The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1873-12-26

but delicately forbore allusion to it. ex-
cept when he spoke of what the past had
cost us both with an air half-pitying.
half-regretful.
"Those first days of his return CLEAN
out from the dark woof of my life like
golden threads. He was brave, and
tender, and helpful, and I leaned upon
him with sense of perfect rest and
safety. Miriam, too, whom l had found
so difficult to manage, was another
creature in his presence, and seemed to
have lost her giddy girlishness and de-
velored into gracious womanhood. /
dill not recognize this as coquetry at
first, but later saw the snare spread for
both of us, and watched with feeling
like death at my heart the tender eyes
and smiling lips that sought to lure him
from me to her. She was the tempter,
he the tempted, | the victim"
Again the woman stopped, as if over
come with bitter memories, and Faith
whispered gently:
might she not have fallen in love
with him unconsciously
at was not love. but a selfish desire
for wealth, that prompted her conduct.
Richard had been successful in South
America, and was rich, and she knew it.
She was my sister, but when l saw her
shy, and gentle, and loving when he was
by, and at all other times cold, and
hard, and cruel; when | felt his heart
slowly slipping from my grasp, en-
thralled by her youth, and beauty, and
sweetness when remembered the hap
piness / had sacrificed, the trials l had
endured, the years had wasted for her
my very soul rose up against the
baseness Of such ingratitude. | would
have warned Richard, but pride held
me back; and what if ] accused Miriam?
Would he believe me against her? Had
she not ministered to his vanity, bewil-
dered his senses and blinded his judg-
ment, until l held him simply by the
letter of his vow, not the spirit?
"The end came at last They fed
from me-stole away while I slept,
and awoke to find myself doubly be-
trayed. Richard left brief note
begging my forgiveness (; Miriam not a
word. That was ten years ago, and l
have never looked upon their faces since.
But two years afterward read his name
in the list Of bankrupts. and reioiced at
the news, for I knew that this loss Of
fortune would bring out as nothing else
could Miriam's true character"
Faith bent over the picture tearfullv,
and at that instant the strains OF
Christmas anthem fioatcd into the room,
and high above the other voices rose
sweet soprano, On earth peace, good
will toward mem The young girl
clasped her hands, and with parted lips
and soft eyesraised heavenward, listened.
Then came burst Of triumphant mel
ody from the organ, and throbbed and
fell and died away, and over all scared
tenor, clear and exultant, "On earth
peace, goodwill toward men -
Twas the singers III neighboring
church, practicing for the morrow.
But Faiths sweet eyes had an awed and
solemn look, and even Miss Wares were
softened.
"And Jesus, on his way TO the cross,
said, Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do, " whispered
Faith, and bowed her head reverently.
The rock was touched, and from out
the heart that for ten long years had
been hardened and embittered by the
memory of its wrongs, gushed forth the
stream Of human love and forgiveness.
Miss Ware burst into passionate fit of
weeping, and cried:
L" He said that, and then died for the
men that crucifed Him. o Miriam
Miriam And l, Il sinner, was less
merciful to thee God help me, and
soften my unforgiying heart :"
She sank to her knees in the tirelight,
and beside her knelt Faith, and the two
sent up silent petition for help and
guidance, and the music tioated into the
room again, and the voices sang, son
earth peace, goodwill toward men -
! Faith rose the next morning at dawn.
/ The air was crisp and fresh, the trees
glitterea with frost-work, and the dis
tant hills were outlined pure and white
against the blue sky. She dressed
quickly, and having put on her hat and
shawl, and hung a basket on her arm,
was stealing from the room, when Miss
Ware awoke.
"What out for walk so carly?'
said she, surprised. And with a
basket, too! Why, cliild, where are yoa
going ?"
Faith cast down her eyes timidiy, and
a slight flush crept over her face. /" To
A poor woman's near by" she faltered,
"whose little daughter is crippled, and
/ who viii have no other Chri tmas than
this" and she opened her basket. In
/ it were oranges, and bunch OF grapes,
/ and warm, brightdre gayly trimmed.