Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-11-07

sdAu Aunt bhlllldN LG, illEuiS llhltSftN.
Before Clara Wintringbam slept that
night she mad taken Mrs. Dalmayne's
heart fairly by storm.
She had been an inmate of the old fash.
Toned farmhouse for about a week, when
one of those grand snow storms came on
which veil the whole countryside in spot
less white, and hang the GODS in royal
robes of ermine. Aunt Dalmayne's rheu.
matism grew worse. Aud, she kept her
room; but. CLARA went about as light
hearted as. ever, doing the whole work of
the house, with such assistance as Moses,
the handyman, was able to render her.
The snow had fallen all day, blown
into drifts by the wind that howled lugu-
briously through thc riefts of the hills,
and at last twilight deepened over the
stormy earth. Clara was sitting thought
fully before the freight, pairing apples
for a pudding which was dear IL Aunt
Dalmayne's invalid soul, when Moses
came in. & "a
Miss Clara" said he, there's two
gentlemen got storm. bound, outside.
They've missed their way, their horses
are clean tired out, and they wanted to
know if wed give EN- a nights shelter. |
told EN- Mrs. Dalmayife was i'll, and |
wasn't master, but I'd ask the young wo.
man-Miss Clara.
/ Clara WINGED little, then laughed out.
right at Moses unpublished language.
"Of course they may come i'm she
said. 81 wouldn't turn even a 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 turn
ing to welcome the strangers, to behold
in them no strangers at all, but Mr.. Har-
vey Gillette and his friend, Frank Hood.
Powdered literally with the snow, their
noses REDEEMED by the wind, their fea-
lures rendered unnaturally rigid by cold,
they stood blankly regarding her; but
Clara came forward with the grace Of a
young duchess
GOOD evening, gentlemen. Pray
come little nearer the fire. ] hardly
supposed that in the snow-bound stran-
gers who sought shelter here, was to well
come old acquaintance ~
ooh, Miss Wintringham--excee
glad to see you, Pm sure - stammered
Mr.. Gillette, awkwardly allowing his
froC.like hand to touch her own. "But
what can you possibly be doing in such a
place as this ~
Didn't Moses tell you 2' she asked de.
murely. Pm doing the housework
here"
"Miss-Wintringham |"
well, why not ?"
Mr. Gillette had no reply ready; he
only rubbed his hands, smiled feebly, and
advanced towards the red blaze, while
Mr. Hood was exchanging in turn his
greeting with the former heiress.
at is surprise, Miss Wintringham,
to see you here he said, frankly, "but a
very agreeable one"
Clara wondered in her heart what new
mood of gallantry had taken away all
Frank Hoods awkwardness.
at is as good as 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
unanticipated meeting, and she went into
the outer kitchen to get cream for the
table. AS she stood there skimming off
the golden accumulation which followed
her spoon In thick folds, she heard Gil
lette'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
we'll"
what is to prevent her marrying well
now?" Frank Hoods slow deliberate
tones answered.
"My dear fellow, we must all look out
for the main chance, In fact, was once
little smitten myself, but of course it is
quite out of the question now"
Il Nd DC
she stood there, with burning cheeks, was
glad that he did not.
But when she came back to preside at
the tea table she was as composed as ever,
save that her color was a trit1e deeper than
usual
The storm continued in undated VIC
lence for two days, during which time
Mr. Gillette yawned over the week-old
newspapers, smoked his cigar beside the
fire, and Systematically ignored Miss Whit
ringham's presence.
"a fellow mustn't let himself get en-
tangedr' was his mental reflection.
Frank Hood, however, reasoned other
wise He haunted Clara's footsteps with
lover-like persistency; he helped clean the
windows, wipe the dishes, even essayed
to sweep the floors, thereby creating great
confusion. And Clara, though she de-
clared he was more of hindrance than
help, seemed to like it.
On the third day the weather cleared
gloriously, and Moses brought the stran-
gers horses.
Come, HoodN' said Gillette, impatient
ly; "are you going to stand there all day
making adieus?'
"Be off as quick as you like" said
Hood, calmly, 81 am not going
Not goingi But business"
"Hang business" was the unaccounta-
BILE reply. "What do care for business?
Miss Nottingham has promised 10 be
my wife, and my business is here at
present.
Mr. Gillette muttered a few inCOherent
congratulations, and rode away, eiacu-
lating beneath his breath:
81 never saw such fool in all my
lifen'
When Harvey Gillette was gone, Clara
told her lover the truth, and the whole
truth. At first Frank was half inclined
to be vexed.
81 didn't want an beiress," said he
biting his lips
But You want me, don't your" said
Clara, with the prettiest coaXing way in
the world.
"Of course ! do" said Frank. But
darling, had such bright little dream
of love IL cottageW
"And it shalt all come true" said
Clara, Sin spite of the five hundred a
year"
The two Young lovers Travelled back
tete.a,tete, to London, as soon as Moses
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