Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-04
Between Four Walls.
By CURTIS YoRKE.

AAS uP every HUtle CraCk ana CreVlct where snow crystal could possibly lodge, and evidently meant business For the matter of that, it had been snow ing. off and on, for the last three days
 but these intermittent showers had now settled down into a binding snow storm
 There was nothing to be seen but snow floating. whirling. dancing, in mad fiendish, fantastic glee, as though Ii never meant to leave off. It was dreary prospect. So at least thought { young girl who was toiling through the wintry dusk-a tiny, elf like creature with small pale face, and brown curly hair blown about pair of pathetic darl eyes, which looked as if they might not be very far from tears. For she was no1 only worn out and wet through, pool
 little soul, but she had lost her way Te be lost on Dartmoor in a snow storm i: no joke, can tell you; and, to make matters worse-if they could be made worse-it was now quite dark, and the wind was rising steadily. All at once the girl slipped-fell forward-a gllmmel of light flashed before her eyes-and with a long, sobbing cry, she sank down, down, into treacherous snow drift.
 Not hundred yards away two men were luxuriously enjoying their post prandial pipes in a small heavily raftered room, which looked like nothing except what it was, namely, the principal apart ment in tiny shooting box, intended, to all appearance, solely and entirely for the use of the sterner sex. A roaring fire blazed in the yawning grate, almost putting to shame the light of the,'amp which stood on a small table near the hearth, in company with some dried fruits and bottle of Burgundy.
 By love! how cold it is," said the elder of the two men. as he threw an other piece of coal on the fire.
 tColda it's the very deuoe,' shivered his companion. "Wonder if it still snows9" he went on, rising and saunter- ing towards the yet unshuttered window as he spoke.
 He was tall, fair, good looking fel- low of perhaps 80, with dark blue, rather passionate, eyes and sunny hair.
 "Worse than ever!' he muttered. .I say, Lance, this looks cheerful Old Wellings will be showed up on the road if he doesn't mind," he added. ''He ought to be back by this time.''
 Horrible contingency" murmured the individual addressed as Lance, with 2 lazy smile, as he filled his pipe anew. "lf he doesn't get back, we are in for the pleasing exercise of cooking our own din ners, making our own beds, and doing for ourselves generally, for an indefinite time. For venture to predict that we too are safe to be snowed up before the morning" He leaned back in his chair as he spoke, and closed his gray eyes sleepily. as though the prospect didn't disturb him very much.
 He was not a handsome fellow, Lance lot Darrell, but he had kind, strong, refined face which somehow invariably impelled those about him to trust him implicitly. This was mainly due, I think, to certain indefnable something about either his eyes or his mouth, I am not sure which-or perhaps both.
 All at once he sat up and said hastily:
 II say, Carruthers, did you hear a noise outside?-a little cry, like childs or Q woman's?''
 "No; can't say I did," returned the other. Then, after listening for mo- ment or two, he added, "I hear the wind, but nothing else"
 Darrell rose and came over to the win dow. As he stood, it was noticeable that he was scarcely SO tall as his com panions he was better built, though, and his general physique was more powerful. He threw up the sash, and vainly tried to pierce the gathering darkness beyond All was silent outside, save for the titful moan of the fast rising wind, and the soft intermittent sweep of tho snow against the window panes. almost close at hand it seemed, there came faint, uncertain little cry. Both men started, and Darrell went out into the tiny square hall and opened the outer door.
 ''Is any one therey' he called out in his clear, pleasant voice.
 "Oh, come quick, please" was the an- swer in sobbing, childish tones.
 "A child, by Jove!" he muttered, plunging out into the snowy darkness.
 A moment or two later he shouted:
 Show light here, Gilbert, will you?'
 Carruthers did as he was desired, and stood in the doorway holding the lamp aloft in amazement.
 What the devil is it?" he exclaimed, as pafrel, carrying a drenched dark bundle in his arms, hurried past him into the house.
 What is it?" Carruthers repeated, fol- lowing the other into the sitting room, and setting down the lamp in a bewild- cred kind of way.
 ''Get the brandy, there's g good fel- low," was tho only reply, as Darrell placed the bundle gently on the sofa and knelt down beside it.
 By Jove!' calculated Gilbert un- der his breath, as he got out the brandy, there's a rum go, and no mistake" For he had caught brief glimpse of pale, sweet little face, and ong tangled hair. Was it child?-or 1 
 After some time-it seemed an abnor- nally long time to both men-the eyes opened, and their owner sat up, pushing pack her hair peryously, and gazing in | ltartled amazement at the two concerned | faces before her.
 "How-how did get here?' she fal- cred, "I remember nothing but snow md darkness, and that felt nayself fall |