Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 18, Number 27, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 24 December 1887 — Page 2

THE l#N3PEAJ:A0LE GIFT.

Bcthl"bcm'« inn there ires no room Fo* Christ, the Heavenly child— OaSy a manger left t( Iltia

-"-.a-

Omen witti f*iu »*. jf.lcsd, Coal yoa Mcoril unto your Lord No bett*:r plcco then this Whon all for tie willingly

Cave np the tealtn* of blissf Professed follower* o! Hirn, Oh! Is it to-dr.r? Arc you, who boast en oiijont lore,

Always icore true tfcnn tbeyi Dees tho best part of your poor heart Hold the Rf-iJoorri'- r'» foer, Or do you only grant to Him .Some moa..,! linriy plswc?

"8aQ, weary shepherd keeping watch To night in Holds of care. Look up. and eeo the sh'.niug one.

The glory every where. -'Fear not,' he criv, "the glad surprias, The olden a:e I bring. .Tor unto you uy.iln is born

Your Ssriour and your King."

Just as of yore In midnight skies Appears the angel throng, And all the starry worlds resound

With bursts of Heavenly song. What tidings blest of joy and rest I Shall any turn away. Refusing still the high command

To find the Chr st to-day!

The truly wise, behold they eome Obedient to His star! O'er hill and plnin and raging sea

TUoy iiber from afar. And at His fee*, pour treasures sweet Tnat nsver can grow old, The bsst frankincense of the lioart.

Its precious myrrh p.nd g»ll. —.truA H. Tiiaykr.

Under the Mistletoe.

A1HKAHC1! I'OH A FAIHY THAT PROVED FRUITLKHS.

Memories of other Christinas Eves, when sh.\ too, had been a belie, and quoened it t-ov.illy in her set. Her father had been v.'uu!thy, and tho close of hor first season .•i** rvvioty was marked by her cngagment ,? WAlter Harcourt, "a splendid match," :t wise ones said. Soon after tho bo- '**,. u»l, Mr. Harcourt was obliged to go 6 ...r^pe. He was detained longer than .".J* -otod, but lettors were froquent, and was happy in anticipating his return. irreut fire of 1871 swept over her na1 -is !•'. y, and not only left her family home*

But no letter csvme, her heart grew stck -with hope doforml.aml then her pride rose •fee was no longer the petted daughter of a anillkmalre, but a poor girl and If she had fcoon mistaken In ber lover's fidelity, she would not be the object of his pity. So she determined to be independent of all friends, and after securing the pittance which was nil that these helpless women could claim, •bo took her mother and hid away from her .Urshionablestrieuds, and tried to earn their .Bring. How many times she longed for the ^uick business mind which could have «rmkcd system from this chaos, and have rescued "a competence from the unscrupulous partners who assured her there was nothing ruefo for them in the wreck of the grnat business which her father had built "wp, What ooukt she dot 8he had always been distinguished for hor taste in dress, mmd her exquisite toilettes were tho envy of uany of her friends. This seemed to be her nost available btloot and she sought and obtained a situation in Madam Moore's

AmhKn e.*"abl "nent, and was soon Intrusted with iUa»ignlng of the most elaborate and jrir irular parts of the elegant '4ooattt«e» ml u- th» Whs,

And thus it v. \t Gr-^v EUcrJW was roakiug ibv

.* Mt Itet bear forswt

*rwnd Con stance Bcm ratpeded to wear •t the grand fancy bail was to give on Christmas evo five y««r* efter her own 4J*appearar«* front socksty. She mi neea by madam**- patrons: her work «««to elaborate and eor-tplete the garniture of ttw coelumcs or la this -wan likewise a laW e." isre* ft* pretty Omstance bad been mr

^T1®

fermer&j% and *-r own pride had prevented a of their friendship. for she had so cffetuolly coneerfed tlHHSi lf from ail her frijodi, that even -Constance had ooW», ef her position.

Th costume was for a hay mk! 'tad alktwod ber fancy and taste ftdl piay tibft doaign sM exeattkm of the dainty 'fabric. It 1 suit b«r aweet ftwa, nd -wtlte fcrm v. u, dear Uulo Coaatase® sbe ttaogbtof tb« utaayUmos ber own 1%aaaty bad been seen in cootraat witb her Jktendft. and the sharp oootrast niw brwigbt sigh to tbe p^jod U^s whkcb imaam asartnured.

