The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-09-18

ment, but he had occasion sometimes tc
find fault with Skippens' manner as toe
impulsive.
"It's not my fault, Mr.. Purchas," she
said, apologetically; "you should not take
me by surprise"
"Of course, Skippens," explained Mr.
Purchas, 81 have nothing to say against
your being affected at seeing me. It's
very natural and quite proper. But the
manner of showing it wouldn't meet with
Miss Lucie's approval-that is ALL"
g couldn't help it," urged Skippens
little testify. 81 amt stock or stone
Mr.. Purchas"
81 should think not, Skippens. Ar
ticles like you and Miss Lucie amt made
OF those materials. l want to see her,
Skippens-"
"Miss Lucie ?"
Yes, private, on important business
She-she amt engaged with the strange
gentleman ?"
"No. He asked to see the master pri-
vate, on important business-he did. There
seems to be great deal of mystery abroad
this Christmas Eve, Mr.. Purchas," said
Skippens, as he went upon his errand
She came to him in the passage-Lucie
Addison, with the sunny smiling face they
all knew so well the good pretty face, with
the honest blue eyes, and the golden hair
tumbling out of its purple net, they all
knew and learned to love so we'll
:" Good evening, Jacob," she said. "You
asked to see me. Is there anything more
to do in the church, Or do you want to
wish me joy this happy Christmas time ?"
Miss Lucie," stammered the clerk,
Heaven knows it isn't at wishes I'd stop
If there was anything 1 could do to give
you joy and happiness"
"Thank you, Jacob. You are all so
kind to me-"
She said it with little,wonder, perhaps,
for the clerk was reputed to be hard and
selfish man, and yet there was an unmis-
taxable earnestness of manner as we'll as in
his words.
Not so good as you have been to us,
Miss. 1t isn't many years back since you
made my old mothers death happy one.
don't wish to forget it. How could
ever meet her, please God, if did p
"It is good to think of her at this time,
Jacob" she said. cit is a season when
the thought of those that we have loved
and lost can be borne with as little pain ,,s
possible" HI
But her voice shook as she spoke and
the lines about her mouth quivered pitt
fully.
"Ive had hard life, Miss" said the
clerk, "and been hard man-may be the
one led to the other. It's little emo ever
done for another; it's less, perhaps, I've
ever had done for me. SO I'm kinder
ashamed like to say what l want to- But.
Miss Lucie, if trouble should come to YOU
and it may, you know, my dear-I wish
to say as I've little money laid by handy
which I've no manner of use for-none
whatever, Ifyou or Mr.. Louis, now, would
use it for me, should be that proud and
happy, look, ye, Miss"
He stopped, for just then distant door
opened, and quiet voice was heard =
Lucie, my dear, will you come this
way~
The clerk stepped back.
Don't say anything to the master, Miss
Lucie.'
mo, Jacob" said she, wonderingly.
"But don't forget it, or think l didn't
mean it, Miss"
II will remember it, Jacob, and CRATE
fully"
{" | do mean it, from my heart Butch
er and would begin life again barefoot to
do you service"
Sister," said the quiet voice from the
gloom, "will you step this way, if you
pleaseW
And Jacob Purchas, with the sensation
of having enjoyed very unfamiliar lux
ury, went back to Skippens.
A tall, spare man, with somewhat worn
white face, and light hair, thin upon the
temples, advanced from the fire as Lucie
entered. The Rev. Louis Addison was
much older than Lucie, and, their mother
dying young, she had been his care and
joy almost from infancy. For her he had
begun life while others of his age had
scarcely weaned themselves from toffey and
marbles; for her he had turned his face
from the worlds pleasures, and willingly
taken upon himself its heaviest response
bilities. She had been the light and pride
of his life; and, although Louis Addison
was a soft and placable man generally, that
iudu WOulu nave lOuuu MIN 0aru anu
bitter foe who designed wrong or harm to
Lucie. She had been wronged-how and
by whom all Glevering knew, and-to for
give his own enemies was an easy injunc-
tion, seeing that he pitied them too much
to hate them; but Louis Addison had not,
never would, pardon him who had plowed
that line and cut those wrinkles on his sis
ter's face.
She took his hand and turned food of
sunshine to his troubled face. But his
greeting was an anxious one.
Lucie,'' he said, 81 have to trouble you
with little business, my dear. This is
MIR. Twissel, my lawyer" The gentleman
in black bowed. ''My love, you little
thought your brother was such busy man,
or that lawyers would be quitting their
firesides at such season in his cause"
No, Louis" she said, little puzzled.
Sand you little thought, Lucie-I never
intended that you should-that l was in
debt, Don't tremble so love. Tn debt so
heavily and hopelessly, that all our poor