Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-18
A Winter NIGHT;
OR,
Found in a Snow-Drift.
Or,
CHATTER II.-CoNTINUED.


| for the matches on the dressing-table.
The blind was not drawn, and the moon
! light shone full upon her as her eyes sought
! the glass, and saw looking over her Shout
der dark revengeful face, full Of hate and
| menace.
A smothered cry escaped Dorothy; she
turned and tried to catch at the form, but n
heavy blow felled her senseless to the
! ground, where she lay she knew not how
long, and awoke dazed and faint, with the
peaceful moonlight shining upon her, and
all the house silent.
She rose and found II was late; then she
crept shuddering back to the parlor to find
old Agnes making up the fire.
why, where have you been, Miss Snow?
You look like ghost; are you Hip
Hastily, with many looks at the curtains
and doors, Dorothy told AgIes what had
! happened, and showed the bruise on her
forehead where she had been struck. Agnes
seemed terribly upset, and asked anxiously:
"Do you think you were really awake?
You might have Knocked your head against
something and stunned yourself"
NO; distinctly saw face in the glass
beside my own. 1t was dark face, and
believe il belonged to a woman. l only won
der my fall did not wake Ally"
where is Ally? Is the child safe?' ask
ed Agnes IN an agony of alarm.
"Yes, she is safe. / kissed her as | came
down. Oh, was so frightened and hurt
too! Who could it have been, Agnes"
'How should know, Miss Snow? The
maids are all trustworthy girls, who have
all worked under me for years, or | might
fancy your jewelry tempted one of them.
Is it all safe?'
II don't know; did not think about
tewelry. Iwill look when l go back to bed.
There is no way Of getting into my room
but by the door, / SUPPOSE
mo; l can't understand it. Shall l get
you some wine and biscuits, or will you
have anything else?'
II don't want anything to eat, but should
be glad of a glass of wine, 1 feel so shaken"
Enough to make you, poor child. Pll go
back with you TO look at the child; my
heart misgives me on her account"
Surely no one would harm little inno-
cent child?
II hope not, Miss Snow"
After Dorothy had drank her wine she
went to bed. All was right, jewery I'M
touched, and Ally sleeping peacefully.
Old Agnes gave a sigh of relief; she had
dreaded she knew not what, and was reliey-
ed to find, so far, all was well with her
charge.
The next day passed peacefully away,
and Dorothy forgot 10 fear every shadow;
but the bruise on her forehead reminded
her unpleasantly of the nights adventure,
and she longed for Mr.. Penfold to return;
she felt she would be safe if he were at
home.
She missed his jovial presence and kind
har nd ic IN ha
dered at that, considering his great kind
ness, she being young and impressionable,
she should set him up In her heart of hearts
as a hero.
And, indeed, he was no ignoble one. A
man OF blamelesS life, who had suffered
surprising wrong, that had wrecked his life
and made his home deSolate.
This had been bravely borne by him three
years before, and the thought of that made
old Agnes very tender to her young master,
whom she had nursed in infancy, and loved
O. an own child.
Dorothy awoke on the morning OF New
Years Eve with heart at rest. Before the
night came her hero would be with her, and
her heart felt light at the thought as she
wished the time away.
Towards evening when dusk had darken-
ed the quaint rooms and made mysterious
shadows in hooks and corners, Dorothy sat
down on the fur rug by the fire, and draw
Ing little Ally into her lap, began TO talk to
her OF long walks In the woods when the
frost kings reign was over.
The room grew darker and darker, but
the freight glowed bright and warm, and
the two were costly nestled together, Ally's
dark head on Dorothy's breast, Dorothy
resting her back against her armchair.
when the frost has gone, Ally dear, we
will go TO Caerphilly Castle; among the
ruins there are always beautiful lichens and
mosses."
"Yes-yes, Miss Snow; we'll find lots OF
lovely flowers for dear papa he loves flow
ers; and Drift shall go with us, and run and
leap about amid the ruins, shan't you,
Drift"
Drift reused from his sumbers, wagged
his tail-a dogs way of saying yes" Ally
explained, as she smoothed her little hand
over his rough head.
Dorothy loved Drift; he had been the
means Of rescuing her from death in the
snow, so she allowed the bonny brute TO
put his big head on her knee.
After time Ally's voice grew drowsy,
and she fell fast asleep on Dorothy breast.
Dorothy was glad she had done so, for she
wanted to sit up and see her papa. SO she
kept very still, and after a time fell asleep
too, luled by the steady tick of the clock,
and warmed by the bright blaze.
When she awoke, apilow had been placed
under her head, the light burned dimly, and,
sitting opposite, watching her with admir-
Ing eyes, was Mr.. Penfold.
She could not move for fear Of waking
Ally, so she kept still with her eyes not
quite closed, and waited. She was afraid
her dress did not properly cover her pretty
ankles She could see the eyes of the man
she had got to think hero bent upon her,
and her face glowed with bushes beautiful
as the tints OF budding rose.
Mr.. Penfold looked into the fireglow and
sighed; he was looking careworn and tired.
Somehow, without knowing why, Dorothy
felt sorry for him, and wished she had the
power to comfort him.
AS she lay there wondering about him,
she saw him start up with an angry cry, and
spring to the window; they were on the
ground-hoor in room that looked out on
the lawn. A modern French window had