Bat tbe ocMtume was eoiaple?® ana must Miv«r«d at one*, tor tt v*& atooat Un»

for tbe dainty hostess to begin her toilette. Hastily ringing a bell, tor a messenger, sbe waited impatiently. Madam Moore hec* self entered, in dismay. "Oh, wins Ellerton. the mo*sengers have all gone home, and Miss Bolton's costume not yet delivered: what shall I do!" and she wrung ber hands in despair. "That idle Jane. I bade her await my orders and I find her not here the robe must go, it will cost me Miss Bolton's patronage if it is not delivered in season/' "Do not distress yourself, lladaa I myself will deliver the garment at Miss Bolton's residence." "Oh, thank you. bnt it is a long distance, do you know whore it is!" "I know," she replied, bill oHy ihinking of tbe many times sbe had gone as a guest where she now proposed to go as a servant, bnt she would leave the box at the door, and not see any of the family.

She stopped at her own huiablc home to tell her mother where she was going, and then started on her errand.

Tbe house she sought was miles away, on the west side of tho great city, and when she left the street-cars she was still some distance away, and to hor dismay she found the hour much later than she thought, and a driving snow-storm blowing from the boundless prairies, jfrinod to manv ehanges in the city, completely bewildered hor.

Meantime the Loaid hud finished the arrangement of Miss Bolton's huij\ and only awaited the arrival of the robe to complete the picture of as beautiful a sprite as ever left fairy land. "It grows late, Miss Constance—what shall I do?" "I can't understand it. Madam Moore said she would submit my idea to the designer, and -she promised a complete success—something unique. Hlie nover disap-

RACE ELLERTON sat with busy fingers and aching head and heart in

Madam Moore's dross-making establishment her fingers wore busy with tho finishing of an exquisite, fancy costuino for Miss Constance Bolton, the bnllo of tho season. Her head and heart were filled with

"EXCUSE MR,"' SAID THE POL1CEMAX. pointed me before but there, it will never do for me to sit here all evening." Besting her dimpled chin on her hand she considered a moment, then brightly said: "I have an idea, Finette, got me up as a sister of charity, we can easily manage it, and it will be a surprise to every one," and she laughed merrily as she thought of one who had expected to tnoet her as queen of the fairies.

A few hours later a demure nun mingled W'th the gay throng. "Sweet sister," said one in the garb of a hunter, "I am in trouble, can you help me?" "Sir knight of tho rueful countenance it is my mission to comfort, those in distress, how ean I assist you "I came here to-night in search of the fairest sprito on earth, but either Bhe has returned to her native fairy land, ofr has rendered herself Invisible to my material eyes, for I find her not, and therefore am I sad, sweet sister. "Falthfulnesss will meet its own reward, and perseverance conquers all things." "Thanks, irentle sister."

Into this and similar light bandlnage in which most of the guests joined, came a sudden and violent summons at the door. A policeman entered hastily bearing the helpless form of a woman. "Excuse me," he said, "I found her just by the door and this box in her arms, and she is too much exhausted to take her farther in this storm."

,lTake

ZtffOiH,

"Oil, RLLSHTOK

•ms, but well-nigh penniloss. Mr. Ellerton ommIo almost superhuman efforts to rescue fcto dear ones from the devouring flames, and, though he succeeded, it was at the expanse of his own life. Kind friends sheltered the homeless ones for the time, and SOrnoe wrote to her lover, telling him of •heir groat loss, and anxiously awaited his sreply and speedy return.

her In here," said the nun, and

just as he entered a quiet room at the rear of the hall, a tall figure in a black dominoe sprang forward, and catching the burden from its bearer, showered kisses on the cold face, saying: "My darling, is it thus I find you!"

The nun quickly threw aside her mask, her golden hair escaping from the oolf, she seemed in her proper sphere as she endeavored to restore the unconscious girl. To her astonishment she recognized her friend Grace, and then she redoubled her efforts, but though she labored skillfully, I think the caresses which were lavished upon her by tbe tall stranger whose discarded mask revealed the handsomo features of Mr. Harcourt had more to do with her restoration than all the remodles Constance had applied.

