The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-08-03

This visit to Bristol had quickened
many old recollections, and her thoughts
this Christmas Eve were sadder even
than usual. Wrapped in her own re-
Election she did not notice how far she
had proceeded on her way to Stoke
Bishop, or how slowly the cab was
progressing.
AS before stated, 1t was bitterly cold
night. Rain had fallen in the afternoon,
and before the ground had had time to dry
the wind changed and it had begun to
freeze and was freezing still, and all the
country roads were like glass. In the
beaten Bristol thoroughfares and along
White Ladies' road progress was fairly
easy; but having climbed the step bit of
hill at Redland and gained the level of
the down that stretched between that
and the pretty village of Stoke 1t became
difficult for the horse to stand, and
when about half way across the down,
to Laurette's great surprise, the cabman
suddenly pulled up, and, getting down,
opened the ab.door.
You must get out" he said, roughly.
Get out ?" repeated Miss Lyon, in
astonishment. "Why this is not Stoke
Bishop We are not more than half
way across the downl'
81 know where am we'll enough,
but can't take you a step further. My
'orse can't keep lis feet, and I'm not
a-going to ave lis knees broke, and lis
neck, too, p'r'aps, for anybody"
Do you mean to say that you intend
to leave me with my baggage here, in
the middle of the down 7" asked Lau-
rette, quietly. "And at this time of the
evening, too p'
"Where is it you want to go to?"
"To Tivoli-Mr. Mansfield's."
Right away down at the bottom of
Stoke Hill No, Miss, 1 amt a-going
to take you there, not if you were to
give me five-pound note; but I'll tell
you what I'll do" with an air of
making great con cession-" I'll drive
you over to one of them Villas" point
ing with his whips to lights twinkling
in the distance, land you can leave
your box at one of 'em and walk on"
But do not know any one living
there !" exclaimed Laurette, aghast at
the mans impudence; 'and could not
think of taking such liberty"
swell, please yourself; only you
must get out of my cab,' was the rough
answer.
81 shall do nothing of the kind" said
Miss Lyon, decisively. "You will drive
me back to Redland; there L may be
able to get another cab-or at any rate
man to carry my box"
"And supposing don't, Miss, what
then 2'' with an ugly leer.
"Then you won't be paid" was the
prompt answer. And Laurette looked
the rude driver steadily in the face,
although in her heart she was getting
afraid of him, and very heartily wished
herselfsafe in her friends house.
The man grumbled good deal, but
finally climbed back to his seat and
turned his horses head toward Redland.
He had not gone very far, however,
before he again pulled up, and Miss
Lyon heard him accost some one on the
road. A mans voice answered, and
Laurette, hastily letting down the win
dow, heard the driver rejoin:
"There's young woman inside as
wants hescort down to Stoke. P'r'aps
you'll oblige 'erp"
The insolence of the mans tone was
| moro than T,auratfa could hrnnx Sha
sprang out of the cab and addressed
herself to tall man, with his coat
collar turned up and his hat pressed
down over his eyes, who stood on the
path.
" want some one to carry my box to
Mr.. Mansfeld's at Stoke," she said, In
clear tone. If you can do SO / shall
be glad to pay you what you think
proper. This cabman can't or won't
drive me there"
Her veil was thrown back and the
light of neighboring lamp showed to
the stranger pale, finely-cut face and
a pair of flashing gray eyes. She was
too furried and angry to notice his
appearance.
Without word he turned to the
driver. "Give me the trunk, !" he said,
in a deep, gruff voice.
F" Trunk, indeed, )" returned the other
with sneer; "'tis but light bit Of
box"