The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-03-05

have beenS with G0d." vig.
Aunt Lora covered her face for a few
moments, and then she went on more
steadify:
"I remember all-every word and in
eident of that evening. We watched
Will drive away into the gray twilight,
and then came back to the fireside until
the dressing-bell rang, while my pet
used every loving vile to keep me from
dwelling too anxiously on M'Carthy's
illness. We grew anxious, as the even
ing went on, for my servant; Wills pro-
| longed absence made me fear she was
seriously i'll. Now and then the young
wife shivered a little as the fierce blast,
which now at intervals swept up the
valley, with one sudden gust rushed by
to die away among the higher hills. 1t
was the snow wind; we knew it well,
and longed that our traveller were safely
home. Mabel had ordered dinner in
her morning-room, from which there
was view of the road along which he
would return; she thought, too, itwould
be easier to warm and brighten it than
the large dining-room. We stood for
long while at the window watching the
heavy woolly clouds rolling and mass
ing themselves in the livid sky There
had been light fall of snow in the
morning, enough to whiten the trees
and grass, but we could distinguish the
dark line of the road as it wound round
into the valley. ...-.
"Again and again the wind swept up
with its wild, angry moan, bending the
trees in its course, and hiding them in
thick clouds of snow-powder sweptfrom
their tossing branches; then again the
din would hush and a great stiffness
fall on the outside world. We watched
till I saw my child was growing pale,
and 1 drew her into the warm room,
bright with fire and candle-light, the
pretty rose-colored room, where the
shining silver and crystal of the dinner
table looked brighter still in contrast to
the outer gloom. l pretended. to be
hungry, that she might be forced to
give up the watch for while. We sat
down to dinner, leaving the warmest
seat for Will, and each tried to eat for
the sake of the other; but at every gust
the sweet little face opposite me grew
winter, and dark line began to show
beneath the soft eyes. AS yet, the
worst we feared for Will was struggle
with the storm, while we sat at home
wrapped from cold and all discomfort.
The evening wore on; dinner was
removed, the supper table laid, covered
with every dainty the little wife could
suggest. She hunted up fur-lined
dressing-g gown, which he had used when
stationed in Canada, and hung it before
the fire then she went back to her
post beside the window, having warmed
the hearth and spread the table, all for
Will-poor Will, who should never more
enjoy food or warmth in.this world.
Lights were placed in every win
dow to guide him through the snow,
which was now falling blindingly, dark
ening sight and hushing sound. Ser
wants were sent out with spades and
lanterns but unhappily the butler was
old and feeble, and the only other man
at our disposal was Wills soldier-ser,
want, an Englishman, quite ignorant OF
the neighborhood. They returned
without having beenaable to get farther
than where the road divided at the head
of the valley.
GAS the small hours crept by, the
cold grew intense outside the circle
warmed by the fire. 1 tried to wrar
Mabelin mantle, but she, put away
my hand impatiently, and shook her
self free from the soft folds. :.
"'I will not be warm. Willis cold.
And she turned to the window Snce
more with a slight shudaer, while hel
weary eyes .gazed on into the whirling
binding snowfall.
cat two o'clock I again tried to in
duce her to lie down, that her husband
. had staid weather. bound at Glenbawn
that Brown Colleen, the mare he haG
4 taken, could find her way home to h !
stables on the darkest night; -that-ir
short, I used every means-coaxing
remonstrance, command, all in vain
words she did not seem to hear. Wher
Itried to draw her away she pushed me
gently from her, and the white lips
roved, though no sound came from
them, -- --..- .-- ...... .,
s'At three o'clock the wind lulled
the snow whirl ceased. was holding
her burning hand in mine, longing in,
tensely for morning, turning with 6
sick shudder from the pictures which
,OOuld pass before my aching brain oi
Will sleeping his last sleep beneath the
drift, when suddenly she snatched
away her hand and started up.
"@ He is coming!- L hear himl' She
flew into. the, hall where an immense
fire was blazing on the hearth. 'ThroN
on the yule-logp she cried, impatiently
to the servants who were standing
about. Don't I.tell you he is coming
he is here? -. ',s a.-.a. .
'"I signed to them to obey her, and
the great pine trunk which had beer
carted home so, merrily only a weel
ago, which she and Will had garlande6
few hours since, was flung on. 4
asked, softly, whether they heard any
thing; but the men shook their heads
and, indeed, the depth of the snow
must have hushed any sound. They
said if their master, had waited il
shelter at the mountain foot till the
storm subsided,, the horse might make
his way beneath the, shadow of ths
rocks which overhung the road, and
which must have kept a comparatively
clear track. 5-, =. s. -'Ts e--
"Mabe1 had gone back to her win
dow. Now she rushed in, her face
quivefing and flashing with excitement
"'Aurtie, he is herc see himp
"She began tugging furiously at the
fastenings of the great door. Stronger
hands came to her aid /; in an instant il
was flung open, and before any one
could interfere she had rushed out. We
saw the white flying figure fit, over the
snow like wraith-snow-drift so deer
and Light that it seemed a bird must
have sunk into it we saw the dog cart
creeping slowly under the cliff at foot.
pace, Willis upright, soldierly figure
showing dark and clear against the livid
hack n1 so.v 6nraanh Ill.,