San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-07

In a snOW-dritt. Good dOE Drift. Steady,
my mare! Thank Heaven for the fair Wild
Ow's Christmas-box! She is cold rs ice, but
she can't BE- dead. That were too dreadful.
poor chiId!'
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 tOTevive, and be got fright
!, encd for her; she was so Young, so beauti-
full; 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 eyesp
Suddenly the snow ceased, the sky lost its
black gloom, and the moon flashed out like
an orient pearl that had been delayed by
pleasures in Paradise from dffusing its pale
rays upon the cold earth.
what shall do with the girl? She Is
evidently lady; but why here alone at two
o'clock in the morning with no one to pro-
tect her. pretty pet? She is very young, and
very wretched If those tear-dimmed cheeks
are a criterion. wish l had not found her,
yet 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 is
an adventure Young LOchinvar must have
been a Hercules to have lifted his lady to
the saddlC-bOw. Bother it an! she is not
very big, but she is dead weight. Steady,
my bonnie Blanche, 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 moonlight
till all signs of ROath or Cardiff were left
behind, and they had entered upon purely
rustic district. A few farmhOuseS relieved
the mOnOtOny of snOw-clad hills and ice
bound hOllOws, and Just where the road
seemed drearieSt, a light flashed out from
the window of large rough stone house A
man opened gate and let his master in,
wondering what he was holding in front of
him.
Quick, Jem have found a woman in
the snow; she may be dead. Come, Agnes,
open the door; we are famished-starved
with cold"
A lower door opened at the side of the
house; bright freight flashed out from it,
and an old woman stood in the doorway,
saying in a shrll thin voice:
How late you are, Master Pierce! Miss
Ally cried herself to sleep because you did
not bring her big doll so | have hung up
her stocking for Santa Claus to fill. | hope
you have not forgotten it; she would be so
disappointed. Mercy on us, man! what
have you got there? A dead woman, BY all
that's hOrTiblcW
NO no, Agnes; hope not. Help me.
All, that is right, Jem. Down, Drift, good
dog; your prize is safe
Slowly the unconscious girl was carried
into the bright stone kitchen, where shining
pans and a blazing fire made the place
bright.
They laid her down in the fireglOw on n
rug, and Pierce PenfOld knelt beside her
full of anxiety. Removing the heavy fur
cloak, they found lovely girl, attired in
dinner dress of rich black ve.vet, cut square
ut neck with el5Ow-Sleeves. She looked
such dainty lady lynn there with her fair
pale face and haxCm hair cleaning in the
ireglOw.
Il am afraid she is dead" said Agnes, all
and kindness, touched by the child
like beauty of her face "Pve heard rubbing
the body with snow sometimes restores ami
nation. Get some snow in bucket, James.
Come, Master Pierce, you had better fetch
some blankets and lea re her to me. All the
maids are asleep tired out.
Don't go too far away. | shall want you
10 carry her to bed if she RECEIVERS. Poor
pretty one! what could have driven her out
IN this awful night? Suppose, sir you fill
The warming-pan with live Goals and warm
l bed for her; no time to be lost. Lord love
is she revives already. Get out, sir, I'll
attend to her. Pretty creature! what would
ler mother say to see her now? Bide STILL
Drift; you are always pOking your nose in
o other peoples business"
The old lady chafed the lovely limbs with
'nOw till they glOwed with rosy life, then
'he pulled awry the wee wraps, covered the
beautiful form, and went off to her bed
where folded under her pillow
Mas a nightdreSs frilled with wide frills and
| huge nightcap to match. These she sue |
,eeded in putting upon the pretty stranger
before the steel-bue eyes Enclosed.
Then she gave her warm wine to drink,
OTbade her to talk, and after covering her
With hot blanket, went to call Master
Pierce, who came in Invested of his outdoor
garments, blowing his fingers, which he had
in burning beautifully with the
Following him came tiny white-rObed |
Orm, crying:
Papa dear, papa dear, Ally can't sleep
ill you cOsset her in your arms"
"Drat the childr' said old Agnes not nm
Kindly; shes always awake when we want
Ter asleep"
"Oh, papa, what funny lady! Where
lid you find her?'
in snow-drift, darling. Come, let me
AIRY you to bed, you will take cold"
Put the child down, Master Pierce, please, |
md carry this poor creature up to bed while |
he is warm.
''See, she has tainted again; the fire is too |
much for her.
''Sit up in nurses chair, dearie, while |
,apa takes the lady upstairs. That's my
'wn good girl; nurse will give her an orange |
{ she will sit still till papa comes back"
Pierce took the beautiful form up In his |
trOng arms; the soft perfume of her hair |
anne Just under his nose, her pale cheek |
vas warmed by his breath. He carried her
Up the wide oak staircase into pretty |
Dom, and laid her oil a sweet white bed |
melting of lavender.
She opened her eyes as he laid her down, |
md the big blue eyes looked up amazed in |
o his handsome face Her childish face
OOked so curious in the big white nightcap
hat he was bound to smile-such sweet
lind smile that, seeing it, the girl took com
ort, nestled amid her pillows, and fell
sleep.
ITO be Continual