The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-11-08

| "SAS SStJIcIS eIlOuSl III llc
togIve us social evenings about adozen
people were present. You may fancy, per-
maps, that We have no intelligent spirits on
the prairies; but that is mistake.
'Cordelia and disputed about the rela-
tive characteristics of men and wom en-
She claimed the sweet attributes of pa
tlence, purity and consistency, claimed
them entirely for her sex. I gave genius,
persistency and strength of character to
mlne. Te vex her still further, l averred
my opinion that women were a mass of
sentlmentality, impromptu shricks and va
cillation.
81 had gone too far. She took it serious
~. With flash of scorn from her brilliant
eyes and heightened color, she arose, went
to the other side of the room and busted
herself with some old ladies.
"The storm had not blown over. Cor
della retained her anger. More hurt at it
than | would confess, 1 would gladly have
begged her pardon; but her manner re-
pulsed all overtures of reconciliation. Once,
when l had accidentally caught hold of her
hand, she twisted her own away and gave
d ScofnIul IllDS TO mine.
''Now you know just what our social at
mosphere was, when fate, that winter
morning, decided that we should start to-
gether on that long ride.
''The bells danced merrily, the air was
clear, the sky blue; all things were pleasant
except Della. Say what would she was
ungracious and hardly answered me.
suppose she wanted me to understand that
she had not come with me for pleasure but
to get the letters. We had gone miles be-
yond the last settlers cabin that we should
see until we came into the vicinity of Bing-
ley's Mills, when she apparently thought
better of her behavior, and spoke of Ecr
own accord cheerfully.
'TIow natural it is for the greater art
of the people to attach themselves to home,
let it be where it may
True
Two years ago could not have be
lievcd that should follow my aunt's fam
lily West, and be content to live on the ut
most bounds of civilization. I'm sure
wonder that you stay, Mr.. Rolfe.'
'''Do you? How well Brown Bess goes
to-day =
81 She always does. There's not her
equal in Uncle Dams stables
eve arrived at Bingley's Mills-the lar
gest settlement thereabouts and the post
town-a little after noon. Brown Bess had
indeed tossed her nimble heels we'll APP
pointing three hours for the mare to rest,
went about my business, leaving Cordelia
to do hers at the post house, and to re-
main in the inn i'll the middle of the village.
Chatting with this one, chatting with
that, and getting through Uncle Dams
commission, the short winter day flew away
like magic. Meanwhile the cloudless, ice
clear sky had become covered over with a
gray thickness, that suggested the idea of
another snow storm, and ought to have
warned me to get done quicker. But it
did not. When Brown Bess and the sleigh
came round to the inn door, the sun, wad-
ing for hours through snow clouds, had
sunk in hank of leaden hue, and could
not be more than an hour high,
ga little risky said man glancing at
the cardinal points of the compass, and
shaking his head slightly.
-+Cordelia, her glowing cheeks nearly as
bright as her scarlet hood, came forward
with an animated manner. As drew the
bufTaloes around her, l thought how, n
week or two ago. 1 should have esteemed
the privilege of this close companionship
invaluable But | did not seem to appre-
ciate it now. She had treated me to cava-
lierly, and had grown somewhat resentful.
sWe dashed away. The air was damp
and cutting, and as we came upon the
open prairie it stung our checks like nee
dies. Half an hour after starting said to
her, If the snow only keeps off we shall
get along nicely Cordelia glanced up from
her scarlet hood she did not seem to
think about it one way or the other.
'Did you accomplish your postal com
missions, Miss Cordelia %
s''Oh, yes, thank YOU
Sat that very moment particle of icy
snow fell on my glove. IwOuld not believe
but that the mare had flung the particle
from her flying heels. But in minute
more handful of fine particles sifted over
us both Cordelia gave me half startled
glance.
81 spoke chcerfully to the mare, and
tucked the blankets around my companion
A half hour longer found the northeast
wind steadily and perceptibly rising, while
lev flakes were tirkling on the crusty sur
face around our way. Quite soon there
were small whirlwinds driving the dry,
powdery stuff around, and then spinning it
up in little column. Darkness came
down rapidly, but not before the wind had
increased, and the atmosphere was white
with tiny flakes that drifted by us in loose,
buiging folds.
"CordeIia did not speak she only light
encd the fur scarf around her neck and sat
perfectly quiet. AT that moment would
have given a fortune if the girl had been
safe at my uncle's, and breasting the