1921-12-17 — Page 14

14

A CHRISTMAS STORY.

(Continue from Page 12.)

THE CHINA MAIL

"In a week," said Snitchey, "Mr.He," he shook his head again; "Let po old loving word, or tone, rise Craggs?"

"In something less, I should say," responded Craggs.

"In a month," said the client, after attentively watching the two faces. "This day month. To-day is Thurs day. Succeed or fall, on this day month I go."

It's too long a delay," said

Snitchey; "much too long. But let it be so. I thought he'd havé

stipulated for three, he murmured to himself. "Are you going? Good. night, sir!"

"Good-night!" returned the client,

shaking hands

with

the firm.

"Our friend the doctor makes light kind looks, no wel-remembered coming back to the right one again— a fluttered light, until the sympathetic of such things," sald Mr. Snitchey, smiles, be seen upon thy phantom produced a letter from the post figure trembles. shaking his head. "I hope ho mayn't ince. Let no ray of affection, wel-office,

Doctor Jeddler in spite of his stand in need of his philosophy. Our come. gentleness, forbearance, "cor "Britain was riding by on a system of philosophy-which he was friend Alfred talks of the battle of diality, shine from thy white headerrand," she chuckled, handing it to continually contradicting bod denying the doctor, and see the mail come in practice, but more famous philo hope he mayn't be cut down early in

up in judgment against thy deserter; in, and waited for it. There's A. H.sophers have done that could not the day. Have you got your hat, but if thou canst took harshly and journey home, I bet. We shall have return of his old ward and pupil as In the corner. Mr. Alfred's on his help having an much interest in the Mr. Craggs? I am going to put the severely, do, in mercy to the

a wedding in the house-there was if it had been a serious event. She pnitert " other candle out."

Mr. Cragg's replying in the affirma. "Dear Marion, read no more to-

two spoons in my saucer this morn sat himself down in his easy chair tive, Mr. Snitchey suited the action tonight," said Grace for she

was ing luck, how slow he opens it!" again, stretched out his slippered fees the word, and they groped their way weeping.

All this she delivered, by way of once more upon the rug, read the out of the council-chamber, now as

soliloquy, gradually rising higher and letter over and over a great many dark as the subject, or the law in

and higher on tiptoe, in her in times, and talked it over more times patience to hear the news, and I still.

"Ah! The day was," said the making a corkscrew of, her apron, and a bottle of her mouth. At last, doctor, looking at tlie fire, when arriving at a climax of suspense, and you and he, Grace, used to trot about seeing the doctor still engaged in the arm-in-arm, in his holiday time, like perusal of the letter, she came down flat a couple of walking dolls. You upon the soles of her feet again, and remember?"

general.

My story passes to a quiet little study, where, on that same night, the sisters and the hale old doctor sat by a cheerful 'fireside. Grace was work- ing at her needle. Marion read aloud from a book before her. The doctor, in his dressing gown and slippers,

warm rug, leaned back in his easy chair, and listened to the book, and looked upon his daughters.

"I cannot," she replied, and closed the book. "The words seem all on

fire!"

The doctor was amused at this: and laughed as be patted her on the head.

"

cast her apron, as a veil, over her

SATURDAY DECEMBER 17. 1921.

+

May I tell him ao, love'?”

· "Lor f*** replied his fair companion... "Tell him, dear Grace" replied with her favourite twist of her Marion, "that there never was a trust favzurite joints, "I wish it was ine, so generously, nobly steadfastly dis-Britain !" charged, and that I loved you, all the "Wish what was you?"

A going to be married," said time, dearer and dearer every day: and oh, how dearly now!

Cleroency.. turning her embrace, "I can scarcely mouth and laughed heartily. "Yea!

"Nay," said her cheerful sister, re-

Benjamin took his pipe out of hia

tell him that; we will leave my deserts you're a likely subject for that!" he to Alfred's imagination. It will be said. "Poor Clem!" Clemency for liberal enough, dear Marion; like your her part laughed as heartily as he, and own."

seemed as much amused by the idea. "Yes," she assented. "I'm a likely sub- ject for that; ain't I?"

With that, she resumed the work she had for a moment laid down, when

;'

"You'll never be married, you know,"

her sister spoke so fervently; and with. it the old song the doctor liked to hear. said Mr. Britain, resuming his pipe, And the doctor, still reposing in his

"Don't you think I ever shall, easy chair, with his slippered feet though?" said Clemency, in perfect stretched out before him on the rug, good faith." listened to the tune, and beat time on

Mr. Britain shook his head. Not his knee with Alfred's letter, and look-

a chance of it.1" ed at his two daughters, and thought,

"Only think!" said Clemency. trifling world, these trifies were agree. Itain, one of these days; don't you?' able enough.

