Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-04-21

openly, desperately, with that soulless,
brainless Livingston.
But even Thornton shook off his
gloom when they came among the
hills. The highest peaks were white
with snow. rejecting the setting sun
with dazzling brilliancy against the
marvellous blue Of the sky. 1t was
very cold, but clear and still, when they
left the cars for their drive of few
miles. Mr.. Little met them with his
six-horse stage; the wind had not left
enough snow on the rising ground for
sleighing, to Maud's regret. 1t was an
exhIlarating drive. The clear air made
each inhalation an increasing Joy.
The laughter and the sweet, ringing
voices of the girls no longer Jared
upon him he was a 10y himself and
startled them by his wit and gayety.
Maud was delighted She warmed to-
ward him and left poor Livingston
shivering out of the sunlight of her
favor 1t was all going to be perfect
success, she thought, and blessed her
self for the inspiration.
The hotel, when they reached it,
after the stars had come out superbly
in the clear aiS, looked as if prepared
for siege. 1t was closed, except a
few rooms on the ground floor of the
west and south sides. On the north
and east every blind was securely
fastened.
Have you had an east blow YETI"
asked Maud, as they dashed up to the
door.
mo, miss; not yet" said the land
lord. Il guess we will hev, pretty
quick, though. The mountings hev
kinder looked like it all day"
Il hope it will come should con
slider our whole trip a failure if it
doesn't"
Mr.. Little shook his head and smiled
doubtfully. II guess when you've seed
one you won't be likely to want to see
another very quick"
The next day was gloriously clear.
There was no wind stirring as yet. 1t
was this stiffness that reused the fore
holdings of the landlord. His guests
had manifcent walk, they said; they
climbed part way up Starr king and
had view hundred times more su-
perb th2n they had ever imagined it
could be. II had been hard work
climbing over the slippery rocks and
they came back to the house delight
fully tired and in undiminished spirits.
The general hiiarity tagged not dur
ing the coy evening round the huge,
open fire, and one and all pronounced
their satisfaction and delight-all ex-
cept Mr.. Wellington, VINO had not stir
red from the fired all day, and who
grew more and more nervous rs the
talk about the expected east blow con-
tinued.
In the morning Mr.. Titles predict
ions were verified. The city peoples
ears were startled by what he had SO
often described as the roaring of the
maountings." The strange, steadily
increasing roar, which seemed 50 mex
plicable, filled some with alarm, some
with most enjoyable excitement. Mr..
Little called them to see the ''churning
of the clouds up the chasm," and, look
ing, they forgot the smile because he
pronounced ch of the last word AZ he
did in the first 1t was n sight not to
be forgotten, grand, terrible sight, as
the angry clouds came up, rolling over
and over, as it seemed, through the
gap which opened out toward the east.
Within the house there were hurried
preparations. Mrs. Little and her sons
went about making everything as fast
as possible, while her husband and his
two men went to the barns to give the
cattle and horses food and water to
last them until the storm had passed !;
for when it had reached its height,
neither man or beast could stand
against it. Thornton, George and his
classmate prepared to 90 down 10 the
barn and help them, for the time
seemed very short Every moment
the tempest increased III violence.
Quick rs thought Maud wrapped her
self III her fur cloak, and said that she
would 90 with them. Her mother was
SO distressed that she would have de-
sisted, but that she caught Thornton's
look of disapproval and disgust, she
thought, and then nothing could have
prevented her. Selling her brother
hand she rushed out of the house. The
barns WAS west of the hotel and some
little distance down hill. The wind
carried them on as if they were straws,
and drove them breathless against the
building. Maud had never dreamed OF
its force. When they were inside the
barn, and the door had been closed
with difficulty, Thornton said TO her,
very sternly:
This is perfect folly. If you do moi
so back to the house instantly you will
not be able to go at ALL
Mr.. Little said the same; the storm
roared SO that they could scarcely hear
each other even then. Maud was bit
terly a,hamed of her folly, but not one
whit afraid. Even Thornton could not
help admiring even while lie blamed
her. He asked Little to take her and
the boys" back to the house He
himself, being strong and large, would
stay and help the men, 1t
was the best plan. The four
had hard fight TO return. Tax
ing each others hands, one keeping
behind the other as much as possible
they struggled up the hill. Once they
fell flat to the earth, but regaining then
feet after moment they toiled on and
reached the protection of the house.
Little said he had never seen the elbow
como on SO fast" There was no use in
his trying to go back to the barn; the
men would do what was necessary, and
his strength was half used up in his
efforts already. After Maud had re-
gained her breath she went 70 the win.
dow, and would not stir or speak. Her
ewes were fixed ON the barns. The
others gathered round the fire in awed
silence. The terror of the storm was
upon them. 1t seemed as if nothing
could stand against its violence. Mrs
Wellington was nearly fainting with
fright. She was certain that the house
would go. Once Maud turned and
said, i'll strained, hard voice:
MIR. Little, how long does this sort
OF thing generally last n
"Wa'al, il begins about noon to be
the worst, and it keeps it up till next
morning. u
Ought not the men to come lin
pretty soon 2" she asked again, with i'll.
concealed anxiety.
oh, yes, they'll be up directly, !
guess
But they did not come. Once Maud
saw three figures creep around the
partially sheltered side of the building,
but when they reached its front they
were struck down, and she saw them
crawl on their hands and knees back
into the sheds. The full horror of the
circumstance struck her. Calling Mr..