Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-06-13

"My dear" said Mrs. Wintringham,
"you don't know what you are under
taking. 1t is common farmhouse"
"And Alantha Ann is full of whims.
said Papa Wintringham rubbing his
nose. But | suppose she is poor and
lonely"
"Well, but" said Clara, "Miriam is
busy with her music lessons and her
German class. and Laura belongs to
those sociables; / seem to be the only
one disengaged. Besides | am getting
tired of balls and dances and twelve
o'clock suppers. | should like to try the
other extreme just for fun"
You will find it anything but fun"
said Mrs. Wintringham, putting her
gold-stoppered cassolette TO her aristo-
cratic nose.
"Well, at any rate, mean to try it"
said Clara valiantly. $50 papa, you
may write to Aunt Dalmayne that l am
coming"
The scene looked indiscribably beau
tiful to Clara Wintringham, that frosty
December night, as the jolting old chaise
with sleepy old horse trotting in front,
turned into the valley road, and she
could see the ancient farmhouse, steep
rooted, and brown with half century
of suns and rains, with the elm boughs
wrestling overhead in the gale, and the
wood hills rising up on every side, while
one ruddy beam of light glowed from
the tidy windows under the caves, cast
ling, as it might be, javelin of bright
/ of fbpa art thn Of ba
door.
think she is expectin' of you,''
said the rough charioteer who had been
sent to the station to meet Mrs. Del
mayne's niece, "but I'm afeared you'll
find it very lonesome"
"Oh," cried Clara, gleefully, as she
sprang out of the vehicle, !" | think it's
splendid p
She entered the low-roofed kitchen all
aglow with the roaring of logs on the
hearth, and further Illuminated by two
tallow candles in bright brass candle
sticks. Aunt Dalmayne had evidently
bestirred herself, for the table was spread
with hot biscuits, baked apples, custards
and preserves, and the old lady herself
hobbled forward on crutch to welcome
her niece.
"Why, my DEAR" cried Aunt Del,
mayne, stepping back to take second
survey, "you're as pretty as picter y
"Am II" said Clara coloring and
laughing. But, Aunty, what glori-
GUS fire you've got, and what darling
old urn, and how nice that tea does
smell p
"Sit down and have cup my dear,
said Aunt Delmayne, highly fattered.
Before Clara Wintringham slept thai
night she had taken Mrs. Delmayne'i
heart fairly by storm.
She had been an inmate of the old
fashioned farmhouse for about week
when one of those grand snow-storms
came on which veil the whole country
side in spotless white, and hang the
woods in royal robes of ermine. Aunt
Delmayne's rheumatism grew worse, and
she kept her room; but Clara went
about as light-hearted as ever, doing the
whole work of the house, with such as
sistance as Moses, the handy man was
able to render.
The snow had fallen all day, blown
into drifts by the wind that howled
lugubriously through the clefts of the
hills, and at last twilight deepened ovel
the stormy earth. Clara was sitting
thoughtfully before the freight peeling
apples for pudding which was dear tt
Amt Delmaynes invalid soul, wher
Moses came in.
"Miss Clara" said he, /" there's two
gentlemen got snow-bound outside they
have missed the way, their horses are
:. cleaR-tsred out, and they wanted to
know if we'd give 'em nights shelter
| told 'em Mrs. Dalmayne was i'll, and
wasn't master, but I'd ask the young wo
man-Miss Clara"
Clara WINGED a little, then laughed
outright at Moses unpublished language
"Of course they may come in," she
said, l wouldn't turn even dog from
the door on such night as this !"
She threw fresh log on the fire, ant
lighted the candle as she spoke.
But what was her amazement, Oh
turning to welcome the strangers, to be
hold in them no strangers, but Mr.. Har
, vey Gellette and his friend Hood
Powdered literally with snow, theil
noses Redeemed by the wind, their fea
) lures rendered unnaturally rigid by tn,
cold, they stood blankly regarding her
but Clara came forward with the grace
oe young duchess.
"Good evening, gentlemen. Pray com,
little nearer the fire. l hardly sup
! posed that in the snow-bound stranger
who sought shelter here, l was to vel
come old acquaintance"
! "Oh, Miss Wintrlngham exceeding
. ly glad to see you. I'm sure y STAN
, mered Mr.. Gellette, awkwardly allow
ing his frog like hand to touch her own
{ But what can you possibly be doinI
in such place as this ?"
{ "Didn't Moses tell youl' she askec
, demurely, :" am doing the house worI
here"
| miss Wintringham p
"Well, why not p
! Mr.. Gillette had no reply ready; h
only rubbed his hands, smiled feebly
D and advanced towards the red blaze
/ while Mr.. Hood was exchanging il
, turn his greeting with the former heir
ess.
Z " 1t is surprise, Miss Wintringhan
r to see you here" he said frankly, "bu
I a very agreeable one."
, Clara wondered in her heart wha
! new mood of gallantry had taken AVA