Finding this to be the case Constance discreetly left the u,tilted lovers alone but just as she passed under the arch leading to this secluded apartment, she was surprised to find hersolf caught In the emdraceof the valiant huntej and as he pressed a kiss upon her saintly-brow, he said "I make no apology, for there is my warrant," and ho pointed to the Mistletoe bough, under which Mr. Harcourt had borne the unconscious form of bis recovered treas-

UISf

course there was much to be explained. Mr. Harcourt told Grace that her letter did not reach him for some time as he was traveling. He wiote at once but owing to her change of residence she never received the letter, and since his return he had sought her In vain, so he successfully proved to Miss Ellerton that only her own pride had separated them, and be also proved to her that their marriage bad been delayed long enough, so tbe New Year opened to them the door into a happy future where tbe misfortunes of the past will be lost sight of in tbe joy of the present.

MRS. L. B. LAVKLT.

Took Cbrtntanas by the Ftaretoefc. "Where have you been until this hour of the night, Mr. MeekP questioned his wife in motalk? tones, after she had watched him place hi* muddy boots on tbe family Bible and carefully stow his silk-hat under the bed. "Where have you been, I say!" "Roun' wit «e boyisb caroUin". Jess carollin\ m* love, tbash all. It's Chrishnrash eve, t- know." replied Meek, as be rotted under tbe cover*.

Christmas eve! It's three o'clock Christmas morning." "Xsh tha' so. Fanny fa'-hkvet Mer* Christmas, m* dear. Er been bavin' mine yesh'dy evtmin'. Qoo'-alght."

DMs't Hst* to R«MHrt to P»w«»er. Wber* are you going to-day asked Mrs. Beltows of her husband on Christmas morning. "I presume you Intend to leave me at base as usual T'

Ton presume about rigbt, then, tor I am going gunning.*' answered ber btu&band, ss be placed a small cannister over tbe reg-

Wbat ts in thai caaP Damp powder." Good gracious! Take it off that regiser. Do jw want to blow yoersetf upf* "O, no, I doat have to do tbat Ym*H *o fnr me qnick enough without powder."

CASKET OF CHRISTMAS GEMS. 'Sr-c .js* ,*s&" '*!,1 [The want has often been felt at Christmas time* of some brief poetic form of Chilstmas Kutatatiobsnitable for a Christmas letter or tn lnftcribeon a fly leaf .Of a Christmas gift iiook. The geinnof Christmas gathered to-, getlier In this column will help ^meet tha.t oft-t-xprexswl desire.)

God bless us every one! Tloy Tim.

The world Is bappy 1 The world Is wide! v:. Kind hearts arc beating on every side!

James Russell I»well.

Awake, ftlad heart! Get up and sing! It 1* the birthday of thy King! Awake,glad heart!

Hi-nry Vaughan.

The friendships old, and the early lows (Vjihh Uick with a Sabbath sound. As of doves. In quiet neighborhoods.

Henry W. Ijwngfelluw.

This one wish 1 send '|s' O'er the bright Christmas snow:— "U«m! bless you, nnd keep you,

Through weal and hrough woe,"

One Christmas Day in the morning dear I thought of you And I said there Is no gift on earth Like a friend that Is real and true!

A friend that is mine To tbe end of time,

And will lf»st me my whole life through.

May

peaee In our hearts arise

As clear as tho starlit skyes! A message of love Comes from above— The message that eame of old, That age shall still unfold "Pe iee, and Good-will, and I»ve!"

Alight was shining on high In the deep of the midnlgnt sky, A golden star!

Gleaming afar!

Ostar of the golden glow. Hhlne on our world below, (ilorlous Christmas star.

ohle customs, that good be, let no man de-

At Christmas be merry, and thanke God of all Ajid feast thy pore neighbors, the great with the small Yen, all the vere long have an eye tdtficpore, And Ood shall sende luek to kepe open thy door.

Thomas Tusser.

The shepherds sing, and shall I silent lief My God, no hymne for Thee? George Herbert.

In vain shall wavesof Incense drill The Vaulted nave around In vain the minster turret lift

Its brazen weights, of sound. The heart must ring thy Christmas bells, Tliv Inward altars raise Its faith and hope thy canticles,

And Its obedience praise!

Whittler.

CHRISTMAS BELLS.

"1 heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar enrols play. And wild and sweet

The world repeat

of peace on earth, good will to men.

And rhough now. as the day has eome. The belfries of all Christendom Has rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till, ringing, singing on Its way, The world revolved from night, to day, A voice,a chime, "ft--11' A chant sublime, of peace on earth, good will to .mem

The Sympertons.

