The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-02-19
NUMBER 5.
shroud of nurest whiteg

AAeAAN AAtAAAAC VIII AAA0G NAOAG4AlF. leaves
her breathless and unstrung The dark
ness is growing rapidly. Already a veil
of sOmbeT hue is overshadowing the
land. Twilight deepens, yet no village
is within sight. no road can meet the
eye; the bare wide common seems vast /
or, more interminable than ever. She
is alone upon desolate waste, uncer-
tain where to go, which turn to takel
The horrible thought that she may be
lost-really lost ike one of those un-
happy people one reads about, but hard
ly believes in. comes to her with un-
pleasant force. But she fights against
it, and walks on, determined to over
come the sensation of fatigue that, in
spite of all efforts to subdue it, is as
serting itself.
Another cruel gust Of wind, arising
suddenly, and sweeping boisterously
past her, unnerves her. and reduces her
almost to despair, and it is at this mo-
ment luckily that she finds herself once
more on the edge of the common, with
a road on her left hand-a road well
covered with snow beyond question,
and leading she knows not whittier, but
still a veTitable road.
With renewed hope she quits the un-
friendly common, and walks on, weari-
ly but determinedly, for quite another
half mile. Her feet are growing pain
ful; an increasing longing to sit down
and indulge the miserable drowsiness
that is creeping over her, if only for a
short while, frightens her. Clenching
her poor little frozen hands and forcing
back the tears that are dimning her
eyes, she still struggles on, though hope
within her is again almost dead.
So another quarter of mile is con-
quered; and then, when she is least eX-
pecting succOr, what is that she sees
through the gathering gloom? A light
"a lodge-a graveled avenue, and two
big pillars on which rest dragons heads
that grin defiance on passers-by. Yet
never did tender lambs seem sweeteT
in Miss Givers's sight than these threat
ening beasts.
Not waiting to summon the lodge
keeper. with her own trembling fingers
she undOes the fastening Of the gate;
and. forgetful Of fatigue and fear, runs
swiftly all down the cuTving avenue,
never drawing breath until she reaches
the hall-doOr. and knocks with eager
haste.
It is opened by an old man in ire
/ proachable livery, with a pock-marked
/ skin. but benign expression.
/ Can I-see the-lady of the hOuse?7
/ begins Cecil, anNiOusly, almost timidly.
| "I have lost my way. 1 am a stranger
/ here; and-I don't know my way home. "
The old man looks concerned; and,
stepping back, entTeats her respectfully
/ to enter.
pray, miss, come in. Dear me, dear
me. what q night to be abrOadi"-re-
gaTding with deep compassion the little
woe-begOne figure before him, with her
furs all covered with snow and her blue
eyes bright with tears. There is no
mistress Of this house as yet" he goes
on grayeiy;- -"but. if YOU VIII follow me-
ma am. Mrs. Richards, the housekeep-
| er. viii do what She can for you. DeaI
me, dear me, what night"
Cecil, hardly knowing whether she is
relieved or sorry at the news that she
must trust herself to the tender meTcies
of a housekeeper instead of a chate-
laine, follows him through two brill.
iantly lighted halls, down a corridor,
and into a warm, coy room, where sits
an elderly woman. knitting by fire.
Beg pardon, Mrs. Richards" says
her first friend. in a mysterious whis
per; but this young lady has lost heI
way in the snow, and has come to ash
shelter here"
BLESS mel" exclaims Mrs. Richards
looking over her spectacles. She rises
advances a little, and, having satisfied
herself about Cecil's appearance, drop:
a slight courtesy.
I'm so sorry to trouble YOU" saw
Cissy. quickly, with a rather nervou:
laugh, beginning to think that, after all
genuine adventures are not quite sucl
enthralling delights as she has hitherto
imagined. But 1 IdOn't know the neigh
borhood. I left home intending K
reach the village: but lost my way
and don't know what would have be
come of me. but that fortunately
found this place. The snow was S,
binding. and the wind so strong. and
1 am 50 tired" -
Her voice quivers perceptb bly,. anC
two tears that VIII not be represseC
steal down her pale checks. Sinkinl
into q chair. she looks piteously at Mrs
Richards. That kind-hearted woman
is not proof against so much. beauty
and distress com bined. The little breal
in the voice does wOndeTS-the tear
still more; but the piteOus, appealins
glance makes conquest of her forever
Then and there she falls in love witt
Miss Rivers.
My dear young lady, you are quit,
worn CUT" she cries, coming quickly Z
her side. and hastily removing the snow
crowned hat and the damp jacket
Peters, bring some brandy directly"
"Oh. no." saws Cecil family.
fBut. indeed. my dear. | insist" re
turns Mrs. y chaTaS, putting up on
hand autEOy.tstIyely as though 10 pre-
vent further discussion: and CIssy. DE
/ ing too weak TO do battle She has le
Own way. and soon has her youu
charge enSCOncpd in a large arm-ChIi
before the fire. She has hathed her Zee
and her hands. and has even unearthe
from some old family chest upstairs
tiny pair OF quaint black velvet slipper
that sIit CiSSy wonderfully well. II
deed. after little while 81 - River
declares herself quite recovered both {
mind and body and not bit the NgoTs
for her fatigue and anxiety.
i telt So strange" SIC SAWS, preSeu
/ ". with lanEU.d smile. - hon PCiti
said therc wsls $50 nliStTtSS a. lie lous
Is tlrrc no one here but you?'
~ThV-rS thC uaStg.." replies Mr
Richards. looking zap irou hcr knitting
But hc has been here oul tour daT
] lived "itL his l,ncie, The nl3 mastp
FOR twenty wears. aud wiigu be died S
| months ago. A.u. Craven. tell in for d
| property, hrit iie vas abroad then. &u
only returned Is England few vees
since. I believe be knows about as li
tie 81 thC ne ghborGOod as yuu do. Inis
| indeed. I am the only one in the hua
who does know It as tie old lot eECeI
myself left ia body On the master
death. and Mr. Craven brought al u
present staff Of servants with him tro
his other place in Kent
C.ssy fUslIes, and looks distressed.
III nobody here knows anything abo
the rel ichhorilOod.N size SAYS. uervousl
, "hOw am toilet uaInma hear where