The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-12-25
A Christmas Story.
LOST. IN THE SNOW.

| 81 GSSf tiN tt'6 WV"
Christmas eve it was-a good, ole
fashioned Christmas eve-in Ne
England. The snow was fallin
softly but rapidly, and the short after
noon was early darkened by tn
storm. Overhead stretched heav
canopy of steel-gray cloud; unde
foot the white flakes had alread,
spread a deep, thick mantle owe
field and road and hillside. Here
and there, sole landmarks, the gaun
trees rose up black against the sky
nothing renamed to indicate th,
pathway, the fences having almos
disappeared under the deep drifts
The scene was utterly solitary un
til two figures appeared on the lone
ly road. They were Miss Effie Law
renee and Mr.. Eugene Talbot-a
handsome couple enough, for Efie
was pretty girl, and, in her scarlet
hood and cloak, looked very attrac-
tive little lady; and Mr.. Talbot was a
city man, well dressed and well bred,
considered well favored, though Efie
did not half think him so, which was
ungrateful on her part, for he avow-
edly admired her. Talking was not
very easy work, but presently the
young man said:
''Do you know, if it were not for
you, I should go back to New York
tonight, SO as to be at the great
Livingston dinner party to morrow
"Pray, do not let me prevent you"
replied Efie, quickly. 81 can go
home quite well alone"
"Oh, but had rather be with you,
Miss Lawrence, than at any dinner
party that can be given"
Efie did not reply to this, and
presently Mr.. Talbot said, what, in
deed he had said twice before:
"Wont you take my arm, Miss
Effie! think you will get on if better
you do"
She glanced up at him, and there
was something in the look which met
her eyes that deferred her.
mo, I thank you, Mr.. Talbot I
shall do very well alone"
They walked on a little way in
silence, Ef6e hur1ying her steps.
Then Mr.. Talbot asked:
"Why are you in such haste, Miss
Efie? I should like to prolong the
pleasure of this walk indefinitely"
"You have singular TASTE" replied
Miss Efie, with a laugh that was
rather forced. 81 think the freside
preferable to the storm on such a
night as this"
There was another pause. Miss
Efie was beginning to wish heartily
that she were alone. She had only
known this Mr.. Talbot for q week,
and no one in the village knew much
about him. He had come from New
York on business, with letter of in
PRODUCTION to the father of Rose
Gray, her intimate friend She had
met him at their house, and he had
been perfectly devoted to her from
his first introduction.
All this was very nice. Effe was
a bit of firt, and she had encouraged
him, to begin with, just for the fun
of the thing, and because it would
cease Tom Allen, her old and faithful
admirer. Of course she liked Tom
more than any one else, and meant to
marry him; but Effie had been read
ing some foolish novels of late, and
had come to the conclusion that it
would be very tame to marry Tom,
and never have another offer; 80
when Mr.. Talbot began to pay her
some attention, she smiled upon him,
though she saw well enough how.
wretched it made Tom.
But within the last two days she
had grown to be rather afraid of the
result of her own mischief. There
had been something in Mr.. Talbot's
manner that she had not half liked,
and this afternoon, when he had
come into Greys, she had prolonged
ner visit, hoping he would go, until
it was too late for her to dare to stay
my longer, and now she did not at
all fancy the prospect of solitary
walk, of a mile in length, with him.
Talbot evidently had no intention of
neglecting his opportunities, for he
said, presently, in a sentimental tone:
''Ah, Miss Efie, you are cruelty
commonplace in wishing yourself at
home. Now, 1 could be happy any
where, with you by my side.
Effe gave him an amused glance.
"That is great nonsense, Mr.. Tai
bot. Ones situation must always
make differencein ones happiness.
"a difference, to be sure; but the
only thing that could really affect my
happiness would be your smiles"
Efie was annoyed at this foolish
speech. Il had dawned on her al
ready that perhaps MIR. Talbo
thought her "green" country gir
who would be easy game, and sh'
was resolved to show herself not 81
readily to be humbugged as he nigh
l have supposed; so, without directl.
replying, she said:
"Mr. Talbot, we must really hurry
, 1t will be dark night"
But he was not thus to be silenced
He came nearer to her and put hi
hand on her shoulder.
"Efie," he said, "don't let us pre-