TIIRY DI8CITS8 CHRISTMAS-TOMMY ALSO OFFERS A FEW 8tlCGIHfIONS.

R. and Mrs. Symperton were sitting in their parlor one evening not long before Christmas. Their sou Tommy, a mere youth, was busy reading "Peck's Bad

Boy," and mixing occasionally in tbe conversation. Mrs. Symperton was a

pensive sort of a woman fhuch given to sighing. Symperton himself was reparkably matter of fact. Tommy was a typical American boy. ••The happy Christmas season is once more upon us. This is the time in which of all times of the year every remedial sorrow and trouble in the world around us should be active with us for all good," said Mrs. Symperton.

Mr. Symperton grunted. "The good will, the kind thoughts." continued Mrs. S., "the genial benevolence of this sacred season—" "That reminds me," intemiffed Symperton, "that last Christmas I clipped a little piece of poetry from some newspaper on this very subject. It was so appropriate that I put it in my pocketbook. I ye. got it yet. Hero it is." "O, Charles, you must give it to me for my album. Is it about the shepherds watching their flocks, and the wise men from the East bringing their gifts!" "Yes it's something about gifts. I'll read it to you."

By gracious I remember Many Christmasses forlorn, Tho ghastly way in which the bills

Came pouring in each morn They never, never, ceased to eome, And I recall to-day Just how I often wished tbe night

Would bear my breath away." Mrs. Symperton could scarcely master ber disgust, and she was about to say something severe. "Yes," continued Symperton, "it's all very well to talk about yule log*, mistletoe and tbe like, but aw holidays are as full of discrepancies as a shad is of hones. We all eat and drink too much about those times. I know last Christmas I felt as if I had hy*tertM?^lep*y, incipient hydrophobia with trance complications." "Perhaps yon were sick," said Tommy, looking up from his book. "You keep quiet sir. It's you children that make the holiday* so unendurable." "I don't think, Charles^ that you should talk that way. Heaven sends us Christ-

"And tbe devil seeds us tbe bfOs.n "Don't talk about the bills now. By the way, Cbari^ what would you Bke far Christmas!** "I know what Pd like if I didn't have to pay for it, but I gnees my experience will be like tbat of Sardanahift Cobb. He wanted a llHty-daihr overcoat, bnt his wife army whelmed bin with a pair of tweaty-eent suspenders, but be didat kick be wan afraid to." "But you women are all alike," continued Symperton. "Judge Kioodemus Sykeo, one day just before last Christmas, wfcfl* his wife was ont, ftad tomrlMM. Jbaentfera tockamHfc, an£pnafl

fetal

two,

Mbntoopea tfe*. drnwu^to *•&!•*»

n-cent necktie, with his name in big letters

measly little 11: pieee-of paper "to it." elV'aaid that Complain. Tm noonfndrii some.** "For woman, remember that I have to pay for it. When you buy presents, try and keep your presence of mind. Don't bankrupt tbe family." "Never you mind and what are yon gosn? to buy me?" "I expect you know already. No marriec man from the day of Adam to right novr evermadc a success in tryinrj to hide a Christmas present from his wife." "I hope she will get a boat," said Tommy. "I mean a bank-book or a fat pocket-toot, so she can get me a decent present. What do you think Billy Jones' pa gave him last Christmas! Took him to a barber-shop and had his hair cut Billy says he expects his pa will take him to dentist and have a tooth pulled this Christmas." "Poor-boy! Didn't his mother give hira any thing on Christmas?" "Yes she sewed some buttons on his clothes. That, v/as hor Christmas prosont. If I had that sort of parents I'd swap them off for a dog and shoot the dog." "The Jones' are almnat as mean as a man I heard about. He lived in Galveston, Tex.," resumed Symperton, "and his name

Symperton, "I am doshall have no cause to out this very aftersomething real handPq

Mils. COBB'S PRESENT.

was Smith. His wile was the boat little woman in tho world. She worked like a slave. He had never given her a Christmas present before, but one Christmas he made an exception. She gave him a beautifullyquilted silk dressing-gown, and in return he gave her anew buck-saw to replace the dull one she was using, so she would not have to work so hard during the winter sawing up the wood for the stove. The poor woman thanked h.m with tears in hor eyes at this unexpected kindness and considera. tion."

