Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-04
NO. 4.


Of the people to attach themselves to home
let it be where it may"
True"
Two years ago I could not have be-
lieved that should follow my aunt's fam
lily West and be content to live on the
utmost bounds OF civilization. I'm sure
wonder that you stay, Mr. Rolfe"
do you2 How well Brown BeA goes
to-day -
"She always does. There's not her
equal in Uncle Dams stables
We arris ed at Bingley's Mlls-the laf.
gest settlement Whereabouts, and the post
town--a little after noon. Brown Bess
had indeed tossed her nimble heels we'll
Appointing three hours for the mare to
rest, went about my business, leaving
Cordelia to do hers at the post-house, and
to remain Al the inn In the middle of the
village.
Chatting with this one, chatting with
that and getting through unele Dams
commission, the short winter dav few
away like magic. Meanwhile the ciou.!
less, ioe-clear sky had become covered
over with gray thickness, that suggested
the idea ofanother snow storm, and ought
to have warned me TO get done quicker
But 1t did not. When Brown Bess aud
| the sleigh came round TO the inn door. the
sun, wading for hours ,hro' the snow.
cloud, had sunk in Il bank of leaden hue,
and eond not be more than an hour high.
| ~ little risky" said man, glancing at
the cardinal points Of the compass, and
shaking his head slightly
Cordelia, her glowing cheeks nearly Is
bright as her scarlet hood, came forward
with an animated manner. As / drew the
buiialoes around her, thought how
week or two ago. should have esteemed
the privilege OF this close companonship
Invaluable. But did not seem 10 appre.
ciate it now. She had treated me too
cavallerly, ard l had grown somewhat
resentiui.
We dashed away. The air was damp
and cutting, and as re came upon the
open prairie ii stung our cheeks like need
les. Halt an hour after starting said to
her. iii The snow only keeps off we will
get along nicely Cordelia glanced up
from her scarlet hood; she did not seem
to think about it one way or the other.
Did YOU accomplish your postal CON
mission, Miss Cordcia p
'Oh. yea, thank you.
At the very moment q particle Of icy
snow fell on my glove. l would not be-
lieve but that the mare had flung the par
tice from her flying heels. But in min
ute more Il handful of fine particles sifted
over us both. Cordelia gave me q half
startled glance.
spoke cheerfully TO the mare and tuck
ed the blanket in around my companion
a half hour longer found the northeast
wind steadlly and perceptibly rising, while
the icy flakes were tinkling on the icy sur
face around our way. Quite soon there
were small whirlwinds driving the dry,
powderv stuff, and then spinning it up in
Il little column. Darkness came down
rapidly, but not before the wind had in
creased, aud the atmosphere was white
with the tiny flakes that drifted by lis in
loose, bulging folds.
Cordelia did not speak; she only tight
ened the fur scarf around her neck and
sat perfectly quiet. AT that momeht |
would have given a fortune il the girl had
been safe at my uncle's and breas,ing
The storm alone. We came to belt OF
woodland, just ten miles of our Journey
through; nearly twenty more before us
On and on We went. did not speak t.
the mare nor with her; there was no need.
She was troiing like race horse. her tail
streaming over the dash board Of the
Sleigh.
Another hour passed. The light snow
Was mounting above the runners, and
driving obliqUely across our laps in blind
ing, smothering thickness; still we were
getting on wells hoped We were near
ing home.
Are You cold - / asked, drawing Cor
della close to me.
"Nothing TO speak Of she cheerful,
replied. But | ieta strong shudder shake
her from head to foot
Presently the sleigh pitched considera.
bly,, although / had a light rein.
Ro!te," she began, and | thought /
again tcit her frame tremble. although her
voice was cool and steady, the wind doe.
not strike us just as it did. neither did we
pitch this morning as We do now Have
we lost the road p
by Heaven, You have spoken in,
thoughts, Cordelia." while a damp ici
GOODNESS broke cut from every pore in my
skin. She shuddcred again, but said moth
ing.
knottrd the reins and threw them oyer
the dash board. This was why the mare
had held SO hardly-she knew better than
|. must trust to her instinct. In twen-
~ minutes she had swung round so as 10
bring the wind on the old quarter with us.
1t WIS blowing heavy. i put my arm
aronnd my companion 10 hold the blanket
in place.
Just then faint sound reached my
startled ear \ swift shudder shook me-
aud came neu crying aloud. Another
melancholy cry. | would have drawn the
blanket about Cordelia'S head
II hear it, she whispered And in nay
terror and agony drew her closer in
cuyetous clasp.
The sound came again The mare
heard it also, knew for she gave a sudden
leap. and then the iingling Of the bells
were changed to even strokes. She had
broken from 4 hard trot to gallop. Nv
thoughts flew to the uttermost bounds OF
the earth in moment. and from earth to
to heaven. prayed for the safety of nv
companion more than for my own.
The short cry and the long wall.
Wolves We're ealing each other to ban
quet. The moments fled the storm sud.
denly abated; the deadly sound grew each
moment more distinct. The wind swept
by us, and died away at the right; no
! fall