The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-01-19


in Mr.. Holms' parIor as large sleigh. draw
bs four horses well strapped with BELLS. stop
ped at the door. aud Will HoIns sprang ont,
followed by eleven other young gentlemen,
who waited on the sidewalk.
San ready girls!'' shouted will.
Yes, +" replied Ella, as she opened tile
door. "Comie, girls and they all followed
her down to the sidewalk.
All the ladies were assisted into the sleigh
excepting Maud, who had forgotten some-
thing aud had run back for it.
Hurry DIP, Maud y shouted win, dane
ing to keep warm.
She ran down to the Sleigh, laughing riier-
rily, and said, s. am always last, Willn
!" Well, will reward you for being last
this time, by introducing you to my friend,
Mr. Winters said win, gayIy.
She turned quickly. and to her surprise she
found herself bowling to the handsome stranger
she had SO often met. He placed her in the
sleigh and sprang in by her side. She was
provoked at herself, for her heart was beating
SO fast she feared that he would hear it and
where could one of her mittens bea She was
sure she had it after she got into the sleigh,
but they were ali seated now, and off the
horses went flying down the street, amid the
music of the bells and the laughter of the
merry party.
Both Maud and her companion were silent
for some moments, while she searched her
pockets for the lost mitten.
Have you lost Something Miss Mobray p"
he asked, pleasantly.
eyes; am afraid have" she replied !;
one of my mittens. But it does not matter
much" And she changed the subject.
Presently he said, +" guess your hand feels
the loss of your glove" and he drew the robes
closer about her and held the little cold,
trembling hand between his own warm palms.
She did not withdraw her baud now from its
resting place. Somehow or other she felt
that she could trust this stranger, and by The
time they reached their destination she felt
as much at ease with him as though she had
known him for years.
| He lifted her from the sleigh and found the
lost rtitten, when Will called out, teasingly,
:" am right glad put Maud in your care,
Hal, for she is always in mischief, but to.
night she has been uncommonly quiet.
8 am very well satisfied with my CHARGE
replied Hal; 8" she has not been one bit
troublesome.
They were all warmly welcomed by the Ell
liots, who were farmers. They were Just
about retiring for the night when the sleigh.
ing party drove in, and as the laughing girls
gathered ssGpRa 1tRaa Ifsa hsasis
would be hard to find more merry crowd
than they were But Maud was very quiet,
and good old Mrs. Elliot laid her hand on the
brown head and asked
And why is our Maud so silent this even
ing-is she lip"
"0h, Mrs. Elliot" exclaimed Ella, Maud
has met her fate to night ("
The girls all laughed. while Maud blushed
and stammered, Nonsense, Nell -
"Well, just wait until be comes in and we
will show him to you, auntie," said Lizzie
Scott. ~ fa &&
"Hush Lizzie the boys are ceming,"
whispered poor Maud, while Mrs Elliot said,
r They shall not tease thee one bit more,
Maudie !" Eg&F 81
In came the noisy fellows, beaded by Gil
Elliot, who had gone out to help put away
the team.
| Maud tried to look unconcerned, but she
felt that pair of dark eyes were watching
her, and do what she would she must blush.
Suddenly Mrs Elliot started forward and
laid her hand on Mr.. Winters shoulder.
Pardon me, young man." she said, " but
would like to know If thy name is not Win
ters9"
/ ~ believe 1t is, !" replied the young man,
pleasantly.
WE'LL of all things, this is the incest !
Thee must be my brother Richards son,
think"
The young man grasped the iady's hand
"Then you must be my aunt Ruth have
heard so much about?"
"Just SO. And does thee know thee looks
just as thy father did at thy age q"
The gentleman chatted with his aunt for
some time, chen Joined ID the games with the
young people.
Ella had not seen the recognition between
Aunt Ruth and her nephew so during the
evening she said to her, "There is Maud's
fate" and was surprised to hear her say, ~
am very glad to hear IT," but she was stiil
more surprised, when they were sbont to
start for home, to hear him say, "Good-
night, Aunt Ruth"
On going out to the sleigh Maud PRESSED
forward to get seated among the first, for she
saw that Lizzie Scott was anxious to secure
Mr.. Winters for her companion on their home
ward ride. aud she was determined to stand
out Of the way ii possible. But when she
was about to get In she was drawn back, and
Mr.. Winters whispered, Do not be 10 haste
want you to SIT by me-"
" Bat prefer sitting BY Ella" she replied,
coldly.
I am very sorry to disappoint you" he
said, g but there is no vacant seat by Ella 50
you win have to submit to seat by my un-
Worthy self
She allowed him to place her In the sleigh
and fold the robes warmly about her, but her
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