Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-10-05

. /
B. III. COOKE a. co.
sep " SH 81
robes of ermine. Aunt Dalmayne's
rheumatism grew worse. and sh-
kept her room bat Clare went
about as light-hearted as ever, doin.
the whole work of the house. with
such assistance as Moses. the handy
man, was able TO render her.
The snow had fallen all day, blown
into drifts by the wind that hOWled
/ lugubriously through the clefts of
the hills, and at last twilight deep
ened over the stormy earth. Glare
was sitting thoughtfully before the
6re-light, peeling apples for pud-
ding which was dear to Aunt Dal-
mAyne's invalid soul, when Moses
came in.
Miss Clare" said he, there's
two gentlemen got stOrm-bOund
outside; they've missed the way:
their horses are clean tired out, and
they wanted to know if we'd give
| 'em a nights shelter. ! told 'cm
Mrs. Dalmayne was III, aud / wasn'i
master, but I'D ask the young wO-
man--Miss Clare"
Clare WINGED a little and then
laughed outright st Moses unpOl-
ished language.
"Of course they may come in"
she said. 81 wouldn't turn even n
dog, from the door on such a night
/ as this!"
She threw fresh log on the fire,
and lighted the candle as she spoke.
| But what was her amazement, on
A.. -. II. IL.
/ behOld.in them no strangers At all.
but Mr.. Harvey Gellette and his
friend Frank Hood
Powdered liberally with snow,
| their noses rcddened by the wind,
j their features rendered uIviaturally
! rigid by cold, they stood blankly re-
garding her, but Glare came for
ward with the grace of yOung
duchess
"GoOd evening, gentlemen. Pray
come little nearer the fire. hard
/ ly supposed that in the stOrm-bOund
strangers vino sought shelter here
was to welcome old acquaintances."
ooh, Miss Wintringham-
ingly glad 10 see YOU, I'm sure %
/ stammered Mr. Gellette, awkward
| ly allowing his frog-like hand TO
touch her own. "But what can YOU
possibly bc doing in such place as
this ~
''Didn't Moses tell you?' she ask
cd demurely. Pm doing the house
work here"
'tMiss-Wintringhau!'
"Well, why not!
Mr.. Gellette had no reply ready;
he only rubbed his hands, smiled
feebiy, and advanced towards the
red blaze; while Mr.. Hood was
exchanging in turn his greeting
with the former heiress.
at is a surprise, Miss Wintrin.-
ham, TO see you here" hc said frank
ly, but very agreeable one"
Clare wondered in her heart what
new mood Of gallantry had taken
away all Frank Hoods awkward
ness.'
''lt is as good as n tableau," she
thought, gleefully, when Hood had
explained to her that unexpected
business had taken them across the
country IN the dead of winter, thus
bringing about so entirely an unaB-
ticipated n meeting, anu she went
into the outer kitchen 10 get cream
for the table. AS she stood there
skimming of the gold accumulation
which followed her spoon in thick
folds, she heard Gellette's voice
speaking:
''Of course the father has failed
and they've lost everything. a
great pity; for with that face she
might have married Weil.D ~
"What Is to prevent her marrying
well noWY Frank Hoods slow de-
liberate tones answered.
"My dear fellow, we must all LOOK
out for the main chance. In fact,
was once a little smitten myself, but
of course it's quite out of the ques-
tiOn now"
AR. Hood did not reply; and Clare,
as she stood there, with burning
cheeks, was glad that he did not.
But when she came back TO pre-
side at the tea-table, she was as COM
posed as ever, save that her color
was irihe deeper than usual.
The storm continued in undated
( violence for two DAYS, during which
time Mr.. Gillette yawned over the
week-old newspapers, smoked his
/ cigar by the fire, aud systematically
| ignored Miss Wintringham's pres
ence.
"a fellow mustn't let himself get
I entangled % was his mental refec-
ton.
Frank Hood, however, reasoned
otherwise. lie haunted Clare's foot
| steps with lOver-likc persisteDcy;
/ he helped her clean the windows.
/ wiped the dishes, and even essayed
| TO sweep the floors, thereby creating
1 great confusion. Aud Clare, though
/ She declared he was more of a hind
rance than help, seemed 10 like 1t.
On the third day the weather
/ cleared gloriOusly, and Moses
brought round the strangers horses.
Come, Hood" said Gcllette inn
patiently, care you going to stand
| there all day making adieusE"
''Be Off as quick as you like" said
Hood, calmly. Il am not going"
''Not going, But business"
"Han9 business - was the unac-
couutable reply. q" What do / care
for business? Miss Wintringham
has promised to be my wife, and
my business is here just at pre-
sentp
Mr.. GeIlettc muttercd few inco-
herent congratulations, and rode
away, calculating beneath his
breath:
II never saw such a fool in all my
life!"
When Harvey Gillette was gone
Clare told her lover the truth, and
the whole truth. At first Frank
was half inclined to be vexed.
Il didn't want an hCiress," said
he, biting his lips.
But you want me, Frank, don't
yOu:" said Clare, with the prettiest
coaxing way in the world.
"Of course / do" said Frank
'.But, darling, / had such a bright
little dream OF love ia a cottage"
"And it shall all come true" said
Clare, Gin spite of the five hundred
a year."
The two young lovers Travelled
back tete-d-tete TO London, as soon
as Moses Peckham's sister could be
induced 10 come and take Clare's
place in Aunt Dalmayne's house
hold. What Harvey Gellette's feel
) ings were when he learned the True
state of the case, we leave the imag-
!, NATIVE reader TO conjecture, Tor the
best tactician may out-general HIM
self at times.