Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-12-26
LOST IN THE SNOW,

LOST IN THE SNOW.
Christmas eve it was-a good, old-fash-
ioned Christmas eve-in New England.
The snow was falling softly but rapidly,
and the short afternoon was early dark
ened by the storm. Overhead stretched
q heavy canopy of steel-gray cloud; un-
spread deep, thick mantle over field
and road and hillside. Here and there,
sole landmarks, the gaunt trees rose up
black against the sky; nothing else re-
manned to indicate the pathway, the
fences having almost disappeared under
the deep drifts.
The scene was utterly solitary until
two figures appeared on the lonely road.
They were Miss Effie Lawrence and Mr.
Eugene Talbot-a handsome couple
enough, for Effie was pretty girl, and,
in her scarlet hood and cloak, looked a
very attractive little lady; and Mr.. Tai
bot was a city man, we'll dressed and
well bred, considered we'll favored,
though Efie did not half think him so,
which was ungrateful on her part, for
he avowedly admired her. Talking was
not very easy work, but presently the
young man said:
. "Do you know, if it were not for you,
I should go back to New York tonight,
80 as'to be at the great Livingstone din
ner party tomorrow"
'tPray, do not let me prevent you,"
replied Effie, quickly. 81 can go home
quite well alone"
"Oh, but 1 had rather be with you,
Miss Lawrence, than at any dinner
party that can be given"
Efie did not reply to this, and pres
emily Mr.. Talbot said, what, indeed he
had said twice before.
"Won't you take my arm, Miss Efie?
I think you will get on better if you
do"
She glanced up at him, and there was
something in the look which met her
eyes that deferred her.
"No, thank you, Mr.. Talbot. shall
do very well alone.'
They walked on little way in silence,
Effie hurrying her steps. Then Mr.. Tai
bot asked:
"Why are you in such haste, Miss
Efhe? / should like to prolong the
pleasure of this walk indefinitely
"You have singular taste,' replied
Miss Effie, with laugh that was rather
forced. IL think the 6reside preferable
to the storm on such night as this"
There was another pause. Mis- Efie
was beginning to wish heartily that she
were alone. She had only known this
Mr.. Talbot for a week, and no one in
the village knew much about him. He
had come from New York on business,
with letter of introduction to the
father of Rose Gray, her intimate friend.
She had met him at their house, and he
had been perfectly devoted to her from
his first introduction.
ALI this was very nice. Effie was g
bit of firt, and she had encouraged
him, to begin with, just for the fun Of
the thing, and because it would tease
Tom Allen, her old and faithful adrnirer
OF course she liked Tom more than any
one else, and meant to marry him; but
Effie had been reading some foolish
novels of late, and had come to the con
clusicn that it would be very tame tc
marry Tom, and never have another
offer; and so when Mr.. Talbot begar
to pay her some attention, she smiled
upon him, though she saw well enough
how wretched it made Tom.
But within the last two days she hac
grown to be rather afraid of the result
of her own mischief. There had beer
she had not half liked, and this after
noon. when he had come into the Greys'
she had prolonged her visit, hoping h'
would go, until it was too late for her t.
dare to stay any longer, and now sh
did not at all fancy the prospect of
solitary walk, of mile in length, witt
him. Talbot evidently had no inten
ton of neglectipg his opportunities, fo
he said, presently, in sentiments
tone:
"Ah, Miss Effie, you are cruelty CON
monplace in wishing yourself at home
Now, could te happy anywhere, wit
you by my side"
Effie gave him an amused glance.
"That is great nonsense, Mr.. Talbo
Ones situation must always make di
ference in ones happiness
"a difference, to be sure; but tn
only thing that could really affect m
happiness would be your smiles.''
Effie was annoyed at this foofs
speech. It had dawned on her alread
that perhaps Mr.. Talbot thought her
green" country girl, who would /
easy game, and she was resolved to sho
herself not so readily to be humhugge
as he might have supposed; SO, withor
directly replying, she said:
"Mr. Talbot, we must really hurr
1t will be a dark night"
But he was not thus to be silence
he came nearer to her and put his han
on her shoulder.
"Efie," he said, "don't let us prefer
not to understand each other. To-
you, and fiatter myself that am n
indifferent to you.n