The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-12-26

| SlOl. l4C hHlo NV Spolltl St.tlCI lluA
fussy, stout woman with two little
girls established herself behind him.
Why had lie committed the incredi
BILE folly of this journey? From /;
sense of duty doubtless. 1t was time
| that he did something substantial fol-
his aunts, his nearest living relatives
two widows with Il hoUseful of othel
peoples children. as he knew from
their letters
They had promised him "a real home
Christmas" and he shuddered at the
thought. He had been a homeless mar
for many years and hoped to live and
die in that blessed condition. Out of q
long, soul destroying, nerve wreckins
struggle he had emerged a rich man
He had taken new and more luxurious
| rooms at the club. He was prepared
to enjoy life in them, or if not he could
at least be miserable with no one to
worry him.
The train dawdlcd along and reached
Lyndc. which is the nearest station IL
Rrantford. about noon. There remained
Il ride OF eleven miles in whatever We
hicle his aunts had provided.
He was near the only home in the
world lie could be sure was open 10
him for love alone. The Old. boyiSh
pledge that he would come back when
lie got rich was about To be made
good. These matters might at least
interest kim, but they did not 1t
wearicd him to consider them. he was
conscious of an active dread of the
cold and drcary ride that he must take.
md he felt annoyed most unreasonably
because the stout woman AID her chill
dren who had distressed him on the
train were alighting at this particular
station. But his soul WAS empty of
sentiment.
He lodged the trio and FASTENED
through tie little buildings, expecting
to find his aumt's carriage upon the
other side. but there was nothing that
looked like IL private conveyance. just
opposite the door girl whom he had
seen on the train WIS putting hand
bag into Il queer vehicle on runners,
called 'pung" in those parts. 1t had
a broad seat, rudcly hooded, in front
and long, boylike body in which
were some packages and small
trunk
"Yes'm." the driver of the vehicle was
saying. this is the stage. | wouldn't
be surprised if yuu was Miss Amy
Hunt. Mrs. Martha Webster asked me
to look out for You an Il young Teller
she was eXpectin You amt seen moth
in of him. have YOU
Il saw a man get off the train" she
replied. but he was as gray as n
mouse. He couldn't have been
At this moment she caught sight of
Wethercll. SO close that he must have
heard what she had said.
do you know" said lie 10 the driver,
where can hire Il conveyance to take
me to Brantford?"
Pm goin' right over there This is
the stage. Cost you only half Il dollar
TO ride with me. l guess you're Mr..
Wethercll, amt you: | WAS told to
bring you over"
Wethercll perceived that he could
not press his inquiry without Il suggrS
ton of discourtesy to Miss Hunt. She
would think he ought TO welcome the
chance to ride with her. There really
was no way out of it. So after involv-
ing the whole state of Maine in one 81
lent anathema he stepped aboard the
pung.
Wctherelfs meditations were inter
ruptcd by the loud voice of the stout
woman who called from the door of
the station demanding to know wheth-
er that thing" was the Brantford
stage. The driver said. "Ycs'm," and
measured the front seat with Il glance
of his eye.
81 guess you an the Youngsters will
have 10 bundle in here behind" said
he.
by no means" exclaimed Wetherell,
rising 81 could not think of subject
Ing the lady to so much discomfort. l
will find Il conveyance for myself
Keep your scttin'," said the stout
woman. with decision. Me and the
girls would jcs' as soon ride behind.
1t II be full warmer there than twill
up on that seat
Weth2rell heSitated, meditating
flight. The stage driver, whose name
was Bunker. and the station agent
were approaching with his trunk The
driver removed the horses blankets
and threw them into the pung.
You better wrap the kids in these"
he said. Whats Your name. little
one? Harriet Williams? An your
sister? Oh, her names Lucy. is it?'
Bunker climbed to the seat of the
pung. evadin@ Wcthcrelrs best attempt
to make him take the middle of the
seat. The lean StccdS started the sleigh
with an effort that bodied i'll for the
speed of the journey. Wetherel sub
sided into the high collar of his coat
and tried TO Summon up endurance.
On the edge of Lynde it began to
snow. and strong wind suddenly
arose and whirled the snow into the
faces of the travellers until they were
half smothered and more than half
blinded.
WethereIl looked sidewise over his
fur collar al Miss Hunt The girl wore
a long black cloth coat with Il fiimsy
silk handkerchief around her neck.
Are you very cold:" asked Weth-
erell
Freezing to death. thank you" said
she. And you:"
"Oh. I'm all right" he replied. This
coat of mine DO you know" he said.
with sudden thought, I've another
overcoat in my trunk. Shall l get il
for you?'
NO, no. she exclaimed. Don't
think of opening your trunk here. The
snow will drift in and spoil all your
things"
He climbed over the back of the seat
and succeeded in getting the trunk
open, though his fingers nearly froze
upon the key and the metal of the
lock. 1t was necessary to lift cut the
tray and to put it into Mrs. Williams
lap, for room in the back of the pung
was very scanty. With the penetrat-
ing eye peculiar to her sex Mrs. Viii
liams saw some large bath towels.
IF l could have one of them to put
over my head she said wistfully.
"Certainly," replied Wetherell Pass
them around. There ought to be enough
for all of Us. And say. Mr.. Bunker,
see if you can get into this"
He tossed the driver Il frock coat,
such as used TO he called a Prince AL
bert. The idea of Bunlirr'S wearing it
amused him and suggested further pas
time of til" same kind
Mrs. Williams" he continued, will
you so far honor me rs to wear this
Pm that cold" she responded, with
deadly seriousness, that I'd wear any
thing except pants. My. amt this love.