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

the men IN the company to remove
them.
The ladies meanwhile sat quietly in
the stage, never doubling the ability
of Mr.. Cross to get through, and
answering the merry shouts of their
escorts with laughter as gay. But
when three hours had been passed in
this way, even Emmie, the merriest o f
them all, become weary and silent,
and Addy only spoke to complain.
The middle seat, which she had chose
as the most comfortable, she now pro.
nouneed cold and hard, and Margie's
kind offer to change with her was at
once accepted.
So it happened that when, during
one Of the long halts, Mr.. Winston
came to the door and opened it just
wide enough to permit his voice to
enter, it was Margie who answered his
questions.
Every one is asleep but me, she
said, in low tone.
Very wise, he answered, with o
laugh. why are you not asleep too,
Miss Hepburn You are not afraid7
mo. But | cannot sleep. Is it
very cold out there p
Not very. At least, we manage to
keep warm with hard work, he re-
piled.
Il wish we could help you,' said
Margie. Il feel as if it were 80 selfish
in us to sit here warm and safe while
you are out in this terrible storm
We are quite contented with know.
ing that you are warm and safe.
Don't be troubled about US, for he
somehow guessed from her tone that
she was troubled.
Are we nearly at our journey
end P she asked.
'Well--no. To tell the truth, we
are only little more than half way.
But don't be discouraged, he said.
Are the horses very tired ? asked
Margie.
Rather. But they can pull US
through, | think. This is a dreary
Christmas Eve for you, Miss Hep
burn.
Il don't mind it, said Margie, quiet
ly. In fact it was not drearier for
orphan MargiO out in the wild stormy
night than it would have been in the
shelter Of her aunt's house. Fire and
lamps cannot make light and warmth
in the heart, and the kindness OF
strangers was better than the cold.
ness of her who should have been
kind.
we are stopping long time, Mr..
Winston said, TO rest the horses. We
have long hill ahead of us now. I'd
advise you to 90 TO sleep, too
Then he closed the door, and with
a snort and plunge the six bays breast.
ed the waves Of snow on tho steep
mountain road. With many stop.
pages, much shouting (Which walked
the slumbering inside passengers, and
a great deal Of prying at the wheels
with rails taken from fence, which
was fast disappearing under the snow,
the top of the hill was reached, and
the descent began.
That's over, said Emmie, In q re.
lieved tone, and she sank back amongst
the shawls and cushions for another
nap. The other girls were following
her example, when a violent lurch, a
shout from the driver, a crash, and
the stage lay on its side in gulley,
while the horses struggled like med
to escape from the tangled harness.
But Mr.. Cross, though standing on his
head a snow drift, still held the reins,
and in moment the frantic animals
were seized and held by three or four
pairs Of strong arms, each busied in
obeying the drivers directions, Cut
The traces Cut everything that holds
shem Darn them they'll have US
over the bank in second if you don't,
When the horses were released, and
stood trembling and starting in the
road, the next care was to release the
terrified inside passengers. To do
them justice, tho girls had behaved
like bricks, as Tom expressed it.
No one screamed except Alice, who
was thrown into Margis's lap, and
uttered shrek after shrek at first, till
Margie sienced her by a quick For
nercys sake, don t scream. You will
only brighten the horses, and make
matters worse.
Leslie dragged open the door with
A breathIess inquiry, Are all the rest
IF you killed don't hear anybody
screaming but Alice. And the peal
If laughter that greeted this speech
assured him that no one was seriously
INJURED. But, though no one was
lurt, 1t was apparent that very seri-
,us mischiefhad happened to the stage.
When the girls had boon lifted from
he vehicle, and stood laughing and
in two feet of snow, Mr..
Jross walked round Ithe stage, and
came back to give his yer.
liet.
She's off the handle now, anyhow.
Things amt held together. Ladies,
IN sorry for it, but we won't get
through tonight In the dismayed
Iilence that followed, he went on to
Iay You see | hadn't counted on
having whole trees flung at the lead
,rs heads, as that one was that lies
across the road there. Il skeered the
,ritters, and they slowed round right
.owards the edge Of the mountain.
hadn't no fancy for taking load Of
passengers down precipice hundred
'eet high, 80 | slowed EN- the other