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

Christmas EveI How the fire roared
up the chimney and flashed with CHEEKY
brightness into every corner of the
room; how it Lit up the faces of the two
who sat beside it, and softened the Bit
terness of one and added to the sweet
ness of the other. The faces were those
of Hannah Ware, spinster, and of her
girl visitor, Faith Murray. The eyes of
the younger were bent on an open pic
ture that she held.
"And this arch, lovely creature was
your sister Miriam, said she, in low
voice. "If you would but tell me her
story"
The woman's face paled in the fire.
light, and her hands clasped and un-
clasped each other nervously.
"She is not dead?" questioned Faith,
softly.
81 know not" and the speakers voice
was hard and cold, but her eyes had a
wistful look. "Years ago she did me a
grievous wrong, and 1 have never for
given her."
Faith shuddered at the words, and
held up the picture appealingly. SIT
is terrible thing to say" whispered
she, "and how it must have eaten into
your ife-this unforgiven wrong. Oh,
take back your words, dear Miss Ware,
for the sake OF your better self, for the
sake of this blessed Christmas time"
"You know not what you ask" said
the other bitterly. "If you lad nOur-
ished in your breast serpent unsus-
pected, and it stung YOU to death, would
you not look upon it with hatred and
loathing? If you had sacrificed for a
sister youth and health, if you had
walked in the darkness that she might
rejoice in the light, and she robbed you
-treacherously, deliberately robbed you
of the one treasure left to your lonely
life, could you forgive her?"
Faiths eyes grew misty with tears,
and she put out her hand to clasp Miss
Wares. Dear friend, how you must
have suffered! If l could but speak
some words of help or comfort p
"Ah, child, you have done much for
me; You have broken through the Gym
ical reserve of the hard old maid whom
everybody feared, and found the way to
her heart; you have let into her dark
ened lie some faint sun-rays OF human
love and hope but this is wound that
even YOU cannot heal, for it rankles still
with the same bitter intensity as when
first inflicted ten years ago"
"If you would but tell me the story, "
and tine sweet face was lifted pleadingly.
would it pain you too much?'
The woman's brow grew dark, and she
answered, gloomily, "What if it does? ?
/ am used to suffering. But for no
mortal have ever rolled away the stone
from this dread secret.
Faith said not word, but her eyes
were eloquent with love and pity.
Miss Ware saw it, and her heart soft
ened toward this girl, who had chung to
her from the first with such tender,
childlike trust, and had not minded that
she was harsh and unsympathizing, but
had pierced through the outer crust to
the good that lay beneath. "1ou shall
hear the story" she said, more gently
than she had spoken before, "and shall
Judge between my sister Miriam and
me- They named you rightly, dear.
70 my tempest-tossed heart you are the
living symbol of faith in humanity and
in God. II in all the world there is one
who can make clear the terrible wrong /
have suffered, it is you. Listen, then,
and help me if you can.
q was eighteen when mother died,
Miriam nine. We were worse than or
phaned- father was hopeless drunk
ard. Miriam was mothers legacy to me I;
she was the youngest, and had ever been
the favorite Though / was but girl,
1 realized the responsibility of the
charge. Bat | did not shrink from 1t +;
mothers heart had not been more bound
up in Miriam thanwas mine. / resolved
to do my duty to the child, whatever
sacrifice it involved TO myself.
This resolution was quickly put to
ihe.test. i had lover, and lie thought
his claims paramount 10 those of Miriam.
d oferel the child ho ne, but urged