The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-04-01
Lost I'm the Nss0W.

Christmas i've it was--a good, old
fashioned Christmas Eve-in New
England. The snow was falling soft
ly but rapidly, and the short afternoon
was early darkened by the storm.
Overhead stretched . heavy canopy of
steel gray clouds; underfoOt the white
fakes had already spread deep,
thick mantle over field and road and
hillside. Here aud there, sole land
marks, the gaunt trees stood up black
against the sky; nothing else remained
to indicate the pathway. the fences
having almost disappeared under the
deep drifts
The scene was utterly solitary un-
til two figures appeared on the lonely
road. They were Miss Fife Lawrence
and Mr.. Eugene Talbot-a handsome
eouple enough, for Fife was q pretty
girl, and, in her scarlet hood and cloak
looked q very attractive little lady,
and Mr.. Talbot was 4 city mau, vel!
dressed and we'll bred. considered we'll
favored. though Efie did not halt
think him SO, which was uugratefnl on
her part, Tor he avowedly admired her.
Talking was not very easy work, but
preseutly the young man said:
DO VOC know if it were not for you
( should 20 back to New York to-
night, so rs to be at the great Living
stOn diuner party tomorrow
Pray do not let me prevent you.
replied Efhe quickly. can go home
quite we'll alone"
'-Oh. but would rather be with you,
Miss Lawrence, than at any dinner
party that can be given"
Fife did not reply To this, and pre-
seutly Mr.. Talbot said, what indeed
he had said twice before
"Won't you take my arm, Miss
Eaie? I think you will get on better
if you do"
She glanced up at him, and there
vas something ia the look which met
her eyes that deferred her.
mo, thank you, Mr.: Talbot l
shall do very we'll alone"
They walked on a little way In 81
lence, Efie hurrying her steps. Then
Mr.. Talbot asked; 49,.
"Why are you in such haste, Miss
Efie? i should like to prolOng the
pleasure of this walk indefinitely.
You have a singular taste, replied
Miss Efiie, with laugh that was rath'
| er forced. Il think the freside pre-
ferable to the storm on such a night al
| this"
There was another pause Miss Effit
was beginning to wish heartily that
she was alone She had only known
| this MIR. Talbot for week, aud no
| one in the village knew much shout
him. He had come from New fork
| on business. with letter of introduc-
ton to the father of Rose Grey, he'
| intimate friend. She had met him ~
| their house, and be had been perfect
ly devoted to her from the first intro
| duction.
| All this was very nice. Effe wa:
not bit OF flirt, and she had en-
couraged him. to begin with, just fol
the fun of the thing, and because i
would tease Tom Allen, her old anc
faithful admirer OF course she Liked
Tom better than any one else, ant
! meant to marry him. but Effie hat
been reading some foolish novels o.
late, and came to the conclusion tha
it would be very tame to marry Ton
and never have another offer; aud 50
| when Mr.. Talbot began to pay hel
some attentions she smiled upon him
though she saw we'll enough how
wretched it made poor Tom.
But within the last two days SHE
had grown to be afraid of the result o
her own mischief There had beer
something in Mr.. Talbot's manner
that she had not half liked. aud thi,
afternoon, when he had come into tn,
Greys', she had prolonged her visit
hoping he would go. until it was too
late for her to dare to stay any longer
and now she did not at all fancy tn,
prospect of solitary walk Of a mile j,
| length with him Talbot evidentl,
had no intention of neglecting his op
portunities. for he said, presently. IL
sentimental tone:
"Ah, Miss Efie, YOU are cruelty
commonplace In wishing yourself a
home. Nov, l could be happy any
where by Your side"
Efie gave him an amused glance.
THAT is great nonsense, Mr. Talbo
Ones situation must always make 1
difference in ones happiness"
"A difference, to be sure; but tn,
only thing that could really effect m,
happiness. would be your smile"
I Efie was ANNOYED ut this foolisl
speech. 1t had dawned on her al
ready that perhaps Mr.. Talbot though
her a green country girl." who woul,
be easy game, and she was resolved I,
show herself not SO readily to be hum
buyeed as he might have supposed; 9,
without directly replying, she said
"Mr. Talbot, We must really hurry. /
will be dark night"
i But he was not thus to be silenced
He came nearer to her and put hi.
hand ON her shoulder.
1 = l.