1921-12-17 — Page 16

CHRISTMAS STORY.

(Continued from page 14)

**You see I've made a good many investigations of one sort and another

be

What a ran down his face, natural you are, Clemmy1' said, shaking his head, with an infinite relish of the joke, and wip ing his eyes. Clemency, without the smallest inclination to dispute it, did the like, and laughed as heartily as in my time," pursued Mr. Britain, I can't help liking you," said Mr. with the profundity of a gage, "having been always of an inquiring Britain; "you're a regular good turn of mind; and I've read a good creature in your way, so shake hands, many books about the general rights Clem. Whatever happens, I'll always of things and wrongs of things, for take notice of you, and be a friend to I went into the literary line myself, you." when I began life."

"Did you though?" cried the admiring Clemency.

"Yes," said Mr. Britain: "I was hid for the best part of two years behind a book-atall, ready to fly out if anybody pocketed a volume; and after that, I was light porter to a stay and mantua-maker, in which capacity I was employed to carry about, in oilskin baskets, nothing but deceptions-which soured my spirits and disturbed my confidence in buman nature; and after that, I heard a world of discussions in this house, which soured my spirits afresh; and my opinion after all is that, as a safe and comfortable sweetener of the same, and as a pleasant guide through life, there's nothing like a nutmeg-grater.”

Clemency was about to offer a suggestion, but he stopped her by anticipating it.

"Combined," he added gravely, "with a thimble."

"Will you?" returned Clemency. "Well that's very good,of you."

"Yes, yes," said Mr. Britain, giving her his pipe to knock the ashes out of it: "I'll stand by you. Hark! That's a curious noise!"

"Naisei" repeated Clemency. "A footstep outside. Somebody dropping from the wall, it sounded "Are they all like," said Britain. abed upstairs?"

"Yes, all abed by this time," she replied.

"Didn't you hear anything?" "No." They both listened, but heard nothing.

"I tell you what," said Benjamin, taking down a lantern.. "I'll have a look round, before I go to bed myself, for satisfaction's sake. door while I light this, Clemmy

Undo the

Clemency compiled briskly; but observed as she did so, that he would only have his walk for his pains, that it was all his fancy, and so forth. Mr. Britain said, "Very likely; but sallied out, nevertheless, armed with the poker, and casting the light of the lantern far and near in all direc- tions.

"It's as quiet as a churchyard," said Clemency, looking after him;

and almost as ghostly too!"

Glancing back into the kitchen, she

THE CHINA MAIL.

cealment. I will come presently.

He waved his hand to her, and was gone,

"Don't go to bed. Wait here for me bald Marlon hurriedly. I have been seeking to speak to you for an hour past. Oh, be true to me!

Eagerly seizing her bewildered band, and pressing it with both her breast an action more expressive, in its passion of entreaty, than the most eloquent appeal in words Marion withdrew; as the light of the returning lantern flashed into, 'the

room.

"All still and peaceable. Nobody there. Fancy, I suppose," said Mr. Britain, as he locked and barred the door. "One of the effects of having a lively imagination. Hollo! Why, what's the matter?'

Clemency, who could not conceal the effects of her surprise and con. cern, was sitting in a chair, pale, and trembling from head to foot.

"Matter 1" she repeated, chafing her hands and elbows nervously, and looking anywhere but at him. "That's good in you. Britain, that is! After going and frightening one out of one's life with noises, and lanterns, and. I don't know what all. Matter! Oh, yes!"

"If you're frightened out of your life by a lantern. Clemmy," said Mr. Britain, composedly blowing it out and hanging it up again, that apparition's very soon got rid of But you're as bold as brass in general," he said, stopping to observe her; "and were, after the noise and What have you the lantern too. taken into your head? Not an idea,

eh?"

barrier that Interposed itself between the happy home and honoured love of the fair girl, and what might be the desolation of that home, and ship- wreck of its dearest treasure, smote so keenly on the tender heart of Clemency and to filled it to overflow ing with sorrow and compassion, that, bursting into tears, she threw her arms round Marion's neck.

"It's little that I know, my dear," cried Clemency, very little; but know that this should not be. Think of what you do!"

I

"I have thought of it many times." said Marion gently.

"Once more," urged Clemency. Till to-morrow." Marion shook her head.

"For Mr. Alfred's sake," said Clemency, with homely earnestness, Him that you used to love so den-ly once!"

