West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-12-22

il he knew how got il. Oh, dear il i.
50 hard TO be poor and have sick
father"
She hustled about little, setting the
room to rights, and tried to look cheer.
ful, though she was down-hearted. But
the tears came in spite of her when she
went TO the cupboard and looked i'm To
see what there was for breakfast Only
few dry crusts and n small piece OF
bacon. IL IL had not been New Years
eve their poverty would not have seemed
so bitter. She had gone hungry before
and never complained, but now, looking
at her pale, worn father, and remember.
ing the sad Christmas they had spent
heart rebelled, and she almost doubted
the goodness OF God, who let poor
people suffer thus. Then her mothers
sweet face rose up before her rs if in re-
proach, and she folded her hands
together and breathed prayer for help
and comfort. Poor Norah a child i'm
years, but weighed down with woman's
cares, old in trouble and the wisdom
born of il. IL was well that she had
early learned where TO look for guidance
when sore and distressed and buheted by
the world.
Her father did not awake, and she
finally took up the bit of candle and
retired To an inner room hardly larger
than n closet Its only furniture was n
little cot-bed. Into that she crept after
undressing herself, and soon fell asleep.
She dreamed of an angel with the face
of the beautiful lady who, i'm some
magical way had been changed into n
fairy, all spangles and lace.
rfx,o h., I. III. .l.
she awoke the next morning, though
one little window high up that opened on
n brick wall. But she rubbed her eyes
and looked around as If bewildered, for
surely some one bent over her, and whis-
pered, softly, Little sister, Little sis
terV She sat up in bed, and she felt
two arms clasp her close, and warm
kisses rain down on brow and lips and
cheeks. She was not afraid, only won
dered what it all meant, and whether
she was really in her own little room, or
in fairyland, or in heaven.
Dress quickly, dear" said the voice
she had heard first. "There is gentle
man waiting for YOU"
The voice was that of the beautiful
lady and so was the form that she recog-
nized by the dim light. Half believing
it a dream still Norah slipped on her
clothes, and with her hand clasped in
that of her companion, opened the door
of the other room. There she saw the
white-haired old gentleman she remem-
bered 30 we'll, and her father talking
costly together; and il she had been
puzzled and bewildered before, she was
even more sonow.
Come here, daughter" said Mr..
OGrady, or OConnell, as he was called
thereafter. "Thc New Year has brought
you n sister"
What do you mean, papaH" Norah
stammerCd.
"Tell her, Kate" whispered the white
haired gentleman.
Mr. O'Connell had heard the story be-
fore, but he listened again as the sweet
voice trembled in its narration, and
once wiped tear furtiyely from her
eyes.
"My sister! Ny own, own sister %
cried Norah, joyfully, clasping Kate
close. Then in low voice she added,
The last word mamma spoke was your
name"
At this tears came into the eyes OF
both, and Mr.. Hillard, seeing them, rose
hastily and said, "Come, come, Kate, il
is time we were going. Your father is
ready, and so is Norah. You can talk
all you want TO afterward."
Mr.. O'ConnelPsreluctance toaccept his
daughters hospitality was finally over.
come and he consented that Norah and
himself should make part of her house.
hold. His pride was great, and had led
him to assume false name, and almost
make n martyr of NOrah, but he had be.
gun TO have faint perception that a great
deal of error and selfshness were
mingled with it, and was ready to make
amends.
He soon afterward recovered hi,
health, and through Mr.. Hillard's in
strumentality obtained employment al
once lucrative and honorable, so that hC
was enabled 10 support both himself and
Norah independently.
NOrah grew more like n child, and les,
like a woman, under the new influence
by which she was surrounded. But sh,
was none the less true and honest, anc
her sister rejoiced TO see the signs of car,
fade out Of the young face that had once
been so sadly mature.
But neither Norah, nor Kate, nor Mr.
O'Connell ever forgot the day tina
ushered in their new-found happiness
and TO them the New Year brings create
JOY than any other holiday.