The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-17
A WINTER NIGHT,
Found in a Snow Drift
[ooNrISuED PROM FIRST PAeK.l

Enough 20 maze you, poor cnild. iii go
back with you to look at the child; my
heart misgiyes me on her account"
Surely no one would harm little limo
cent childP'
II hope not, Miss Snow"
After Dorothy had drank her wine she
went to bed All was right, jewelry I'M
touched, and Ally sleeping peacefully.
Old Agnes gave a sigh of relief; she had
dreaded she knew not what, and was reliey-
ed 30 find, so far, all was well with her
charge.
The next day passed peacefully away,
and Dorothy forgot to fear every shadow; ;
but the bruise on her forehead reminded
her unpleasantly of the nights adventure,
and she longed for Mr.. Penfold to return /;
she felt she would be safe if he were at
home.
She missed his jovial presence and kind
thought for her. And il Is not to be won
dered at that, considering his great kind
ness, she being young and impressionable,
she should set him up in her heart OF hearts
as hero.
And, indeed, he was no ignoble one. a
man OF blameless life, who had suffered q
surprising wrong, that had wrecked ms life
and made his home desOlate.
This had been brayely borne by him three
years before, and the thought Of that made
Old Agnes very tender to her young master,
whom she had nursed in infancy, and loved
as an own child.
Dorothy awoke on the morning of New
Years Eve with heart at rest. Before the
night came her hero would be with her, anC
her heart felt light at the thought, as she
wished the time away.
Towards evening, when dusk had darken-
ed the quaint rooms and made mysterious
shadows In hooks and corners, Dorothy sal
down on the fur rug by the fire, and draw
Ing little Ally into her lap, began to talk &c
her Of long walks in the woods when the
frost kings reign was over.
The room grew darker and darker, but
the freight glowed bright and warm, and
the two were costly nestled together, Ally's
dark head on Dorothy's breast, Dorothy
resting her back against her armchair.
N"When the frost has gone, Ally dear, we
will go to Caerphilly Castle; among the
ruins there are always beautiful lichens and
mosses."
"Yes-yes, Miss Snow; Wen find lots OF
lovely flowers for dear papa, he loves flow
ers; and Drift shall 20 with US, and run and
leap about amid the ruins. sha'n't you,
DriftP'
Drift, reused from his slumbers, wagged
his tail-a dogs way Of saying yes" Ally
explained, as she smoOthed her little hand
over his rough head.
Dorothy loved Drift; he had been the
means of rescuing her from death in the
snow, so she allowed the bonny brute to
put his big head on her knee.
After a time Ally's voice grew drowsy,
and she fell fast asleep on Dorothy breast
a., HI. L, ,--t,g
wanted to sit up and see her papa. SO she
kept very still, and after time fell asleer
too, lulled by the steady tick of the clock,
and warmed by the bright blaze.
When she awoke, pillow had been placed
under her head, the light burned dimly, and
sitting opposite, watching her with admir-
ing eyes, was Mr.. Penfold.
She could not move for fear Of waking
Ally, so she kept still with her eyes not
quite closed, and waited. She was afraid
her dress did not properly cover her pretty
ankles. She could see the eyes Of the man
she had got to think hero bent upon her
and her face glowed with bushes beautiful
as the thts Of budding rose.
Mr. Penfod looked into the lireglow and
sighed; he was looking careworn and tired.
Somehow, without knowing why, Dorothy
felt sorry for him, and wished she had the
power to comfort him.
AS she lay there wondering about him,
She saw him start up with an angry cry, and
spring TO the window; they were on the
ground-floor in room that looked out on
the lawn. A modern French window had
been substituted for the old lattice, so that
Ally could run in and out at pleasure in the
summertime.
DOrothy's eyes were fixed on this window
as Mr.. Penfold wrenched it open, and she
saw for one fleeting moment the face that
had so frightened her that night in her bed
chamber.
Mr.. PenfOld had flown out on the lawn.
Dorothy rolled Ally on to the fur rug, and
went to the open window.
She saw Mr.. Penfold fly across the snowy
lawn to the main road then the hedges shut
him from her sight, and she could only shut
the window and waitwith what patience she
could till his return.