The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-12-21
VOL. XXV.-NO. IS


between us.
The Colonel smiled and shrugged his
shoulders "This lady aud myself are even
worse off. We have nothing but packet
of buttermptch T.
It's 40 jesting matter, | tell you
sir. Well be iast starving before morn
ing"
'sAnd serves you right for saving din
ner in Edinbro'," his wife said tartly
" and all because you wanted to eat at
Alec McDowells expense instead of your
own.
This gave the signal for another round
of reproaches which were banded like
tennis-ball from one to the other The
''rally" was a prolonged one, and seemed to
relieve the feelings of both.
Under cover Of it Pomeroy and Mrs
Lloyd resumed their talk He told her of
his life in India, exerting himself to divert
her thoughts, and for time succeeding.
But one hour after another passed, and he
could but see that his companion became
with each paler and colder.
Their fellow travellers, amid much
wrangling, produced at last their frugal
packet Of sandwiches. and partook spar
ingly each of Que, while Colonel Pomeroy
and Ais looked on rather obviously.
But tie old fellow of course had his
grumble
"Twopenee apiece-yet wish now had
more Of them. Not but what the beef is
very tough"
Beef it is ham, corrected his wife.
BEEF, I'll take my oath of it They
can't deceive me-
Ham, Rob- I'm certain, persisted his
better half with decision. and the battle
ragged again while their companions, who
had neither beef nor ham to quarrel over,
listened with mingled hunger and amuse-
ment
Colonel Pomeroy, as he watched Alison's
pale face, presently grew impatient with
the situation He put down the window
aud looked out, then bent over Alison
at has left off showing; should you feel
afraid if I were to leave you for a little
while he asked auxiously. Il want to
find out where We are, and if nothing can
be done to make you more comfortable
"0h pray go if you like You must
not let me be 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 deer-stalker
well over his ears, sad plunged into the
.navv ard la~lre.. H. lasf ,,el,tlo so,,..1
as he closed the door behind him being,
1T was ham, Rob, from the good wife, in
tentative tone by reyiying the dropped
argument
The snow outside lay knee-deep, but
tired Of inaction, Pomeroy waded through
it some fifty yards, retracing the way they
had come till he reached spot Illuminated
by lanterns and torches, where men we're
busy shoyelIing away the snow He was
pleased TO learn that the way was fairly
passible from hence TO the nearest station,
an insignificant one half-mile OF, ignored
by express trains, Though it the nearest
to Ladykirk for all that, was the answer
got to his. inquiries. Here it might at
least be possible to obtain food and shelter
Of kind for his less hardy companion, and
with the hope he pressed on.
The time OF his absence seemed a weary
while 70 Alison, left with no entertainment
but the Old couples wrangling and her own
nervous fears What it her kind escort
should wander too far aud Il lest in the
snow Such things were ls5t uncommon.
She had soon worked hersosEinso state Of
suppressed alarm, prepared For anything;
aud when at last the doo4 was reopened
aud Pomeroy's tall figure appeared. she
could not repress a cry of relief.
cat last | had began tp imagine all
sorts Of dismal things she said sinking
back Into her corner, while the faint color
returned to her cheeks.
Except desertion, hope Aou knew
| should keep my word to NY namesake =
sob, yes | trusted you.
Have faith in me still, then, for want
There is a litIle country station half mile
of, where al least we shall find comfor-
table room, FIRE and some food. The
station masters wife Is an old acquaintance
Of mine, and has promised TO do her best
for You. It gets worse here with every
hour, and ean't bear to see you look so
white and cold "
e0f course i'll do as you think best,
Alison said faintly, though her heart failed
her at the prospect.
Very well then We win make the
attempt" PSneroy then explained their
plan to their fellow travellers, who for once
in full accord declared that nothing should
persuade them to leave their present
shelter,
Better to bear the ills we have, Ell p
answered the Colonel, laughing "Weh,
think it is one of the occasions when
noble discomfort is praiseworthy. Come.
Mrs Lloyd, if you are wen wrapped up.
He sprung out to assist Alison, but she
hesitated moment before taking the
plunge into the painless snow,
@Im afraid your boots are not SO thick
as mine, You must let me help you over
the worst of it, "
And without waiting for permission he
lifted her gently in his arms, and so laden
trudged through the snow past the line Of
waiting carriages to the clearing at the
further end There he set her down, con-
graduating herself that the darkness. con-
cealed her hot cheeks. Here il was just
possible to get on, though the walking
was still rough, and, struggling along with
the help of Pomeroy arm, Alison at last
thankfully found herself on the platform
of the little statNn. 1t was an old-fash
toned building, but its shelter was oh
how welcome, for che snow was falling
again now thick aud fast
Mrs Lloyd frightened into eheerfulness
again as Colonel Pomeroy threw open the
door Of small but comfortable room,
which boosted blazing FIRE; whilst the
station masters wife came forward, the
very picture of an old woman in her we'll
fitting cap and gown, She had been still
room maid at the Drummond 0rrs' 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 small Aagon Of brandy
upon the table, and proceeded in her
motherly way to administer restorative,
which Alison, in spite of her assumed