Mrs. Symperton sadly shook her head at the recital of this act of cruelty. "Speaking of sawing wood," said Tommy, "I want a fiddle for Christmas 1 w«..it to learn how to play on the fiddle. I want a gun, too." "I'd rather get you the guu than the fiddle. The gun kills tbe quickest," said Symperton, who dislikes music. "If pa is going to have a pair of slippers I want them padded. I don't want mm to wear any other kind. Billy Jones' ma uses a bootjack. He says she ha3 corns on tho inside of her thumb from using it on him so much." "Don't be afraid, Tommy Parson Smothely will get all the slippers," remarked Mr. S. "Yes," remarked Tommy, "boys and preachers are both presented with slippers, but the ceremonies ain't the same at least I don" suppose they are but, then, I've never seen a clergyman presented with a pair of slippers." "There is one thing I'll never be able to understand," continued Symperton, "and that is why all the ladies in the congregation present the preacher with slippers. One would suppose from the number of slippers he gets that be is a centipede and has a hundred feet. I have been told that the shoe firms make regular bids to clergymen for their slippers. They have barrels of slippers on tap. By tbe way, I saw Sylvanus Binks a few days ago. What do you suppose he is going to give bis wife!" "I have no idea." "A new piano." "But Mrs. Binks can't play." "That's just the reason Binks gets ber a piano. You don't suppose he would be such a fool to buy her a piano if she could play. He buys it to set off tbe parlor." "Our teacher don't thump us on tbe head no more when we get together and talk in school," observed Tommy. "Why don't het" "Because he knows we are talking about that present we are goiug to give him. He

COLOXKL. SMITH'S PKESKXT.

says be regards us as his younger brothars," "He is so kind," said Mrs. Symperton. "I ain't going to miss Sunday-school no more." "That's right, Tommy be a good boy," said Mrs. Symperton. "Wo are going to have pop-corn balls on the Christmas tree." "I thought so," remarked Symperton, "a few pop-corn balls on a Christmas tree^ will interest a boy more in religion than a daten teal mirackts." "You must have been them, pa, wbefi ydu was a boy," said Tommy. "Pli bet that boy don't know right now what is tbe meaning and significance of Christmas," said Mr. Symperton. "Yes, be does, Charles. Tommy what happened on ChristaasP' "It snowed. At least it did last Christnaa. I tope it will be slippery this Christmas so I can fix a slide on tbe sidewalk like I did last Christmas. It wa» such fun to bear pa swear and see him rub himself. jBa, you remember how you ahd ever •o far. You travelled on your ahape then, didntyou mar You bet I know whet happened on Christmas." «You can go bed, Ttommy," said Mr. •od Mrs. Symperton, simultaneously. &dt Tommy singing

A bar ndtt en*, and# boy wffl drtuk Aadsboy wOJn*»ysn day Bntatoqrcsat workaad a boy MB't ha alat taBtthat way." intl

Seths Courting

&•'

rETt I^TE THAN |SE\ER it&kT]«i$ ST0«1|.

FRANKLIN had urn love with

pretty Mildred Hastings ever since she was in pinafores and he in roundabouts, and was accustomed, as boy and youth, to blush violently every time he met her. She always "made fen" of him in the

language of the school-girls, and ridiculed his tow-colored locks and gawky limbs. And he knew it, too but instead of hating her for it, he only loved her all the more as a divinity sot far above him. ttu* v*nen he returned home after a five years' course at college, situations changed. He was still homely, but he was no longer awkward, and his bashfulness became him like the reserve of a cultivated nature. He no longer blushed or fldgetted when he met Mildred, and his friends said: "Seth has got over the old love.''

Had he! Do men get over a case of love, as if it were measles or mumpst They migbt think so, but there was one person who knew better. That was Mildred herself. He no longer blushed, but he turned cold, and his voice trembled, though ho fried hard to steady it, and did steady it to all ears but hers. She knew and felt that tremor that ran through his well-chosen ?nd carefully-modulated words. He might d»!oeive the world and himself—be could not deceive her. •Why don't you take a wife!" his mother inquired, anxiously.

And he answered in the jocose vein of a great wit. Whose wife shall I take, mother?"

But one niicht ho nearly ventured to reveal what was in his mind. His mother h&dbeen urging him to marry. Sbe wisfuea to go out West and settle witb an older child, a daughter, but could not bear to leave Seth alone.

