all night
then 2"
81 think it was not her intention
, thought Mr.. Montgomery may, if h.
remains, induce her to do 50. She ha
not been so eager and futtered for lon!
Y while as when his letter came. We al
tried to dissuade her from going, tn
moors are so dangerous at this season
but she would not listen"
Rolle Erskine's face grew set as MAJ
BILE. just then, Mrs Prescott came il
1t was easy to trace the relationship be
tween mother and son. The sam
proud, clear. cut features, the same pur
complexion and bronze gold hair. An
the elegant, geutle,haired Mrs. Erskin
had seen in Phillip Prescott, the fathe
of Madeline, and the master of Moo
Houte, to admire, it was difficult to de
eide. She spoke to her son.
"Kolfe, l am uneasy. Miss Pembrok
left us this forenoon for Southgate, tn
housemaid tells me, intending to return
early this evening. Her way lies acros
the moors, and it is full ofperils in sue
d storm as this"
Rolfe re.investod himself in his fu
coat.
"Be at ease, mother" he said, cheer
fully
Il will go and fud her. Come
True"
The hound leaped up, and whiied il
> telligently Miss Prescott detaine
Erskine-her white jewelled hand Q
e his arm.
# "Mr. Ersklne, Rolfe, you surely wi
/ not be so mad Why. strong men hay
?, perished on the moors in lesser stora
. than this. 1t is suicidal
: She was pale and rigid-her voiC
10 shook she had forgotten the preseuC
in of her step mother. Mr.. Erskine shoe
is her off almost rudely spoke again to II
9 dog, and vanished in the whirling, whit
Ia ing, white gloom without Mrs. Pre-
colt turned - Madeline.
"You have lived here longer than
aud known the country better. Is thel
any danger my son ?"
d There was no reply: the arm cha