The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-29

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no switch near, and the cuts have filled
up behind u.s."
@Then what are you going to do?" !
asked, o little hotly.
"Stay till we're dug out I've got teie'
graph instruments on board. When w,
do stick--won't be long now-Tll cut a
wire and ask for 4 relief party"
"What about food:"
"Oh. they'll manage to send some from
the Forks, by men on sno"-shoes. They
did last year."
I silently thanked Providence for my
well-stocked basket.
"Don't say anything" whispered Hall,
as he heard the. door of the drawing
room open. "Let me break it; I'm used
to letting 'em down gently" Then turn
ing to Mrs. Forsyth, who by that time
had come out, said, cheerily: Good
morning. ma'am; hope you didn't find it
too cold to sleep?"
"Oh no, thank you," she replied; then,
after saying agood-morning" to me, she
again addressed Hall. ave seem to be
going very slowly, and the windows are
so frosted I can't see how deep the
snow is"
aWe're pushing ahead first rate, " said
the unmoved and unblushing conductor.
you don't feel the motion because the
snow deadens the vibration"
Hall looked at me with a certain trem-
ulousness about his left upper eyelid.
Shall we have breakfast soon:" was
Mrs. Forsyth's next question.
swell, it may be some little time" an
swered Hall.
"Oh, dear" she gosped, in the pref
tiest way imaginable, land I feel quite
faint"
dived for my basket. Il have sclne
things here. We might manage to make
u picnic breakfast"
mo, no: l Won't trouble you. I'd
rather wait till 1 can get some tea"
Il think you had better accept Mr..
Austins Offer" suggested Hall. I'VE
may be i little late getting to the 1egu-
lar breakfast station"
please let me be your host" urged.
Il can even give you tea or coffee. Here's
spirit-lamp and little saucepan, and l
have-let me see-cold beef, curried
chicken, foie graS, OK tongue, anchovy
paste, pot of marmalade, lots of crack
ers, sugar, condensed milk, and all the
et-c2terus."
"Quite a larder, I declare" said Mrs.
Forsyth, laughingly, as finished check
ing off the contents of my basket. "How
stupid of me not to bring anything ex-
cept some fruit, and one can't live on
frrlit-out of Eden"
sI'll fix up a table," observed Hall, los
ing no time in putting his intention into
action. "The porter's tired out; we kept
him up last night. Now you're all COM
Portable, I'll see how the others are get
ting on"
what shall I open for you?" asked,
as I stood, can-opener i'll hand.
"Oh, l don't know; anything you like"
II like them all. Suppose we have
FEAST" and began to make a reckless
assault on the curried chicken.
mo, MOI" she exclaimed: zone meat
will be plenty"
will you be kind enough to make the
tea 2" I asked, as handed the necessary
implements and material.
Certainly. What dear little lamp
and saucepan! I am sure they'll make
delicious tea!"
II have no doubt of it, with your help.
I'm sorry to say haven't any butter
Didn't think it would keep"
mo matter; I like crackers soaked in
my tea"
infatuated as I was, l could not cN-
press my agyeemcn, with that essentially
feminine prediction. l dished out the
chicken as gracefully rs could, and we
began our repast while the tea was draw
ing.
Presently Mrs. Forsyth looked at me
and laughed. "This is funny, isn't it,"
II think it's very jolly"
"Oh! don't mean the breakfast, but
my sitting down as your guest, when,
three days ago, I had never seen YOU"
Il assure you." I said, "Im an emil
nently respectable and proper person.
that is, for 4 lawyer. The conductor
can vouch for me. He has known me
for years"
Yes, he gave you q good character"
"Then you inquired" J. asked eagerly.
"Oh, no." she answered, with shade
of mischief in her tone; "he volunteered
the information"
"How good this tea Isl" I observed,
tasting some that she had handed ME.
i never could have made it SO well my
self"
1T certainly is nice, but it's not due to
nay skill, but to the quality of the tea"
l, of course, disscnted from this view,
and took several cups-ora at least glasses,
for 1 had no cups-of that tea, which l
was willing to swear was the most de-
licious beverage ever prepared,
We were just finishing when Hall CAME
back and said, Glad to see you getting
on so comfortably"