The morning times., 1896-01-12
HUGH.

A blizzard was raging acIosS 'iS ii''iuS'
The wind blew harshly and bitterly The
snow reII in binding Sheets
with his feet on the crate, his pipe IN
his mouth. Hugh Vincent sat, ensconced
,r,r, the storm. By his side was piled n
trce stock of periodicals. Books in rude
coses stood against the wall. Deer heads
.,,her trnphies of the hunt adorned the
ellis The room lacked the prettiness of
orr,Dccment that woman's hand imparts.
Reside the upcn fire lay huge ST. hernaru.
,-i,,c,rt i,,yctl with the magazines. Their
,riIIia nj covers of white and gold, decorated
,-t,b holly, caught his attention. Christ
r,osr WHY, il was Christmas Evei How
many wears had passed since he had thought
of that day! All the sad reeoilectlons OF
nc Iire clustered about that day HIS
father had died at Christmas, and she--
I-npoticed the books dropped TO the floor.
ue sat gazing intently into the flame.
Could 1t be nineteen years ago that ne
had withdrawn from the society OF men
and women? How the time had shpped
awavl His pipe, his dog, his books ard
b,sfocss had so filled the time that he
had not observed its lapse.
cousin connected with a publishing
house supplied him with all the best III
eroture. How kind Hal bad been! His visits
were really the bright spots in his gray eX-
istence Hal understood.
The wind walled a homesicS strain and
Hugh scowled at the fire. His outdoor hfe
his regular habits and healthy living had
cheated time He looked barely thirty, whlie
in fact he was forty-two. His was goouiy
face to look upon-calm, strong ana nanu-
some.
Thoughts of her invaded his peace Nhat
n fool he had been to stake his life Oh the
ricElp fancy of five feet or wcmannoou!
Beautiful little Nelli II was under the mis-
tIrioe that he had seen her first. win the
audacity of youth he had picked her up anu
kissed her. From that moment ne hau Gov
etrd her for his own. She had PROMISED
Yes on the Christmas day in the long ago,
with her sweet eyes looking so trustfuuy
into his He lad gone away, ard Wheh ne
returned. three months later, she had mar
red the cattle king from Texas
No word of explanation lie had ever ac
cepted Alone in his stubborn Engish priue
he had borne his chagrin ana pam.
r,ycrs,. oi feeling some lines alters d
Tfr course From merry youth, hugh ui-
cent became stern man. On his rIhcn hc
vent to work and found solacef Tor MS paul.
and so nineteen years had passed away
The St Bernard reused himself uneaslIy
,nd laid his head on Hugh's knee He
began To bark uneaSly and sniff about Tue
door. HGgh opened the door and let nun
out, and rctErned II his revere NOT more
than fifteen inmates had passed away wneh
he was aroused Dy the ST. Bernard Darkhs
fJrIousIv Rcuctantly he pulled on his iur
coat ana went ont. Away IN the distance
he saw something black against the snow
IL was an awful night. Reaching the dog, ne
bent over the object n the snow lie rllseu
il in his arms and carried II TO the HOUSE.
He unbuttOned the Seaiskln jacket lhat en
yeIoned the slight figure, undid the sllken
wrap about the head. The hgnt zen upon
her race framed in its soft, dark hair.
"NellV' he whispered, hoarSely
Calling his servants, he worked over her
until he restored her to CONSCIOUSNESS
IIagh's heart seemed like dead thihg'
What hollow ;noCAery was THIS!
He watched her as she sept Inc ueep
mourning dress draped q form no larger
than a Child's The face must DE Nell s.!
without a word she opened her eyes ana
found his fixed upon her face de coulu
not think could not reason. Who was sue,
how came she there?
She rouscd herself and began to talk.
She had fallen from the sleigh on her way
to the fort and in the storm could not
make them hear. 1t had been clear when
they started, but the blizzard had over
taken them.
You are staying at the fort?' Hugh
asked.
Merely stoppfng there on my way south.
Ny mother asked me to come this way 10
deliver Il message to her father. She Is
dead
Your mothers name, child was"
Helen Condy.''
You have heard of Hugh ViDcent?''
~ am taking him a message
Little girl, L am he.'
'.You-ah-vou are worthy the love my
mother bore you. She sent me to her
father. She never saw him after she mar
ried. | was to tell him to tell you all.
That she married my father to save his
honor. You will undcrstand-it was about
some public funds. Yes, l see, you appre-
hend II all. She talked of you so much,
and when she died l placed the miniature
lOcket she always wore above her hearI
The last words she said were: TEL Hugh
will await him in heaven. Teach him TO
forgive Nell. ~
Nell's eyes were wet. Hugh's head
bowed on his hand. and the pent-up feelings
seemed to rend his soul.
They became wonderfully well acquainted
thatnight. The next day dawned clear. and
Hugh sent her to the fort, where anxious
hearts were waiting her coming in hopeless
despair.
year hac passed way and it had made
difference in Hugh Vincent. Every week
whether IT was answered or not, q letter
came from Nell. He had grown restless as
the cold weather advanced and resolvedto
accept Fa''s oft-repeated invitation TO WISH
New York
He went and was glad he did. New years
eve found him at a reception. He hardy
knew himself in evening dress. He me-
MANY bright people and felt much at home
among them.
Alone for a moment be stepped in the con
servatory. There. beside hrge palm, stoot
dainty figure in black. Hugh forgot bi
40-0dd years as lie locked at her lace. III
Nell! The Eeil of long agol A great pan
filled his heart. A Il the love be bore Mel
her daughter had awakened in all us ae
quired strength. After all, life was no
worth living.
She him standing there. with his low
shining in his eyes-the strained despai
of hopeless affection. Tears suffused he
sweet, brown eyes as she came and laid he
tiny hands on his arm. With her qric
tact she guessed his secret. The c.oci
struck 12. She smiled as she spoke, the
lowered her head.
Hugh, cannot live any longer withou
yon, and as the clock has just p-oclaiine
that leap year is really here can wit
propriety--"
"Nel' do vnu mean it?"
In his longing arms he cIasped her. a
last nL> ~ % 5ear iiie Nesfi-