The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-17

breathe the heavy air! The girls chill lips
parted once to give vent TO an exceeding
bitter cry:
''Oh, mother! you are near to God: pray
that He may give your child peace-merci-
full peace!'
Then the pretty dimpled chin dropped on
her chest and she staggered on. After a
time she reeled unsteadily, and her head
felt dazed. She stood still moment. with
her hand to her heart, then fell back in a
dead faint on snow-drift.
The wind walled above her, the bare
branches of bonnie oak dropping with
crystal-ciear icicles hung above her like the
crown of cruel King Frost.
"Confound the snowm said a horseman
at the Cardiff end of the Newport-road, as
his horse slipped dangerously.
A fine Newfoundland stopped as he was
urging on his mad career 10 come back with
a bark of sympathy.
Go ahead, Drift, good dog! We sha'n't
be home by daybreak. On, Blanche, bon
ME one'-this to his beautiful mare, with a
white star on her forehead.
The rider was a noble-looking fellow of
about three-and-thirty, buttoned up to the
chin in a fur-lined ulster, with a yachting
cap of blue cloth on his head. He lad a
clear-cut face, tanned by the sun, black hair,
clos cropped, a heavy M0ustache, and clear
Steel-b ue eyes.
He was covered with snow, had tarried
too long at a club at Cardiff, and was max
ing great speed for home, with big doll
under one arm and bottle of cherry-brandy
under the other, given to him as Christ
mas-box by buxom landiady, who adored
his clear boyish blue eyes, and felt for him
as mother, or one who would wish to be a
mother TN ler fit and proper auspices.
B anche put her best foot forward; the
dog Drift ran on ahead; the horseman
whistled He had ten thousand a year.
Tiddy-folf0l;' the snow fell faster; not a
window in all the genteel villas afforded a
light.
Pierce Penfold lighted black pipe, wish
ed he had another glass of whisky hot, set
tied his square chin in his collar and gave
his good black mare fl ok with his whip,
with orders to move on quick-sharp."
The road was heavy and long, and the sky
above was dark and dreary. Pierce forgot
his newly-acquired funny stories and sharp
Jokes, feeling desolate and dull. A big
snowflake settled in his pipe, spluttered,
hissed, and damped its flame. Then came
a hasty whisper:
long road this is! On, Blanche, my beauty,
or we shall be frozen to deathr'
But the mare stood still; they had passed
the last public and were on the dreary high
road with nothing but snow about them.
Drift barked Justify, and flew from the
snow-drift back to his master, and seemed
to entreat him to pause.
Pierce reined in his horse, and looked
where his faithful dog stood beside blot
on the whiteness of the snow-bank, then ex-
claimed hoa sely:
''Merciful God, ii is a womanr'
Hastily dismounting, he bent over the
PROSTATE form. The whiteness of the earth
seemed to diffuse light about her.
He pulled aside her cloak TO see beauti-
full white bosom bare above square-cut
black velvet dress, with cross of gems up
on it that Jews might kiss and infidels
adore" so beautiful was the lustre of the
gems, so fair and pure the lovely breast they
adorned.
''MercIful God, it is woman, and what a
woman! / never hoped to find such pearl
in a snow-drift. Good dog, Drift. Steady,
my mare! Thank Heaven for the fair wild
ow's Christmas-box! She is cold as ice, but
she can't be dead. That were too dreadful,
poor childe'
He hastily lifted her from her icy bed,
chafed her hands and face with the soft
broken snow, knocked the neck off the bot
tie, and poured some of the life-giving fluid
down her throat.
She was slow to revive, and he got fright
ened for her; she was so young, so beautt-
ful; it was as though Princess Prettyface
had been born for him of the snow-drift.
He took her in his arms, such slim slight
burden. Why did she not unclose those
sealed eyes?
Suddenly the snow ceased, the sky lost It's
black gloom and the moon flashed out like
an orient pearl that had been delayed by
pleasures In Paradise from diffusing its pale
rays upon the cold earth,
what shall do with the girl? She IL
evidently lady; but why here alone attwo
o'clock in the morning with no one to pro-
tect her. pretty pet7 She is very young, and
very wretehed if those tear-dimmed cheeks
are a criterion; wish had not found her,
vet I must take her home. What will Agnes
say to SO fair an addition TO our household
Thrifty soul! How much food will she
want? will be her first idea. Well, this Ii
an adventure Young Lochinvar must have
been Hercules to have lifted his lady tt
the saodle elbow. Bother it all she is no
very big. but she is dead weight. Steady
my bonnie Blarcle. steady, good lass, so
so. All. now we are right. Go ahead, Drift
you have found prize worthy Of your bark
ing.
On. on they went in the chill mooniigh
tillalI signs OF Roath or Cardiff were lef
behind. and they had entered upon purel,
rustic district. A few farmhouses relievet
the rnonotony of snow-clad hills and ice
| bound holIows, and just where the roat
seemed dreariest, light flashed out from
the window Of large rough stone house.
man opened a gate and let his master in
wondering what he was holding in front 0
| him.
Quick, J Jsml have found a woman L
| the snow: she may be dead. Come, Agnes
open the door; we are famished-staryel
/ with eold.s
A lower door opened at the side of tn
/ house: bright freight flashed out from il
and an old woman stood in the doorway
saving in shrill thin voice:
'.How late you are, Master Pierce! Mis-
/ Ally cried herself to sleep because you di
/ not bring her big doll; so have hung u
/ her stocking for Santa Claus to fill. / hop
| you have not forgotten it; she would be S
| disappointed. Mercy on us, man! wha
have you got there? A dead woman, by a
| that's horrib!er'
mo, no. Agnes; hope not. Help me
All, that is right, Jsni. Down. Drift GOO
dog; your prize is safe.'
Slowly the unconscious girl was carrie
into the bright stone kitchen, where shinin
pans and 3 blazing fire made the plae
bright.
They laid her down in the freglow on
rug, and Pierce Penfold knelt beside hs
full of anxiety. Removing the heavy II
cloak, they found lovely girl, attired In
dinner dress of rich black velvet, cut squal
at neck. with elDow-sleeves. She locke