The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-04-16

trembling with exhaustion, and could not
f, go another step. Ee tottered and fell al
most on bis rider, who rising, and stag
gering about in the deep snow, struck
, heavily against an upright object.
Could it be the sign-board post which
stood on the little knoll just east Of his
home.
Oh no! Horror moro chilling than the
wind and snow 1t was the Lone Tree |
All those terrible hours he had been mov>
ing in circle
All his brave struggle had been for moth
ing. Here was a crisis. One minute of
indecision, and the paralyzing cold would
| conquer; but early training and a noble
! nature decided. Faithful to the last, Dali
ton quickly took the mailbag from the
| saddle, nerved himself for the final effort,
and then went floundering in the snow to
reach-wherever his destiny should lead
him.
Time wore on. Strength and will were
ebbing fast. In desperation the unfortun-
ate man endeavored to cry out for help,
but his indistinct utterances were forced
back by the Kissing, merciless wind. He
| was fast losing his mind. His steps were
numbered. faintness came over him.
Was it a cruel mirage that came over
him? Over the drifts, through the night,
| shone the bright, cheerful light of fire,
inviting him to comfort and home.
Too late He uttered a faint cry, then
fell in the soft, yielding, deceptive snow.
The storm was victor.
Jane Dalton was CHEEKY, chubby little
woman. Of education she could not boast;
books and figures were to her unknown
quantities. Her world was limited to the
little town in which she lived the capital
being bounded by the white fence of her
little cottage. But, withal, she was of an
humble nature, knew how to love, and full
filed her every duty as John Dalton's
wife. Thrifty and tidy, she managed we'll
the scanty means at her command, and
kept the tins and children's faces shining.
A happy wife and mother.
At O'Clock of the day in question every
thing was in readiness for her good mans
return. The children in bed asleep, and
the easy shoes and warm coat near the bla-
zing fire on the hearth, supper prepared,
and some mysterious liquid in snug little
kettle, emitting odorous, tempting fumes.
1t was time for his arrival, and he was usu-
ally very prompt. Yet he tarrie6.
The change in the weather had not taken
place unnoticed, but had produced in her
kind of definite uneasiness, slight rest
lessness, and yet it had no peculiar impor-
tance in connection with the absence Of her
husband until the clock on the mantle
struck seven. Then the wind, whistling
around the house corners, rafting the doors
and shutters, and the snow beating so per-
sistently against the window panes, ac-
quired painful significance. Her husband
was out in the storm, and might at that
moment be perishing with cold on the
prairie.
This dreadful thought transformed her
whole being; the genial expression Of her
face changed TO a terrified look She went
to the window, and drew wide the curtain
that the bright freight might shine out as
beacon to guide him who was the light
of her humble life. She paced to and fro
under rapidly increasing excitement. The
weird sounds made by the storm messen
gers as they whirled by in the fulfllment
of their mission made her start and tremble.
1t had grown late, it was half-past eight,
and yet no tidings She fell into chair,
and burst into tears but this weakness
was temporary only. Sine looked resolute
ly down into the fire, and made her plan.
1t was desperate one, but love is more
desperate than hate. If John Dalton did
not come by nine o'clock she would 20 and
find him.
Rising with frmness, she went first to
her children. They were sleeping peace
fully. kiss for each, long, lingering
look of affection, but no thought that she
would never see them again.
She took from a closet pair of over
shoes and cloak for herself, a blanket
and flask of brandy for him she was going
to seek. Her simple preparations compile
ted, she stood waiting.
1t lacked quarter of nine. There was
q noise at the door, like knocks repeated
by one who desired entrance. To Jane
Dalton's overwrought senses there was tho
sound of hand on the door-knob. She
rushed to the door to admit her husband !:
she opened it to let In the bowling blast,
which almost dashed her to the floor. Sad
iy disappointed, but still courageous, she
returned to the place before the clock.
| In hve minutes more the time would be
up. Her cloak and hood were on, and she
was ready for whatever Ged had in store for
her. She watched the clock like one who
waits for some supreme moment in life.
The winds seemed to be roughly calling
her, Then they lulled few seconds and
she heard cry-a moan-whieh seemed
to freeze her blood.
"That is John" she cried 'he calls
me-"
instantly she was out in the night, bra.
1 MI H.