The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-12-21


lines further North, and speedily fell ASLEEP
again.
Colonel Pomeroy' s fellow traveller looked
in dismay. ooh, you don't think it likely
do you?'' Her purse was but scantily
furnished, and delay might mean expense
II don't know much about it, he an
swered kindly sit is fifteen years and
more since last crossed the Border, and
the greater part ofthat time has been spent
in India Do you 90 much further p
Another two or three hours journey
Burnside is the name of the station"
And of mine also That is convenient
II am going to spend Christmas and New
Year at a place called Ladykirk.'
"What the Drummond-O rrs ?"
YES: the Drummond- Orrs
How strange So am r. His face
distinctly frightened "Drummond- Orr is
my cousin.
"Yes?'-demurely Mrs. Drummond
Orr is my cousin.
He drew a long breath. ''Is it posi-
BILE She had but one relation in the
world Then you are-you must be
ALISON Kerr once, very family; Ali
son Lloyd now -
There was long silence.
She who had loved and suffered as Ali
son Kerr fell her heart-beats pulsating
wildly with the after-throb of an old pain.
No commonplace occurred to her wherewith
to Gil the pause.
He leant back in his corner with intent
eyes fixed upon her face. Strange! and
| did not know you
III knew you at once. You are less
changed than |; only graver-sterner-"
colder" he finished bitterly Il was
never one Of fortunes favorites Indeed,
fate has been persistently unkind to me
from those old Blithedale days till now.
when she has brought about this strange
meeting, with a courteous little bow,
which reminded her of the gallant Huber,
Pomeroy of other days, "But tell me of
yourself--your husband
:. He died three years ago | have only
my boy.
There, at least, you are happy He
is fine fellow.
"Ah if you only knew what Hubert
has been to me
Hubert My namesake, then p
YES; IL always liked the name. "
Her flush Of color went unperceived in
the dim light
"Did YOU? Yet it was foolish mistake
Of mine to fancy, as | did once, that you
liked its owner Well, those days lie 50
far behind US now that we can afford to
laugh over them together Did you think
my message so very presumptuous Tel
me the truth; it cannot matter now.
"Oh no. But | am not quite sure -
diving into the treasure house of memory,
where eyefy trivial word and look of HUI
bert Pomeroy's in other days lay garnered
up-'which message you mean
He smiled, yet with a touch Of regret.
"Ahl You have forgotten ! Well, it is
only natural Among so many adorers
the homage of one more or less Of course
made hiile impression. was thinking OF
a happy summer which we spent together
fifteen years ago, and Of the last day Of my
stay at Blithedale, when found your aunt
alone, and venfured To tell her of my hopes
You had headache, and were resting in
your room, but she undertook to plead my
cause with you. IL was disintcrested Of
her at least, for up to that time she had
shown me small favor | sent to you BY
her a crimson rose from my button-hole
How have hated the smell Of roses ever
since II was agreed between us that il
you wore j, that evening | should take il
as sign that there was hope for me; i
nDt--I promised not to pain YOU BY press
Ing for any other answer.
We'll She was listening intently
now, her hands elasped upon her kuee, her
eyes darkened with cruel suspicion.
The evening came, You appeared late
looking tired aud i'll, though you laughed
even more gayly than usual with the circle
round you. drew near, hardly daring q
look. Some flower as usual nestled at your
throat, but it was spray Of jessamine !
Il never knew she cried in unspeak.
able agitation. she told me nothing
nothing What wicked treaehery While
| waited, and wondered, aud despisod my
self for having faneied--Ah! What ha.
happened .
Engrussed in their "reminiscences neither
had noticed that the train had slackened
speed snaeeouutably for some minutes
past. Now the engine gave a stifec
shriek-there was a kissing Of steam, q
sputteriug-a grinding Of wheels-callins
shouting, aud they came TO a stsndsiil
altogether,
Colonel Pomeroy, suddenly recalled 70
the present ike one aroused from a per
picking dream, lowered the window anC
put his head out TO inquire what was amiss
The rush OF cold wind woke the sleeper'
in time to receive the news that In tn,
binding snow-storm they had run into q
snow-drift. The engine aud many of the
foremost carriages were fast embedded
their own was buried third of its height
The driver, il seemed, had tried TO reverse
his engine, but before be could do 50 the
snow had put out the fires.
1t was still falling fast, the white fake:
powdered the Colonels head and nous
tachios. ''Not hope Of getting on tonight
I'm afraid, he said ruefully.
The old gentleman from his corner began
railing against his i'll fortune, then rated hi
sleepy partner, declaring it was her fault
for leaving home at all, which accusation
shs Tesorted upon him till the couple fel
to arguing aud mutual recrimination. From
the ueighbOring compartments came alst
the buzz of voices and despairing ejaeula
tious as the truth became known, anC
heads on either side of them were thFuS
out of windows clad in every variety o
head gear Pomeroy turned to Alison anC
met her anxious eyes.
Is there any danger ? " she asket
family,
Only of cold and hunger he smiled
reassuringiy; they will stop all trains be
hind us But I'm afraid we are in for
weary waiting And, consulting his watch
another hour would have brought Us /,
Burnside
GLOW provoking
''Do the Drummond-0rrs expect you BY
this train ~
"Yes; my cousin promised to sent
the carriage for me. How vexed she vii
be
''Its pity she can't have the comfor
of knowing you are not alone; but lief
my coming uncertain, thinking | could no
manage it before next week
'How glad am you changed you
mind