Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-06-17

don't Aatter myself it comes solely for
my benefit"
"Not ON the snow storm. Does it
really snow? l meant to congratulate
you on--on everything"
"Kind little SOUL l was sure you
would be pleased" he said, taking her
hands in his, as one might take child's
to warm them. eyes, | consider that /
am a very lucky fellow. Bertha is"
go, yes, certainly There's no ques-
ton about it, interrupted Angie hur-
riedly, withdrawing her hands.
"All 1 lack Low, Angie, is a snug little
home and"
tence.
eff it clears off in the morning. An
gelica, will you go ,sleighIng with me %
pursued Sidney, as his sister ran out
again for the bed-candles. 81 want a
long, quiet talk with you.
s. can't Indeed I can't gol l must
, be home early"
Must you? Honor bright? Then
Wen ride in that direction, and We'll set
out as early as you please. But what's
your haste? Zet said you meant to take
the train, and that doesn't leave till four
in the afternoon"
Angie made some incoherent remark
about not liking to appropriate so much
of his time.
Nonsense! My time Is at your dis
posal. I'll arrange matters with Bertha
never you fear! She's wonderfully
reasonable beingl Why! shivering,
| grille? Is the fire so low"
"Fire toao, l should say" cried Zet,
appearing on the threshold with a can
dlestick in either hand. "The room is
perfect oven. Shall we go up stairs
now Angie? Here comes Bertha to say
good night to YOU"
As Angie followed Zet up the broad
staircase to Zet's chamber, which they
were to share together, she heard the
parlor door close gently on Miss Hunt
ress and Sidney and she shivered again.
The gentle murmur of their voices
maddened her. She tried to drown the
sound by her own footsteps.
81 dare say your old gravel train will
wake me in the morning." said she drag
ging down her crimps at the toilet glass
"When does it begin its travel ?"
Somewhere between five and six,
yawned sleepy Zet. ..
$50 early? Thank fortune I'll
leave this house before any one else is
stirring, unused Angie, with brisk nod
at the mirror, which just then reflected
no madonna face She was glad
that Zet speedily foated off to dream
land. She wanted to be alone to think.
Plainly she could not ride with Sidney in
the morning. If he should talk to her
again in that tender, confidential style
she might break down-she would
sooner die No, she must go home on
the gravel train. 1t was the only alterna-
tive. She hoped Sidney wouldn't think
her odd. More likely he would not think
of her at all--with which grim reflection
the poor child finally grieved herself to
sleep. She awoke terrified lest she had
missed the train. In the name of pity
where pere thematches? Matches founds
where was the candle? Candle lighted,
she opened her watch. 1t had run down
at eleven Enveloping herself in q
blanket, she crept down stairs to consult
the tall clock near the door of Sidney's
chamber, which led from the hall. 1t
was on the stroke of two--only the old
time piece did not strike III these days.
Resolved to be sensible, and not to
rise before it was necessary, Angie stole
! back to bed to count the tedious minutes.
| She dared not close her eyes for fear of
over-sleeping At last, after what seemed
hours, lamp hickered in the hotel OPP
posite. 1t must be high time she was
dressing. Having made hasty toiletSI
she scrubbed an apology to Zet, and
again ventured down the stair-case-this
time IL the dark; she must not risk
awakening Sidney. In the hall she
CROPPED cautiously for hat and sacque,
then stealthily, on tip-toe, made her way
to the door, and closing it softly behind
her ran down the path.
Darkness everywhere, and how cold it
was! The frozen planks of the bridge
creaked beneath her light tread; the
frosted nails snapped now and then with
a loud report; but the falling snow said
"hush hush !"
Burdened with muh, music and sachel,
sometimes in tie road, sometimes out
of it, half blinded, thoroughly chilled,
Angie stumbled bravely on towards the
depot, a half mile away. When she
reached its shadowy portals, which she
had nearly passed in the obscurity, she
found the door fast. Where was every
! body? Was Oxbow dead and in its
winding-shee and unmatched by even a
solitary taper? Brushing the snow from
the step, Angie began to lay down her
bundles. But bark was that a foot
step? No. it was only the nervous buz-
zing in her ears And if some one had
been coming, what then? Was it not
| high season, if the train were ever to
] IL