Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-05-07

shall surely reach home before the storm
i breaks"
"Hush!" Clara held up her finger as a
/ low growl of thunder rolled along TIE
edge Of the horizon and the big drops
began to pattcr among the leaves of the
beech copse, on whose outskirts they
stood. ''Another five minutes, and the
tempest will be upon us in all it's force,
We must not lose an instant in seeking
shelter"
but suppose old Huldah viii not ad
init us2'
/ "Itis all nonsense to suppose anything
Of the kind, She cannot refuse US shelter
in storm like this.
And Selling her companions hand
resolutely, Clara WYnford almost dragged
her along over the rough inequalities of
the mountain path to the little cabin
which nestled beneath an overhauging
ledge of rocks. Once, twice, she tapped
aud receiving no response, boldly pushed
the door open ana entered, while Marian
followed with beating heart and cheeks
blanched by vague, undefne1 terror.
/ A fire of sticks blaz2d on the huge
stone hearth, and an old woman sat be-
fore it smoking a short, black pipe. She
turned her head as they entersd.
"Why didn't you say Come in, HUI
dah?" inquired Clara, with good
humored imperiousness. "Didn't you
hear us craving admission"
81 heard your knock" hoarsely an-
wered the old cronc.
"And why didn't you teplya'
81 want no company" was the brief
answer.
But Clara Wynford, instead of being
repealed by this ungracious reception,
drew a wooden stool TO the fire, beckon-
ing Marian to follow her example.
you're a cross old thing, Huldah, "
she said, laughing. "Would you have
kept Gs out in the rain2"
"Better to be drenched by the rain
than to seek a shelter like this" said
Huldah, her face still turned away from
her unlimited guests.
"Why, Huldah, you speak as if this
tiacc were uncanny"
$50 it is, " said HuIdah, sternlys
''Are there ghosts here, or evil
spirits?" persisted Clara, the words
sounding strangely in her gay young
voice.
"Clara! Clara! pleaded Marian, pull
ing her sleeve, "don't talk SO; YOU
make my blood run coldi"
"But it's all nonsense, laughed Clara.
"Ob, do listen to the rain! how it pours
upon the roof, and just see those VIVID
flashes. You can't turn us out, Huldah,
now that we are herelp
Huldah Dare's rigid old face softened
somewhat as she looked into the fresh
beauty of the sweet young couutenance
upturned to hers.
~ would never have invited you to
come in, Miss Clara" she said; "but
since you are here l must do my best to
make you comfortable
"And you will give us some milk out
of those darling Old blue trimmed bowls,
and some rye bread2"
eyes"
Clara clapped her hands like de-
lighted child.
And may we sleep up in the gorret
Gnder the eaves?'
"You had better 60 home, Miss Clara
this hut is no place for tho likes of you
dainty young ladies to lay your headsr'
"Inhospitable old thing' pouted
Clara. "As if we could go home ia such
tempest as this! Why, it will rain all
night"
They will send the carriage for you. "
Chow can they, when they haven / an
idea where we are? We started to walk
to Buckleyville, and then | remembered
what delicious wild grapes used to grow
up the mountain side, and We wandered
eft, scarcely knowing where, until we
heard the thunder peal, and found our
selves close to your cottage. It's reg
ular adventure, Huldah, and you may as
well give into it first as last
Marian Drake sat silent the while, and
when Huldah had limped into the bed
room to get fresh fuel wherewith to re-
plenish the failing fire, she whispered to
her companion
al don't like the looks of this place,
Clara! Iwish we had never come to
it,
"What noDseDsel" said Clara, gayly.
81 think it is all splendid Old Huldah
is "a perfect character, and night upon
the mountain side viii be an adventure
to talk of.forweeks.
The supper OF rye bread aud milk was
delicious to toe two hungry girls, aud
when aitesward Huldah showed them
the way up steep flight OF steps more
like ladder than stairs, which led into
the garnet, Clara's delight was greater
than ever.
"What u love Of an old place" she
exclaimed, looking round her at the bare
beams aud rafters, which, at their apex,
almost touched her head. Chow music