"You'll live to see me making a good with his feet spread out upon the of print and paper as of anything head, in a mute despair, and inability her pleasant laugh, and plying her that among the many trifles of the "Well I suppose you mean to, Bri-

Use of riches yet. Henceforth, the star of my destiny is Marion!" "Take care of the stairs, sir," re "for she don't shine. plied Snitchey; there. Good-night!"

"Good-night!" So they both stood on the stairhead with a pair of office-candles, watching bim down. When he had gone away, they stood looking at each other.

"What do you think of all this,

Mr. Craggs?" said Snitchey.

Mr. Craggs shook his head.

They were very beautiful to look upon. Two better faces for a fireside never made a fireside bright and sacred. Something of the difference between them had been softened down in three years' time; and, enthroned upon the clear brow of the younger sister, looking through her eyes, and thrilling in her voice, was the same earnest nature that her own

What! overcome by a story book!" said Doctor Jeddler. "Print and paper! Well, well, it's all one. It's as rational to make a serious matter

else. But, dry your eyes, love, dry your eyes. I daresay the heroine has got home again long ago, and made up all round-and if she hasn't, a real home is only four walls; and a fictitious one, mere rage and ink.

"It's only me,

said Clemency, putting in her head at the door.

it

mister,"

"And what's the matter with you?" said the doctor.

"Oh, bless you, nothing ain't the

to bear it any longer.

"Here! Girls!" cried the doctor. I can't help it: I never could keep a secret in. my life. There are not many secrets, indeed, worth being kept in such a-well never mind that. Alfred's coming home, my dears, directly."

Directly!" exclaimed Marion. "What! The story-book is soon forgotten!" said the doctor, pinching her cheek. "I thought the news be a surprise, he says, here. But I can't let it be a surprise. He must have a welcome.

"I remember,” she answered, with

needle, busily.

"This day month, indeed i" mused That hardly seems a the doctor. twelvemonth ago. And where was my little Marion then!"

Never far from her sister," said Marion cheerily, "however little. Grace was everything to me, even when she was a young child herself." "True, puss, true," returned the doctor. "She was a staid little woman, was Grace, and a wise house body; bearing with our humours and anticipating our wishes, and always ready to forget her own, even in those times. Dever knew you positive or obstinate, Grace, my

but one."

A question so abrupt, upon a subject $0 momentous, required consider-

Clemency Newcome, in the mean- time, having accomplished her mission ation. After blowing out a great cloud and lingered in the room until she had of smoke, and looking at it with his made herself a party to the news, head now on this side and now on descended to the kitchen, where her that, as if it were actually the ques coadjutor, Mr. Britain, was regaling tion, and he were surveying it in after supper, surrounded by such a various aspects, Mr. Britain replied plentiful collection of bright potiids, that he wasn't altogether clear about well-scoured saucepans, burnished dinner-covers, gleaming kettles, and it, but-yees-be thought he might

arranged upon the walls and shelves, be!" cried Clemency.

"I wish her joy, whoever she may that he sat as in the centre of a hall of mirrors. The majority did not give jamin, "safe enough.”

"Oh. she'll have that," said Ben- forth very flattering portraits of him, certainly; nor were they by any means

"It was our opinion, on the day motherless youth had ripened in the matter with me," returned Clemency would dry those tears. Yes... Let it keeper, and a busy, quiet, pleasant other tokens of her industrious habits come to that at last. when that release was executed, that elder sister long ago. But she still and truly too, to judge from her

there was something curious in the parting of that pair, 1 recollect," said Snitchey,

"It was," said Mr. Cragrs. "Perhaps he deceives himself al together," pursued Mr. Sattchey, looking up the fireproof box, and putting it away; "er, if he don't, a ittle bit of fickleness and perfidy is not a miracle, Mr. Craggs. And yet I thought that pretty face was very true. I thought," said Mr. Snitchey putting on his greatcoat (for the weather was very coldl. drawing on his gloves, and stuffing out one candle, that I had even seen her character becoming stronger and more resolved of late. Mere like her sister's,"

"Mrs. Craggs was of the same opinion, returned Craggs.

out

"I'd really give a trifle tonight," observed Mr. Snitchey, who was a good-natured man, "if I could believe that Mr. Warden was reckoning with his host; but, light-headed, capricious, and unballasted as he is, he knows something of the world and its people (he ought to, for he has bought what he does know, dear enough); and I can't quite think that. We had better not interfere: we can do nothing. Mr. Craggs, but keep quiet"

"Nothing," returned Craggs.

appeared at once the lovelier and weaker of the two; still seemed to rest her head upon her sister's breast,

gleamed as usual the very soul of well soaped face, in which there good-humour, which, ungainly as she

Directly repeated Marion. Why, perhaps not what your im

"But she wouldn't have led quite

and put her trust in her, and look was, made her quite engaging1atience calls 'directly.'" returned darling, even then, on any subject unanimous in their reflections; as such a joyful life as she will lead,

into her eyes for counsel and reliance, Those loving eyes. so calm, serone, and cheerful, as of old.

