The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-20

would hhe attempt any 1ccuncliElliNn Win
her husband, since TINT chance meeting when
She had seen ms suilch face aud abrupt with.
drawal, but not ais subsequent emotion. Her
life was hard. but II II had not mattcrcd be
fore her child's death IL surely did not matter
now. Tcarfully but firmly she thanked Mr.
Fcrnald for his kindness and begged him o.
urge her no mole
SO Lefty was left alonc In the old house IN
the hollow Tho leaves lost their brilliant
colors, and bitter winds swept them through
the woodlands; the days grew short and cold
and tho snow had several times hidden out ~
sight the little grave under the hemlccll
Lofty had her way, undisturbod for tho pres
ent by Nir Fcrnald lie was hiding ms time
The event justified him Some weeks later
camo n letter from Undcrhill away across
the ocean, containing an indignant denial Of
any connection with the trouble in Gabriels
household. The writer added that he should
como in person 10 Stonybank % investigate a
mystery with which his name was mixed up
Mr. Fcrnald rubbed his hands glecfully over
tho young artists manly and straightforward
letter, armed with which he felt that be
could approach Gabriel with a much better
chance oil success than formerly. And. apart
from an instructive unwiliiugncss 20 let any
mystery battle bis legal acumon ho bad tho
young couples happiness very much at heart
He would have liked to 90 at once 20 Gabriel,
but the first great snow storm was ON its
way and the thick air and heavy roads
Obliged him 10 defer his purpose tin the NOR
row.
That same afternoon Gabriel was out log
d.
brothers. Enough snow had fallen earlier
in tho month 10 make good sleighing, but the
present severe storm seriously iuterfcrcd
with their work, 50, leading up their logs
they started for homo Steve had been drink
ing more than usual that day and was very
uncertain in his movements. Finally by
sudden lurch he fell under The team, and must
have been killed outright If Gabriel had not
quickly pulled him out As il was be suf-
fered very serious injury, while Gabriels
arm was terribly lacerated
"Heresa bad business" said Eben Wren
than as be held Steve upon the cart. SNOW
ing. too, Ike all possessed How d ye feel
now, Stevoi Looks like death, don't be il
an audible aside
Steve was Ghastly palo, indeed, and bis
teeth chartered and his eyes rolled round
continually.
ooh, Lodi" no moaned, I'm all gone %
smash Get INC home. boys, quick'
Gabriel spoke % him reassringly as he
started up tho team. But at the motion
steve gave a groan and bis head fen TO ono
side. Then be opened his eyes again and
called fcebly, "Gabe1
Gabriel bent down "What is it, StevcN
t.Ts . rrf
fancied himself dying. "and-and want 10
ten ye something. Gabe, II lied 70 ye that
time, about-about Lefty
Gabriel had drawn away bis hands and
stood pale and lowering over Stove. The
other two fell back. looking on wonderingly.
while Steve IN broken sentences told the true
story of that evening Undcrhil had met
Lefty By chance In the wood road and lad
said Cood-by TO her, saying that he was going
away on the morrow. As be held her hnnd
IN parting be bent down and kissed her; but
Lefty sternly freed herself with an cXclama-
ton Of augor Underhil laughed and prom
iod not TO offend again. and presently they
separated This was the kernel OF truth ID
that lie which had changed Gahricls whole
life As for the repeated meetings tho fire.
ruent embraces, these were all the coinage OK
Steves angry end envious mind, bent GA liz
iurins the three against whom be had
grudge
When steve had finished his story, Gabriel
said hoarsely. "You swear before God this
is trueN
AS hope to be forgiven" gasped Stove.
Gabriel lifted bis clinched hand. Ebcn
Wren,ham caught it. "No, DO, Gabe, You
wouldn't-n0t when Steves hurt so bad -
Hurt mutterod Gabriel, "hurt-where's
my babyl That's dead and Lettyf-
He wrencbed his hand suddenly free, and
brought il down so violently that the blood
lusned afrcsh from the ragged wound made
"a rescuing Steve Curse tie hand that
saved him. he mutterc1 again as he dashed
down the road.
The Wrentham brothers. after one blank
stare. turned bacl, to the business Of tho mo-
mcnt well, Steve said Eben, "a good
job you've made Of 10 altogether! ! spose
wen have TO get you back somehow now
Steve only groaned as they started up the
team again. They were forced to 90 slowly
on his account, and the rapidly failing light
and fast falling snow rendered progress diff
cult, while the night was setting in bitterly
cold with a singing wind.
The next day dawned bright, but with that
intense cold which sometimes follows heavy
snowstorm. The sky had the clear. pale blue
of ice the air was like ice crystals, every
thing froze and sparkled. Lawyer Fcrnald,
looking out at the piled up drifts, concluded
that be would have 10 wait yet another day
10 see Gabriel Dallas
The Wrentham brothers. however who
lived in Gabriel's neighborhood, were con
cernod 10 know how he reached home, n
view Of bis injured arm and his desperate
state of mind So after breakfast Eben broke
his way over
Gabriel was not there. The house was shut
up aud there was no appearance Of life about
the place. Eben made his way 20 tho next
house, where Gabriel had used 10 take bis
meals since his wife's departure. But moth
Ing had been seen of him there either, since
the previous morning, when he started Oh
with tho logging party. Eben, uneasy, went
home and informed his brother Of the result
Of bis expedition The two stood looking al
each other and the same thought cemo into
the eyes of both.
Lofty. said Eben.
The old house in the hollow exclaimed
William IN the same breath
They haruessed heavy sledge, and started
out toward the old house There were no 10.
dications that Gabriel had passed. along the
wood road diverging 10 the hollow, but yes
terday's abundant snowfall would doubtless
efface bis tracks They labored on until the
house itself was reached Here too, was the
same silence, the same des0late loneliness .
The only suggestion Of life-a life which had
gone out ia death-was the little white grave
under the heinlock tree
They went up 10 tho door, which tho wind
had wrenched partly OFF in tho night. A
great heap Of snow lay within the small pas
sage as they stepped inside, but there was no T
sign Of human presence, only dead cold .
that seemed 10 chill the blood In their veins .
William stopped with bis hand on tho latch .
Il don't believe they're here, Eb,' be said .
hestatingly.
They must be, Lefty at any rate" am /
swored Eben "open tho door, viii you,
Binm
They entered, but there was no one there .
They crossed tho floor and paused ON the .
threshold Of the next and only other room of .
the rude little structure William stood still, /
with chattering teeth, for the cold seemed TO
increase at every step. The door was just