, 1886-05-18
TIE SNOW BLOCKADE.

ing to offer my sympathy during Halls
explanation, but thought it best not to
interfere with the process which he called
letting 'em down easy"
Il was so anxious to get quickly to
Scatter said Mrs. Forsyth. Il think
I'll go and lie down for a little while.
Perhaps I'll be able to get some sleep"
-She took it better than l expected"
observed Hall, as the door hid her from
our sight.
She's n regular brick." l exclaimed.
with an mount of enthusiasm that
would have done credit to a more fitting
and tender designation.
For all that, she's gone to have a good
cry. Best thing for her; will do her lots
of good. Come and have a smoke"
| thought Hall was an unfeeling brute,
and | didn't consider | should be much
better if | smoked while she was crying.
Still, ! went, and as / pulled at my cigar
] regretted that Mrs. Forsyth could not
know the consolation of tobacco.
II.
In the afternoon Mrs. Forsyth resumed
her usual cheerful demeanor, and even
ventured out for n few minutes OF the
platform to look at the walls of snow by
which we were o~vershadowed. We had
recourse to the friendly basket for din
ncr, and in the late afternoon we had
some little excitement attendant o n the
arrival of the snow-shoe party, bringing
up some cold meat and stale bread, which
we considered vastly inferior to our tin
ned supplies. The novelty of the situa-
ton md the discussion of the chances of
speedy extrication whiled away the day,
which to me. at any rate, did not seem a
long one. When ! got up the next morn
ing affairs did not seem to rave changed.
There was no sign of Mrs. Forsyth's stir
ring, so | went forward to find Hall and
hear is there was any news. Unfortu-
natcly there was not, and after "A brief
talk | returned. and was ~agreeably sur
prised to find my fair fellow-passenger
sitting in the car, with an expression on
her face which | flattered myself indi-
Gated wonder as to what had become Of
me.
"Good-morning, Mrs. Forsyth. Were
you bordering as to what had become Of
me?"
Not at ALL" she answered, coolly; Il
am scarcely awake enough TO think
about anything
"Well, now for breakfast" | said, en-
%deavoring to hide my chagrin by wrest-
ling with the basket. What is it to he
this morning you know the MENU
But | can't go on living on your pro-
visions. Suppose we should have to stay
here another day or two. Why, they
would be all gone"
You have no choice, unless it is the
tough salt beef and very stale bread the
snow-shoers brought. The only things
worth their bringing were the beer and
whisky"
That's just like a man.
Il wouldn't like to be like ANYTHING
else. What do you say to some OK
tongue? I'll open the tin while you make
some tea" Then, as she gracefully be-
gan the necessary preparations, | ven
tured to add: upon my word, it begins
to seem quite natural having you sit at
my table and make my tea"
Does il? Well, | sincerely hope |
sha'n't have TODD it much longer. What's
the prospect of our getting out?r
Not very brilliant. The snow is packed
tight in the cut for two miles solid"
How awful! Wouldn't it be possible
to get to the next station over the
snow 2"
only OF sn~ow-shoes. There is
frozen crust that will bear anything. The
relief party had the greatest trouble in
getting there"
How stupid of me to venture at this
time of the year, But Fanny urged me
so Shes been expecting me ever since
! finally arranged my poor husbands af-
fairs
The widows handkerchief went up to
her eyes. l silently mathematical the
deceased, and wished she wouldn't refer
to him, especially at meal times.