The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-07-31

I
sitting room fro had quietly gone out,
and BY the time II was lighted again
CaTuthers suggested that they should
have something TO eat. "Wo don't want
to cook anything, you know" he said
gleefully. There's q cold pie and
things in the larder."
So they had the "cold pie and things"
washed down by bottle Of Burgundy,
and felt much refreshed and invigorated
thereby. Then Carruthers went up TO
the loft again 10 reconnoiter, and came
tack with the mingled tidings that II
had stopped showing, but was freezing
hard.
Then we must get the door open, and
try to clear some Of the snow from the
Windows" said Darrell; "for this pro-
tOnged lamplight is rather depressing"
After some time, and with consider
able difficulty, they got the door
open, and set to work with q will
Meanwhile Leslie, left to her own de-
vices, put her own room to rights, made
up the fires and explored the larder
There was plenty Of bacon, another cold
pie, and an apple tart, besides q couple
fowls and fair supply Of timed meats
There were also two tins Of condensed
milk and jar Of Liebig; half dozen
loaves, but no butter, and no vegetables
whatever. Coffee there was in abund.
ance.
They all helped to get the somewhat
heterogeneous evening meal ready, and
when IL was over they drew round the
lire in quito coy, friendly fashion.
Leslie insisted that her hosts should
smoke their cigars or pipes as usual
Just as II weren't here, you know"
she said coaxingly.
It was wonderful how much at home
she felt and looked already. She made
u winsome little picture enough, as she
sat curled up in big easy chair brought
by Darrell from the other room for her
benefit She was not exactly pretty,
that young man decided, as he looked at
her from his dark corner at the other
side Of the fireplace-but there was some.
thing wonderfully lovable and attractive
about the pale little face with its fluffy
brown hair, and its great dark eyes out
Of which the pure fearless woman's soul
looked so trustfully. A man might
safely give his heart into the keeping Of
such sweet little woman, he reflected
further. Then he pulled himself up
with start, and frowned slightly at his
own folly.
II know one thing" said Carruthers
suddenly, Is he stretched himself out In
his chair. and Lit fresh cigar-''theres
not single dish Of any kind or descrip-
ton going to bo washed in this house to-
night"
Leslie laughed; then she grew sud.
denly grave. -
"Aunt Priscya will think am dead"
she said, looking meditatively into the
fire. II do wish had not ventured out
yesterday; Ii was most unlucky."
Both men were silent, for they could not
honestly say they agreed with her. On
the contrary, fear that with an utter
disregard for the feelings Of poor Aunt
Priscilla, they were rather glad that a
capricious chance had thrown this win.
some little maiden on their protection.
1t seemed curiously natural and familiar
to see her sitting there, to SEQ the fire.
light glinting on her hair, to hear her
childlike laugh. It seemed incredible
that they were unconscious Of her very
existence yesterday-only yesterday
Next day passed much as its prede.
cessor had done, except that the men
worked hard all the morning-clearing
the snow from about tho house, while
Leslie attended to the domestic arrange
ments herself. In the afternoon Car.
ruthers distinguished himself. by concoct-
ing fearful and wonderful stew for sup.
per, which Il appeared he had known
and loved In India Leslie looked on in
sarcastic disapproval, and Darrell chop
ped up wood in the back kitchen. Owing,
however, to q somewhat liberal distri-
button Of cayenne pepper, and the total
absence Of any other seasoning, the stew
was not q marked success, though It's
author declared IL was "the finest thing
he had tasted for many q long day."
Three more days passed; the frost still
held, and the provisions diminished with
alarming rapidity. Fortunately they
had plenty Of Goals, for the cold was in
tense. The men worked steadily during
the greater part Of each day-not only
clearing the snow from around the house,
but working a path to the main road
across the moor. Leslie found plenty to
occupy her indoors; but fitted in and
out at intervals to inspect "the work, as
she called the snow clearing. In the
evenings they were all glad enough to
draw round the fire for rest and warmth.
And very pleasant evenings they were.
There was an ever increasing charm to
both men In Leslie's innocent chatter, in
her half childlike, half womanly ways,
and in her singing. For she had offered
In naive little way to sing to them, ito
help to pass the time" So she sang
every night. Sho had u sweet, touching,
bird like voice-a voice that found its
way at once to the heart and stayed there.
It was, then, the fifth day Of Miss
Heath'a sojourn in the little household,
and IL was Sunday. After the 9 O'Clock
gupper-Leslie would not allow Il to be
called dinner-they were as usual gath
cred round the Gre The lamp was un.
.it, for oil was scanty and therefore pre-
ciouS. Candles, too, were few. And as
Leslie aid, freight was good enough to
talk BY.
Are we to have no music tonight,
Miss Heathr Darrell asked rather re-
proachfully, when they had sat silent for
some timo.
Leslie was sitting on the fender, burn
Ing her bonnie little faco at the fire. At
Darrelrs words she looked upwith sweet.
serious eyes and said;
II can't sing songs, you know, as IL iS
Sunday. ! never do. And suppose
you wouldn't care for hymnsS"