Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-12

another passed, and he could not but see that
his companion became with each paler and
Their feliow-traveIers. amid much wrahcline.
produced. At last their fruyar tjaeketof Sdnds
witches, and partook spafihgly each of, one,
while COL Pomeroy and Alison lookedi on
But the ola fellow Of course hadh sr4amsle.
more Of them Not bat what yae beef is very
beef! 4 is ham" corrected his wife.
Beef, I'll take my oath of it! They can't
Ham, Rob. I'm certain" persisted his bet
ter-hah with decision, and the battle ragged
again; while their companions, who had neither
peer nor ham to quarrel over. listened with
mingled hunger and amusement.
Col Pomeroy, as he watched Alison's pale
race, presently grew impatient with the situa-
ton. He put down the window and looked
out. then bent over Alison.
1T has left off showing; should you feel
afraid II were to leave you for a little while?"
he asked anxiously. II want to find out where
we are, and il nothing can be done to make
you more comfortable"
"Oh! pray go if You like. You must not let
me be q burden. And shall be quite SAFE
Though disagreeable, they are not dangerous"
with merry glance at the old couple
Reassured by her cheerfulness he turned up
his coat-collar, pulled his deerstaker well over
his ears, and plunged into the snow and dark
ness, the last audible sound as.he closed the
door behind him being: at was ham, Rob-"
from the good wife, in q tentative tone by way
of reviving the dropped argument
Inc snow outside lay knee-deep, but, tired of
lnaction, Pomeroy waded through it some fifty
yards, retracing the way they had come till he
reached spot illumined by lanterns and
torches, where men were busy shoveling away
the snow. He was pleased to learn that the
way was fairly passable from hence to the near
est station, an insignificant one a half-mile Off
| ignored by express trains, though it's the
nearest to Ladykirk for all that" was the an
swer ne got to his inquiries. Here it might at
least be possible to obtain food and shelter of a
KIND Tor his less hardy companion, and with
| the hope he pressed on
The time Of his absence seemed a weary
while to Alison, left with no entertainment but
| the old couples wranging and her own nery-
Gus fears. What II her kind escort should
wander too far and be lost in the snow! such
Things were not uncommon. She had soon
worked herself into state of suppressed
alarm, prepared for ANYTHING; and when at
last the door was reopened and Pomeroy's tall
inquire appeared, she could not repress a cry of
relief
AT last! l had begun to imagine all sorts
OF dismal things!" she said, sinking back into
her corner, while the faint color returned to
| her cheeks.
Except desertion, I hope. You knew I
should keep my word to my namesake?'
'Oh, yes; l trusted you.''
Have faith in me still, then. for I want Won
| TO brave the cold and come with me- There is
little country station half a mile off, where at
least we shall find q comfortable room. a FIRE
and some food. The stationmaster's wife is an
old acquaintance of mine, and has promised to
| do her best for you. 1t gets worse here with
| every hour, and can't bear to see you look so
white and cold"
said family, though her heart failed her at the
prospect.
very we'll; then we will make the attempt"
Pomeroy then explained their plan to their
| ieiow-trayelers, who, for once in full accord
declared that nothing should persuade them to
leave their present shelter.
better to bear the ills we have, eh?' an
| swered the colonel, laughing. swell! think
1t Is one OF the occasions when a noble dis
content is praiseworthy. Come, Mrs. Lloyd,
| II you are well wrapped up"
He sprang out to assist Alison but she besi-
tated moment before taking the plunge into
the painless snow.
I'm afraid your boots are not SO thick as
mine mine: - iou must let me help you over the
And without waiting for permission he lifted
her gently in his arms, and 80 laden, trudged
| through the snow past the line of waiting car
rlages to the clearing at the further end. There
ne set her down, congratulating herself that
the darkness concealed her hot cheeks. Here
1t was just possible to get on, though the walk
ing was still rough, and struggling along with
the help Of Pomeroy's arm, Alison at last
thankfully found herself on the platform of the
little station. 1t was an old-fashioned building,
Dat lts shelter was oh! how welcome, for the
snow was falling again now thick and fast.
Mrs. Lloyd frightened into cheerfulness
again as Col, Pomeroy threw open the door of
small but comfortable room. which boasted a
| blazing fire; whilst the station-masters wife
| came forward, the very picture Of an old woman
| in her well-ftting cap and gown. She had been
stlll-room maid at the Drummond- Orrs' in the
days of her youth, and prided herself upon
never having lost her 'gentility."
Mrs. Lloyd sat down upon the first seat she
came to, which happened to be the window
seat, trying very hard to look brave. whilst
Pomeroy had paused a moment to pick up the
cloak which had fallen from her on entering
| the room. Mrs. Blair hastily placed a small
dagon OF brandy upon the table, and proceeded
In her motherly way to administer restorative,
which Alison, in spite of her assumed bravery
had never more needed in her lfe
''There!' cried Pomeroy presently, drawing
forward chair to the fire and placing her in
| it; this is little improvement. And here
comes Mrs. Blair with the tea she promised u.s.
How good it looks! Porridge, too! declare I
haven't tasted porridge for fifteen years. Come!
begin! You are exhausted for want of food.
he brought the tea and waited on Alison as
siduously. while she drank it and ate little of
the steaming porridge, well pleased to see her
looking more like herself. She begged him to
follow her example; but it was characteristic
of Pomeroy-who always thought of others be-
fore himsef-that he first tramped back all the
way they had come, carrying q can of hot tea.
cup and a good portion of bread and butter
to the cross-grained old couple who had shared
their carriage.
1t will give them something fresh to argue
over" he said, laughing.
When he returned half-hour later, shaking
himself free of the snow, he found his charge
already refreshed by the timely food and
warmth. The station-master's wife had taken
her upstairs and made her comfortable with n
loan OF warm homemade stockings and a pair
OF huge slippers. putting her own to dry mean
time. Alison began pouring out the tea she
had kept hot for him. The colonel begged
Mrs. Blair to make a fresh brew saving that
hunger would soon drive others to follow their
example.
'Or might organize relief party to dis
pense provisions, he suggested, as she hurried
of to do his pleasure.
..But not till you have had good meal YOUR
self, Alison said, decidedly. 1.-THE porridge
is lovely; do try it. don't want a monopoly
of all the good things"
He let himself be persuaded. establishing
himself on bench near her. with a bowl of
hot porridge, which not even the pewter spoon
could spoil. The surroundings were not fav-
orable to romance, yet one of the pair at least
| could not help thinking how many eventful'
years had passed since last they broke bread
together; how many hopes had died since those
youthful days!
She sighed involuntarily at what might
have been" AZ she passed her companion his