She bid her face, upon the Instant, in her hands, repeating, "Once!" as If it rent her heart,

ty. Her chamber safely reached, the fell upon her knees, and, with her secret weighing on her heart, could pray f

Could rise up from her prayers, so tranquil and serene, sad bending over her fond sister in her slumber, look upon her face and smile-though sadly; murmuring as she kissed her forehead, how that Grace had been a mother to her, ever, and she loved her as a child!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1:21.

time within the fleeting month pre- and the rest was not sald, for her face ceding it), did Clemency glance was hidden on the old man's shoulder. anxiously, and almost fearful at "Tut, tut, tur," said the doctor Marion. She saw her paler, perhaps, gently. "Forgive! What have I to than usual; but there was sweet forgive? Heydey, if our true loyers. composure on her face that made it came back to flurry us like this we lovelier than ever.

must send expresses aut to stop em At, night when she was dressed, short upon the road, and bring 'em and wore upon her head a wreath op a mile or two a day, until we're that Grace had proudly twined about properly prepared to meet 'em. Kiss it-its mimic flowers were Alfred's me, puse. Forgive! Why, what a favourites, as Grace remembered silly child you are. If you had vexed Could draw the passive arm about when she chose them that old ex- and crossed me fifty times a day. her neck when lying down to rest-it pression, pensive, almost sorrowful, instead of not at all, I'd forgive you seemed to cling there of its own will and yet so spiritual, high, and stir everything, but such a supplication. protectingly and tenderly even inring, sat again upon her brow, en- Kiss me again, puss. There 1. Pros- pective and retrospective-a clear sleep and breathe upon the parted hanced a hundredfold.

"The next wreath I adjust on this score between us, Pile ap the fire lips, God bless her!

fair head will be a marriage wreath," here! Would you freeze the people or I am no true pro on this bleak December night! Let said Grace,

us be light, and warm, and merry, or phet, dear."

Her sister smiled, and held her in I'll not forgive some of you!” her arms.

Could sink into a peaceful sleep, herself; but for one dream, in which she cried out, in her innocent and touching voice, that she was quite alone, and they had all forgotten her.

A month soon passes, even at its tardiest pace. The month appointed to elapse between that night and the return, was quick of foot, and went by like a vapour.

"Let me go out," said Clemency, soothing her. "I'll tell him what you like. Don't cross the doorstep to night. I'm sure no good will come of

The day arrived. A raging winter it. Oh, it was an unhappy day when Mr. Warden was ever brought here; day, that shook the old house, some- Think of your good father, darling-times, as if it shivered in the blast. of your sister."

A day to make home doubly home. To give the chimney-corner new de lights. To shed a ruddier glow upon the faces gathered round the hearth, and draw each fireside group into a closer and more social league, against the rn ng elements without. Such a wild winter day as best prepares the was for shut-out night; for cur tain rooms, and cheerful looks; for music, laughter, dancing, light, and jovial entertainment!

"A moment, Grace. Don't leave me yet. Are you sure that I want nothing more?

Her care was not for that. It was her sister's face she thought of, and her eyes were fixed upon it, tenderly

My art," said Grace, "can go no further, dear girl; nor your beauty, I never saw you look so beautiful as now.

So gaily the old doctor carried it ! And the fire was piled up, and the, lights were bright, and company arrived, and a murmuring of lively tongues began, and already there was a pleasant air of cheerful excite ment stirring through all the house.

More and more company came. flocking in. Bright eyes sparkled upon Marion; smiling lips gave her joy of his return; sage mothers' fann- "I never was so happy," she re-ed themselves, and hoped she

mightn't be too youthful and incens turned..

'Ay. but, there is a greater haptent for the quiet round of home; piness in store. In such another impetuous fathers fell into disgrace, home, as cheerful and as bright as for too much exaltation of her this icoke now," said Grace, "Alfred beauty; daughters envied her; sons and his young wife will soon be envied him; innumerable pairs of lovers profited by the occasion; all- living."

were interested, animated, and expectant.

She smiled again. "It is a happy home, Grace, in your fancy. I cat see it in your eyes. I know it will be happy, dear. How glad I am to know it."

Mr. and Mrs. Craggs came arm in arm, but Mrs. Snitchey came alone. "Why, what's become of kim ?” inquired the doctor.

about that; but it wears well, and cried fearfully, as a light figure stol, with a show of going to bed herself Marion passed quickly, holding by and they would make the night air Alfred, eh? He can't be here until in Mrs. Snitchey's turban trembled

"Do as you wold, you know, and cetrer, eh1" observed Clemency, folding her arms comfortably in her delight at this avowal, and patting her elbows. Such a short cut, ain't it ?"

"I'm not sure," said Mr. Britain, "that it's what would be considered good philosophy. I've my doubts saves a quantity of snarling, which the genuine article don't always."

"See how you used to go on once, yourself, you know!" said Clemency. "Ah!" said Mr. Britain. "Fut the

extraordinary thing, most Clemmy, is that I should live to be brought round through you. That's the strange part of it. Through you! Why, I suppose you haven't so much as balf an idea in your head,"

Clemency, without taking the least offence, shook it, and laughed, and hugged herself, and said, "No, she didn't suppose she had."

