The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-02-11

aLlOW Win INC roaring IRE Ol lOIS on tat
hearth, and further Illuminated by two
tallow candles in bright brass candle
sticks Aunt Dalmayne had evidently
bestirred herself for the table was SCI
with hot biscuits, baked apples custard,
and preserves, aud the old lady hcrsel
hobbled forward on II crutch to welcome
her niece.
Why. my dear cried Aunt Dalmayne
stepping back to take a SECOND survey
you're as pretty as picture =
Am ? said Clara, coloring and laugh
ing. But aunty, what glorious fire
you've got, and what a darling old urn ;
and how nice that tea does smell =
Sit down and have u cup, my dear,
said Aunt Dalmayne highly nalicred
Before Clara Wintriugham had slept
that night she had taken Mrs. Dalmayne'. ;.
heart fairly by storm.
She had been an inmate OF the old
fashioned farmhouse for about week
when one Of those grand snow storms camt
on which veil the whole country side il
spotless white and hang the woods il
royal robes of ermin. Aunt Damayne's
rheumatism grew worse, and she kept hci
room hut Clara went about as light
hearted as ever, doing the whole work o
the house, with such assistance as Moses
the handy man, was able to render her
The snow had fallen all day, blown in
to drifts by the winds that howled lugu
briously through the cefts Of the hills, and
at last the twilight dcepcncd over the
stormy earth Clara was sitting thought
fully before the freight, pairing apples
for pudding which was dear to Aunt
Dalmayne's invalid soul when Nose,
came in.
Miss Clara said he, there's two gen.
tlcmens got storm bound outside ; they've
missed the way, their horses are clear
tired out, and they wanted to know il
we'd give 'em nights shelter. told
'cm Mrs. Dalmaync was i'll, and | wasn't
master, but I'd ask the young woman
Miss Clara.
Clara WINGED lit.le, then laughed ont
right at Moses uapoli-hed language.
OF course they may come in she said
Il wouldn't turn even dog from the
door on such n night as this.
She thew a fresh log on the lire and
lighted the candle as she spoke
But what was her amazement on turn.
to welcome the strangers. to behold in
them no strangers mt all, but Harvey Gel
lette and his friend Frank Hood.
Powdered literally with snow, their
noses reddencd by the wind, their fea-
lures reddcncd unnaturaly rigid by cold
they stood blaukly regarding her; but
Clara came forward with the grace of n
young duchess
Good evening, gentlemen. Pray come
little nearer the fire. | hardly suppos.
ed that in the storm hound strangers VINO
sought shelter here was to welcome old
acquaintances.'
oh, Miss Wintringham--cxceedingly
glad to see YOU, I'm sure. Stammered
Mr.. Gcllettc, awkwardly, allowing his
frog like hand to touch her own. But
what can you possibly be doing in such a
place as this?
Didn't Moses tell you p she asked de
murely I'm doing the houscwork here.
'Miss-Wintrngham =
We'll, why not?
Mr.. Gellette had no reply ready, he
only rubbed his hands smiled fccbly, and
advanced towards the red blaze; while
Mr.. Hood was exchanging in turn his
greeting with the former heircss.
1t is a surprise, Miss Wintrngham to
see you here, but very agreeable one
Clara wondered in her heart what new
mode of galantry had taken away all
Frank Hoods awkardness.
1t is as good as tablcau, she thought
glcefully, when Hood had explained to
her that unexpected business had taken
them across the country in the dead oil
winter, thus bringing about so entirely an
unanticipatcd meeting, and she went in.
to the outer kitchen to get cream for the
table AS she stood there skimming of
the cold cream 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
WE'LL
What is to prevent her marrying well
now? Frank Hoods slow aud 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..
quite out Of the question now
Mr.. Hood did not reply; but Clara as
she stood there with burning cheeks, was
glad that he did not.
But when she came back to preside al
the tea table she was as composed as ever
save that her color was a trhe deeper
than usual.
The storm continued ia unabatcl yio
enco for two days, during which time
Mr.. Gellette yawned over the week old
newspapers, smoked his cigar beside the
fire aud Systematically ignored Mis-, Win.
tringham's presence,
"A fellow mustn't let hin elf scn cntang.
led = was his mental reflection.
Frank Hood, however, reasoned other.
wise. lie haunted Clara's footsteps with
lover like persisteney; he helped her to
clean the windows, wiped the dishes, even
essayed to sweep the floors, thereby Great.
ing great confusion, And Clara, though
she declared he was more of hindrancC
than help, seemed to like it,
On the third day the weather cleared
gloriously, and Moses brought round the
strangers horses.
'Come, Hood = said Gelette, impa
tiently; ARE you going to stand here al
day, making your adieus? 7?
BE off as quick as you like sal,
Hood calmly. I'm not going.
Not going? But business
Hang business = was the una .counta
bic reply. What do | care for business
Miss Winlrnghem has promised to be ny
wife, and my business is here for tn,