The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20

was poor one, Tor / found my legs were
some hat stiffened by the cold. As helped
was not nearly so active as had generally
known her. The door opened before we
had time to reach it, and an elderly woman.
with Christmas look about her. which
was absolutely warming. stood in the broad
portal
We stopped on the piazza before enter
ing. stamping and shaking ourselves, for
We were two figures of snow,
Our valises are In the back of the
Sleigh" l said, and to my surprise my teeth
chartered little as spoke. Il think the
horse will stand until some one takes him"
We then went in. Suddenly Miss Weldon
stopped. and looked from right TO left. and
turning to the woman she exclaimed:
This is not Mr.. Delivers house!"
"Of course not said the other; did you
think 1t vast Major Pendailas lives here"
Miss Weldon and looked at each other
In dismay.
1--WE have made mistake said; show
much further on is it to the Deliver placei"
1T isn't further on at all" the woman
replied. lit is not on this road at all"
1T is too bad" said. They told US at
we could not miss it."
$50 1t is but three miles below here there
is q fork that anybody might mistake. es-
peciaily at night. with the roads unbroken.
half frozen. PIl have a man throw a
blanket over the horse" and with this she
showed us into large room with a WOOD
fire blazing on the hearth. She pushed two
chairs before the fire.
''Sit down." she said, land get q little
warm. If am not mistaken this is Miss
Clara Weldon. Yes / thought SO. It's
been long time since / have seen you. /
am Mrs. Bardsley. keep house for Major
Pendallas. Excuse me for a moment.u
what grand thing this fire ISL said |,
land who is Major Pendallasf'
Il never saw him in my life." said Miss
weldon. following my example and draw
ing up close to the fire. "but have often
heard of him. He used to be in the army,
| think, and now he has stock farm. and
has all sorts of fine horses and cows. l
wonder If he would he willing to send us
over to my uncle's3 j can't bear to think
of starting out again in that sleigh. and
was glad she did not include the driver
in her objections. and said hoped that the
Major would be able to do something for
us. But at the time did not give much
thought to the subject, for my whole soul
was occuied In reveling in the genial heat.
had had no idea that was so cold.
In about tive minutes the door opened,
and a tall, broad-shOuldered man, wearing
heavy pea jacket. and an unmistaka able
air of being the master of the house. en-
tered the room. He was middle-aged, had
side whiskers and bright blue eyes. We
both rose. and with outstretched hand he
greeted Miss Weldon.
hearty tone. "Mrs. Bardsley tells me you
have lost your way, but that doesn't mat
ter. I'll make that all right"
Then he turned towards me, and Miss
Weldon introduced me.
''Ashmeadfn he repeated. as he grasped
me by the hand.
Yes" replied: Henry G. Ashmead.n
As l spoke he gave me quick look. and
seemed about to say something in reference
to my name. but he checked himself and
urged sit down again
What you must do now is to get warm,
get warm" he said. and he put two great
logs on the ire.
With a few quick questions and without
sitting down, be made himself acquaint ted
with the situation. For a moment he gazed
down upon us. and then he said:
The first thing to do now that you are
little thawed. is to get of your coats and
wraps"
That is hardly worth while" I replied.
for as soon as We are we'll warmed We
must get on. In some way or other, to the
Dolliver house,
Sir" said Major Pendallas. there is no
Doiliver house for you tonight Here you
are and here You stay. 1t Is three miles
pack to the main road. and then you would
reached the Dolllver house there is q Ion 9
hollow. and at this present moment the
snow Is probably drifted five feet. II you
had taken the right road. you most likely
would havo been In that snow-drift now.
have sleighs and teams enough, and no
doubt could pull you through, but IT ia
blowing now as we'll as showing and am
not going 10 let young lady 60 out into a
storm like this especially when she has al
already as much as she Is able to stand of
brought in. and your horse put In the sta
Bile. Mrs. Bardsley viii take charge of
Miss Weldon. I'll attend 20 you SIR. and
supper will be ready In half an hour;a and