Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-11
A Winter Niglt;;
Or
Found in a SnoW-DTift.

CHAPTER DISCONTINUED.

face full Of genuine admiration at the pref
ty picture she made with his gift pinned at
her throat among the snowy folds or lace
that crossed so daintily over her pretty bust
IL cannot tell you how delighted am to
see you are able to come down. Sit here by
the fire. What is your name, child3 Mine
Is Pierce Penfold."
She looked blankly up Mt him moment.
Then rs her eyes wandered away to the
snow-c:ad hills she faltered ont family:
Mine is Dorothy Snow. and am very,
very grateful to you for your timely hep.
Had you not found mo should be lying
dead now-frozen TO death in the snow
drift"
MY dear young lady, my old mother used
to say: God Is always In one place, no
matter where his wanderers stray He
guided me TO you last night and it Is great
happiness to me to think that /, under
Heaven, was allowed to help you. Let me
give you a glass Of wine, and promise me
that you will cons der me friend.
LET there be silence between us as TO all
that concerns you till Twelfth Night, when
will meet you here in this room, to burn
the holly; until then you are my honored
guest; after then, perhaps, you will let me
be your true friend. Now, Miss Snow, here's
q merry Christmas to you. Shake hands"
She held out her hand gratefully; as he
pressed il he noticed she wore gentle
mans ring, costly jewel engraved with a
masonic emblem. he raised her hand and
looked at it eagerly, saying:
This ring was given to you by q ma
son'p'
"Yes, knight templar-my father"
Then, my dear, you are twice welcome,
once for your own sake, and once for your
fathers, since he was brother mason"
HE is dead, or / should not be here"
Tears dimmed the innocent blue eyes, and
the sensitive lips quivered grieyously.
Ally changed the subject, saying:
did you hear the waits last night, Miss
SnowP did"
Dorothy shuddered, and remembered with
pain that she heard them singing OF peace
and goodwill while she was the centre Of
scene of strife. But she said nothing of this,
only lifted the child 10 her knee, and talked
10 her OF Christmas-time when she was
happy child.
Pierce looked ont on the ice-bound earth
little sadly. 1t was long since he had seen
his child cradled In the arms of a gentlewo-
man. Somehow the sight Of those two In
the & armchair, filled void In his heart
and home, and he wondered vaguely for
what purpose this lovely girl had been
thrown in his path.
The day passed peacefully away, and the
nighttime came brilliant and star light.
Little Ally had tired herself out over
snapdragon after late dinner, and Dorothy
had carried her off TO bed, heard her pure
prayer, and had stolen back to the cheerful
sltting-room where her host sat recalling
the sight of the fair young face as 1t bent
yearningly over his motheriess child.
he had noticed, too, how confidingly Ally
had nestled in the kind arms of her new
friend, and he felt that the instincts IL a
child are to be trusted.
He drew chair TO the Preside, and said
softly:
MY little girl is very lonely; you have
been perfect godsend to her to-day. am
SO glad to have you here. / dreaded to-day,
and 10! 1t has passed so pleasantly that |
now regret il has flown so fast. You look
very pale, are you tiredY'
mot at all. Shall play for your
II wish you would, love music"
He hastily opened grand piano that
stood back in the shadows, lighted the cam
dies, and placed pile Of music before her
marked with the name OF Alison Penfold."
Dorothy picked ont one called "A Year
Ago." and as size sang tears splasned heavi-
ly down upon her little white hands. The
words touched her so deeply.
AS she concluded, the sweet clear voice
faltered and ended in a sob. Pierce bent
over her compassionately, saying:
Poor child, fear the song has stirred
sad thoughts in you. Pay this one for me-"
He put song in font OF her and sang
out jovially.
While he sang, Dorothy heard another
sound, shrill and heart-piercing-a child's
terrified cry. She few up the stairs TO the
pretty bedchamber where she had placed
the child.
Ally was standing trembling with fright
at the bottom Of the bed. At sight of Dor
othy she few TO her with outstreiched arms,
crying:
''Oh, Miss Snow, i have been so very
frightened. A dreadful woman, all in black,
like a DOGGY, came and woke me by kissing
me with cold lips. Then when cried out
she ran away SO quick
Poor little Ally! you have been dream
ing" said Dorothy, taking the child in her
arms.
just then old Agnes came in in great
flutter, saying:
"Heyday what's the matter, Miss Ally?
why do you cry out so? You've had too
much to eat, expect, and it has made you
have one Of your foolish dreams. Hush now I;
let me put you to bed, you'll take cold"
The feeble light of the lamp showed the
anxious face of the old lady, and the fright
ened face of the child. Ally repeated her
tale. Agnes shook her head and seemed
vexed, for she said sharply:
always the same foolish fancy. Mss
Ally; how many times have told you it is
but dream"'
"She Is too young TO understand the mean
ing Of dreams, Agnes"
Dreams have no meaning, miss"
81 suppose not; but 1t Is hard to believe
that when awakening from vision of ter
ror. Shut your eyes, little pet, will sit
with you till you can go to sleep again."
Take me TO your bed, Miss Snow"
May /, AgnesT
The woman looked vexed, but led the way
with light.
At the foot of the stairs they met Mr.
Penfold, who said sharply:
"What Is wrong with the child, Agnes?