dawn was
ushered in by a fierce, driving storm. Thickly from the blackened
clouds the feathery flakes had fallen until the earth far and near was
covered by a mass of white, untrodden snow.

Lucy had been awake for a long time, listening to the sad song of the
wind, which swept howling by the casement. At length, with an
impatient frown at the snow which covered the window pane, she turned
on her pillow, and tried again to sleep. Her slumbers, however, were
soon disturbed by her sister, who arose, and putting aside the
curtain, looked out upon the storm, saying half-aloud, "Oh, I am
sorry, for Lucy will be disappointed."

"I disappointed!" repeated Lucy; "now, Lizzie, why not own it, and say
you are as much provoked at the weather as I am, and wish this horrid
storm had stayed in the icy caves of Greenland?"

"Because," answered Lizzie, "I really care but little about the party.
You know Harry will not be there, and besides that, the old, ugly pain
has come back to my side this morning;" and even as she spoke a low,
hacking cough fell on Lucy's ear like the echo of a distant knell.

Lucy raised herself up, and leaning on her elbow looked earnestly at
her sister, and fancied ('twas not all fancy), that her cheeks had
grown thinner and her brow whiter within a few weeks. Lizzie proceeded
with her toilet, although she was twice obliged to stop on account of
"the ugly pain," as she called it.

"Hurry, sister," said Lucy, "and you will feel better when you get to
the warm parlor."

Lizzie thought so, too, and she accelerated her movements as much as
possible. Just as she was leaving the room Lucy detained her a moment
by passing her arm caressingly around her. Lizzie well knew that some
favor was wanted, and she said, "Well, what is it, Lucy? What do you
wish me to give you?"

"Nothing, nothing," answered Lucy; "but do not say anything to father
about the pain in your side, for fear he will keep you at home, and,
worse than all, make me stay, too."

Lizzie gave the required promise, and then descended to the breakfast
parlor, where she found her grandmother, and was soon joined by her
sister and father. After the usual salutation of the morning the
latter said "There is every prospect of our being alone to-day, for
the snow is at least a foot and a half deep, and is drifting every
moment."

"But, father," said Lucy, "that will not prevent Lizzie and me from
going to the party to-night."

"You mean, if I choose