The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-01-19

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ing meanwhile sharp lookout for the sign
post which was so long in making its ap
pearance.
Suddenly my horse stumbled and fell
pitching me head-foremost into snowdrift
Beyond passing giddiness, I was none the
worse for the tumble, but the horse,
found, was mortally hurt. What was te
be done now? My position was decidedly
an unpleasant one-alone in the middle Of
wide unsheltered heath, with no habita.
ton that | was aware of nearer than the
town I had left or the village to which ]
was journeying.
Well, it would never do to stand still.
must be moving one way or another, though
my hopes of reaching my destination that
night grew faint indeed The attainment
of shelter from the bitter inclemency Of
the weather was just then my chief desire
l heartily wished that | had had pistol
with me, SO that might have put the poor
suffering brute out of its misery; but | had
not; so with great compunction I left it to
its fate.
I walked till my legs ached and my hands
grew numbed and insensible to all feeling.
The many stories had read or heard re-
specting benighted travellers being lost in
the snow or fallen asleep, to wake on earth
no more, required to me with unpleasant
vividness. At last espied a faint CLEAN
at some distance on my left.
I.made my way quickly to the welcome
light, which l found, on approaching, pro-
ceeded from the window of long rambling
building.
The place had desolate forlorn appear
ance. l did not stop, however, to make a
close inspection, but knocked at the door
with my almost frozen knuckles.
The light was moved, and woman S
voice said
''Is that you, father?"
"No," | answered, II am a stranger, l
have been overtaken by the storm, and beg
YOU to give me shelter for the night"
II am sorry" was the startling reply;
''but it is impossible y
"Impossible l repeated, with an impa-
tient kick at the door. "My good woman,
you cannot know what you are saying.
Why, it is certain death to me to refuse to
admit me ?"
Some low indistinct words were the only
answer my outburst received.
"For Heavens sake, cried, returning
to the attack, ''let me in till morning |
want neither food nor drink, only a roof to
protect me from the weather"
There was the rattling of chain, the
door was thrown open, and woman, with
her head mufied in shawl, appeared be-
fore me.
II must apologize" said, as courteous
ly as my chattering teeth would allow, 'for
my unceremonious request. But you see
for yourself what sort of night it is
"Yes, 1 see," she returned slowly; then
reluctantly-"You had better come in.
I did not stay for more gracious invi-
tation, but, shaking myself free from the
snow which had collected on my outer gar
ments, followed her over the threshold.
No sooner was inside than she shut the
door, fastened the chain and slipped great
rusty bolt, and going to the window, put
up shutter before it.
Then she turned to me and said, in low,
hurried tones:
II will give you the shelter you ask; but
it will be but poor and comfortless one,
for my father and-and others will be home
presently, and they must not find you here.
You see that trap-door," she continued,
pointing to one in the rude raftered ceiling
cit leads to loft. There you will be
safe. will give you a wrap or two, and,
at the worst, it is better than being out of
doors on such a dreadful night as this.
But you must not in any way betray your
presence, and in the morning wait till let
you know it is safe to descend"
"You may rely upon my prudence and
carefulness," returned earnestly.
She accepted my assurance without re-
mark; then, pointing to the fire, she said ::
nSit down now and warm yourself. You
must be nearly persisted with the cold"
1 obeyed gladly, and, as stretched out
my hands to the ruddy blaze, gazed about
me curiously. was in large low kitch-
en-, the walls smoke-stained, and the floor
composed of uneven red bricks. The fur
niture was of the barest and scantiest-a
massive oak table, three or four chairs
and there were few cooking utensils.
My protectress had disappeared; but she
speedily returned, bearing plateful of
bread and meat and tgmbler containing a
small quantity of brandy. Fo the spirit
she added some boiling water from kettle
which depended from hook in the huge
cavernous chimney, and then set both the
food and brandy on the table beside me.
"You must need it, she said, when l
would have refused the refreshment. "Take
it at once; there is not much time to spare;
and she cast an anxious glance towards the
door.
She had laid aside the shawl which had
hitherto shaded her face, and, as | made a
hasty clearance of the comestible with which
she had supplied me, regarded her fur
lively. She was but slender slip of a
girl, not more than nineteen or twenty, with
fair hair simply braided, a thin colorless
face, dark eyebrows and large dark eyes.
There was an air of dignity and refinement
about her, and marvelled greatly how she
came to be in her present situation. Du-
ring my repast she was evidently ill at ease,
listening and starting at the slightest noise,
and it was with ill-concealed relief that she
saw me rise from my seat.
After had mounted into my retreat,
she handed me up pillow and couple of
rugs, repeating her injunction as to the
need of caution.
When | closed the trap-door, | found
myself in almost total darkness. Appar-
emily the loft was extensive, but empty
The storm continued with unabated fury
and the nipping wind found its way in be-
tween the loose tiles, frequently accompan.
led by plentiful spripklilg of snow. Al
together it was dreary, gruesome place
was better off undoubtedly than I should
have been out on the lonely moor; never
theless it was by no means a pleasant OF
enviable position for respectable, hard
working lawyer. wrapped the rug
around me, tucked the pillow under my
head, and endeavored to make myself al
| n = Al