Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-12-27


was only rich how much good l could
do. But l don't seem to be laying
much by, and I'm already growing old.
All. here is something"
Miss Ward haStened into the store
and priced sled and pair of skates
and sled that hung in the window.
She found them almost too high for her
slender purse, but could find nothing
else suitable, and purchased both arti-
cleS, and flaxen-haired doll for Madge.
The next thing was to get the articles
to the Weeds. 1t was now late in the
day. and the Weed farm was four miles
from Burktown Corners. Besides, the
storm of the morning had increased, un-
til foot of snow lay on the ground,
and the wnid was piling it in high drifts
about the fence corners and about the
trees.
Mr. Weed had returned Immediately
after landing Aunt Grell at the Corners.
Aunt Grell could not afford to hire a
conveyance, and no teams were passing
to-day. New Years was day when
the people of that community enjoyed
themselves at home or around the tav-
ern fire.
III go myself" suddenly resolved
Aunt Grell. She boarded when ''at
home" with widow, Mrs. Casper, in the
outskirts of the village, and here Aunt
Grell made her way with her purchases.
On reaching the humble home of the
widow, Geraldine found the door locked.
Having been absent two weeks Aunt
Grell did not know that her friend had
left town to visit son some miles
away few days before, and would not
return till after New Year.
The snow whirled about the slender
form on the widows step, and seemed
to defy her to face it. But Aunt Grell
was brave, and she formed sudden res
olution. She would return to the Weeds
and carry the presents herself. Her
heart leaped at the thought of the pleas
ure she was to give the little Weeds on
this New Years night, for already the
short winter afternoon was drawing to
a close.
ats four miles by the road" thought
Aunt Grell, "but know the path through
the woods, and I'll take that"
Passing a neighbOr's house she men
toned the fact that she was going to
visit the Weeds, and then she hurried
away, burdened with her armfuI of pres
ents, she having added several small
packages of confections to the articles
already mentioned.
81 had no idea the snow was so deep"
uttered the venturesome Miss Ward, as
she entered the woods. 81 wonder if | |
shall have any trouble in following the
path?"
The snow had ceased to fall, and Aunt |
Grell found little difficulty in making
ler way during the first half of the dis |
.ance Then night fell, and the wind |
while the snow was swept in
great sheets about the form of Aunt |
Aunt Grel, its fiereeness at times al
most lifting her from her feet.
"Mercy! had no idea of this" eX-
claimed the slender woman, leaning
yaspingly against tree. "Tm out of
he path, and it's wonder if l amt
ostr'
After a short rest she moved on again,
)ut soon fell f1Oundering in hollow that
lad been filed with snow.
"Oh! OH" she gasped; 81 owe all this
o my foolish haste to get away from
he Weeds. Simple John Weed did not
NOW why left them so precipitately
o-day. He urged me to keep New
ears with him, but how could 1 when
,e was coming, and bringing his wife?"
Once more Aunt Grell struggled to
Ter feet, against tree.
The binding snow almost suffOcated
ler Where was she? Heaven only
new. She had lost the path; her hat,
orn from her head, was now scurrying
way into the darkness, while face and
lands were stiff with the cold.
Lost in the woods, with the mercury
.lmost at zero, no wonder a feeling of
IeSpair filed the heart of the courageous
title woman.
Once more she essayed to move on.
Ter limbs, however, seemed numb and
sleep. She staggered little and came
lear falling again. She yet clung to
he presents she had bought for the lit
lie Weeds. 81 must find my way out
omehOw," moaned Aunt Grell, with
ickening despair in her heart. 1t was
errible New Year to her. The dawn
f another day would see her stiffened
orm lying under the trees half buried
n snowi
This Thought took possession of her,
nd she was on the point of sinking
elplessly, when sound fell on her ear
the jingle of bells.
She must be near the road. With
ast desperate effort she reeled toward ;
he sound, caught sight of a dark object
loving through the woods, then fell
ainting in the snow.
''Eh, what is this? A woman, by Ju-
iterl'
Robert Warden sprang from his COM
Ortable seat under the robes, and lifted
Aunt Grell into his cutter. She still 9
lung to doll and skates, the other pres :
nts having been dropped by the way. {
"AhI l understand" muttered the !
entleman. at must be Geraldine Ward. t
hope she's not dead"
Then he lashed his horses to a gallOp, |
nd ten minutes later entered the Weed |
with Aunt Grell in his arms. =
A little later she opened her eyes to {
nd bearded countenance leaning over |
er She attempted to cover her face,
ut he held her hands. Geraldine" he
lid, have you no welcome for me, and 7
lew Years night, tool"
Robert, oh, Robert"
"You knew was coming. Mrs. Weed,
~ sister, has told me ofyour refusal to l
ass New Years night under this roof b
ecause was expected" Y
mo, no; L did not tell them that,
ne faltered; Il"
"But that was why you left, l know. L
on meant to keep your word to the ?
lildren, and saved you from perish I
lg in the cruel snow. Geraldine, the :,
fe / saved | claim, and"
"But, sir, remember your wife"
"Is myth. I'm an old bachelor, and il
as once foolr He bent and kissed =
er, Just as the clock announced the end
4 IApNs