, 1886-05-18


up behind u.s."
Then what are you going to do?"
asked, a little hotly.
"Stay till we're dug out. I've got tele-
graph instruments on board. When we
do stick-won't be long now-Ill cut a
wire and ask for a relief party"
What about food?"
"Oh! they'll manage to send some from
the Forks. by men IN snow-shoes. They
did last year"
/ silently thanked Providence for my
well-stocked basket.
Don't say anything" whispered Hall,
as he heard the door of the drawing
room open. Let me break it: I'm used
to letting EN- down gently" Then turn
ing to Mrs. Forsyth, who by that time
had come out, said. cheerily: Good
morning. ma'am: hope you didn't find it
too cold to Sleep"
~Oh nc. thank you" she replied; then,
after saying "good-morningr to me, she
again addressed Hall. I'VE seem to be
going very slowly, and the windows are
so frosted l can't see how deep the
snow is
Were pushing ahead first rate said
the unmoved and u%nblushing conductor.
"You don't feel the motion because the
snow deadens the vibration
Hall looked at me with a certain trem-
ulousness about his left upper eyelid.
Shall we have breakfast soon:" was
Mrs. Forsyth's mex question.
"Well. it may be some little time" an
swered Hall.
.nb 1oarf- cha y.u,a,1 -, tL, ,r,.
test way imaginable, and | feel quite
faiAt."
Hlived for my basket. II have some
things here. We might manage to make
a picnic breakfast"
NO. no.; | won't trouble you. I'd
rather wait till I can get some tea
Il think you had better accept Mr..
Austin's offer" suggested, Hall. I'VE
may be a little late getting 70 the regu-
lar breakfast station Il
"Please let me be your host | urged.
Il can even give you tea or coffee. Here's
a spirit-lamp and a little saucepan, and ]
have-let me see-cold beef, currieG
chicken, foie gras, OK tongue, anchovy
paste, a pot of marmalade, lots of crack
ers, sugar, condensed milk, and all the
et-cRterus."
"Quite a larder, | declare" said Mrs.
Forsyth, laughingly, as l finished check
ing off the contents of my basket. How
stupid of me not to bring anything ex-
cept some fruit, and one can't live on
fruit-out of Eden"
"Ill fix up a table" observed Hall, los
ing no time in putting his intention into
action. "The porter's tired out; we kept
him up last night. Now you're all com
Portable, I'll see how the others are get
ting on"
What shall | open for you p | asked,
as stood, can-opener in hand.
"Oh, | don't know; anything you like"
Il like them all. Suppose we have a
feast? p and l began to make a reckless
assault on the curried chicken.
mo, MOI" she exclaimed: "one meat
will be plenty"
Wi you be kind enough to make tie
tea Z" asked, as | handed the necessary
implements and material.
Certainly. What a dear little lamp
and saucepan! l am sure they'll make
delicious tea !"
II have no doubt of it, with your help.
IL Soiiy W say L haven't any Dulter.
Didn't think it would keep
N matter; l like crackers soaked in
my tea"
infatuated as l was, l could not ex-
press my agreement with hat essentially
feminine prediction. l dished out the
chicken as gracefully as l could, and we
began our repast while the tea was draw
ing.
Presently Mrs. Forsyth looked at me
and laughed. This is funny, isn't itg'
Il think it's very jolly"
"Oh | don't mean the breakfast, but
my sitting down as your guest, when,
three days ago, l had never seen you"
Il assure you" l said, I'm an emf
nently respectable and proper person
that is, for a lawyer. The conductor
can vouch for me. He has known me
for years"
"Yes, he gave you a good character"
Then you inquiredf' | asked eagerly.
"Oh, no." she answered, with a shade
of mischief in her tone; "he volunteered
the information"
How good this tea Isl" | observed,
tasting some that she had handed me.
Il never could have made it so well my
self"
1T certainly is nice, but its not due to
my skill, but to the quality of the tea
l, of course, dissented from this view,
and took several cups-or at least glasses.
for | had no cups-of that tea, which |
was willing to swear was the most de
licious beverage ever prepared,
We We're just finishing when Hall came
back and said, Glad to see you getting
on so comfortably"
Yes, remarked Mrs. Forsyth; the
road is so smooth we could eat without
any Inconvenience"
you give the road too much credit,
ma'am. The fact is. we haven't moved
the last thirty minutes
you don't mean to say were at the
station already"
NO, ma'mn; were stuck
stuck repeated Mrs. Forsyth.
"Yes-in the snow. Can't bulge an
inch. I've te%legraphed for relief"
"Oh, dear mel When shall we get
outYH
Il hope tomorrow" answered Hall,
who assuredly disregarded truth in his
desire 10 make things as pleasant as pos
sible.
Cant you back DOWN" asked the
lady, after a brief pause, evidently spent
in an inward struggle.
mo. ma'am."
What shall we dor
We can only wait, ma'am. They'll
tiy to send up some provisions from the
Forks by this evening"
And in the meantime there is my
basket" | observed, in as cheerful u tone
AS 1 cnuld command haI heot, Ntnnrp