at the result;
for from the first of her acquaintance with Edward, she had conceived
a decided partiality for him.

"It will be nice to get there and rest and warm before the others
arrive," she said, as they rapidly outdistanced the other sleigh.

"Yes, and have a little time all to ourselves," Edward replied, in
pretty much the same style in which he would have addressed Little
Wolf, had she been by his side.

Miss Hastings looked surprised and tossed her head proudly, freeing
the plumes in her jaunty little cap of their snowy remains, and, as
the soft particles showered upon Edward, and pelting his cheek, he
turned and looking her full in the face said, "those little ice bolts,
Miss Hastings, serve to remind me of what a lucky individual I have
been this afternoon."

"Have you always been lucky, Mr. Sherman?" said Miss Hastings waiving
the intended compliment.

A look of pain crossed Edward's face, but he answered quickly, almost
defiantly, "Not always," and giving his horse a smart cut, he created
such a jingling among the bells, that farther conversation was
rendered impracticable,

"The destination was soon reached, and, being joined by the remainder
of the party, the evening hours charged with pleasure flew rapidly, to
most of the assembled guests. But neither Edward, nor Miss Hastings
were in their happiest mood, and the latter complaining of a headache
Edward signified his willingness to conduct her home before the party
broke up.

Again in the open air, her indisposition was relieved, and she chatted
cheerily, and made herself so agreeable, that her companion really
became quite interested, and, loth to part with her, as they drove up
before her father's house, he proposed to prolong their ride.

"It is early yet," he said, "and your head is so much better in the
open air, would you not like to drive out of the city again for half
an hour?"

"O no, I thank you, Mr. Sherman," she said with a gratified smile,"
"the family are up waiting for me, and I would be happy to have you go
in and see papa. He will treat you to a glass of superior domestic
wine."

Edward went in and drank the wine, and spent a pleasant half hour.
Shortly after leaving he fell in with some friends, who invited him
into another place where choice wines were kept, and he drank again
and yet again, and finally went home quite exhilerated under the
influence of stimulant. He found that his sister had arrived some time
previously