The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-24
WOMAN DIsP0SES.
GA Christmas Story.)
( BY JOHN c. FIsCHBECK.

GA Christmas story.) BY JOHN c. FIsCHBECK. Copyright, 1903, by Daily Story Pub. Col This happened % years ago, when good MT Spotswood was governor of this ! fair province of Virginia. was a young gallant then, and not a somewhat sluggish duilard. as have become. And Mime. Clarendon, whom you may see knitting placidly by the window wonder, was neither elderly nor gray-haired. She was as lissome young lass as one might wish to see, and when saw her l first, riding along a country lane on her paifrey. felt that Cupid's arrows had wounded me once for all.
 Now, this is a bit of personal history. and refers to Christmas time and stormy weather, such as sometimes happens. though but rarely, in our Virginia. There were many merry-makings in the coun- try in those days, when the example of pleasure-loving monarch, howbeit he dwelt across the seas, encouraged his people in all such harmless indufgences It was at a neighbours place, where we were enjoying a dance, not long before | the beginning of the holiday season. that made my bow to sweet Mistress Pru- dence Haywood. But she would have | none of me. tossing her pretty head and
 
 other suitors.
 thought this a bad beginning. but re- minded me of the proverb about the brave and the fair. and determined to press my suit. It chanced that her father had been an old comrade of mine | in the Indian wars, and I soon found means to visit them. The old man re- ceived me cordially, and as we sat over our mugs in the comfortable wainscot- | fAA hoI1 nf 1f@ nA nlI he hearsed to me the eventful story of his campaigns. I listened with outward re- spect, but, as confess with some shame, with small attention; because Mistress l Prudence served us from time to time, as the mugs ran dry-talling being thirs- | ty work-as my eyes and ears were for her alone.
 need not say that once established in the good mans graces, I was aasiduous of. with the art of which every maid. however country bred, is mistress. At 1 the end of the twelvemonth l knew no better how I stood in her estimation than I did at the beginning. | Christmas eve was approaching. and
 with the decline of the year came fire. quent storms and tremendous snows,
 such as the people of the vicinage had | not seen for a time longer than com passed by the memory of the oldest man
 amongst us. Travel was not only difi- cult, but perilous, and hardly a morn- 1 ing passed but brought tidings of dis tress, not rarely coupled with the news 1 that some daring equestrian had suc- cumbed to the cold, or been 'whelmed in
 a treacherous creek. I could not leave
 my lonely hall in such weather without decent excuse and for 8 week searched
 in vain for a reasonable pretext to dare
 the dangerous roads and see Prudence
 again. was very much in love, and 1t seemed at length as though would risk
 any danger, just to see her sweet face
 again.
 At last could no longer deny the qualification of my desire. So. saddling
 my horse, Dobbin. I pushed through the
 heavy drifts and on to Holloway hall,
 passing over the great stone bridge across the river which separates the two estates. I noted that the ice had &C., Eeimulated perflously against the cen- ftral arch of the bridge, and remarked to l myself that there would be risk, an the | weather moderated not, of the ancient
 structure collapsing before the tre- j mendous pressure. At another time or
 on another mission, I might have dis
 mounted and made an examination of
 the masonry, but pushed on, assuring myself that there was no immediate
 peril, and that the stonework had stood l 30 winters, even if none so severe as
 this, and would doubtless survive a few
 brief days of stress.
 As brushed the snow from my cloak
 in the porch of Holloway, could not but
 feel a sense of foolishness, for having 1 ventured on a visit at time so evident | ly unpropitious Old Master Haywood
 was absent, but Prudent met me at the door.
 Why, Master Clarendon" she said,
 saucily. "'tis a rough wind that blows
 you hither. Shall bid you welcome, or
 no?'i .a-7 -..--- --,,..,. -,.,-.. .,s7 .. ootr
 "As you prefer" answered, somewhat
 stiffly, for I was nettled at the mockery
 in her eyes. But since I come 50 far and by such dangerous roads, I may tell you that have an object in doing so." | sudden color famed into her cheeks, and she drew back with a little exclama-
 tion. partly surprise and partly coquetry
 for such Is the manner of girls. Fear not I cried, the sight of her
 dear face putting to flight all the tim
 idity of the previous moment, 'all
 have to say may be put in three words:
 'I love you. Prudence!'
 | 1 paused for an answer. But never a
 word said she She stood there smil- | ing.
 Marry me, my dear" I began again. T have loved you ever since I saw you
 arst;" and then went on to tell her how
 had seen her riding on day near IS months before. and then of the dance
 where had first addressed her. and then
 of her fathers long stories of old cam
 paigns. and my inattention when she
 was within sight. But she interrupted
 me not at all; merely smiled as she lis-
 tened. And when I made an end. there
 fell a silence between us.
 "Will make no answer to my suit?" said finally. Well. be 1t so But will l ask again, and again, and yet again, till | you tell me what wish to hear. Sweet Mistress Clarendon that is to be, salute you-''
 You have impudence, sir" she cried. ito take possession of me so cavalierly! I will marry whom I please. and when please, an it will not be you. care not at all for you!'
 It was warm and snug within doors, but as swung to saddle again. the cold struck into my bones. and the growing storm made all about black and strange. The wind had sprung up within the hour, and now whirled the snow into blinding clouds, so that my faithful horse picked his way slowly and still more slowly through the increasing drifts. My own mind was full of sad thoughts. Though was resolved to win Prudence in the end. this did not prevent me from yield ing to the deep depression of my mood. case the reins on Dobb!ns neck and let the good beast proceed at his own sweet will