I'm pretty sure of it," said Mr. Britain.

"Oh! I dare. say you're right," said Clemency. "I don't pretend to none. I don't want any."

Benjamin took his pipe from his lips, and laughed till the tears

into her view, "What's that !"

an

"Hush!" said Marion, in agitated whisper. "You have always loved me, have you not?"

"Loved you, child! You may be sure I have."

"I am sure. And I may trust you, may I not? There is no one else just now in whom I can trust.'

"Yes," said Clemency, with all her heart,

"There is some one out there" pointing to the door. "whom I must see and speak with, to-night. Michael Warden, for God's sake retire! Not

now!"

Clemency started with surprise and trouble as, following the direction of the speaker's eyes, she saw a dark figure standing in the doorway.

"I have," said Marion, hastily "You don't know raising her head. what I do. You don't know what I do. I must speak to him. You are the best and truest friend in all the world for what you baye said to me, but I must take this step. Will you go with me, Clemency," she kissed her on her friendly face, "or shall I go alore?"

Sorrowing and wondering, Cle-

All these the doctor had in store But as Clemency bade him good-mency turned the key, and opened

"Well," cried the doctor, bustling night very much after her usual the door. Into the dark and doubtful to welcome Alfred back. They knew

The feather of a bird of paradise fashion, and began to bustle about night that lay beyond the threshold, that he could not arrive till night; in. "Here we are, all ready for

ring, he said, as he approached. All pretty late-an hour or so before as if the bird of paradise were alive 'immediately, Little Britain, after her hand.

giving utterance to the original In the dark night he joined her, his old friends should congregate midnight-so there'll be plenty of again, when she said that doubtless remark that it was impossible to and they spoke together earnestly about him. He should not miss a time for making merry before he Mr, Craggs knew. She was never "That nasty office," said Mrs. account for a woman's whims, bade and long; and the hand that held so face that he had known and liked. comes. He'll not find us with the told, her good-night in return, and taking fast by Clemency's, now trembled, No! They should every one be ice unbroken. Pile up the fire here,

Britain! Set it shine upon the Craggs. up his candle, strolled drowsily away now turned deadly cold, cow clasped there!

and closed on hers, in the strong feel- So, guests were bidden, and music-holly till it winks again. It's a "I wish it was burned down," to, bed.

true said Mrs. Snitchey. puss: When all was quiet, Marion returning of the speech it emphasised un-ians were engaged, and tables spread, world of nonsense,

consciously. When she returned, he and floors prepared for active feet, lovers and all the rest of it-all ed.

"Open the door," she said; "and followed to the door, and pausing and bountiful provision made, of nonsense; but we'll be nonsensical stand there close beside me, while I there a moment, seized the other every hospitable kind, Because with the rest of 'em, and give our hand, and pressed it to his lips. Then was the Christmas season, and his true lover a mad welcome. Upon speak to him, outside."

stealthily withdrew.

eyes were all unused to English holly my word!" said the old doctor, look. and its sturdy green, the dancinging at his daughters proudly, "I'm room was garlanded and hung with not clear to-night, among other it; and the red berries gleamed an absurdities, but that I'm the father of English welcome to him, peeping two handsome girls." from among the leaves.

*

Timid as her manner was, it still evinced a resolute and settled pur. pose, such as Clemency could not resist. She softly unbarred the door; but before turning the key, looked round on the young creature waiting to issue forth when she should open it.

The face was not averted or cast "In another moment you may be down, but looking full upon her, in Not its pride of youth and beauty. Some discovered," said Marion. now! Wait, if you can, in some con simple sense of the slightness of the

The door was barred and locked again, and once again she stood beneath her father's roof. Not bowed down by the secret that she brought there, though so young; but with that same expression on her face, for which I had no name before, and shining through her tears.

Again she thanked and thanked her bumble friend, and trusted to her, as she said, with confidence, implicit

"He's he's-There's a little mat ter of business that keeps my part- ner rather late," said Mr. Craggs, looking uneasily about him.

Ohh! Business, Don't tell me," said Mrs. Snitchey.

"We know what business means,”

said Mrs. Craggs.

But their not knowing what it meant was perhaps the reason why "All that one of them has ever It was a busy day for all of them: done, or may do may do, dearest Mrs. Spitchey's bird of paradise a busier day for none of them than father-to cause you pain or grief, feather quivered so portentously, and Grace, who noiselessly presided every forgive her," said Marion, forgive her why all the pendant bits on Mrs. where, and was the cheerful mind now, when her heart is full. Say that Craggs's earrings shook like little of all the preparations. Many a you forgive her. That she shall bells,

(Continued on Page 18.) | time that day (as well as many a always share your love, and

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