The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-08-04
Lost in the Snow.

EOOt III llS oIIOW,
Christmas eve 1t was-a good old-fash-
ioned Christmas eve in New England. The
snow was falling softly but rapidly, the
short afternoon was early darkened by the
storm. Overhead stretched canopy Of
steel gray clouds; underneath the white
flakes had already spread deep, thick
mantle oyer field and road, and hillside.
Here and there, sole landmarks, the guant
trees stood up black against the sky; moth
ing else remained to indicate the pathway,
the fences having almost disappeared under
the deep drifts.
The scene was utterly solitary until two
figures appeared on the lonely road. They
were Miss Effie Lawrence and Eugene Tai
bot "a handsome couple enough, for Effie
was pretty girl, and in her scarlet hood
and cloak looked very attractive little
lady, and Mr.. Talbot was city man, we'll
dressed and well-bred considered well.
favored, though Efiie did not half think
him so, which was ungrateful on her part,
for he ayowedy admired her. Talking was
notvery easy work, but presently the young
man said
do you know if il were not for you
should go back to New York tonight, so
as to be at the great Livingston dinner
party to-morrow?',.
"Pray, do not let me prevent you." re-
piled Eflie quickly. 81 can go home quite
well alone"
"Oh, but / would rather be with YOU,
Miss Lawrence, than at any dinner party
that can be given"
Efiie did not reply to this, and presently
Mr. Talbot said, what indeed he had said
twice before
won't you take my arm, Miss Effie? |
think you will get on better if you do"
mo, thank you, Mr.. Talbot; l shall do
very well alone.'
They walked on a little way in silence,
Efiie hurrying her steps. Then Mr., Tai
bot asked,-
"Why are you in such haste, Miss EGie?
| should like to prolong the pleasure of this
walk indefinitely"
"You haYe singular taste,' replied
Miss Ellie, with laugh that was rather
forced, 81 think the fireside preferable to
the storm on such night as this"
There was another pause. Miss EfIie
was beginning to wish heartily that she
was alone. She had only known this Mr..
Talbot for week, and no one in the will
age knew much about him. He had come
from New York on business, with letter
OF introduction TO the father OF Rose Grey,
her Intimate friend. She had met him at
their house, and he had been perfectly de
voted to her from the first introduction.
All this was very nice. Efle was Just
bit of fllrt, and she had encouraged him
to begin with, just for the fun of the thing,
and because it would tease Tom Allen, her
old and faithful admirer OF course she
liked Tom better than any one else, and
meant to marry him, but Effie had been
reading some foolish novels of late, and
had come to the conclusion that it would
be very tame to marry Tom and never have
another offer; and so when Mr.. Talbot be-
gan to pay her some attentions, she smiled
upon him, though she saw we'll enough
how wretched it made poor Tom.
But within the last two days she had
grown to be afraid of the result of her own
mischief. There had been something in
Mr.. Talbots manner that she had not half
liked, and this afternoon, when he had
come into the Greys', she had prolonged
her visit, hoping he would go. until it was
too late for her to dare to stay any longer,
and now she did not at all fancy the pros
pect of solitary walk of a mile in length
with him. Talbot evidently had no inten-
tion of neglecting his opportunities, for he
said presently, in a sentimental Tone
"Ah, Miss Effie, you are cruelty COM
monplace in wishing yourself at home.
Now could be happy anywhere by your
side"
Effie gave him an amused glance.
'That is great nonsense, Mr. Talbot.
Ones situation must always make differ
ence in one's happiness"
ga difference, to be sure; but the one
thing that could really affect my happiness,
would be your smile"
Effie was annoyed at this foolish speech.
1t had dawned on her already that Mr.
Talbot thought her 'green country girl"
who would be easy game. and she resolved
10 show herself not so readily to be hum,
bugged as he might haveIsupposed-sC
without directly replying, she said,-
"Mr. Talbot, we iaust really hurry; Il
will be dark night"
But he was not thus to be silenced Ii,
came nearer to her and put his hand oil
her shoulder.
"Ehie," he said, ''don't let us pretend
to not understand each other. l love you
and latter myself that am not indlffer
ent to you."
There was something in the concete'
smile that accompanied these words tina
made Efiie intensely indignant.
'Let me go, Mr.. Talbot" she exclaimed
GLOW dare you insult me?"
"Now, Eflie, why affect 10 be cruel
Why struggle against fate?''
"It never was intended, Mr.. Talbot, b.
any fate, that should listen TO such fool
ish talk" said Effie. fairly out of patience
"The best thing you can do is to go bael
to the village, and leave me TO go HON
! .I,,.s