Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-12-27

her way easier in some manner; always
ready with advice, or sympathy, or assis-
tance. ~ 81 ts
I, Il dou't know that should have done
without, Mr.. Weymer, she said, in u little
burst Of gratitude, one day, at the end Of
the three weeks, when her mother began to
mend. aae
Ills face lighted. Il am very glad TO
have been of use 10 you, Miss Bell, but il
lie very little l have done
oh, il was everything to me; you have
been real friend, can never thank you
never, ps
'Dont think Of thanking me, Miss Bell.
L. But just here, through the folding
door, MIR. Camden appeared aud Janey
followed him. ssat aafa
There were signso Of emotion on uopeS
face which Mr. Camden did not fail to
mark with an inquiring glance, aud. tle
interruption might have been awkward but
for Janey's childish presence. Jauey was
In the greatest state Of excitement, for to-
morrow was Christmas.
And you'll hang up the stocking,
Won't you, Miss Hope?' she cried out as
she came running ia after MIR Cam.
den.
What's that about stocking?' exclaim.
ed MIR. Camden. glad of Janey's matter
Of fact subject just ut this moment
'Oh, don't you know tonight is Christ
mas eve, and Miss Hope has promised TO
hang up her stocking; haven't you, Miss
HopeY aud Janey went on in yoluble
clatter. winding up with; oh, MIR. Cam
den, you put something Ia Miss Hopes
stocking, won't your
Indeed will, declared Mr.. Camden,
laughing, but looking at the lady as il he
meant IL.
Jauey did not ask Mr.. Weymer to put
sonethsa. ..to .diss Bells stocking for
she had a suspicion that Mr.. Weymer
thought Miss Bell was too old for
that.
But where shall hang my stocking
Janeyr Miss Bell asked smilingly.
oh, on the door, Miss Hope --lhen you
won't know any thing about it until to-
morrow morning. always lie awake, oh,
ever 50 longl waiting and watching ill
mamma gots all out Of patience with
mo-.
Miss Bell laughed outright at the
thought Of Janey's allowance for her curl
osity; but Janey was unconsciousy
,ruer prophet than Miss Bell had been
aware, tor IN spite Of herself she lay awake
along, long time; aud, lying awake, she
could not help wondering il MIR. Camden
had been Ia earnest when ho had said the
last thing to her. BE sure aud hang up
your stocking, Miss Bell
And then she remembered Mr.. Wey.
mers earnest eyes bent upon her, when
she he'd coorod little ut tins, aHd she
wished as sac iayshs.v-.hiakiag, oycsa<nd
over again, that she hadn't that foolish
habit OF bIushing at nothing: 'Wha,
would Mr.. Meymer think?
What MIR. Weymer would think seemed
to trouble Hope more than any thing that
night. But alter while she dropped
asleep, aud lost all her troubles aud
woarIness and curiosity. II was blessed
sleep OF rest aud peace after her three
weeks anxiety, aud she Gwoke with feel.
lug. Of childhke refreshments to hear the
sweet chimes from the old Catholic tower
On tho next street ringing ia the Christ
mas morn 30 peaceful TO her. Three
weeks ago her soul had been in tumult
OF fear aud anxiety; now the fear was over.
That dear mother was getting we'll She
thought OF nothing else but this for n
while; then, oil ut once, Janey's admoni-
ton to hang up her stoeking, aud Mr..
Camden's relteration of Il flashed into hor
mind. She sprang up softly, laughing
yet curious us Janey herself, cautiously
opening her door, reached out her hand
for the stocking she had hung to keep her
promise. IL was dainty little stocking
aud white as drilled snow-not ut all an
unfit receptacle for tho daintiest gifts, and
very dainty indeed was the pretty scarf
she drew out drst-Janeys gift she knew
from the slip OF paper pinned on IL. where
on Janey had printed IN round, childish
letters; To my dear Miss Hope, from her
loving Janey."
But there was something else. Had
Mr.. Camden reallyY-Yes, IL must be-.
slowly she drew IL forth-a long and
slender package. What yes, charming
party fan, suon us Hope might have
carried once when she was sixteen, for
Hope had got out Of the way q parties
siuce that tIme They we're too expensive
affairs, even if her friends chose 70 remem.
ber her. She sighed little us she looked
at this pretty toy-whte and pearl laid
aud pcrlumed-a thought TO herself,
perhaps, that IL would be pleasant 10 aoed
such thing; but course she shouldn't.
Wait moment, Hope; do not be too has,y;
you can not tell what you may need.
She laid the fan down, thinking II was
very kind of Mr. Camden, for she knew il
was from him by the card lying in the bot
tom of the box with Mr.. Camden's com
pliments aud merry Christmas written
on it. Very kind aud very graceful Of
him; but an odd thought stole into her
mind, that MIR. Weymer woudu't have
chosen such gift for her. She lay there
thinking Of this when she saw there was
still something else in that little stocking
Mr.. Camden wasn't content with his com
pliments But that isn't Mr. Camden's
writing, aud there is something ia the
note. Another Christmas giftl How
fortunate she isl As she opens this note
out rolls ring-an old fashioned ring of
ruby and pearl this is what the note says
about il:
This ring was once worn by my moth
er, aud her name was Hope-lIope Wey-
mer. For some time have wished, how
ardently can scarcely tell - that il might
be worn again by one who would be a oth
er Hope Weymer. And with this wish |