Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-04-20

"And Atlanta Ann is as full Of whims as an
egg can be Of meat" said Papa Wintringham,
rubbing his nose. But I suppOsc she is
poor and lonesome"
"Well, but" said Clare, Miriam's busy
with her conservatory lessons and her Ger
man class, and Laura belongs 20 those socis-
bles. and | seem to be the only one dis
engaged. Besides, I'm getting tired of balls
and dances and twelve o clock suppers. l
should Ike to tsy the other extreme, just for
fun"
you'll find it anything but fan, said Mrs.
Wintringham, putting her gold stoppered
csssolette to her aristocratic nose.
"Well, at any rate mean to try" said
Clare valiantly. $50. papa, write to Aunt
Dalmayue that am coming"
The scene looked indescribably beautiful to
Clare Wintringham, tha: frosty December
night, as the joltug old lumber-wagon, with
buffalo robe spread over the seat, and sleepy
old horse trotting in front, turned into the
valley road, and she could SEQ the ancient
farmhouse, steep-roofed and brown with
half a century of suns and rains, with the
maybe boughs wrestling over her head in tie
gale, and the wooded hills rising up on every
side while one ruddy beam of light glowed
from the tiny windows under the caves, cast
ing, as it might be, jayelin Of brightness
/ - - r,ad ;r f-o,, cf 4ba Ioor
q guess she's expectin' of you" said the
rough charioteer who had been sent to the
depot to meet Mrs Dalmayne's city niece,
but I'm afraid you'll find it very lonesome"
40" cried Clare gleeiully as she spraug ont
Of tie vehicle, - think it's splendid !"
And she entered the low-ceiled kitchen, all
agow with the roaring FIRE of pine logs on the
hearth, aud further Illuminated with two tallow
candles in very bright brass candle-stcks.-
Aunt Dalmayne had evidently bestirred her
self, for the table was spread with hot butter
milk biscuits, baked apples, custards and
ounce preserves, and the old lady herself hob
bled forward on crutch 10 welcome her niece.
Why, my dear" cried Aunt Dalmsyne,
stepping back to take second survey, you're
as pretty as picter."
Am 2" said Clare, cOloring and laughing.
But, aunty, what glorious IRE you'vs got,
aud what darling old urn, and how good
that tee does smell !"
Set by and have cup my dear" said
Aunt Dalmsyno, highly fattered.
And before Clare Wintringham :lGpt that
night she had taken Mrs Dalmayne's heart
fairly by storm.
She had been an inmate of tho farmhouse
for about week, when one Of those grand
antc-christmas snov-stottns came on, which
vail the whole country side in spotless white
and hang the woods in royal robes Of errDine.
Aunt Dalmayno's rheumatism grew worse, and
she kept her room but Clare went about as
Hght-hearted as ever, doing the whole work of
the house, with such assistance as Moses Peck
ham. the hired man, was able to render her
The snow had fallen steadily all day, blown
into drifts by the wind that howled lugubri
ously through the gorges of the hills, and at
last the twilight deepened over the stormy
earth. Clare was sitting thougbtfully before
the freight pecline apples for pudding
which was dear to Aunt Dalmsync's invslid
SOUL when Moses came in.
Miss Clare" said he, "theres two gentle
men got storm-bonnd outside and they've
missed the way, and their horses is clean tired
out, they wanted to know if we'd give 'em
nights shelter. ! told em Mrs. Dalmayne
was sick and l wasn't boss, but I'd ask the
young woman who does the work
Clare WINGED a little, and then laughed out
right at Moses unpolshed language.
"Of course they may come in" she said
" / wouldn't turn even dog from the door On
such night as this"
And she threw fresh log on the fire, and
lighted the candle as she spoke.
But what was her amazement, on turning
to welcome the strangers to behold in them
no strangers at all, but Mr.. Harvey Gallette
and lis friend Frank Hood
Powdered literally with snow, their noses
redeemed by the wind, their features rendered
unusually rigid by cold, they stood blankly
regarding her, but Clare came forward with
he grace Of young duchess.
Good evening, gentlemen. Pray come
little nearer to the FIRE. I hardly supposed
that in the storm-bouud strangers who sought
shelter here, was to welcome old acquaint-
ances"
"But, Miss Wintringham-e1ceedingly glad
to see you, I'm sure :" stammered MI Gallette
awksrdly, allowing lis fTog-like hand to touch
her own; " but what can you possibly be do
ing in such a place al this ?"
Didn't Moses tell yOa? ?" she asked demure-
ly. a am doing the hOuse-work here"
Miss Wintringham!"
DWELL, why nOt?"
Mr. Galletto had no reply ready; be only
rubbed his hands, smiled freely, and advanced
toward the red blaze while Mr.. Hood was ex-
changing in turn bis greeting with the former
heress.
at is a surprise Miss WintriEghsm, to sec
you here" be said frankly, " bu. very agree
able ono"