United States or Ukraine ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
She had never before been nearer to a telephone than to look up at the wires that were strung from post to post before the Red Mill. Modern plumbing, an elevator, heating by steam, and many other improvements, were like a sealed book to her. She disliked to be waited upon and whispered to Mrs. Murchiston: "That air black man a-standin' behind my chair at dinner sort o' makes me narvous.
Moon and stars were far, far away; none of their light percolated through the mass of clouds and falling snow that mantled these big wastes of the backwoods. "Oh! I never realized anything could be so lonely," whispered Helen in Ruth's ear. "And how worried your father and Mrs. Murchiston will be," returned her chum.
He does not lack courage, that is sure courage of a certain kind, anyway. I must see to his business soon. I believe the Hatfields live within twenty miles of this place, and in a day or two I will ride over and see them." "Oh! let us all go, father," urged Helen. "Can't we go in the sleighs we came over in from Scarboro?" "Don't take them, sir," said Mrs. Murchiston.
Ruth did not know the dear old woman was present, for it was to be a surprise to her; but she might have been singing just for Aunt Alvirah alone. "This pays me for coming, Miz' Murchiston, if nothin' else would," whispered Aunt Alvirah. "I can see my pretty often and often, I hope. But I'll never hear her sing again like this." The exercises went smoothly. A learned man made a helpful speech.
"A mighty onexpected visitor," chuckled Jerry. "But, if she was scar't, she warn't plumb stunned in her tracks no, sir! She gave a leap for the door and she swung it shut right against Mr. B'ar's nose. And then she barred it." "Brave girl," said Mrs. Murchiston. "I reckon so, ma'am," agreed the guide.
Murchiston!" cried Helen, in tears. "Not likely," declared that lady. "But she should not have gone out without my permission." Nor was Ruth altogether as courageous as she appeared. She did not suppose that the huge cat that had so frightened her and the strange boy that Mr. Cameron had brought up from Cheslow, was very near Snow Camp as yet.
As the train swept northward the snow appeared. It was piled in fence corners and lay deep in the woods. Some ice-bound streams and ponds were thickly mantled in the white covering. Mr. Cameron read his papers or wrote letters in one compartment; Mrs. Murchiston was the girls' companion most of the time, while Tom and his two chums had a gay time by themselves.
The snapping cold and the odor of balsam and pine gave a tang to the taste that none of them had ever known before. The girls were full of plans for quiet hours around the great open fires, as well as for the out-of-door fun; but Tom was leader on this first day of the vacation at Snow Camp, and he declared for skating in the afternoon. Even Mrs. Murchiston went down to the pond.
"Where's Helen and Ruth and the rest of them?" he demanded. "Why, Thomas! you're all over snow," said Mr. Cameron, comfortably reading his paper before the fire, in smoking jacket and slippers. "Is it snowing?" queried Mrs. Murchiston, from the warmest nook beside the hearth. "Aren't the girls out with you, Tom?" "What's the matter, my son?" demanded his father, getting up quickly.
Murchiston smiled, but said with some sternness; "I really hope, Helen, that Briarwood will quell your too exuberant spirits to a degree. But you need not be afraid of Dr. Tellingham. He is the mildest old gentleman one ever saw.
Word Of The Day