Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-04-10

than would confess, would have gladly
begged her pardon, but her manner re.
pulsed all overtures sofrecOnciliation. Once,
when l had accidentally caught hold OF
her hand, she twisted her own away and
gave scOrnful iiing to mine.
Now you know just what our social
standing was: and when fate, that winter
morning, decided that we should start to-
gether on that long ride.
The bells danced merriy, the air was
clear, the sky blue all things were pleas
ant except Della. Say what l would, she
was ungracious and hardly answered me.
suppose she wanted me TO understand
that she had not come with me for pleas
ure, but to get the letters. We had gone
miles beyond the last settlers cabin that
we should see until we came into the vicin-
ity of Bingley's Mills, when she apparent
ly thought better of her behavior, and
spoke of her own accord cheerfullv.
How natural it is for the greater part of
the people TO attach themselves to home,
let it be where il may.
True
Two years ago could not have be-
.-lieved that 1 should have followed my
aunt's family West, and be content to live
on the utmost bounds of civilization. I'm
sure that l wonder you stay, Rolfe.'
DO you? How well Brown Bess goes
to-day.
She always does. There is not her
equal in Uncle Dams stables
| we arrived at Bingley's NIills-the
larges. settlement and the post town-a
little after noon. Brown Bess had indeed
tossed her nimble heels well. Appointing
three hours for the mare to rest, | went
about my business, leaving Cordelia to do
hers at the postoflice, and to remain in
the i'm in the middle of the village.
Chatting with this one, chatting with
that and getting through with Uncle Dams
commission the short winter day flew away
| like magic. Meanwhile the cloudless, ice
/ clear sky had become covered over with
gray darkness, that suggested the idea of
another snowstorm, and ought to have
warned me to get down quicker But it
| did not. When Brown Bess and the sleigh
cane round to the end door, the snow cloud
| had sunk in a bank of leaden hue and the
SUI could not be more than an hour high.
a little risk said man. glancing at
the cardinal points of the compass and
sinking his head slightly.
Cordelia, her glowing cheeks nearly as
bright as her scarlet hood, came forward
with an animated manner. As drew the
bu1alOes around her, thought how a
week or two ago, should have esteemed
the privilege Of this close cOmpanionship
invaluable. But did not seem to appre-
cia:e it now. She had treated me too
cayalierly and | had grown somewhat re-
sentful.
we dashed away. The air was damp
and cutting, and as we came upon The open
prairie it stung our cheeks like needles
Half an hour after starting | said to her,
If 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 COM
missions, Miss Cordelia.'
oh, yes, thank you.'
AT that very moment a particle of icy
snow fell Oh my glove. | would not be-
lieve but that the mare had flung the par
ticle from her flying heels. But in a min-
ute more handful of fine particles silted
over US both. Cordeia gave half startled
glance.
L spoke cheerfuly to the mare, and
tucked the blanket in around my compan-
ion. \ half hour longer found the north
west wind steadily aud perceptibly rising,
while the icy flakes we're tinkling on the
crusty surface around our way. Quite
soou very small whirlwinds were driving
the dry, powdery stuff and then spinning
it up in little column. Darkness came
down suddenly, but not before the wind
had increased, and the atmosphere was
white with tiny flakes that drifted by us in
loose, bulging folds.
Cordelia did not speak she only tight
ened the fur scarf around her neck and sat
perfectly quiet. At that moment | would
have given fortune if the girl had been
safe at my uncle's and l breasting the
storm alone. We came to belt Of wood
land, just ten miles of our journey though;
nearly twenty more before us. Heaven,
it seemed like voyage across the world
And a most awful fear was tugging at my
heart.
\ white gloom was let down all around
u.s. On and on we went. did not speak
to the mare, nor with her; there was no
need. She was trotting like race horse,
her tail streaming over the dashboard of
the sleigh.
Another hour passed. The light snow
was mounting above the runners, and dri
wing obliquely across our laps in binding,
smothering thickness, still we were getting
on well l hoped we were nearing home.
Are you cold ? | asked, drawing Cor
della close to me.
Nothing to speak Of she cheerful!y re-
piled. But l felt strong shudder shake
her from head to foot.
Presently the sleigh pitched considera-
BILE, although had tight rein.
'Rol!e,' she began, and | thought l again
felt her frame tremble, although her voice
was cool and steady, the wind does not
strike US just as it did, neither did we pitch
this morning as we do now. Have the
lost road 2
by Heaven! you have spoken my
thoughts, COrdelia,' calculated, while
damp, icy GOODNESS broke cut from every
pore in my skin. She shuddered again,
but said nothing.
Il knOtted the reins and threw them over
the dashboard. This was why the mare
had held SO hardly-she knew better than
/. | must trust to her instinct In twenty