Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-25
CONTINUED from Yesterday

'otralSnI aneau, was the instruction
given at every farmhouse gate and
straight ahead we went. gay and laugh
ing now, and full of enjoyment of the
pleasant bracing air, the bells, the swift
ness. AT length we reached some cross
roads, where the wind had overturned the
sign-post. Which one of the roads was
the right one We took the most travelled
way at venture. 1t was the wrong one.
1t led us on and on, aided by pumpkin
who grinned and said. "Av ay," as we
asked If we were right for Brentiord. The
sky was already clouding over, and it was
late in the afternoon when we reached a
village at whose little inn we stopped for
refreshment, insisting upon it, the other
sleigh pushing on rather than wait. We
were far out of the way, the landlord told
me; we must have made the mistake a
dozen miles back at the crossroads, but
yet, five changed our horse and persisted,
it was still qsite possible to reach Brent
ford that night. For my companions sake
it must be done. Warmed and fed, and
with addional robes. we were on our way
again. 1t was of no more use to stop and
speculate over DIR. Wilder and Mr. Tiffany,
they would doubtless find out their error
and get on the right road in time-before
the snow thickened, it was to be hoped.
1t was beginning to snow, gently but
steadily; presently found the wind was
rising. thanked heaven and Marcia for
my umbrella, spread it, and secured it be-
hind US. Before long it was dark Lit
tie Rose had grown very quiet; myself
scarcely spoke. | was anxious concern
ing her exposure to the gathering storm,
concerning her solicitude. We were in
billy country; now and then light twink
eled far up some slope, but we passed no
houses at all our hearts rose and sank
with the unwinding lengths of the rising
and sinking road. The snow lstill fell,
and now it was drifting sadly; everything
was weird and strange; it was no longer
possible to distinguish the way. l left il
to the instinct OF the horse; he stopped
stone still, at last in the middle of hill
pasture, on the edge of a wood, unable to
proceed another rod | struck my last
match. and looked at my watch; it was
already hali-past twelve.
There was no help for it. Here we
were to stay till morning, if we lived so
long. | was full of apprehensions, and
although had done my best, was NOR
tilted to the quick. ''lt is not your fault,
Mr.. Ferguson" said Rose. tremulously.
IL ought not to have ventured it,"
And you can't imagine what Mrs Bur
bank will say, exclaimed recklessly.
"She burst out crying "Oh, what shall
do what shall do p she said.
got out and broke down the drift a lit
tie before the horse, and then led him eau
tiously just within the WOOD. "How COM
Portable - cried Rose between her sobs.
"It-is almost like getting home"
cit is the heart of the great mother" f"
saidI.
1t was going under real shelter; the
wind hushed, the cold softened only the
great pine boughs murmured, and the
snow fell quietly, | unhitched the horse,
blanketed him, broke such boughs as
could for his bed, and bent and bound 9TH
ers partly over him. And as was doing
it | heard voices. l listened, hallooed,
and the reply told me that the other team
found itself in exactly our position. Cry
ing that would be with th EN- directly, |
went back to Rose. "Dr' Wilder and his
friend have brought up in the wood too"
said |.
II heard them, said she.
"And that is much more cheerful"
"Oh. not in the least" she said. Mrs.
Burbank will never overlook it any wav.
And it will kill DR.. Wilder. that old man
in this winter stormw
"Well, really, | don't know that am
to blame for his being here" said l.
"Oh, | didn't mean that" she cried,
starting forward. "Oh, | don't know
what do say-what with the disaster and
the ride and the worry. Don't-dont be
vexed with me-
"Vexed with vou!' said |. "How ab.
surd ! As if it were possible-the poor
tired child" And by that time Twas stand
ing in the snow close beside her. Rose"
| began, drawing off one of the small
otter skin mittenS-"how cold the little
hand is ~
"Oh, no, am very warm and comfort
able"
How cold the little hand is ~ and
pressed it to my lips.
She took it away hastily. "No, no. no."
she murmured "You mustn't speak to
me so-here.
And if it were not here" | cried,
Rose, you will never dare go lack to
Mrs. Burbank's now?"
She made no reply.
Then why not 90 home with me? ?"
$50 home with you?" she repeated
Ike some one in a dream.
with me- said. ITO stay with me.
Forever
"Oh, you would never have asked me
If it had not been for this :" she cried.
"Do you think am so small. so pitiful as
that ? 1t is my misfortune that we are
here but | shall not let it ruin your life
by burdening you with wife you don't
love"
Il don't love P" answered her-IIeaven
knows what joy in my voice; and | told
the rest in the dark upon her dear, warm,
dewy lips.
Five minutes later Tiffany and had
pulled and tipped and tilted the other
sleigh. with the doctor in it, to place
close beside my own.
"My dear young friends said the doc
tor, with whom | had now exchanged a
few sentences, this Is very sudden and
very surprising; but, indeed, as the son
of my old friend. and as one who has
been under my care, in some measure,
since her childhood, think | may say
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