The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-12-22

brlgtest and best One broad ray lit up
the picture of which Mallie had spoken
bringing out the figure of the peasant
girl with startling dstinctness. Mirabel
paused as she laid the little gift package
down among the score of mysteries
awaiting the coming day for their un
wrapping, She fancied a stealthy step
passed down the hall. Something Of
terror chilled her as it drew near. Close
beside her was the long window opening
into the conservatory. She hid herself
quickly behind the heavy curtains ~ a
woman crept hesitatingly into the room,
pansing every moment to listen and look
back. 1t was the tramp, the woman
from the town, who had come ont of her
hldlng-place, wherever it had been, and
now stole about the house from idle Gu
riosity perhaps, or something worse.
She could not have been cold, yet the
fire drew her How she croucheG before
it, spreading OUT her ads and rubbing
them together in delight. When she
tnrned away reluctantly, at length, the
picture caught her eye. She sprang
towards it, her caution all forgotten.
She knelt, clasping her hands She
scanned it with straining eyes, her lips
uttering strange, hurried words
The battered bonnet fell back, and the
long black hair swept her shoulders.
For moment her face grew rosy in the
Are light, -grew almost fair The part.
ed lips were red and moist. The dark
eyes deepeued, softened, smileo. She
was no longer cold and hungry aud half
naked, an outcast scoffed at and sc0tned !;
but, happy and fair and pure of heart,
by river that flowed far away in another
land, she walked again with her beloved.
Some one opening the door behind her
saw with amazement the PROSTATE figure.
1t was Dare, on his way from the smoking
room
What are you doing here?" he began,
shaking her roughly
She sank back in terror. Then her
face became like the face of one who sees
q spirit.
Is it thou % she whispered, in hushed,
breaieless tones, and in the language of
her native land My love my love !"
She threw back the long hair that hid
her face, and let the light shine in upon
it. Oh, at that moment it was sweet to
look upon and true. She pointed to the
picture. "The riverl' she said, "the
silent river that went ON and on! How
it shone III the sunlight! And the
howcrs-you put them in my hair!'
The present, the dreadful years be-
tween, were all forgotten. Only that one
happy time so long ago filed all her
heart. Her eyes were like little child's
With his hands held tight before his
face, as if to shut out the sight the
evoA the thought, the nam stood
dumb Who of us will dare open our
lips when our past rises up in judgment
against us
He did not see the curtains parting
behind him, nor the white figure moving
slowly along the room. Down from the
yellow hair dropped a lily--wlthered
and brown now.
Mirabera face was white as the robe she
trailed along. Her eyes, Opaque, lust1r,
less, stared straight before her, and as
she walked she wrung her hands.
The woman saw her while she was yet
a long way off; in terror first of the
white, still thing that yet seemed to
with another fear. "Not
BIN |" she gasped below her breath. at
is not him she loves!
Her fingers clutched her gown, her
hair. The blood flew in and out her face
as fire flies from the heated iron when
struck. Then she turned away her head
and made as if she had not seen. "Par-
don, good gentleman !" Her voice was
different now. She spoke so loud and
clear that every tone reached Mirabel
" I'm strange sometimes. don't know
what I've said. | think I'm not right
here" She touched her head I" I had a
lover once, you see-that's all. 1t was
the darkness made you look like him.
She laughed. God knows her heart cried
in her. She gathered up her rags slowly,
while the man shook himself and tried
to speak. Had it been dream after all !
The freight touched Mjrabel now
her face, her form, her sweeping hair.
Mirabel p
She crypt into his arms. What is it ?
Oh, what does it mean?"
It's nothing" broke in the woman,
over whose face swept sudden pain at
the sight of her in his arms. I'm sorry
if frightened the lady"
And it isn't true?" sobbed Mirabel. |
Bless you, no if you mesn anyt hing |
| said" Again she laughed, or did she
sob? lit was the heat and my head.
you know. If you'll let me I'll go now"
The old clock in the hall rang out for
twelve. Outside and far away the bells
Took it up-aa Christmas chime.
Don't go said Mirabel Oh, how near
she had been to losing all her joy. 1t
rushed back upon her now, an overpower
~ g. -:&I~ 10
"Don't go; want to do something for
you. It's Christmas day, you know"
She left Dare, and went towards the
woman who slowly moved away as she
came near.