So he broached the matter to Mildred aa he was seeing her home from church.

suppose," he began, in true Yankee style, "that you know a good many bright, pretty girls who arc housekeepers and would make good What was that!"

Mildred had laughed aloud. It was an actual truth, aud at the very moment when her fate was about to be decided. "Well," she said, recovering herself, "what was it you •wanted?"

But he never finished it. When Christmas came he wrote her a long, formal offer of his heart and hand, and fastened the letter in the branches of the teacher's Christmas tree at the church. He said Bevoral pretty things in it about giving himself and all his possessions, for her acceptance, and waited within sight of the church, intending to be on hand to walk home with her if she would have him. Tho signal, to be the letter worn at her belt.

But a careless hand ignited the tree from a burning taper, und, in the panic which ensued, Seth saw a more fortunato rival beaming his Mildred to a place of safety.

Soon after he lost another opportunity. He was oscorting her borne when he suddenly askod:

Have you ever thought of m—m—oving out West!" It was so evident that he had not finished his sentonco as ho intended to, that Mildred laughed again. What possessed her/ "Will ypu give $ne good! reference if I dor' she asked, demurely.

Indeed I will, Mildred." .be answered, with all seriousness. "Why, Mildred, do you know I have always, thought you were the best-get out, you brute!" they had reached the gate, and a ferocious mastiff was worrying Mildred's lover. She soothed Mm with a word (the dog, not the lover), and waited to hear more.

Good-night," he said, and there was a world of meaning in the words but the most imaginative girl could hardly construe it into an offer.

And that is tho man who can address a jury and fascinate an audience with his oratory." thought Mildred, "and yet he is frightened to death at one poor little woman I'll think no more of 1dm."

Then sbe thought all tho more of him, and laid little innocent traps which always sprung before he was in them.

Years passed away Seth was quit® a respectable old bachelor and Mildred was just turning the first corner toward being an old maid, und the laggard in love had never yet found the courage to say: "Mildred, I love you."

It was Christmas eve. At the Hastings homestead there was unusual quiet, and an absence of the customary merriment of past seasons. Some of this was due to a letter Father Hastings had received that day which brought news from a far country. A guest invited to spend Christmas with them

GOT OCT, rot* Sucre!"

bad gone home. Death .had come to old Aunt Polly, an unexpected guest at the last Mr. Hastings read and re-read tbe letter, siiook his head and kept saying: "Too bad! too bad "But she was very old. John too old to make tha journey here. You know the years count after we reach seventy." "But it's the luck. Look at the bad luck. In all tbe years we have house-kept, Jenny, we never were without a Christinas guast but once," "And that was the year you broke your leg and I had typhoid fever/' "And the best oow in the herd went off her feed sod died." "And the pork curled in the pan, and MSdred bad the whooping-cough and chicken-rash together." "Yea, it's no use to say there's nothing fat it. The taws of natur' are stricter than tbe tew of books. May be it ain't too late to ask somebody in yet. Where's Mildred." "She's gone over to visit Barbara Curtis. John, wish our Mildred was married to a good husband."

Wherell you find 'emf asked Mr. Haatfaga,with agleam of humor in his eye, **1*81 notin the markec" "No, but Beth Franklin is, and he's lored •ar Mildred swoe they want to cehoot to-,

"Then why don't he tall her sot I warnt tongue-tied when I was a courtin' you, Jen." "No, but he's different he's that bashful that he never dared to touch her hand. And the worst of it is, John, Mildred is in love with him. I Imow the symptoms well enough when I see *e*t" "But about our Christmas®11 company, there'll bo nobody in the spans room tonight unless I go out into the highways and by-ways and ask 'em in,and it's too late now for that. Hullo! what's that!"

Thud! thud! thud! came something bumping along the front of tbe house, and then, bang it went, against the front door.

Mrs. Hastings went and dragged out an old shot-gun that hadn't been 11 rod off in a dozen years. "Protect yourself, John!" sbe said, in shaky voice.

