The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-12-23

'ii'tt toco CApitiiNcS h- ifttis ds ne
dared, considering his freight, for be-
side a great trunk which served him
for = seat there sat on packing box,
. well wrapped in furs, young, beauti-
ful and well dressed woman holding
close in her arms a 2-year-old boy.
The like of them haG never astonished
! the vicinity before. Therefore Bob
Mahaffy drew sparingly on his vocab-
ulary and cracked his whip with un-
usual force to explain his meaning To
the broncbos. Once in a while
sleepy, cross little wall broke on his
ears, and to save him, he could not
help turning sideways to catch a
glimpse of little yellow head cuddied
Ia its mothers breast
The lady did not speak during the
entire ride. Her face was very pale
and rigid when at last they stopped At
the ''hotel." Through the open door,
as Pete hurried out, came a blur OF
light and wrangle of voices. 1t was
astonishing how much noise the few
worthless who frequented Black Pete's
could make, perhaps to defy the eter-
nal stiffness of the mountain. The
lady shrank back with an added pallor,
yet in her eyes shone dauntless courage.
"Whar's Silent Bill?" shouted the
driver.
.Roosts down in the last shanty, bat
he's p'inted fer the station to hev his
Christmas with ther boys. Jes' gone"
''Oh, when will he come back ?" ask
ed the lady, with a breathless gasp.
Pete started. He had not made out
the passengers before, though he had
been vainly peering into the darkness.
His husky voice took on, or tried TO,
softer tone, and he came eagerly to the
edge of the sleigh.
Hell be in town in few days,
ma'am. No-blame it-he'll be hyar
at onct. Bob kin go right back and
tell i'm. Air We lookin fer i'm,
ma'am?'
az am his wife," she said family.
''No. He know ye was comin?"
"No.n
"Waal, that's too darn bad. But
you jes' come right in, and we'll
have i'm hyar fore ye wake up in the
mornin."
She half rose in the wagon and then
sank back, overcome by fainting SEN
sation. How Iong-how much longer,
could she be brave? She fought down
her weakness in the moment of silence
and girded up her weary nerves to
enter that noisome room. But before
she reached the door the noise was
hushed, and she passed, with her baby,
through the startled group like an ap-
partition of the Madonna and the Child
Every head was stretched out to catch
a glimpse of the sleeping baby. Even
Mrs. Pete's hard face softened as she
took him in her arms, aud she hustled
about in her heavy fashion to make
them comfortable.
The lady revived somewhat after a
cup of coffee and the kindly meant if
somewhat rough hospitality and As
soon as possible went TO bed.
Meanwhile the group in the barroom
were quenching their thirst and their
curiosity at the same time, for Bob
Mahaffy staid for refreshments, aud
indeed stsid so long that he was in no
condition 10 drive back that night,
and so staid till morning. And he
gave minute details of the landing of
the lady and child at the station, all of
which was welcome rs shade in the
desert to the news starved loungers.
Above in the little attic room Mrs.
John Allison dropped to sleep after
long struggle with disappointment and
nervousness. The sun was already
high in the winter sky when she
awoke. She was sad, but still her own
brave self again, and quivering with
the hope that her long, weary search
would be ended to-day. After hasJy
breakfast she left the baby, still sleep
ing, with the half breed woman and
asked Black Pete 10 show her the way
to Silent Bills cabin. The crisp,
bright air raised her spirits and did her
good, and she forgot to be shy of Pete,
who was agonizing in his endeavors to
be civilized and polite.
Her plans were soon matured and in
operation. Action was imperative now
or she could not stand the suspense; so
Mrs. Pete and a man from the hotel set
to work under her orders. The heavy
box contained some materials for the
renovation, which though meager,
were riches to her now. She had
known something Of the condition Of
things which she should be likely to
find and had done the best she could
to prepare for it.
Ii was an astonished cabin, that
hardly knew itself, late that afternoon.
When all was done, the kindly helpers
had left her, at her own request, and
she gave one more comprehensive look
about, well pleased with the result.
First it was clean. That was the most
astonishing thing. She had brought
quantity of pretty chintz and red cali
co. The bed, made Of pine posts, was
curtained off from the room. She had
made inroads into Pete's stock Of baled
hay for tick and pillows. and her box
had furnished linen and quilts. The
hard bunk had been draped with chintz
and made into the softest couch for baby
that the means at hand could provide.
A rude but artistic mantel over the fire
place held some pictures aud little
clock, ticking away as cheerily as in
the New England home from which it
came. There was a broad, red lounge
with cushions in one corner and big
armchair-a wonder of contrivance,
with cali 20 concealing its dry goods
box origin. Other boxes bloomed forth
as cupboards and bookcase. The old
table was covered with crimson spread
and had hanging lamp above it.
There were shades aud white curtains
at the windows. The floor was scour-
ed and had rugs laid down, some of
bearskins and some that she had
brought with her. She had obtained
a nur1ber of bright hued blankets of
Pete, with which she had draped the