And being in her own home, read Marion, from the book, her home made exquisitely dear by these remembrances, she now began to know that the great trial of ber heart must soon come on, and could forter and friend when others' fall not be delayed. O home, our com- away, to part with whom, at any step between the cradle

and the grave-!?,

"Marion, my love!" said Grace.

Why, puss!" exclaimed her father, "what's the matter?"

upon

She put her hand

her sister stretched the hand towards her, and read on; her voice still faltering and trembling, though she made an effort to command it when thus interrupted.

"To part wit whom, at any step between the cradle and the grave, is always sorrowful. O home, so true to us, so often slighted in return, be lenient to them that turn away from thee, and do not haunt their erring footsteps tou reproachfully! Let no

generally understood, it is true. to Let us sce. Let us see. To-day is Abrasions on the elbows are not the doctor; "but pretty soon too.

Thursday, is it not? Then be promises to be here this day month." "This day month!" repeated Marion softly,

range within that class of personal charms called beauty-spots. But it is better, going through the world, to have the arms chaled in that narrow, partage then the temper; and Clemency's was sound and whole "A gay day and a holiday for us," as eny bezuty's in the land.

said the cheerful voice of her sister "Nething ain't the matter with Grace, kissing her in congratulation. come a little closer, mister." me," said Clemency, entering, "hut"Long looked forward to, dearest,

and come at last."

The doctor, in some astonishment, complied with this invitation.

"You said I wasn' to give you one before them, you know," said Clemency.

A novice in the family might have supposed, from her extraordinary ogling as she said it, as well as from. a singular rapture or ecstasy which pervaded her elbows, as if she were embracing herself, that "one," in its most favourable

interpretation,

She answered with a smile; a mournful smile, but full of sisterly affection. As she looked in her sister's face, and listened to the quiet music of her voice, picturing the happiness of this return, her own face glowed with hope and joy.

And with a something elsea something shining more and more brough all the rest of its expression; for which I have no name. It was net exultation, triumph, proud. en meant a chaste salute. Indeed the thusiasm. These are not so calmly doctor himsell seemed alarmed, for shown. It was not love and gratitude the moment; but quickly regained his alone, though love and gratitude composure, as Clemency, having had were part of it. It emanated from recourse to both her pockets-begin- no sordid thought, for sordid thoughts ning with the right cre, going away do not light up the brow, and hover to the wrong one, and afterwards on the lips, and move the spirit like

"I am afraid I have changed sadly for the worse since," laughed Grace, still busy at her work. What was that one, father?"

"Alfred, of course," said the doctor. 'Nothing would serve you but you must be called Alfred's wife; so we called you Alfred's wife; and you liked it better, I believe (odds as it seems now), than being called a duchess, if we could have made you one."

"Indeed?" said Grace placidly. "Why, don't you remember?" inquired the doctor.

I think I remember something of it," she returned, 'but not much. It's so long ago." And as she sat at work, she hummed the burden of an old song, which the doctor liked.

“Alfred will find a real wife soon," she said, breaking off; "and that will be a happy time indeed for all of us. My three years' trust is nearly at an end, Marion. It has been a very easy one. I shall tell Alfred, when I give you back to him, that you have loved him dearly all the time, and that he has never once needed my good services.

some made him very long-faced, and wouldn't have had quite such a others very broad-faced, some toler sociable sort of husband as she will ably well-looking, others vastly ill have," said Clemency, spreading looking according to their several herself half over the table, and star- manners of reflecting, which were as ing retrospectively at the candle, "if various, in respect of one fact, as those it hadn't been for not that I want of so many kinds of men. But they all to do it, for it was accidental, I am agreed that in the midst of them sat, sure if it hadn't been for me; now quite at his ease, an individual with a would she, Britain?" pipe in his mouth, and a jug of beer at his elbow, who nodded condescending. ly to Clemency, when she stationed herself at the same table.

"Well, Clemmy," said Britain," how are you by this time, and what's the news?"

"Certainly not," returned Mr. Britain, by this time in that high state of appreciation of his pipe, when a man can open his mouth but a very little way for speaking pur- poses; and sitting luxuriously im movable in his chair, can afford to Clemency told him the news, which turn only his eyes towards a com- he received very graciously. A panion, and that very passively and gracious change had come over Ben- gravely. "Oh! I'm greatly beholden jamin from head to foot. He was much to you, you know, Clem."

Lor, how nice that is to think broeder, much redder, much more cheerful, and much joller in all re of!" said Clemency.

It seemed as if his face had spects. been tied up in a knot before, and was now untwisted and smoothed out,

At the same time, bringing her thoughts as well as her sight to bear upon the candle, grease, and be- "There'll be another job for Snitchey coming abruptly reminiscent of its and Craggs, I suppose," he observed, healing qualities as a balsam, she puffing slowly at his pipe. "More anointed her left elbow with a plenti- witnessing for you and me, perhaps, ful application of that remedy.

(Continued on Page-16.) Clemmy!"

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