The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-10-22
CHAPTER X.

seemed as II her aunts son and the handsome
mate were ono and the same person.
CHAPTER X.
Chrisfmas Gifts
Days and weeks and months wore on, and
Ellen felt that she drew NO nearer to her aunt,
| and she wondered how long this cherries,
aimless life would last. She had made appli-
| cation for q situation in the schools, had pass
| ed . most creditable examination, and was
daily hoping to be appointed to . situstion, a.
| she would then cease to be burden to her aunt.
The day before Christmas came, but no pre-
house assumed, II anything, moro cheerless,
"if her son would only come." thought Ell
len, show it would brighten up her face and
the old house too Perhaps he is the cause of
her silence and sorrow"
Thinking thus, Ellen one day asked her
sepv
left me- in New York"
She seemed to say even this, more in answer
to her own thoughts than a. . reply to Ellen's
This was strange; and Ellen remembering
her uncle had been married less than q year,
wondered If he had ever seen his wifes son.
She did not, however, dare to ask this, but
only said In her sweet, earnest way:
How I would like TO know him~
looked at the young girl fixedly. There was
no kindliDg Of love in her cold, grey eyes at
this reference to her son, NO look of pleasure
fierce suspioious glance, q keen, questioning
expression beneath which Ellen almost quail
Cd. There was NO chance given her, however
to say more. for Mrs. Noonan left the room
even while Ellen wondered what had 30 dis
pleased her.
She had promised to spend Christmas Eve
with Mrs. Brown, and when her aunt returned
"I will attend early Mass tomorrow morn
ing from there" said Ellen, but will return
immediately after church. So you need not
Sas ths sb1apss The
true meaning as Il was possible to make them
or You is lonely w
She did NOT conclude her sentence for her
Aunt's answer wss quick and stern.
BE- ORTIZ And
Brown-unless" che added bitterly "you prefer
cob, then Amt Margaret, / viii GO both to
fore snndoyn, and I hope yon will have as
The Thought Of the peaceful time she would
feeling Of Satisfaction, q sense of enjoyment
which she had not experienced for many q day.
Beside this holiday was agreeable to her aunt's
thss sse felt Of 81 Neglect duty
and free to be as happy as she could
She would have kissed her aunt before
parting with Hef ZOE Two GAtiF6 DAYS, but the
face she looked up to was SO stern and repel-
liant, that she dared not encourage the idea,
for fear of being repulsed.
"Good-by then, Aunt Margaret, until to-
morrow evening" she said in her simple earn
est way.
Goodbye" was the answer, seeming at the
time to Ellen far colder and more distant than
she had ever thought such words could be.
As she left the house, she fancied she heard
her aunt calling her by her NAME but when
she turne ed round, the room was empty and the
thorn-crowned Saviours plying gaze vas the
only one that met her own.
Mrs. Brown was rejoiced to see her, for tn.
young girl was every day becoming dearer to
her, and she smiled pleasantly when she heard
Aunt Polly met her with o radiant welcome
in her face that needed no words to explain it's
meaning
"pTwill seem like Christmas sure enuf now
to me, and ri take off the old gobbier's head
this very night"
into execution, while Ellen took out her work,
an embroidered collar for her annt's Christ
mas gift, and drew her chair up in front of the
glowing fire.
Mrs. Brown was very cheerful and it made
Ellen glad to feel that her presence contributed
to the widows pleasure.
They spoke of the past year, of last Christ
mas and of George, of the Joys they had anti
cipated for this day, aud of the sorrows and
disappontments that had come instead.
ut was on this day, one year ago." said FL
teH, taae my gear Mother ieft me. Since
then have realized all the grief anddesola-
ton, orphanhood is sure to bring.
Yes my child" said the widow, meekly.
We have each our cross to bear, but you are
young and may yet be very happy. am old
and childless." She sighed wearily rs she spoke
and then immediately added in q more cheer
full tone. Goods blessed will be done A day
may como when l shall rejoice because my |
boy went home soon."
She laid her hand on Elien's as she spoke |
and the young girl felt that its gentle touch |
was full of sympathy for her own joyless life |
My father, mother, uncle, all have left1
meP Ellen spoke as though in answer to her |
own thoughts. "When Uncle Dennis sent |
for me to como and live with him i felt that fate
at last was going to DO kind-and yet only |
found him dying, and one sweet smile-was all !