Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-04


are criterion. I wish had not founa her,
yet must take her home. What will Agnes
say to 80 fair an addition TO our househo old?
Thrifty soul! How much food will she
wanlp will be her first idea. Well, this 10
an adventurel Young Lochnvar must have
been Hercules 10 have lifted his lady to
the saddle-bow. Bother 1t all she is not
very big, but she is dead weight. Steady,
my bonnie Blanche, steady, good lass, so,
SO! All, now Ne are right. Go ahead, Drift;
you have found prize worthy Of your bark
Ing"
On, on they went in the chill moonlight
til all signs OF Roath or Cardiff were left
behind, and they had entered upon 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 large rough stone house. A
man opened gate and let his master In,
wondering what he was holding in front Of
him.
"QuIck, Jemi ! have found a woman In
the snow; she may be dead. Come, Agnes,
open the door; we are famished-staryei
with cold"
A lower door opened at the side Of the
house; bright frelight flashed out from it,
and an old woman stood in the doorway,
saying In shrill thin voice:
"How late you ere, Master Pierce! Miss
Ally cried herself to sleep because you did
not bring her big doll so have hung up
her stocking for Santa Claus to fill. hope
you have not forgotten it; she would be so
disappointed Mercy on US, man! what
have you got there? A dead woman, by al
that's horrlbleW
mo, no, Agnes; hope not Help me.
All, that is right Jem. Down, Drift, good
dog; your lrze is safe"
Slowly the unconscious girl was carried
Into the brlgh. stone kitchen, where shining
pans and blazing fire made the place
bright.
They laid her down In the freglow on
rug, and Pierce Penfold knelt beside her
full of anxiety. Removing the heavy fur
cloak, they found a lovely girl, attired in a
dinner dress Of rich black velvet, cut square
at neck, with elDow-sleeves. She looked
such dainty lady, lying there with her fair
pale face and aaxen hair cleaning in the
treglOw.
Il am afraid she is dead" said Agnes, all
concern and kindness, touched by the child
like beauty of her face. ''I've heard rubbing
the body with snow sometimes restores ami
nation. Get some snow in a bucket, James.
Come, Master Pierce, you had better fetch
some blankets and lclye her 10 me. All the
maids are asleep. tired out.
Don't go too far away. l shall want you
to carry her to bed II she RECEIVERS. Poor
pretty one! wha. could have driven her out
on this awful night? Suppose, sir, you ill
the warming-pan with live Goals and warm
bed for her; no time 10 be lost. Lordlove
us she revives already. Get ont, sir, III
attend TO her. Pretty creature! what would
her mother say - see her now? Bide still,
Drift; you are always poking your nose in
to other peoples business"
The old lady chafed the lovely limbs with
STOW till they glowed with rosy life, then
she pulled awry the wee wraps, covered the
beautiful form, and went of TO her bed
chamber, where folded under her pillow
was nightdress frilled with wide frills and
huge nightcap TO match. These she sue
ceeded in putting upon the pretty stranger
before the steel-blue eyes Enclosed.
Then she gave her warm wine to drink,
forbade her to talk, and after covering her
with hot blanket, went TO call Master
Pierce, who came In Invested Of his outdoor
garments, blowing his fingers, which he had
succeeded in burning beautifully with the
warming-pan.
Following him came tiny white-robed
form, crying:
Papa dear, papa dear, Ally can't sleep
till you cosset her in your arms
"Drat the childr' said old Agnes not nm
kindly; she's always awake when we want
her asleep"
oh, papa, what funny ladyl Where
did You find her?'
''In snow-drift, darling. Come, let me
carry you to bed, you will take cold"
Put the child down, Master Pierce, please,
and carry this poor creature up to bed while
she is warm.
''See, she has tainted again; the fire is too
much for her.
''Sit up in nurses chair, dearle, while
papa takes the lady upstairs. That's my
own good gill; nurse will give her an orange
IL she will sit still till papa comes back"
Pierce took the beautiful form up In his
strong arms; the soft perfume of her hair
came just under his nose, her pale cheek
was warmed BY his breath. lie carried her
up the wide oak staircase into pretty
room, and laid her on sweet white bed
smelling of lavender.
She opened her eyes az he laid her down,
and the big blue eyes looked up amazed in
10 his handsome face. Her childish face
looked SO curious in the big white nightcap
TIA. he was bound 10 smie-such sweet
KIND smile that, seeing it, the girl took COM
fort, nestled amid her pillows, and fell
asleep.