The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-01-07
ACUP OF COLD WATER.
A Christmas story.
CHAPTER I.

The December sun streamed pleasant
ly through the large window of Alice
Claytou's class room, and, though late
In tire afternoon, and the close of tire
some day, her face wore a strangely
gladsome expression. The monthly re-
port which sfe was making out was
enough 60 have drawn wrinkles over hei
forehead; debts and credits would not
balance; the average proved fraction
took small; yet she worked patiently
away. pausing only now and then to rest
her head upon her hand, while the glad
some smile grew brighter still as she
whispered, "Tm very child in my an
tacipatSon."
Once the pencilling on her sheet
showed marks of dollars and cents,
which certainly had naught to do with
Bobby's attendance or Jenny's absence,
took a roll of bills and counted
Twenty-Five, thirty-tive, forty-five,
fifty; yes, can surely spare ten this
month; that, with the fifteen at home,
will just do it, and he must know moth
ing of 1T till Christmas Eve-dear Ern-
est he shall be proud of me for once. u
and something made the tear-drops fall
ON little band of gold that looked too
new to be a wedding ring
Poor Alice1 as if she needed to finger
those esoiledagreenbacks, when she had
received exactly that amount for 50
many, many pay-days. Perhaps you
will be astonisled to learn that it had
taken three months to save the fifteen
dollars, and now, that the whole amount
was laid up, she felt richer than you
could guess. Alice Clayton's dress was
always genteel; the simplest delaine or
cheapest gingham fitted her with grace
that others could not feign. She liked
the piles of heavy camel's hair or silky
grenadine on the counter where she
bought a material that cost half as
much; but with the spirit that pervades
all true hearts she numbered the bless
ings she had rather than those beyond
her reach.
When Ernest Dent placed the betro-
thai ring upon her finger and said, "For
better and for worse, my darling" she
marveled at his choice. He had been
brought up in ease, if not luxury, and
moved in gay society till business called
him to the city, where a peculiar chain
of circumstances led him q frequent
visitor at her aunt's.
ernest, she said, 81 can give you
nothing but myself. Iwould love
which should be less because 1 am plain
and unpolished-only a poor teacher.
You laugh now, but remember, dear,
binding yourself to me, you will be
ahl,nal - ,,oolo ,,,onu a ooarifoa op1 70
bear with my life in its surroundings.
Aunt James home is humble, but you
will find welcome whenever you come.
/ cannot go into the circle to which you
have been accustomed, and would not if
it lay in my power, for my aim-ours
now, dear-is higher one than mere
pleasure-seeking. Will you be content
with me as am-save as 1 improve un-
der you guidance2"
Ernest Dent felt that he was making
no sacrifice, and wondered that Alice
could have even fancied any change on
his part. She did not doubt his love,
only with her woman's eye foresaw hours
when he might wish things different
around and about her.
A noble fellow, he was working his
own way, because he had preferred a
business other than the profession
marked out by his father. and Alice was
the very one to stay his hands when they
faltered. He never realized how she hid
her own weariness, and showed CHEEKY
countenance when he came; or knew
how far the warmth of his little home
was due to her influence till she was
sick; then the blinds were closed, there
was no light in the window for him,
and Aunt Jane did not help matters by
saying, THAT blessed girl was too good
she was wearing her life out for him,
and he too selfish to see it, he'd lose her
some day."
Honest Aunt Jane always spoke the
truth, he had once heard Alice remark.
How was he selfish; what could he do9
Tnen he thought over the past year
yes, he had been unkind, vet IT was
nothing but impulsiveness. and her for.
giveness seemed the sweetest thing in the
world. Their disagreements were over
little things; she would not 90 10 the
opera when he urged her, and he called