For an answer Mr. Hastings pulled open the outer door. A dark object lay across tbe threshold. "Bring a light," wifo. Jerushy! if it ain't Seth Franklin flung right plumb at us." "It's a runaway," said Mrs. Hastings, who could discern the faint sounds of horse's retreating feet. "I hope he ain't"— He did not say the word, but lifted the insensible man into the house, where he had the satisfaction of seeing that he breathed regularly. Indeed, he was not seriously hurt, for, as ho slowly opened his eyes, he said, in a dazed way: "Mildred kicked, and then run away. I expect she's running yet. Whoa there, Mildred, Whoa!" "He means his horse, I expect," suggested Mr. Hastings. "Eh—oh—Whore am I—Your honor, the ease is called—" "This isn't the court-room," said Mr. Hastings, laughing hoarsely. "Rouse up, man. You've been pitched in amoug friends. Axe you hurt? Enny bones broke!" "No. Mr. Hastings, I'm all right now, but was a close call, that. I'm only bruised and shaken up some." 0 "Well, wife, fetch some arnikv and we'll soon find tho bruises. Come to think of it you'll have to stay all night, and that's good luck for us. We've got a Chrls'maa company to entertain after all, Jenny."

Seth Franklin was very willing to settle down for tho night in that comfortable home, he who had no bome at all, now that

MR. IIA8TING8 WITH TUB TONUS. his mother WHS in the West. He felt au about him the sweet influence of the woman ,r he loved, yet he had not the oourage to ask why sbe was not there. Mr. Hastings finally explained that Mildred had gone to see

ber fHend, Barbara Curtis, and as It was late, they Would not up any longer but would have worship at once. Worship meant reading aloud the wonderful story "Christ is Born," and in singing a hymn. Seth was a good tenor, and his voice blended well with Mildred's, but he was too much shaken up to-night to sing. So father and mother Hastings quavered along in tbe old fashioned tune that so well suits the marvelous story:

If"

AfoWftl.

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, J|U All

seuted on the ground, S" Tbe Angel of tbe Lord came down, And g-l-o-r-y shone around." Beth listened as in a dream. It all f* solved itself into ono theme—Mildred—Mildred. Alan! the worship in his cowardly heart was for tho creature, instead of thecreator, but then we know that God is love.

Ho made a final pretense of going home, but Mr. Hastings said, emphatically: "Why man alive you're crazy! You don't stir out of this to-night." JjL

So he was installed in the sac rod guestchamber and being afraid to disturb tbe immaculato squares of lace and erabroldory, that protected the pillows, he rolled himself in a sumpter blanket and laid down on the divan-sofa.

A half hour later Mildred and her friend eame home, and finding the latch-string out, stole softly in and hurried yp-stairs. As Mildred passed her mother's room she went in and left a good-night kiss. Mrs. Hastings was nearly asleop, but she whispered something to Mildred in adisjointed fashion that brought the color into tha good, wornonly face. S

i.'

She laughed when sho w«8 in her room with her friend and alight "Mother said something about the spare room. I expect she has a present there for me. When a child I had to go there in the dark and find it. I always found a doll. "You are too old for dolls now," answered her friend, lightly, "but whatever it is, you can find it by your sense of feeling." "Come then," said Mildred, and they joined bands and stepped together over the bull, and stood on the threshold of tha gaest-chamber. "Do you know it is tbe first time in my ,t memory that this room was unoccupied by a Christmas guest. I remember bow I frightened Aunt Polly once by creeping in to got my Christmas gift." "May be her ghost is there now," whispered 'Barbara.

Mildred gave a smothered shriek and then the two stopped In giggling like school girls.

The undisturbed white bed loomed up in the darkness. "Christmas present, where are youl" "Here-present!" answered choking voice—a man's voice unmistakably.

The screams that followed, brought Father and Mother Hastings on the scene, half-dressed but wholly awake, each carrying a weapon of defense. Mrs. Hastings armed with tbe rolling pin, and Mr. Hastings with the tongs.

There was a very pretty tableau revealed to them then. Seth Franklin bravely supporting the half-fainting form of Mildred, to whom Barbara was dinging shrieking hvstercally. •*1—1 thought," sobbed Mildred "ho was a Christmas present." "I am, if yoa will only take me," was It Seth Franklin who spoke up In that dear ringing voice? "Well5 well! well laughed Father Hastings, "If ever 1 see the like of that!" "It is Christmas eve," continued Seth In that eloquent voice that had convinced jnnes and influenced judges—"there Is no holier or happier tame to bring loving hearta together than this. 1 was at death's door toMoight, and saw my wasted life in a new light. I want Mildred"-he looked at her bnmbly and deprecatingly—"does Mildred want met"

Ber Mushing, tearful face was mor» •ioquentthan any word*. Mas. M, L. Rata I