New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-03

had received the news of General Conway
death just before leaving New Zealand
had arrived at Liverpool that day, and wa
on his way to town by the up tain. mean
ing, as he said, to take them by surprise
knO wing, of course, nothing about his sis
ters dangerous illness. All further traye
| by rail was out of the question that night
the road being blocked by the wrecked car
riages, and Tom thought that Laura ought
| to stay till morning at the railway hote
opposite, which was all ablaze with light
and excitement, the wounded passengers
having been all carried there by this time
But Laura declared that she telt already
much better, and, setting up on the sofa
she begged Tom to try for conveyance to
Fenwick Grange, only five miles distant by
the road, eagerly assuring him that the
nights suspense and anxiety would do
her far more harm than pushing
| on at once to Margaret. She could
| not bear to lose one more precious minute.
! they might already be too late. So, telling
her to keep quiet till he came back. he first
went to telegraph their safety to Mr.. Fen
wick, and then to look for fy-no easy
task, when everything on wheels seemed to
the resources of the place were but small.
At last kindly farmer, who had been
working with Tom to get the wounded
from the wreck, and had taken a liking to
his fellow labOrer, offered to drive them to
the grange in his dog cart, in which be had
just been passing on his way home from
the country town when the accident hap
pened. Meanwhile Laura, in the waiting
room, spite Of the horror Of the accident,
spite of the dreadful suspense about her
cousin, had such delightful sense of rest
and security in having Tom to take care of
her, that she half hated herself for a,heart
less wretch for taking comfort in anything
at such time. But she could not help
It-there was lnexpresSible comfort in the
very sound of his voice. the touch of his
strong, kind hand.
1t seemed hard to drive away and leave
all that suffering without doing anything to
help. but they were assured that there was
no lack of efficient aid from the neighbOr
hood, and their first duty was clearly at the
Grange; so, leaving liberal supply of
money for the comfort of the poorer passen-
gers, they started in Farmer Smiths dog
cart. The drive was very painful to Laura,
who found herself growing every minute
more stiff. and sore, and aching, aud the
jolting OF the dog cart over the frozen road
made her feel ready to shrek with pain at
every bump. But after such an escape as
hers from the agonies which many poor
soul lay grooming under at C., she would
have scorned to have uttered a word of
and pluckily answered. "All
right :" whenever Tom asked her how she
felt.
About half way to the Grange they met
Mr.. Fenwick, who, poor man, was i'll the
greatest anxiety, having missed TOMS ''all
right" telegram. He had gone to meet |
Laura himself. The news Of the accident |
had rechad L. station a minute or two |
after the train was due. and the only reply |
he received to his telegram to the c.
station master, asking for news OF Laura.
was that a lady answering to his descrip-
lion had just been taken out of one of the |
carriages in tho down train, in an insenslble
and carried into the waiting
Dom. Both parties were able to confer
mutual relief and satisfaction. since Laura
md Tom had the inexpressible happiness of
hearing that Margaret had been sleeping
quietly since nine O'clock, and although the
LANCER was by no means over, the doctors
bought there was now every reason to
lopc for her recovery. SO they got into the
grange carriage, very welcome exchange
. Laura's aching frame, and Farmer Smith,
rood soul. turned his fast mare toward
-, to see if he and Peggy could 10 any
NO else a service.
Margaret was still sleeping when they ar
wed at the Grange, and it was thought
user that Laura should not go to her that
light. Mrs. Barnes, the housekeeper. who
|
lost encouraging bulletin, and after pro-
using to call her at once at the least unfa-
Orablc change, persuaded her to 90 to her
DOM, which looked most inviting to her .
cary eyes, with the bright fire, drawn cur
aims. deep, chintZ-cOvered easy chairs and
nowy bed. DR.. Hilbers had gone home.
nd the surgeon who was going to spend ,
le night there had left his patient with an
ssy mind to get little welIearned rest !
Mrs h,& ka.1 r =
raises and made her drink some hot negus, :
nd she really slept better than she could {
ave believed possible when she was on her
ay from the station. r
The next morning found Margaret so q
uch better that she was able to enioy ,
eing both Tom and Laura, and declared o
lat to lave them with her would cure her r
oner than anything else. Mr.. Fenwick i
id they must not think of going before =
Christmas, which would be the first they n
I'd spent together for so many wears. and i,
sisted that Laura should write to Evans I
bring Jessie down, and settle herself il
letiy Tor good long visit. Tom seemed q
be thoroughly cOntented and happy, and G.
aura was rather shaken in the tirnIIess OF \
r conviction and of his hopeless attach f,
ent for Fanny Majoribanks when she saw a
w unconcernedly he talked about Mrs. a
)rdon, whose name she had been almost q.
| N
aIand had not in the least DESTROYED his | u
dor for the British fox. and he and M. a,
nwick were excellent friends, and found r
dless points Of sympathy in their mutual Al
Te OF farming, different as their expert. NJ
ces OF it had been. Those were happy =;
VS.. Recovery from illness. escape from .,
niger, and Toms return after long alb
ice, made Margaret and Laura feel as if
3 coming Christmas was laden with I'M o
lal blessings. Such cosy mornings in Il
room, while the gentlemen were lie
hunting or paying their endless visits to W
re cattle and favorite horses; and the of
tsHs ohatted untiringly, interrupted ~
cry now and then by the children with In
ne bit OF news Tor mamma about the ar fir
lgcmcnts for the parish school Christmas a,
e. Or the nome presents, their condolences v;
Ian about wonderful secrete, and their G,
ecti"us, JOYOUS anticipations of Merry la
rlstHas." Can not every woman imagine us
W pleasant they were, and how tears OF %,
nktulness came into both mothers ewes en-
they looked at their happy little ones and bl
'ught how very nearly they had both LETT VI
III on that terrible night? In the eve or
gs it must be owned that Mr.. Fenwick Y,
tally went to sleep, but doubt if Tom N
Laura minded that much, for these two ma
med never TO tire of talking over old M
les, and occasionally they quite forgot We
Fcnwick's existence until snore re- IL
led the fact Whenever Laura was alone yo
found herself thinking how feartuliy th
should miss Tom when lie went away, di
hing they could persuade him to STAY in W;
gland, and wondering, yet somehow (e,
ring to hear, when lie was going back to WI
" Zealand. "Y
christmas morning came at last-a Der. TIL
ri; ~, |