, 1882-07-14


not he at home for dinner, but would
get back early in the evening.
As the day wore on it grew rougher
and wilder, Late in the afternoon,
as Laura was preparing to return
home, the threatened snow storm
came on.
Jenny entreated her to stay all
night. and at any other time Laura
would gladly have done so, for the
two girls were very warm friends.
But to night she had lingering
hope that even at this last moment
Larry Halcomb might call, and the
thought that she might miss her very
last chance, made her resolve to brave
the worst weather that ever fell, on
the faist hope of seeing him.
Resisting her friends entreaties to
let her, at least, send for carriage,
and declaring she did not mind the
walk at all, would rather enjoy it, in
fact. she took leave of the Brwfords,
and began her walk home.
But the weather outside was rough
er and wider than the girls in the
we'll warmed parlor at Jenny's had
realized.
The fierce wind blew and buffeted
poor Laura about SO that she could
scarcely keep her feet. and the snow
blinded her, stinging her like tiny
needles.
But she kept bravely on, struggling
with the storm, until, turning Il cor
ner, she run full against another pc
destrian, who, like herself, we'll
wrapped up, with head down, was
trying to breast the wild gale, every
instant growing wilder.
II beg your pardon, madam said
the gentleman, trying to save her
from falling. II was rushing along
so heedlessly, I did not see you"
And Laura looked up with a little
cry of surprise and excitement, for
the voice was the well known voice of
Larry Halcomb. -.
As he recognized her, his apology
was stopped in sudden astonishment.
Miss Ferris! Why, is it possible?
l did not recognize you at first.
What can bring you out in this terri
BILE storm?" he said, losing his late
coldness in his surprise.
II was at Jenny Burford's. She
tried to make me stay, and / ought to
have stayed, l suppose. But the
storm was not so bad when / started,
and | was so anxious to get home"
She stopped, blushing, as she remem-
bersd why she had been 50 anxious.
Sand l must hurry on now," she
ad led
you can't go on just now," said
Mr. Halcomb. Il think this furry
will soon be over, but you can't go on
while it lasts. See, we are just in
front of the Spencer House. L shall
take you in there until the storm les
sense. You must not think of going
on"
Il had notion to stop in at some
of the stores" said Laura, "but | was
afraid the darkness would overtake
me while / was alone"
You are not alone now. / shall
not leave you, of course, until you are
safe at home" said Mr. Halcomb, with
something of a return to his cold
manner.
He took her into the ladies' parlor
of the Spencer House, out Of the pitt
less storm, and led her, trembling and
exhausted with cold and fatigue as
we'll as excitement, to seat on the
sofa in the warm room, where the gas
was just lighted.
Not a soul was in the room, for
wcih Laura was very thankful.
"Oh isn't this delightful after the
binding Storm" sighed Laura, draw
ing deep breath Of relief, as she
dropped into her seat.
Rather better, | admit" said Mr..
Halcomb, seating himself beside her,
"Now rest until the storm lightens.
| am afraid you've suffered from ex
posure already"
"Oh. no, / have not" said Laura,
brightly. for she felt a curious sense
of happiness, safety and comfort,
which was always inspired by Larry
Halcomb's very presence.
A silence of few moments fell be
tween them. Larry seemed deeply
occupied by his own thoughts, what
ever they were, and Laura was really
engaged, thinking most earnestly
what to do next.
"This is my opportunity" she
thought. Not given by himself, it
is true, but brought to me by kind
fortune and this lucky storm! Oh,
how lucky am that ] did not stay at
Jenny's! How shall / begin what |
must say to him? must. It's now
or never! But / can't see the way to
begin. What shall L say! What
shall l do?'
What she did do was to turn to the
silent, almost stern figure at her side,
and say in gentle tones:
"Mr. Halcomb, / heard that you
were abOut to leave us"