Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-25
WAS 1T THE BEST.


all, nor curious, nor famous; but love il dearly
a. ought to love il, having lived all nv life in
its very shadow, and listened within its Old gray
walls while my fathers lips taught me the one
great lesson which has sanctifed it.
We deserved it three times in every year; at
ShrlstInas, at Easter, and for the Harvest
thanksgiving service. But the Christmas de-
cOrations were what took mOst pride in: and
being the Wears eldest daughter, of course the
chief OF the work, and Of the pleasure, fell upon
me- The children ii mean my brothers and
sisters) helped me always and we had one of
our own servants when she could be spared, be-
SIDES counting village volunteers; but 1 always
felt we should have been very much more in
capable and unsuccessful ifflad not been that old
Mis- GottO made point OF having her grand
son down at Crossmyroof for Christmas. He
was 30 ready with his help; 80 quick TO see VIII at
would look well; so tall and strong, that moth
ing we wished 10 attempt was impossible when
lac was there, and nothing in the work was a
trouble TO me.
Perhaps that was why took most pride in
the Christmas decorating-fOr it IS a pleasure
TO meet with hearty sympathy and help in anv
thing one undertakes; but peShaps it was only
time with me.
Sometimes Eleanor M'Laird came mp from
the hall to help US. and when she did she gene
rally laughed, a little low aristocratic laugh
over my garlands and texts. and pretended to
think the children had done them all. was
often glad that We were in the church when she
said so, because hot words rose from nv heart
and would have left nv lips perhaps il we had
not been there. She was an only child, ami
very rich; and was the eldest of light, and had
never known what 1t was to have a sixpence,
the spending of which had not been antiei-
Pated Her father was lord of the manor, with
S3eo a year. NV father was vicar of the parish
with SEQ. But think if she had felt the diff
ference between Us less, I should have felt it
more-certainiy should have felt it in a better
Christmas day fell on a Saturday that year.
and Il was getting quite dark on the Friday at
ternoon before we had finished Eleanor had
brought magnificent bouquet OF dollhouse
flowers for the ehancel table. and stood watch
ing her while she arranged them.
" They will not be moved, hope,- she said
stepping down into the aisle again and address
ing me, "nOr the cross have placed above
James, just see that the cross is safe.2
James was the footman vino had been sent TO
walk home with her; and while he did as she
had bidde n him, she repeated her question 10
me.
"No; no one will move them, Miss MLaird -
i answered.
"Low Church people have such cramped
IDEAS sometimes, she said, passing on; and
sat down again to the wreath 1 was making.
How different the vicarage flowers were from
those which she had brought from the conser-
vatories in the hal. J thought this, working on
with my shy-looking little roses while the wills
pering shadows glided in under the heavy
porch and crept along the narrow windows.
had heard voices in the churchyarsl after Elel-
nor had left the church, and know that Marc
Gotto (his name was really MARQUIS, but we al
ways called him Marq) had met her Just out
side OF the porch, and had stopped To chat. She
N1s very gracious ID MIN. perhaipS De-
cause he had that charm about him which COM
Ielied people to like him; perhaps because he
Was 50 grand and handsome that she could for
get, while she was talking to him that he was
only poor young lawyer, struggling hard to
win his own way in a world over whose wide ex-
tent, he used To say, there was no one else to
win IL for him.
"ls il finished?, asked Mary, standing be-
side me i'm the twilight. with that little smile
upon his lips with which he so often spoke to
I me, . II 50; let me hang it before we axe
tried to hasten, but the string got entangled
every second
I" Nina, your hands are cold and tired, dear.
Igave il to him at once, helping him to hold
II while his strong fingers deXterously tied in
the last ivy andlaurei-leaves.
&" Now hand me the nails, ans see how aTtisti-
stood at the foot of the little ladder, while
the children, who had finished their task, gath
cred round When the wreath was hung. he
stepped down among us. snd-qute uncon-
seiousiy, think-laid his hand on mine as he
looked up at il.
"a The flowers look very comm onplace beside
Miss M'Lairds,"I said, with a little sigh.
He lsUghed-the laugh deepening in his eyes
as he turned and looked into nv face.
80 think Miss NJ 'LaiTd's garlands are as like
herself as Mise Callaway's garlands are Ike
of hers"
:. Ii IS our wreath, remember. How long will
~ live
'IOnly over Christmas put in Tom, practi-
cally.
:" Indeed, sir,' laughed Marc, Sand may
inquire what Christmas you allude TO? Now.
Nina, il there anything else for me to do in
this wav.e''
al think not
But. though the children went home then we
two still fingered there, while the brilliant Ma
t'vlty SCENE upon the eastern window grew
more and more real, as the light faded without.
:. have one thing more to do, you know,
MARI" said, a. the choir came in. :. We have
10 sing the anthem over to papa" -
q. That's right. L will stand here and listen"
The singers lighted the candles on the organ
and bent over them to bring their light upon
the music: but 1 knew the grand old anthem
wei, and stood back in the shadow, where
could see Marc leaning at the end OF our seat.
Often IN the time that followed did remember
how heedlessly had sang the comfor ting words
that night, while watched his listening 6gure
and while the gorgeous picture of the Birth We
sang of faded utterly.
Papa was detained in the village, 30 Marc
and walked slowly on together down the quiet
lane; the darkness Vi tine Christmas night deem
ening and deepening, and TO star vet venturing
out into the chilling air. Yet we fingered az
every step, thinking nothing OF the cold. Marc
was telling me OF that strange Mrs. Duncan.
who, ever since / can remember, has lived
alone at the old Priory on the other side OF the
Kill OF course, long ago 1 Rad heard the story
of her cruelty 10 her stepson; and OF the quar-
rel between them when his father died and left
all his wealth Internationally to her; the will
never even mentioning his only ION. But Marc
always sought his advice now ON the most tri-
ning matters OF business; how often she sent Tor
him when she was in London; how she was now
All AT orquayi and he was going to her in a few
days
"when LAWYERS get one good client they think
their fortunes made, MARI, don't they?r
asked.
"Icannot quite answer for LAWYERS in general
being 80 weak, dear; but one lawyer i'm partieu-
Tar is i feel my fortune made. My only want
now is-some one 20 share II"
He was laughing OF course and laughed too
% IL l. too great for you To spend alone. them
80 It will be when I've earned it. intend 20
have such a beautiful little home. white
house with roses and jasmine all over it. AMI a
garden fun OF wonderful scents and unexpected
eorners-just like yonr own home. Nina. AMI
Of course shall want some one to share il vita
me-
% Your grandmother suggested.
" No. dear SIy venerable aneestreSs il q
strong conservative. declining to leave her in-
gle; and can YOU expect her primitive residence
to hold me when [ am great man.
% You remember the inIuisitiye bells of Step
ney?''
:. You want to kllow when that viii be- do
you? With youG usual -sighteslness, YOU
Wousd inssnaate thar am counting my chickens
too soon Never mind, I feel thai q shall win
success al Last Faint heart, rs you are aware
never won fair lady; and ~ mean to win her .
my heast j. very strong. That is the one great
hope that teaas me on. Nina stand here a mo-
ment, dear. ont IN the quiet night with me.
and tell me that hope shall have itr tulfillment
Ne, xxer At cal then and i learsl N q