Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1890-01-11
are , criterion. I wish I had not found her.

are q criterion. I wish I had not found her,
yet l must take her home. What will Agnes
say to so fair an addition to our household?
Thrifty souli How much food will she
want? will be her first idea. Well, this is
an adyenturei Young Lochinvar must have
been a Hercules 10 rave lifted his lady to
| the saddle-bow. Bother IL oil! she Is not
very big, but she Is q dead weight. Steady,
my bonnie Blanche, steady, good lass, so,
so! All, now we are right. Go ahead, Drift;
you have found a prize worthy of your bark
ing"
On, on they went in the chill moonlight
| till all signs of Roath or Cardiff were left
behind. and they had entered upon a purely
rustic district. A few farmhOuses relieved
the monotony OF snow-clad hills and ice
bound hollows. and just where the road
seemed dreariest, a light flashed out from
the window OF a large rough stone house. A
man opened a gate and let his master In,
wondering what he was holding in front Of
him.
Quick, Jemi j have found a woman in
the snow; she may be dead. Come, Agnes,
open the door; we are famished-starye1
with cold"
a lower uODI Optntu ~ TIC sue d tic
house; bright freight flashed out from it,
and an old woman stood In the doorway,
saying in a shrill thin voice:
How late you are, Master Piercel Miss
Ally cried herself 10 sleep because you did
not bring her big doll so / have hung up
her stocking for Santa Claus TO fill. Ihof=
YOU have not forgotten il; she would be so
disappointed. Mercy on us, man! what
have you got there? A dead woman, By all
that's horribieP'
mo, no, Agnes; l hope not. Help me.
All. that is right Jem. Down, Drift, good
dog; your prize Is safe"
Slowly the unconscious girl was carried
into the bright stone kitchen, where shining
pans and a blazing fire made the place
bright.
They laid her down In the fireglow on a
rug, and Pierce Peufold knelt beside her
full of anxiety. Removing the heavy fur
cloak, they found a lovely girl, attIred In n
dinner dress Of rich black velvet, cut square
at neck, with elUow-sleeves. She looked
such a dainty lady, lying there with her fair
pale face and faxen hair cleaning IN the
ireglow.
Il am afraid she is dead" said Agnes, all
concern and kindness, touched by the child
like beauty of her face. 1--WE heard rubbing
the body Will snow sometimes restores AM
nation. Get some snow in a bucket, James.
Come, Master Pierce, you had better fetch
some blankets ana leave her 10 me-. All the
maids are asleep, tired out.
Don't 90 too far away. ! shall want you
to carry her 10 bed If she RECEIVERS. Poor
pretty one! what could have driven her out
on this awfal night? Suppose. sir, you MI
the warm,ng-pan with live Goals and warm
q bed for her; no time 10 be lost. Lord love
us. she revives already. Get out, sir, III
attend to her. Pretty creature! what would
her mother say 10 see her now? Bide still
Drift; you are always poking your nose in
to other peoples business"
The old lady chafed the lovely limbs witt
snow till they glowed with rosy life, theI
she pulled awry the wee wraps. covered the
beautiful form, and went of to her bed
chamber. where folded under her pillow
was a nightdress frilled with wide fTills anC
a huge nightcap to match. These she sue
ceeded in putting upon the pretty strange
before the steel-blue eyes Enclosed.
Then she gave her warm wine TO drink
forbade her 10 talk. and after covering he
with a hot blanket, went TO call Master
Pierce, who came in Invested of his outdoor
garments, blow ing his fingers. which he haC
succeeded In turning beautifully with tn,
warming-pan.
Following him came a tiny white-robet
, form, crying:
Papa deaT, papa dear. Ally can't sleeI
till you cosset her In your arms"
"Drat the childF' said old Agnes not M
kindly; she's always awake when we wan
her asleep"
"Oh, papa, what a funny lady! Wher
did you find her?'
in a snow-drift, darling. Come, let m
, carry you to bed, you will take cold"
Put the child down, Master Pierce, please
and carry this poor creature up 10 bed Will
she Is warm.
"See. she has tainted again; the fire is to
muca for her.
!, 'tSit up in nurses chair, dearie, Will
papa takes the lady upstairs. That's N.
own good girl nurse will give her an orang
il she will sit still till papa comes back"
Pierce took the beautiful form up in hi
strong arms; the soft perfume of her hal
came just under his nose, her pale chez
was warmed by his breath. He carried he
up the wide oak staircase into a prett
room, and laid her on a sweet white be,
smelling of lavender.
She opened her eyes as he laid her down
and the big blue eyes looked up amazed in
! to his handsome face. Her childish fac
7 looked SO curious In the big white nightca
) that he was bound 10 smlle-such a swee
> kind smile that seeing il, the girl took CON
; fort, nestled amid her pillows, and feI
asleep.