National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1874-01-30

l grand uncles, of faint Miles Pearson |!
The whole house was in a commotiol
at once. Brandy and hot blankets wer
called for Miles was put into Abram'
bed; and everyone was so busy. il
Q attending to his restoration, that Hugl
had stumbled to the fire, helped him
: self to drink Of hot coffee, and turnet
to the door again, before anyone notice,
him. Then Mrs. Keith cried out
"Garston, don't open that, man; O
, you'll let more of the cold in" -,
, "I will shut it behiifd me, he said
, laconically.
"Why, what's the fury! you're no
going ?" in chorus from the men.
"Yes, am-home."
Abram delivered himself of a whole
bagful of curses, ingeniously diversi
fed. Malva came close, and put hel
hand wonderingly on her lovers arm
Hugh did not look at her but turning
to his host, stated the reason for hi
departure-nine famishing children.
"What out there? Why, I reck
oned you were coming down here till
the thaw. Where did you spot pool
Miles, then ?"
IluSA UO1us
"And you left the prog, and come
away to toat him along down here
Well, I'm darned I"
Old Keith shrugged his shoulders
but Malva's eyes glistened, and her
warm fingers stole down his arm, and
glided sinuously into his gloved ones.
"Garston," said old Keith, giving up
the past idiocy for the present" It's
most dark already, an the snow falling
like wildfre. You'll never. get home
with your life this day. Don't be fool
an risk it,"
"And my children ?"
"Dodrot the shavers ! If they've
empty bellies one day, they can fill 'em
the next, an no harm done, I reckon.
Let 'em be. Why, you're most broke
down already, an as white as a skunk's
liver"
This from Abram. Hugh looked at
him coldly. These two young men did
not "hitch WE'LL" to use Malva's
phrase.
"Will you go if I stay ?" he asked;
cor will you come along with me and
help?"
With the greatest sincerity, young
Keith shook his head, and wished him
self at eternal perdition if he were such
a fool" He'd keer fur his life, he
guessed, ef schoolmaster didn't fur
his H."
"The schoolmaster laughed con-
temptuously.
7 care for the children given to my
charge. Look after your frost-bitten
friend, Abram. You can do that with
out running the risk of losing your
precious life, or freezing your foul
tongue either"
He went out as he spoke, and Abram,
boiling with rage, caught up "Colt's"
and made as he would follow. Old
Keith held him back.
"Let tie darned fool go, and be
cussed to him." he said. "Look at the
snow, boy; he'll never spot homo to-
night. Malva, bolt the door"
She flew off but not to obey. Hugh
had taken but few steps, when his
arm was caught, and Malva, half buried
in her fathers huge bearskin robe.
clung painting to his side.
" Hugh, dear Hugh, do come back
Why, for PHYS sake, do you flare at
Abram SO? He only wanted to stay
you. Come back, do p
" I beg your pardon, Malva. Your
brother always irritates me; but his
selfish cowardice just now put my blood
up. Go back yourself, child. It isn't
safe for you to be here moment"
He put her back as he spoke, press
ing her into the shelter of the deep
porch, and wrapping the mufflers still
closer round her. She got one arm
free, however, and flung it round his
neck.
"Hugh, don't you. now-don't! Look
at the snow, it's falling fast again; an
dusk drawing in. Don't 20 tonight,
Hugh-for my sake, don't Listen -
trying to rub her soft cheek against his
caressingly-"I I love you'll love you
better nor any one; an I'll never speak
another word to that drunken brute you
saved, nor no one if you bid me-never,
Hugh Do forgive me, old man Say
you believe me, and stay to- -night-dow
She was sobbing and crying now,
with her wet, flushed face hidden on
his breast, and her warm, shapely arms
,lasped and quivering about his neck.
The proprieties of courtship are not
matter of education in the Northwest
ern States. Hugh lifted her face and
kissed it.
II do forgive you," he said. "I
would make you my wife tonight if I
could, and I believe you would come"
'"That I would, old man, right away"
$40 your duty, then, child; and obey
nelike one. Mine is to goto those child
'en this very minute, and I must do it.
There" unclasping her hands, and kiss
ng both them and the trembling lips with |
ong, grave kisses-"God bless you, {
owe, and good-byl I've delayed over i
ong already"
He opened the door for her, and :
trode away into the driving snow, t
Without waiting for an answer. She >
walked heavily into the house, put up I
he bolts, and dropping down into a G
eat, hid her face in her apron, weeping a
utterly. r
And the snow went on falling. Q
It never ceased all that night and T
he following morning; but towards b
vening the sky cleared, the barometer a
ose steadily, and two of the children's b
athers from the village found their n
vay to the school-house on the hill. q
he drifts had blocked up the front A
oors and windows, but the back was n
till clear and at the sound of their "
oices, half dozen little faces, white, f,
aunt, and haggard. looking, appeared e
the open doorway, clamoring for 81
ood. !,
"Thank the Lord, mine are safe! |" p
i'm Halkett said, gripping his sons fe
and, while the other arm held the Sob O.
ing girl. Why, where's school C,
laster, my kids /; and what's gone wi n
Tathan's little Tommy ?' H.