Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-12-23
beipg fiaished. my mOther .aid, in -gaarsied

being flushed. my mother said, in guarded
accents,
Hilda, come hither"
Hilda came i remembered of the loup-
ago Ghristmas>eve, when the ere elowed red
in the CRATE, and she stood on the rug before
It, with the snowflake crown on her flowing
hair.
Thisis thy brother Wilhelm, child. y said
my mother. pointing to me.
WELCOME. dear brother" she said, laying
little waxen hand in mine. It's touch
thrilled me. Il was so fower,soft dewily
fresh, 1t seemed the same .satin-palni had
folded fast to comfort the little stranger. when
Isshared my toys with her, and she went to
sleep on my shoulder.
Remember, she Is ever to betty sister
Wilhelm" said my mother. iperusine nv face.
with those pale blue eyes. that had ever
swayed me when they looked as now, keen
with decision.
s.Iwould rather that Mareretta should ever
remain my cousin" quoth Lin tones loud.
yet hold.
Did Hilda understand? She drew away
the hower>soft palm. she turned from me. the
prin. of rose on each cheek But alas as
she turned, saw that about. her neck elim-
mered fine gold chain. and 1 fancied that
his, that intolerable Albert Had / come
home for this?
PLAY, that, the children may sing their
carol, daughter Hilda," commanded my
mother. -
Hilda, sitting at the small, upright piano,
began to play aud sing softly, Her.voice was
only thread of melody; but all ! so sweet,
so sweet. The words sefe,s
Carol. enrol Christians
Caro-, joyfuiiy;
Carol forsthe coming
OF Christ's natiyIty.n
The children swarmed around her like n
flock of doves, porched upon her chair. hing
over her shoulders. and rang out the melody
like chime of bells, still through all / could
catch the gliding accents oce sweetest sweet
ness, like rill freshening meadow of daisy
flowers.
'.Thou shouldst hear Hilda and Albert
sing together" whispered Marrretta in nv
ear. The words stnng like a swarm of bees
las she meant shey should.
Together 7" faltered l.; scarce knowing
what I said
"Didst thou not know of their love? Yes.
they have ever of late gone to singing school.
and looked over the same book in company
Surely, thou canst not but have seen that his
eyes follow her everywhere'
vailed my feelings; the heart that has
loved truly and long cannot learn doubt at
once / said to myself. .'She who has painted
my picture, has painted it with the eyes of
faith. What gives faith but love 2,'
"Snrper is ready, cried amt Martha,
bus,iing in, and an Undesirable fragrance Of
coffee, spices, and what>not that was good. fol.
lowed her.
"Thou wilt take ont NIargretta, nv son q,
commanded my mother.
cbeyed. Albert, as if of course. offered
his arm to Hilda, who still wore her wings
and star. for the children would have IL So
My confidence at this left me. L was in de-
spair again.
As wo passed through the wide, old,
fashioned hall. with its carved staircase. Mar
gretta pointed to the portrait, with its grim
square Of black aud gilt. that, now struck
upon by beam of moonlight, showed plainly
the handsome, unpleasant face in its center.
They say | am ike her; do you thins so,
cousin 2" she said.
full
This was true, if was a fool to say it, for
Margret.a was handsome to the outward gaze.
however the heart reversed the decision.
Here was the supper room, and ones mouth
wstered. Was it cold enough to freeze one
outside? What matter. when the coffee. urn.
huge, crusted with rich frost-work of silver.
as its years and dignity warranted, was nigh
hidden in cloud.iand of steam. Beneath
the swinging globe of light, that overhune
the oval table, was china stand, heaped high
with the glow of crimson apples great,
frosted cakes. aunt SIartha's hapdiwork, flank
ed this; honey.sweet nethsglin. spiced aud
scnlding hot, sent up a vapurots dew at either
end, and between wasthe golden brown of the
krolleTs of my mothers Germany the darker
tint of New England dough nuts and various
nondescript dishes, that are the pride of
Christmas, which was everywhere betpkened
on the table by garlandry of green branch and
hollyberry.
I We ate and drank with Christmas plee
and then came the cutting of the largest cake.
the one that held the ring, according to the
immemorial custom.
Aunt Martha bore the cake abont in triumph
and when she came to me, said. in whisper,
Take the slice toward thee, Wilhelm me-
thinks, by curious coincidence, thou wilt find
therein the treasure"
I found. surely enough, plain gold ring,
one of hetrothal. My courage. my hope, ali
came back. Had my aunts whisper anything
10 do with it
1 held up the ring that all might Nv
mo''er hheu hef eyes On me Margretta held
her head up proudly-she did not doubt ny
choice !; aupt Martha looked at me earnestly
her-lips moved. almost thought she prayed.
This felt rather than saw; for looking.
not to the right hand. nor to the left. I walked
straight to Hilda. Hiids, who had held my
heart from childhood within her dear little
hands
She, gazing into my face; smiled. even az a
child in utmost confidence, and, smiling back,
I.slid the ring on the finger
'eMy Hilda," said at is the ring Of be,
trothal.n
promise you there was scene; not a
wordy one, it is true, but each expressed his
or her sentimentsin action my mother looked
steely, her eyes said, Il will never consen II
M.-.xast.,a