The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-02-06


tn shrieks. and vasciliation.
| had gone too far. She took it Sc
riously. With fash of scorn from her
brilliant eyes and heig htened 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, l would gladly
have begged her pardon, but her man.
nsr repulsed all overtures of reconcilia-
ton. Once, when | had accidently
caught hold of her hand, she twisted her
own away and gave o scornful fling to
| mine.
Now you know just what our social at
mosphcre was, when fate, that winter
morning, decided that we should start
on that long ride.
The bells danced merrily, the air was
clear. the sky was blue all things were
pleasant except Della. Say what l
would she was ungracious and hardly
answered me. l suppose she wanted me
to understand that she had not come
with me for pleasure, but to get the let
tiers. We had gone miles beyond the
last settlers cabin that we should see
until we came within the vicinity of
Bingley's Mills, when she app arently
thought better of her behavior. and
spoke of her own accord cheerfully
How natural it is for the greater
part of people to attach themselves to
home be where If may ?''
True"
Two years ago I could not have be-
lieved that should follow my aunt' S
family west md be content 20 live on the
utmost bounds Of civilization. I'm sure
| wonder that YOU stay, Mr. Rolfe"
''Do you How well Brown Bess
goes, to-day"
"She always does. There's not her
equal in uncle Dams stables
We arrived at Bingley's Mills-tbe
largest settlement thereabouts, and the
post town-a little after noon.
Appointing three hours for the mare
to rest. L went about my business, leav.
ing Cordelia to do hers at the post-ofice,
and to remain at the inn in the middle
! of the village.
Chatting with this one, chatting with
that and getting through with Uncle
Dan S commission, the short winter day
few away like magic. Meanwhile the
cloudess, ice-clear;sk sky had become cover
ed over with grey thickness, that Sug
gested the idea of another snow storm
and ought to have warned me to ge
down quicker. But it did not. Wher
: Brown Bess and the sleigh came around
to the inn door, the sun. wading fo
hours through the snow cloud, had sunl
in a bank of leaden hue, and could no
be more than an hour high
e A little risky, said man, CHANGING
at the cardinal points of the compass
and shaking his head slightly.
Cordelia, her sheek glowing nearly as
: bright as her scarlet hood. came forward
with an animated manner As I drew
the buffaloes around her, [ thought how
week or two ago, I should have IS
teemed the privilege of this close com
panionship invaluable. But l did mo-
seem to appreciate it now. She hac
t'eated me too cavalierly, ani [ haG
grown somewhat resentful
We dashed away. The air was damn
and emitting, and as we came upon the
open prairie it stung our cheeks like
needles, Half an hour after starting
said to her IF the snow only keeps of
we will get along nicely Cordeia
glanced up from her scarlet hood she
did not think about it one way or the
other.
Did you accomplish your postal com
mission, Miss Cordelia ?''
''Oh, yes, thank you"
AT the very moment a particle of icy
snow fell on my glove. | would not be-
lieve but that the mare had flung the
particle from her hying heels. But in a
minute more : handful of fine particles
sfted over us both Cordelia gave me a
half startling glance.
| spoke cheerfully to the mare and
tucked the blanket in around my COM
panion. A half hour longer found the
/ portbaaSt MIND staaJ;I,, 81 ,>o.oo..;l L.,
rising, while the icy fakes were tinkling
on the icy surface around our way Quite
soon there were snail whirlwinds driving
the dry, po*dery stuff, and then spin
ming it up in little column. Darkness
came down rapidly, but not before the
wind had increased, and the atmosphere
was white with the tiny fakes that
drifred By us in loose, bullying folds.
Cordelia did not speak; size only
sightened the fur scarf around her neck
and sat perfectly quiet. At that mo-
ment | would nave given fortune if the
girl had been safe at my uncle's and
breaStjng the storm alone We came to
a belt of woodland just ten miles of our
journey through nearly twenty more
before US. On and on we went. | did
not speak to the mare nor with her :.
/ there Wa no need She was trotting
like race horse, her tail streaming over
! tn, Dashboard e the sleigh
Another hour iassed. The light snow
was mounting above the runners. and
driving obliquely across our iaps in blind
/ ing, smothering thickness; still We
were nearing home.
Are you cold 2" | asked, drawing
| Cordoba close 10 NE.
Nothing 10 speak of, she cheerfully
replied But l felt strong shudder
shake her from head to foot.
Presently the sleigh pitched considera-
blyt although | had tight rein.
''Rolie, she began, and | thought l
again felt her frame tremble, although
her voice was cool and steady, "the wind
L II i