Iron County register., 1880-07-01

hands in his, as one might take child's s
to warm them. "Yes, l consider that
1 am avery lucky fellow. Berthais-"
90 yes, certainly! There's no ques-
ton about it, interrupted Angie hur-
riedly. withdrawing her hands.
"Ail l lack now Angie, is snug lit
tie home and-''
Jets entrance put period to the
sentence.
"If it clears off in the morning,
Angelica, will you go sleighing with
mep pursued Sidney, as his sister ran
out again for the bed-candles. 81 want
a long, quiet talk with you"
s'I can't! Indeed can't go! I must
be home early"
:sMust you? Honor bright? Then
we'll 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
never you fear! She's wond erfully
ItdSUudDlC UOluS' w Adb' ouIs
grille? Is the fire so lowp''
''Fire loW, should sayr' cried Zet,
appearing on the threshold with can
dlestick in either hand. "The room is
a 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 hamber, which they
were to share together, she heard
the parlor door close gently upon
Miss Huntress and Sidney and she
shivered again. The gentle murmur
of their voices maddened her. She
tried to drown the sound by her own
footsteps.
''I dare say your old gravel train will
wake me in the morning." said she,
dragging down her crimps at the toilet
glass. "When does it begin its trav-
elsp''
Somewhere between five and six,"
yawned sleepy Zet.
$50 early? Thank fortune! I'll leave
this house before any one else is stir
ring" mused Angie, with brisk nod at
the mirror, which just then reflected no
:" Madonna" face. She was glad that
Zet speedily floated off to dreamland.
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 60 home on the
gravel train. 1t was the only alternative.
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 were the matches? Matches
found, where was the candle? Candle
lighted, she opened her watch. 1t had
run down at eleven! Enveloping her.
SELF in blanket, she crept downstairs
to consult the tall clock near the door
of Sidney's chamber, which led from the
hall. It was on the stroke of twO-Only
the old time-piece did not strike in 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
oversleeping. Atlast, after what seemed
hours. lamp fickered in the hotel OPP
posite. 1t must be high time she was
dressing. Having made hasty toilet,
she scribbled an apology to Zet and
again ventured down the staircase-this
awakening Sidney. In the hall she
grouped cautiously for hat and sacque,
then stealthily, on tiptoe, 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 muff, music and satchel,
sometimes in the 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-sheet and unmatched by even
a solitary taper? Brushing the snow
from the step, Angie began to lay down
her bundles. But bark! was that foot
step? No, it was only the nervous
buzzing in her ears! And if some one
had been coming, what then? Was it
not high season, if the train were ever
to start? She hoped she was not cow
ard! But she was! For presently, hear
ing the footsteps again-and now they
were not far behind her-she darted
away along the glimmering highway
and finally took shelter in door-yard,
crouching under friendly lilac while
time shivered by on frozen wings. Once
the man drew near her hiding place, and
she held her breath till he passed, turned
and repassed, with long, impatient
strides. A pretty situation this, truly,
for Squire Converse tenderly-nurtured
daughter! She fell to plying herself
as she contrasted herself with Sidney
Alden, peacefully sleeping, dreaming
perhaps of his loved Bertha.
After what might have been the hpse
of ages, the shrek of the engine rent
the air. 1t was the usual reveille of
the railroad workmen, but Angie be-
ieved it the signal for the starting of
the train. Hurrying to the depot and
past the handful of men gathered upon
the platform, she climbed the dark pas