Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-05
ssMiss Heath!' exclaimed Carruthers, after dismayed glance at Darrell. .Oh,

Miss Heath!' exclaimed Carruthers, after dismayed glance at Darrell. s'Oh. by love! poor little thing"
 Darrell poured out q little brandy, t,i- lutcd it well and neld it to her lips.
 Hush, hush he whispered sooth- inglv Drink this u will do you good."
 When he lad set down the glass again he went out If the room, turning at the door to say a,oruptly:
 'Carruthcts--como here for a minute; I want you"
 They turned into the little firelit kitchen, and stood for few minutes staring at each other in silence. Then Carruthers laughed little.
 "What's to be done?" he said. ''It's deuced awkward for the poor little thing-deuced awkward all round. in fact
 "It's more than awkward" returned Darrell seriously. "The poor child will catch her death Of cold. She ought to have off these wet things and be got to bed at once. But then He stopped and drowned slightly.
 "Well-er-there's my dressing gown. don't you know" hazarded Carruthers.
 "FGr the matter of that, there's minc,' was tic rather curt reply. And I'll tell you what. Gilbert, I can have a shak Ike down with you for tonight, and Miss Heath can have my room. It's rather larger than yours. And we'll take some hot coals from here and make spa roaring fire
 .i,-l,t i,.l,S I1n you. while l look where that old idiot has put the shovel"
 Meanwhile the poor littie visitor was sitting disconsolataly beside the sitting room fire.
 "What horrible pretiicalnent have got myself into?" shc muttered hys- terically. ii wish old Catty Lindon had been at tho bottom Of the sea before went to sec her today. Oh. what shall do? I cant stay here all night with these two men. They must wish me far enough, I'm sure, though they try not to let me see it. must get homo tonight; and if ] don't what shall 1 do for dry clothes:' A!.i then for sheer weariness, and cold, and modification. she began to sob again. Poor little woman! she was Hot uulte ti;,ii'SSll, itilu very young at that.
 Some ten minutes l.tor tLc door opened, and Darrell camc in alone.
 "Now. Miss Hcath," he said, seating himself beside her, and speaking very gently, but very firmly too, two must have no moro to2},:.'
 Bat sho intercepted him.
 Can l not 50 i'o:nc::' she faltered. looking Up at h::a with tcor drowned eyes. ''In some way, surely, I might manage, might l not:'
 He shook his head.
 My dear child" he said, T fear it is quite Impossible. Iwould tal1o you back to Tic Grange at once. need hardly say, if it could be managed in any way at all. But the road by this time are surc to be blocked Wo should only have to turn back again.
 Are you-I mean is there no one here but you and-your friend?" she asked, after short pause, twisting her fingers in an embarrassed kind of way
 No, no onc." he answered gravely, but with dhe merest suspicion of smile under his brown mustache. But you are not afraid of Us, are you? You don t take Us for ogres, 1 hope? Because am afraid it is quite inevitable that you must be our guest for tonight. Now,' very gently, 'bc n good. sensible little woman, aud promise to do what tell you. for I am horribly exercised in my mind lest you should take cold. Will you rromisc:"
 Leslie hesitatcd a moment, then made up her mind to tho inevitable.
 "Ycs." she nurmurcd looking up trustfully into the kind strong face and steady gray eyes.
 That's right" he said approvingly. He had risen, and was mixing some brandy and hot water in a tumbler. ::Your room Is quite ready, at least it will be when the fire burns up," he con- tinued, setting down the kettle again, and speaking il |. calm matter of course voice, as though hor presence ill the house was the most ordinary occurrence possible. And 1 want you to promise me that when you go to your room you will put your feet il hot water at once, as hot as you can bear it-you will find everything in readiness=and just before you get into bed drink this," touching the tumbler he held, ''and go to sleep as fast as you can And, by the way, be sure to hang your wet things to the fire You must not mind my saying all this tc you," he went on, as slow, painful blush dyed the girls fair face. :You know l am quite an old fellow, ol6 enough to be your father-or your uncls Jim," he added with a smile.
 At that moment Carruthers entered tho room.
 Miss Heath," he said good humor. edly, "has Darrell not told you that youl room is quite ready? He and arc going to take out diplomas as first class house maids. Come and inspect our labors."
 Leslie rose and both men accompanied her across the narrow little hall to hall open door, through which tho bright light of fire gleamed cheerily.
 "You will find things awfully primi tive, Miss Heath," said Carruthers, as sht gave him her hand, "but you will excuse deficiencies, won't you?''
 "EXcuse them?" shc said in q low voice. II don't know how to excuse