Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-12-30

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finished, the process of dressing com
menced. From basket in the corner
Marion drew long strings of bright red
holly berries, threaded ike beads upon
fine cord. These were festooned in gra-
ceful garlands from the boughs of the
tree, and while Marion was THUS employ
ed, Grace and the doctor arranged the
tiny tapers. This was delicate task
Long pieces of fine wire were passed
through the taper at the bottom, and
these clasped over the stem Of each branch
and twisted together underneath. Great
care was taken that there should be a
clear space above each wick, that moth
ing might catch fire. Strings Of bright
berries, small boquets of paper flowers,
strings of beads, tiny flags of gay ribbons,
stars and shields of gilt paper, lace bags
filed with colored candies, knots of bright
ribbons, all homemade by Marion and
Graee's skiIlfuT fingers, made a brilliant
show at very trifing cost, basket seem
ing possessed of unheard of capacities, to
Judge from the multitude and variety of
articles the sistsrs drew from it. Mean
time, upon the wick Of each little taper
the doctor rubbed with his finger drop
Of alcohol, to insure its lighting quickly.
This was a process he trusted to no one
else, for fear the spirit might fall upon
some part Of the tree not meant to catch
fro.
Marion, unconscious that her fathers
teye followed her in every movement,
tried to keep up a cheerful smile, for her
sisters sake, yet sometimes a weary sigh
would come from her overcharged heart
as the contrast between these gay sprepa-
rations for festiyiiy and the weight of her
own sorrow struck her. At last all the
contents Of the basket we're on the tree,
and then the more important presents
were brought down from an upper room.
There we're many large articles, seeming
y too clumsy for the tree, but Marion
passed around them gay colorod ribbons
! till they formed a BASKET work, and loop
ed them over the branches till even Hes
ter's work box looked graceful Dolls
/ for eachgof the little girls were seated on
the boughs, and large cart for Eddie,
with two horses prancing before it, drove
gayly amongst the top branches, as if
each steed possessed the wings of Pega-
sus. On the moss beneath the branches
Marion placed set Of wooden animals
for Eddie, while from the topnost branch
was suspended a gilded cage, ready for
the canary bird DIR. Grantley had pur-
chased for the pet,loying Lizzie.
Various mysterious packages wrapped
In paper and marked Grace Marion, or
Papa, were put aside, that all the deli
ciOus mystery Of Christmas might be pre-
served.
At length al was ready, and carefully
locking the doors, the trio went to their
respective rooms.
It was Christmas evening. All the
presents we're on the tree, and Marion
was alone in the back iarlor, waiting for
the doctsr's return from a professional
visit, before she lighted the tree. The
children were in the sitting room, and
4 their eager merry voices came family to
her as she sat sadly waiting there.
Harkl A voice in the entry. The
door of the large closet opened and shut
again, and then her fathers voice sum
moned her to open the door.
Marion he said, taking her hands in
his own, you have thought for all the
others this Christmas evening; I have a
gift for you
She said Thank you, quietly smiI-
ing, yet without much appearance of in.
terest.
4 wish to place it on the tree myself
and then this year I will play lamplight-
sr. You bring the children into the nezt
room.
Dancing feet soon sounded on the stairs
and eager voices shouted Merry Christ.
mas, as the little ones followed Marion
into the front parlor. 1t was entirely
F dark. Standing them in a row, at some
distance from the folding doors, Marion
spoke to tell her father all was ready
The doors few open. The tall tree, one
blaze of light, covered with tasty gifts
, stood in the middle of the room, and be
hind it was figure which Marion at frs
2 took for her father; only for a moment
Dazzled and confused as she was by thr
sudden blaze of light, a second glance
sent a full tide of happiness to her sac
heart.
D My Christmas gift, she said, softly
c stepping forward.
t And l claim mine, was the reply, il
e a deep, manly voice, from behind .h
f tree, and Morton Loring came forward t
$ to where Marion had paused, awaiting
him.