Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11

2-years' medical course he had sadly
missed the little girl, to see whom, when
at home. he had ridden ten miles regu-
larly twice n week but while at college
he had heard from her just the same.
as a trunk almost filed with letters would
prove. And now that college days were
over, and he was, as he often said TO
himself, as he sat musing. real doc
tor he missed her more than ever, for,
while his time was not altogether I'M
occupied, yet he had more hours in which
his thoughts might wander back to that
great old brick mansion, that nestled SO
snugly in the valley than he ever had
when pursuing his studies. attending lee
cures, and going through the daily rou-
tine incidental to the life Of medical
student.
1t was Christmas day. The gray clouds
that had hung over the Blue Ridge on
that morning when pretty Martha stood
on the back porch with tucked-up sleeves
and lour-specked apron, had not given
false warming for the snow now lay
thick on the ground, and the entire scene
was changed by the magic work OF tho
flakes, which for two days had come
down, furrying hither and thither, as the
wind caught them in its rough embrace,
until now the drifts made the roads al
most impassable. II was a beautiful
ny. though, for the sun had again made
'hs appearance, after sulking SO long be-
hind banks of clouds, through which he
,)uld not peer down upon the valley. as
he made his daily journey westward.
The valley now lay beneath the bright
orb like great white basin, shut In by
a ragged wall, ridged deep with Natures
errnine. The vast white eXpanse soon
lay glistening in the suns rays, until the
eve was almost dazzled with the scene.
Within the old mansion was a warmth
that defied the rough winds which even
now had not ceased to clamor at the win
dows and make its icy breath felt through
any creVice of loose easement. Inc
mcst CHEEKY room in the house this
Christmas morning, perhaps. was what
was known as the front parior In TINS
great roaring logs sputtered and made
much ado as they burned in the big open
fireplace, and gave out a grateful warmth,
which Just now was being enjoyed solely
by an old tabby cat, that lay stretched
at full length In front OF the hearth
stones.
There was not piece or furniture In
the room that was not suggestive OF COM
fort. One might almost become lost in the
depths Of the old-fashioned rockers. while
the hair-covered chairs and big sofa OF
a past generation seemed to stretch out
their mahogany arms in the most invit-
ing manner possible.
1t is needless TO say that DR.. Tom was
there on this bright Christmas morning.
Any one who could have seen Martha's
face as she tripped down the stairs and
passed through the wide hall that morn
ing. on her way to tie kitchen to give
Aunt Dinah last instruction about the
dinner, would surely have known II. Yes,
Dr. Tom had arrived in stanton the
night before, and but for the snow-drifts
that seemed piled mountain high would
that very evening have covered the ten
miles that separated him from his fair
Virginia cousin. But the most ardent
lover must sometimes possess his soul in
patience, and whether he would or not,
the icy barrier that now stood between
him and his lady love was certainly
neither to be melted nor pushed aside, by
any vexatiop he might manifest at its
being in his way on this particular night.
And even the pale, yellow moon, that
dear old SOUL who has aided so many
lovers In her time. was against Tom that
night, and had she been fayorably in
clined toward the Doctor she could not
have helped him much. for she was only
In her first quarter. And so Tom passed
wakeful night, and when he did sleep.
1t was only TO dream that he had tempted
his fate In endeavoring 10 make tho trip
by tho tickle light OF the moon. and that
now he lay head foremost In a snow
drift, with his feet pointed heavenward,
awaiting there in the cold road for
Martha to find him thus the next morn
Ing.
Tom. however, had set out bright and
early the next day, and though he looked
like q great snowman when he arrived
al the mansion, for he had not made the
ride without many mishaps. yet. however
chilly may have appeared his exterior.
his heart was as warm assever. and when
he beheld Martha, her rosy cheeks redder
than ever with the bushes that mantIed
them, why he declared as he threw aside
ths coat which almost hid him from view.