Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-06-06
WHAT A RDHp DID.

"Won't it be iolly?' and EiGe Russell
went waltzing across the room, coming to
stop beside her cousin, Charlie Howard, who
was sitting curlel up on a wide Foltaire
under the window
"Come, Charlie, wake up" giving his
hair u vigorous jerk "ilow iar did you say
it was to Ncttic's?'
Charlie came rapidly to an upright posi-
tion.
''It's twenty-five miles, yon little whirl
about. I'm glad | haven't got .any more
cousins like you," rubbiny his head, while
comical expression passed over hi, face.
"Herc's doctors bill to pay, now"
"Old Father Grimes was a good old SOUL"
sung Ellie. 81 must 50 and tell Winnic,"
and with Il wave Of her hand, and Il mochiny
bow, she danced oat of the room.
Winnie Stuart, deep in rcyerie in wide
armchair before the parlor fire, wa- aroused
by voice calling, "Winnie Winnie
Where are you ?" and the next instant Fife
Russell auttered in, and dropped on the foot
stool at her feet.
''Just think, Winnie. we're all going to-
morrow TO see Ncttie Gray-Charic's sis
ter, you know. Only thnk; good sleigh
ing, an old-tashioned sleigh, daslng
team, buffalo-robes ad miauum, and seven
as wide-awake young people as you will
generally see. Won't it be splendid -
81 haven'ta doubt Of it, little enthusiast"
and Winnie smiled down into E.tia's spark
ling face moment, then turned and gazed
dreamiy into the fire.
a lovely girl she was, this Winnie Stuart
slender and graceful as a marsh willow,
with brown hair ripping in shining waves
NIL over her head, and eyes which always
seemed to have shadow of pain in taci.
purple depths.
Ellie looked at her in amazement.
as that all you have to say to such
splendid piece of news as that?" she ei,cu-
lated. Il do believe you have been di~an-
pointed in love, Winnie Stuart | cannot
account for your Indifference under any
other hypothesis
The sudden crimson famed up over Win
MES face, but she laughed merrly.
"Nonsense, Elfe! What chatter-box
you are. What time do we start? %
"Oh, very early in the morning. l must
90 and take counsel with the presiding rod
dess. By-by!" und she was gone like A
cash of light.
Left alone, Winnie sat gazing earnestly
into the fire. Eiiie's careless remark had
awakened bitter memories of the past. She
detached small locket from around her
neck, and opening it. gazed earnestly ut its
contents. On either side was a tiny pic
ture; handsome, manly face, with dark,
clustering hair and deep, earnest eyes-the
other, herself. Two years before PhilIip
Leslie had presented this to her on the day
of their betrothal. 1t was the old story-a
few short weeks of unclouded hnppiaess.
then misunderstanding had arisen, and
they had parted in anger. 1t was two long,
long years ago, and in all that time she had
neither seen nor heard from him. Had she
forgotten? Could she ever forget? The
dreary pain at her heart arsN cred her better
than any words coIid have done.
Inc sound OF merry voices aroused her
from her reyerie, and she had barely time to
replace the locket when Ellie, followed by
the others, entered
1t was merry party which Charlie How
ara and his sister Gussie had gathered
around them at Ridgewood Farm.
There was Eife Russell, and her hand
some brother Hal, who was devoted to his
cousin Gussie; Winnie Stuart, and Madgie
hunter-a merry, dark-eyed girl of eighteen;
and Will Devercux, who was very much in
love with El6e, and very nearly at his wits
ends, because she would give him no salts
faction.
New Years morning dawned bright and
frosty Charlie Was out before the first
streak Of day had annearcd. and few stars