The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-08-13

l Iner, uFoiiOu NY opillfOlt2 VIA
women were a mass of sentimen
ta1ity, impromptu shriekss and vac
illation. ! -
i, I had gone too far. She. took i
seriously. With a fash of seorr
from her brilliant eyes, and {
heightened color, she arose, wen
to the other. side of the room, and
busted herself with some old ladies
The storm had blown over; Cor
della retained her anger. More
hurt at it than [ would confess, ]
would gladly have begged her par.
don; but}her manner repulsed all
overtures at reconciliation Once,
when l had accidentally caught
hold of her hand, she twisted her
own away, and gave a scornful fling
to mine.
Now you know what our social
atmosphere was, when fate, that
winter morning, decided that we
should start together on that long
ride.
The bells danced merri1y, the air
was clear, the sky blne; all things
were pleasant, except Della. Say
what I would, she was ungracious,
and hardly answered me. I sup
pose she wanted me to understand
she had not come with me for
pleasure, but to get the letters. We
had gone miles beyond the last
settlers cabin that we should see
until we came into the vicinity OF
Bingley's Mills, when she apparent.
" thought better of her behavior
and spoke Of her own accord cheer,
fully.
How natural it is for the greatest
part of people to attach themselves
to home, letit be where it may
True
Two years ago I could not have
believed that I should follow my
aunt's family west, and be content
to live on the utmost bounds OF
civilization. I'm sure I wonder
that you stay, Mr.. Rolfe.'.
DO you? How well Brown Bess
goes to-day!
sShe always does. There is not
her equal in Uncle Dams stables.
We arrived at Bingley's. Mills
the largest settlement thereabouts,
and the post town-a little after
noon. Brown Bess had indeed
tossed up her nimble heels we'll.
Appointing three hours for the
mare to rest, went about my b1sl-
ness, leaving Cordelia to do hers
at the.post-house, and to remain at
the inn in the middle of the village.
Chatting with this one, chatting
with that, and getting through I'm
Gle Danss commissions, the short
winter day flew away like magic.
Meanwhile the cloudless ice-clear
sky had become covered over with
a gray thickness that suggested the
idea of another snow-storm, and
ought to have warned me to get
done quicker; but it did not.
Whom Brown Bess and the sleigh
came round to the inn door, the
sun, wading for hours through
snow-clouds, had sunk in bank of
leaden blue and could not be more
than an hour high,
"A little risky said the man,
glancing at the. cardinal points OF
the compass, and shaking his head
slightly.
Cordeliae her glowing cheeks
nearly as bright as her scarlet hood,
came forward with an animated
manner. AS I drew the buffaloes
around her 1 thought how, a week
or two ago I should have esteemed
the privilege of this close compan-
ionship Invaluable, but did not
seem to appreciate it now.
We dashed away. The air was
damp and cutting, and, as we came
upon the open prairie it stung our
cheeks like needles. Half an hour
after starting I said to her: If the
snow only. Keeps off, we shall get
along nicely Cordelia glanced up
from her scarlet hood /; she did not
seem to think much about it one
way or the other.
Did you accomplish your postal
commission. Miss Cordelia :"
oh, yes, thank you
AT that very moment a particle
of icy snow fel! on my glove.
would not believe but that the mare
had flung the 2 particle from her
flying heels. But in minute more
handfull Of fine particles sifted
over us both. Cordelia gave me a
half.startled glance. I spoke out
cheerily to the mare, and tucked
the blankets around my companion.
A half hour longer found the north
wind rapidly and perceptibly rising
while the icy flakes were tinkling
on the crusty surface round oul
way. Quite soon there were small
whirlwinds driving the dry, pow:
derry stuff around and around. and
then spinning it up in a little col
umn. Darkness came. down rapid.
|ly, but not before the wind hao
fearfully increased, and the atmos'
phere was white with tiny flakes
L. l.