San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-01-06

is alone upon deSOlale waste, uncer.
tain where to 90, which turn to take.
The horrible thought that she may be
lOst-really lost, like one Of those I'M
happy people one reads about, but hard
ly believes in, comes to her with I'M
pleasant force. But she fights against
it. and walks on. determined to over
come the sensation of fatigue that. in
spite of all efforts To subdue il. is as
sorting itself
Another cruel gust of wind. arising
suddenly. and sweeping boiNterously
past her, mnerves her, and reduces her
almost to despair. and it is at this mo-
ment luckily that she finds herself once
more on hFedge of the common. with
a road on her left hand-a road well
covered with snow beyond question,
and leading she knows not whittier. but
still vertahle road.
With renewed hope she quits the un
friendly common, and walks on, weari-
ly but detprminrdly. for quite another
half mile. Her feet are growing pain
full; an increasing longing to sit down
and indulge the miserable drOwsineSs
that is creeping over her, if only for
short while. frghtens her. Clenching
her poor little frozen hands and forcing
back the tears that are dimming her
eyes, she still struggles on. though hope
within her is again almost dead.
So another quarter of mile is con-
quered; and then. when she is least eX-
pectnng sucCOr, what is that she sees
through the gathering gloom? \ light
"a lOdge-a graveled avenue. and two
big pillars on which rest dragon heads
that grin defiance on passcrs-hy. Yet
never did tender lambs seem SwCeter
in Miss Il vers's sight than these threat
ening beasts.
Not waiting to summon the lodge
keeper, with her own trembling fingers
she undOrS the fHstrn ug of the gate;
and, fOrgetfuI of fatigue and fear, runs
swiftly all down the curvimg avenue,
never drawing breath until she reaches
the hall-door, and knocks with eager
haste.
1t is opened by an old man in ire
skin, but benign expression.
Can I-sre the-lady of the house,"
begins Cecil, anXiOuSly. almost timidly.
81 have lost my way. | am Il stranger
here; and don't know my way home"
The old man looks concerned: and.
stepping back, entreats her respectfully
to enter.
Pray. miss. come in, Dear me. dear
me, what night to be abroad!'-Te-
gardng with deep compassion the little
wOe-begOnp figure before him. with her
furs all covered with snow and her blue
eyes bright with tears. There is no
mistress of this house as yet" he goes
on gravely; but if YOU will follow me,
ma am, Mrs. r chards. the housekeep-
er, will do what she can for you. Dear
me, dear me. what a night"
Cecil, hardly knowing whether she is
relieved or sorry at the news that she
must trust herself to the tender mercies
of housekeeper instead of chate-
laine, follows him through two brill
iantly lighted halls. down corridor,
and into a warm. coy room. where sits
an elderly woman. knitting by fire.
beg pardon. Mrs. Richards" says
her first friend. in mysterious whis-
per; but this young lady has lost her
way in the SNOW, and has come to ask
shelter here"
BLESS me" eXclaims Mrs. Richards,
looking over her SpeCtaCleS. She rises,
advances little, and. having satisfied
herself about CGcil's appearance. drops
a slight courtesy.
'I'm so SorTy to trouble YOU" says
Cissy, quickly. with Il rather nervous
genuine adventures are not quite such
enthralling delights a. size has hitherto
imagined. "But IdOn' know the neigh
bOrhoOd. | left home intending to
reach the village: but | lost my way;
and don't know what would have be-
come of me. but That fortunately l
found this place. The snow was so
binding, and the wind so strong. and
l am 50 tired"
Her voice quiverS percept bly,, and
two tears that will not he repressed
steal down her pale cheeks. Sinking
into a chair. she looks piteOusly at Mrs.
Richards. That knd-hearted woman
is not proof against so much beautv
ond diStraSs continued MO Ii,t,o hrooi
tnn ,.oio" NI I"no - nv '', .I to
III u'ie VOICE. u"tS ""l'"e'S-'iie Tears
SUN more; Dut me p.ttOus, appealing
glance makes conquest of her forever.
Then and there she falls in love with
Miss Rivers.
NV door vo,,,o I,d, vou oro ori+o
' ut%, iu''''S i"',i, w" arc 9ui.o