Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-07-17
CARRISTON'SGIFT
By HUGH CONWAY.
PART IL
TOLD BY DICK FENToN OF FRENCHAY,
WORCESTERSHIRE, ESQUIRE.
CHAPTER I.-CONTINUED.


made certain people change their minds
don't know; but, TO my annoyance and vexa-
ton, no skaters were to be seen, and more
over, the uncut, white surface told me that
none had been on the pond that morning.
Still, hoping they might come In spite OF tho
weather, put on my skates and went out
slde-edging and grape-vining all over the
place. But as there was no person in partc-
alarm fact, no one nj ALTO note my pow
ers, soon got tired. IL was, indeed, dreary,
ireary work. But waited and hoped until
he snow came down so fast and furiously.
that felt sure that waiting was in vain and
that had driven TO Lilymere for nothing.
Back went to the little inn; utterly dis
gusted with things in general, and feeling
that to break some ones head would be re-
lief to me In my present state OF mind. Or
course, q sensible man would at once have
got his horse between the shafts and driven
home. But whatever may be now, In those
days was not sensible man-Brand Will,
/ know, cordially indorse this remark-the
accommodation Of the inn was not such as TO
induce one TO lnger within its precincts; but
the fire was a right good one, and a drink,
( which skillfully manufactured out OF some
hot beer, was not to be despised, and proved
warming to the body and soothing To the
ruff1ed temper. So / fingered over the big
fire until began to feel hungry, and upon
the landlady assuring me that she could cook
a rasher, decided it would be wiser to stay
where was until the violence OF the snow
storm was OVER for coming down twas now,
and no mistake!
And it kept on coming down. About half
past three when sorTowfully decided was
bound to make move, il was showing faster
than ever. i harnessed my horse, and laugh
| ing at the old womans dismal prophecy that
/ should never get to Mldcombe III such
weather, gathered up the reins, and away
went along the white road.
thought knew the way well enough. In
fact had always prded myself upon re-
membering any road once driven over by me;
but does any one who has not tried 1t really
know how heavy fall of snow changes the
aspect of the country, and makes landmarks
snares and decisions? l learnt all about 1t
then, once and for all. i found, also, that
the snow lay much deeper than | thought
could possibly be in so short time, and it
still fell in manner almost binding. Yet L
went on bravely and merrlly for some miles.
Then came bit OF uncertainty
Which of those two roads was the right
one? This one, OF course-no, the other.
There was no house near; no one was likely
TO be passing i'm such weather, so was left
TO exercise my free, unbiased choice, a privi-
lege | would willingly have dispensed with.
However, made the best selection 1 could,
and followed il for some two miles. Then
began TO grow doubtful, and soon persuad-
ing myself that was on the wrong track, re-
traced my steps. was by this time some
Thing like huge white .plaste-of-parls fg-
hre, and the snow which had accumulated on
the old dogcart made ii run heavier by half
atom, more or less. BY the time l came to
that unlucky junction OF roads at which my
misfortunes began, 1t was almost dark; the
iky as black as tarpaulin, yet sending down
the white feathery flakes thicker and faster
than ever. felt inclined to curse my folly in
attempting such drive, at any rate blamed
myself for not having started two or three
hours earlier. I'll warrant that steady-gOing
bid Brand never had 10 accuse himself OF such
toolishneSs as mine.
| Well, took the other road: went on some
way: came TO a turning which i seemed TO
remember; and, not without misgivings, fol-
lowed it, My misgivngs increased when,
after little while, found the road grew full
Of ruts, which the snow and the darkness
quite concealed from me until the wheels got
into them. Evidently | was wrong again.
was just thinking of making the best of my
way out of this rough and untrequented road,
when-there, i don't know how IL happened,
such things seldom occur TO me-a stumble, "a
tall on the part of my tired horse sent me fly
ing over the dashboard, with the only consol-
ing thought that the reins were still in my
hand.
Luckily the snow had made the falling
pretty soft. | soon picked myself up and set
about estimating damages. With some diff
Guilty got the horse out Of the harness and
then felt free to inspect the dog-cart. Alas!
after the manner of the two-wheel kind
whenever horse thinks fit TO fall, one shaft
had snapped off like a caro-; so here was /,
i've miles apparently from ywheTe, in the
thick of binding snowsto a, left standing
~ IL
cart should like 10 know what Brand
would have done under the circumstances.
AS for me, / reflected for some minutes
reflection in snowstorm Is weary work. /
reasoned believe, logically, and at last came
TO this decision ! would follow the road. If,
as i suspected, it was but a cart track, 1t
would probably soon lead 10 habtation OF
some kind. Anyway, 1 had better try a bit
further. took hold of the wearied horse,
and with snow under my feet, snow-ilakes
whirling round me, and wind blowing right
into my teeth. struggled on.
1t was journey! | think / must have
been three-quarters OF an hour going about
quarter of a mile. was Just beginning TO
despair, when | saw welcome CLEAN of
light. / steered toward IL, fondly hoping that
my troubles were at an end. / found the
light stole through the ill-ftting window
shutters of what seemed, so far as / could
make out in the darkness to be small farm
house. Tying TO gate the knOtted reins by
which had been leading the horse, stag
gered up TO the door and Knocked loudly.
Upon my honor, until / leant against that
door-post had no idea how tired was-un-
I'll that moment l never suspected that the
finding of speedy shelter meant absolutely
saving my life. Covered from head TO foot
with snow, my hat crushed in, l must have
been pitiable object.
No answer came to my first summons It
was only after second and more imperative
application Of my heel that the door deigned
TO give way few inches. Through the
aperture womans voice asked who was
there?
Let me in" said III have missed my
way to Midcombe. My horse has fallen. You
must give me shelter for the night Open the
door and let me in"
shelter! You can't get shelter here, mis-
ter said mans gruff voice. This amt
on inn. so you'd best be of and 20 else
where"
but must come in" i said, astounded at
such inhospitality, Il can't 60 n step further.
Open the door at oncep'
You be hanged" said the man. "Tis my
house. not yours"
But, you fool mean to pay you well for
your trouble. Don't you know 10 means
death wandering about on such night as
this? Let me inl'
You won't come in here" was the brutal
and boorish reply. The door closed.
That was enraged at such incivility may
be easily imagined but il | said was thor
Oughy frightened believe no one would be
surprised. AS getting into that house meant
simply life-or death 70 me, into that house /
determined 10 get, ny door or window by