Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-01-05


bad enough
"Hcigh ho. l wish he would stay
away AMI not tumble down on us to
spoil our delightful Now Years. | new
cr could stand him"
Glenn recalled what Il villainouS
tease Ned had been when on his visit
to them during vacation.
''IIc was Il tease, but he was hand
Iomc boy" she concluded.
Then casting Ned out of her
thoughts. she stopped to gather great
armful of the glorious holly.
The distance was greater than Glen
had supposed. and the afternoon had
darkcncd considerably when her fam
ing branches of berries were tied with
wisp of gray moss and she turned to
so home.
Skirting the edge of the Branch"
as those StrcamlctS which cut through
the pine forests are called, she came
to a sudden halt.
From which side had she come? And
how rapidly twilight drops into night
these short December days.
OF course she passed that big elm
and those pines, and
Glenn was bcwildcred and had to con-
fess most reluctantly that she did not
know whether she came by the right
or by the left.
Her heart gave Il tluttcr as the word
lost ran through her mind, but she
had lived all her short life more or less
in the woods, so beyond slight ire
NOR Glenn was not frightened.
What added to Clrnl'S bpwilderment
was the light snowfall. which covered
up all paths and made everything I'M
familiar.
But for that elem might have real
lied where she was going and not de-
flcctcd away. as she did toward Il
stretch of heavily timb"rcd swamp
land totally unfamiliar. Night was
drawing ON with cruel rapidity, and
the forest shades were deepening into
black patches and Sombcr viStaS, while
above, as Glenn looked up, she could
see few stars beginning to Slimmcr.
Suddenly she remembered with ter
ror that she had left the house without
seeing dear old Nance or telling her
anything about her proposed quest
after holly berries.
The wind was rising, and-Wcll,
night and darkness had come. Glenn
was lost in the heart of the woods.
Glenn went steadily forward, knowing
that If SHE stopped she would be n
thousand times more frightened.
At last Clcm'S steps faltcrcd. Stag
gcring, she sat down exhausted at the
foot of Il tall pine, in whose branches
the night brcczcs We're playing as on
an .EOlian harp. 'Oh, Dipu de bOnte!"
exclaimed Glenn, lapSing into French,
her mothers tongue. as she often did
under excitement or when in distress.
But her French blood soon asserted
itself, and. rouSing, she pcercd around
in the darkness which cnvelopcd all
things. What was that dark object
a little way off? Glenn got up and be-
gan cautions approach.
Her heart gave bound of pleasure
on recognizing an abandoned coal burn
er'S hut.
The door, as she pushed it open,
though Sngged, still held ON its hinges,
and. feeling around, Glenn found a
piece of candle sticking to Il board and
some scattered matches.
Clcm'S heart was beating furiouSly.
Suppose they were too old to light?
But the one she scratched Sputtcred
and lit, as did her candle. and Clem
found herself in a hut bcgrimcd with
Snnl:n hp lint f.lnnn N N-hinh
Il rude bench. Il table and a heap of
dried pine needles in the corner.
Glenn sank down with an exclamation
of hyStcrical gladncss. Placing her
bunch Of berries on the table, Glenn
closed the door and drew the bench
against it, while the wooden shutter
of the window was held fast by its
rude fastening.
Throwing herself on the soft mat of
pine needles, Clcm sent Il prayer heay-
onward whose anguiShcd intensity she,
being II years, had never imagined.
There were various vcNatious delays.
The evening train on which Edward
Singleton was lcisurcly smoking was
run ut increased speed to make up for
lost time.
Suddenly there were il crash, shouts,
cries and a terrific commOtion, an aw-
full humping. Il kissing and roaring
noise, Il Shattcring of glass and dircful
shrieks, and the coach, toppling half
way over, stood still.
Tearing his way out, Ned realized
what the accident was.
Running over Il terrified COW, the en-
gine was dcrailcd. 1t had torn its way
through an adjoining field, where it
finally stood, painting and kissing, while
two coaches were wrecked, and the one
in which Ned had been was overturned
and ditchcd.
OF the crew and passengers no one
was killed. but it was aSccrtancd that
there were contusions innumcrable,
while night had already come.
Ned was Il good walker and the pros
pect did not appall him specially.
lie would get to Dr. Randolph's late;
but, it being New Years eve, no one
would be in bed before l., an excellent
hour for supper.
Ned remembered with pleasure the
epicurcan tastes of the doctor.
\ short cut. At the crossroads!
Straight across country Excellent!
Ned buttoncd his ovcrcoat, lit cigar,
took his handbag and. bidding adieu to
the wrecked train and lamcnting pas
scng"rs, struck out for the village by