Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-09-22
VOL. 7O.-3507. NO. 40.

- II you will allow me-" he said. in what
Doiy thought was rather brusque manner.
Nun nus lace nall turned away, and he left
the cup IN her hands without giving her an
| opportunity to refuse, IL she felt inclined ~
do 50. Dolly did not quite know wbetber
she did feel inclined 10 refuse or moi II
certainly was liberty for stranger to taLe
put 1t was evidently done from kindness,
and she was faint, and the coffee was so nice
30 she drank it, and returned the cup with
| quiet " thank you" OF whom did he make
her think, and why did he keep his face 40
persistently turned away from herl She
would manage to get full look at him when
ne sat down again, thought Dolly. But her
design was frustrated, for he sat down di.
rectiy behind her, instead Of ON the other
side of the aisle, as before.
The long, dreary day wore away. at last.
and through the night Dolly slept at inter.
walls, though she heard the roaring Of tbe
wind through it all, and was haunted.
strangely enough. by visions Of her friendlv'
though brusque fellow-traveler.
Early in the morning she was awakened
by a sudden jerk aud then halt in the
tram. Snowdrifts across the track had
stopped ITS progress. After an hour or two
Oh delay, 1t was got under way, but its pro-
gress was slow, and before noon il came TO
halt again, and any further progress
seemed impossible. They were miles away
from any station, and the prospect was very
disheartening. As the afternoon passed in
iruitless efforts to force their way along.
Dolly's courage and patience began 20 give
way. Hunger was added to her WEAKNESS,
and there was a whisper that the supply of
fuel would scarcely last until morning. A
tear that Dolly could not keep back trickled
down her cheek Her mysterious friend in
the seat behind must have seen it, she
thought, for he started up impetuously at
that instant, and hurried out. A rumor
soon ran through the car that another expe-
dltion IN search OF house, and consequent
food and fuel, had been organized. Alreadv
two unsuccessful ones had gone Dolly saw
them from the window fighting their way
through the snow, and, as she had fancieI.
her hero OF the cloak and cap was the leader.
lie cast reassuiing glance towards her
window as he passed, and for the first time
Dolly saw his face fully A thrill ran
through her almost stopping the beating of
her heart. 1t was Robert Robert grown
haggard, and careworn and so much older
but Robert still. Dolly dried her tears
with feeling of trust and comfort. But
he knew her, and he would not speak to
her he did not wish to be recognized that
thought cast a shadow over her ioy. but
nothing could quite take away the comfort
of his presence
Ihe party were gone quite a long time it
mad begun to grow dark, and Dolly was get
ting anxious. But they came. at last, and
with all the food and fuel that they could
bring. The food was not mucL among so
many, but it was enough to revive dropping
hope and courage, and make the disheartened
travellers feel that they should not perish,
lince there were houses within reach. Dolly
accepted her portion from Roberts hand, in
silence. She dared not speak, though she
onged to do so much. lie sat down in his
Old place as silent as before
The little stock of wood which they had
brought added but little to the store, and be.
lore morning it grew very cold. Dolly was
herself more closely in her travel
ng shawl, when suddenly she felt touch on
Ter shoulder, and Roberts cloak was thrown
,ver her.
" No. no, don't need it can't take it,
Robert "
The name slipped out unawares.
A wave of color surged over his face, but
ms eyes frightened lie insisted upon wrap
,ing her in the cloak, and Dolly did not re.
list
II did not think you knew me; | did not
mean that you should" he said.
"Why2 When / wanted t. see YOU so
much When | have wanted you so long,
Robert |"
Dolly insists now that, if she had not been
o tired and cold, and worn out so that she
vas not herself at all, she should never have
aid that.
However that may be, it had a wonderful
fleet upon Robert. 1t transformed him in
! moment into almost the Robert of old
lays. Both were obliyious to the discom-
orts OF the situation for the rest of that
light
1t was a long explanation that Robert had
o make, but it appeared that nothing but
lis pride had been at the bottom of all poor
)oly's woes. When she became an heress,
e could not ask her to marry him. lie had
meant to work enough to be able to do SO in
few years if she should still be free, but by
n accident in the mills he had lost his arm
nd been confined to the house for months
hat he had given up his place in the mills
nd gone to Philadelphia, where situation
s book keeper in store had been offered
i'm. But it was uphill work, and success
eemed long way off still
And If you think | am going TO ask you
Q marry me now, you are mistaken !" said
Iobert, sadly, but still with touch of his
Id pride.
Then shall ask you " said Dolly. And
nst at that moment a ray from the bright
awn-as bright as if there had never been
storm since the world began-shown in at
he car window, and Dolly hid her face for
hame on Roberts shoulder.
The track was cleared out, and the train
vent on that morning, but being too late for
he wedding, Dolly took the next train from
- for her home And if she did not
ome with a ring on her finger" as Laura
lad prophesied, she wore plain gold one
n three months thereafter.