Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-12-23

waved his arms wildly, as If words
failed him wherewith to express the
utter ruin and nash that had taken
place.
Here was situation Nine o'clock
OF winters night, Q wild mountain
road, a fierce storm raging. and ten
people, up to their knees IN snow,
blown about by the driving wind, and
stitenlng already with the cold.
Is there blacksmith's shop at the
foot Of the mountain asked Mr..
Winston. There used to be-
Yes, said Leslie, but there's no
use trying TO mend anything to- night.
OF course not, exclaimed Mr.. Gross
Bat Jim Bailey has a snug house down
there that will shelter US all, and my
advice is that you all travel down
there as soon rs you can. 1t amt
more than fifty yards. We couldn' t
have broke down in q better place.
What's that about the trunks, Miss
Alice ? Bless the women you can
scare nor freeze the love Of their
clothes out Of EN-. The trunks won I
get hurt. ! looked at EN-. They're
covered up tight in the boot-not .
snowflake can get to EN-. Now, I'll
go ahead with these critters, and break
the way. and you all follow after me.
II was a wild journey. The girls
could not keep their feet in the wind.
which came tearing down the noun
tain, bringing miniature avalanches
with it, and Msrgie, who as usual found
herself the special care Of Mr.. Winston,
could only cling to his arm, and suf-
fer herself to be almost carried through
the drifts. When they reached the
Llacksmith's cabin, all was dark and
still. and Mr.. Cross's shouts and knocks
were for long time unanswered.
'Drat the man is he dead or drunk,
! wonder? growled Mr.. Cross. pausing
TO listen for an answer.
i heard something then, cried
Margis, who had pressed close to the
door. Something like a little child
crying. Listen
1t was the wind. l reckon. Well,
I'll try again, and he shouted, aloud
Jim, Jim Bailey, it's me, Dan Cross,
and a load of passengers out here
freezing to death Open your door,
man.
This time, after a pause, little faint
voice called. timidly, from within ::
Is that you, Mr.. Cross
Yes, it's me, little July. Let me
in quick.'
The door opened slowly, and little
girl appeared with a frightened face,
holding back with one hand two
smaller children, who chung to her
sLItts.
Halo, July! where's father P
asked Mr.. Cross, at the sight of whom
all the children smiled, and the door
opened wide instantly.
Fathers gone TO grandpa's. He
went last night, and he hasn't come
back, and there's nobody here but me
and the children. So | was afraid to
open the door at E rst, said July, cling
ing 10 Mr. Cross hand. and looking
shyly at the strangers who entered.
But IN few moments she forgot her
shyness and was busy throwing pine
Knots on the bed Of Goals that glowed
IN the great fireplace, and setting
chairs for the ladies with instructive
grace and courtesy. Up spraug .
glorious blaze. lighting every corner
OF the large Kitchen with its crimson
glow, and warming thoroughly the
chilled travellers who crowded round
it.
Now, July, said Mr.. Cross, who
seemed perfectly at home, you zee this
bA>Aet? Well. there's plenty of supper
III here-cold chicken and so on-for
these people. but We ID like some coffee
amazin'. Hslloh What's this ? Here's
4 nice mess. This here bottle of shrub
has gone and smashed, and soaked all
the bread Now what's to be done .
Mike more bread, said Leslie,
recklesslv. i suppose July can give
uS some Hour or meal to make it OF.
We will pay you we'll, little one, for
tHt IoupIe We give EoN.
July Laughed "a she opened the
door Of Il shed room, and with some
pride showed well. stocked store.
room. But she said she never made
any bread out OF flour. Father a.
WAYS made the breed
Now, ladies, which of you will make
III" bread for supper asked Leslie.
ssyIy. and the girls looked at one an
other in silence
! never made any bread in my life,
sad Alice, slowly.
And | never saw any made sx-
claimed Emmis, while Addv folded
her hands and looked upwards with .
Comic.l face of despair.
In this emergency Margie came for
ward, modestly vet confidently. 4
have made biscuit. I think can do
1t again. she said, and she proceeded
at once to fasten up her sleeves, put
on On apron July brought her, and
to wash her hands in a busiuess.like
wav.
Mr.. Cross watched her handle the
tray and quart cup, and sift the -four,
and then saying, with a quiet nod,
You II do, he left the house, beckou-
ing several OF the young men to follow.
The party remaining in the house
were soon very busy getting supper,
under the directions Of Margie, who
fitted about like fairy, doing every
thing she attempted with wonderful
grace and dexterity, and issuing her
orders like general on the field OF