Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-12-26

door, and ordered the driver to the
street and number directed.
"God bless youi You are a good
child. I shall never forget this day.
Perhaps I'll come to see you again some
time," the old man said when leaving. |
The same contemptuous expression
was again on CarI's face, and he said, |
sneeringiy:
"Quite distinguished acquisition to
Miss Cameron's list of acquaintances !"
A deep flush mantled her fair brow,
but she deigned no word of reply. Carl
Granger saw be had been indiscreet,
to say the least, and endeavored, by
putting forth his most fascinating pow
ers, to cast away the cloud that had
gathered on the face usually so bright.
Carls attempts were fruitless. But
when an hour had passed, and William
Hartley returned, then, to his great
chagrin, he saw softer light glow in
her dark eyes, and her lips wreathed
with smiles that he had failed to draw
| forth.
That night Carl Granger determined
to know his fate, asked Florence to be
his wife, and, to her parents great dis
appointment, she kindly but firmly
said she ''could sot love him."
He was not what she believed him,
lind her heart fed, affrighted. She
dared not trust it to his keeping. Will
liam Hartley caught it In the rebound.
Florence had always warm regard for
him. that might have long before RI
pened into true love. But the fascinat-
ing Carl had stepped in, and, for the
time, made deep impression on the
trusting girl. To her he was so devot-
/ ed, gentle, and she believed him noble
and good. That Christmas-day the
mask had fallen, and she knew him as
he really was. William Hartley, see
Ing the change in FIorence's manners,
gained hope. Renewing his endeavors
TO win the sweet girls love, he was
soon confident of sreeess, and a few
weeks after the dismissal of Carl Grain-
ger. Florence was his promised wife.
"Foolish girl! Do you not know that
besides his own fortune, Mr.. Granger
is the only heir Of an old uncle, who is
fabulously rich ?" said Mrs. Cameron.
| Fiorence's father, disappointment
was as keen as his wife's, for he felt his
foundation trembling, and knew be-
fore long it mist fall. And so il was: |:
before smother year had passed the
stately mansion was no longer his. He
was almost penniIess. But he was a
true, loving father, and would not bar
ter his child's heart for gold.
And so, when William Hartley won
Florence, he took her not from home
oflu1ury, but one as humble as his
own. -Years rolled by, Bringing with
them joy and sorrow, until six had
passed. During the last ones clouds
had gathered, swift and dark, over
4 William Hartley and his loved ones;
and SO one Christmas morning, six
years after the one when the strange
old man was helped By Florence, they
were absolutely destitute.
'I wonder what has become of that
old nan?'' said William, during the
day. 81 called few days after took
him home, to inquire how he was get
ting on, but ne had gone from that
place"
''Do you know, William, to that old
mans suferings you are indebted for
your wife? That day Isaw the differ
ence between you and Carl Granger.
His heartlessness frightened me, and
fled to you, and grew calm and happy"
said Florence, while beautiful flush
spread over her face, chasing away the
care-worn look of a few moments be-
/ fore. N
"You fed TO poverty, toll, suffering.
Oh! my darling hoped to have shell
tered you from SUCH" r..s
81 fed from worse. Come, cheer up,
/ all will be,well. Ibid not tell you, the
last time [ was out, I saw Granger
very much intaxicated. He IS living
now entirely on his expectations
mamma, mammal Kriss Kringle's
coming! See See! HurraI Old Kriss
liked to have forgotten us, 1 guess !''
IeriedIittle Wiliio, shouting and clap
| ping his hands.
i Florence arose TO look out, when a
knock sounded on the door; opening
which, she beheld standing before her,
the old man of whom she had just been
speaking.
"Come in! I am glad to see you !
Where have you been this long time? !?
And how did you find us ~ Florence
asked, taking his hand and drawing
him in.
"I found very easily what had new
er lost. I've thought of you often, but
chose to come to-day. 1t is a good
time to eome," answered the old man.
"Come! sit down here" said Will
liam, getting up and offering his srn
comfortable chair.
; "Wait bit. IfIsit down, I don't
went to get up soon. Better know first
! how loEg can stay" answered the old
lnan, still standing.
''As long as you like. We are poor,
very poor, but if you want a home
with us, we viii not send you forth.
Sit down. answered William.
"The samel unchanged! ~ Enurmur-
,,ed the stranger.
"What shall we call you?' asked
Florence.
''Kriss Kringle! The children called
me so. Let them continue. And
you may say Uncle, if you PREFER" he
said.
A comical expression was on his
; face, smiles continued to play about
his thin lips, and he seemed very hap