The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-22
LOVE IN A SNOW.
BY MARTHA MCCULLOUGH wIL
 HAMS

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 HAMS.
 | (Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub Co) | The wind came whistling and whoop' ing around the house, making snow pei lets play a spiteful tinkling tune upon | the window panes, but the hearfhside laughed at its fury-everything there was the moral and pattern of comfort and warmth. royal log fire roared up the chimney. In the light of 1t Uncle Peters chuckle grew visible as we'll as audible and Aunt Martha's plump countenance took on added benignity. Her eyes were fast on the fire. but she knitted rapidly never missing nor dropping a stitch Margery's hands, contrawise, lay idle ir her lap-a most unusual thing-witt Jimmy Crane sitting patiently beside the chess board, less than a yard away wrapt apparently in the solution of ar intricate problem. although really he kept narrow watch of the girl.
 Jimmy was Aunt Martha's orphan ne- phew,. Margery Uncle Peters niece, like wise bereft. They had been brought ur by the childless couple, not like brother and sister. Instead, there had been re- serves and distances-from the first il had been emphasized to the boy and girl that they were no blood kin. And since | they had come to man and womanhood they had known 1t was the darling wish | of their elders to see them husband and wife. Thus there would be no room for heart burnings over division of property. Jimmy had a pittance of his own-Mar- gery was wholly dependent. Therefore joint inheritance of a handsome compe- | tence ought to have been attractive. In a manner 1t was, yet both the young folk looked forward with somewhat of appre- hension to the wedding day, now but a month ahead.
 Jimmy, son, put away them red and white pixies. unless Peg'n play with ye. !" Uncle Peter said, presently, without turning his head. Aunt Martha coughed apprehensively. and gave her husband warning look. but he went on rumi- nantly: Laugh at 1t fer superstition CT what not-but it's a true saying, to play with yourself is to shake hands with bad luck Hain't seen it proved over and over? There was poor Tom Bibby, spent all his rest times throwing dice to find out the chances O double sixes-in ten years he had hardly more'n a coat to his back, and on top O that got drownded-'
 Put them away, Jimmy. Quick" Mar gerry entreated, with a little soft laugh that hardly masked a shudder. I'd play with you-only Tm-well-so stupid tonight. I keep all the time listening for something-it must be this storm makes me-"
 You're house burnt-that's what you are," Uncle Peter said, heartily. Get up and dance, you two-I'll play ye a lively jig"
 Uncle Peter, I'm clean amazed at you!" Jimmy interrupted, his eyes twink ling: Talk about gaming with yourself being unlucky! Why, it's nothing be- side dancing with your own shadow and that's what we should have to do. You'll have all the witches in the county trooping in to dance with us-wny! Isn't that the first of them hallooing now?"
 ''Maybe-but 1t sounds sorter human" Uncle Peter said. getting up ponderously. Margery was already at the front door, peering out through side transom, and seeing no more than the rush of the snow, although hearing unmistakably a voice in evident distress crying across the gale. Then, almost before she knew it, Jimmy came up to the door half car rying something that moaned faintly and shrunk from the bitter wind. Be- hind came another figure. one tall and upright The flare of Uncle Peters lan- tern striking full across 1t, showed 1t to be that of man. with stern, master full mouth and darkling eyes. All else was hidden in a muffle of rich furs. The fur was showed over until 1t gave. him the semblance of Father Christmas. But somehow Margery knew he was young, rather than old, as intuitively she real ized that Jimmy charge was a girl, also young. and perhaps beautiful.
 Nobody could deny the beauty, least of all Margery, when the newcomer sat, half an hour later, slipping hot mulled wine. and looking gratefully at Aunt Martha, who had chafed a pair of ab- surdly small feet into warmth and ease, then huddled them into double layers of woolen stockings and smothered them in hot pillows. the while admonishing the stranger: Now you be still until I say you may stand up! Little more and those feet would a-been frozen stiff. You must let 'em come back to themselves before you put weight on 'em."
 Please. ma'am, I'll do whatever you say" the girl had answered, with an en- chanting gurgle of laughter as she glanced down at her bolstered extremi- ties. Then the tall man had said, half