Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-12-20

ton is ?"
"Oh not very far. Just beyond
Cedar Creek"
Nellie struggled on. The snow
had begun tn fall rapidly, and it
would 'on be dark. She was so
tired. so cod. so hungry and it
was Christmas Eve. Trudging on,
she recalled Christmas Ewes, when
she had her mother and binding
tears fell from her eyes.
AT lost, just rs the night came
down, she reached a turhid stream.
spanned Ivy u rusti bridge. Unjust
be Cedar Greek, and Grafton WAS
not far.
She took h,A again hut the
cruel winds tore uff her hood and
sent it w"irling away through the
snow. Pautlng, breathless, her
dark locks tossing in The storm, she
paused ut the foot Of the bridge, her
limits failing her, and unable TO pro-
cped.
Far off, family borne on the winds
she heard q sweet chime of Christ
mas hells. All the world Was so
happy. Yet she was out in the
sturm, She had no friend. her
3 rength was gone she felt she must
lie down ard die. Her mothers
last wnr IL came back To her, at this
moment, tn comfort her. THE low
ing Father. who cares for the young
sparrows, will care for you"
The words gave her temporary
strength, She struggled on again,
in the teeth of the storm, and cross
ed the bridge. B''' in the ravine
beyond, her strength failed utterly,
and she sank down by the way-side.
She tried to get up. hut fell hack.
Her eyes closed. The fatal tOrpor,
which is the messenger of death,
clouded her braiil she murmured,
Mother, dear mother" and lost
consciousness.
1t WAS about this hour, that In a
luxurious MANSION, near Grafton.
the door of the principal apartment
opened. and n young lad came in.
"IIere's Fred. at last Oh, Fred
yon're going to Grafton for the
girls ?" cried several voices, those
of his sisters.
Fred came iu, stamping the snow
from his feet.
ITO +e sure. I told Dick to put
black Bess {" the. big sleigh. Let
me get my over coat, and I'm off. ~
Mrs Gnldthwaite looked up from
her nepdlewnrk.
1T is late. ard so stormy. Maybe
yen' he4tter not 60. Fred"
''BlPsS vour heart, Mamma, |
don't mind the storm 4; and the girls
can wrap up we'll"
'NOh, Mamma let him go" cried
Flnry. Eve shall have no Christ
mas without Lii zie and Bile"
"What do you say, Papa ?'' asked
the mother. SIS il quite safe ?"
Her husband looked up from his
pIper.
"Oh | yes. thiLk so. Black Bess
is surefooted. and Fred'S the priuce
of good drivers "
Flushing with pleasure, at his
fathers praise, Fred hurried out.
Here's that notice again, my
dear" said Mr.. Goldthwaite. al
dressing his wife, Ito the heirs Of
James Cohurn. / made inquiries
about it, and there's snug little
fortune awaiting them, il they can
only be found"
II wish they could replied his
wife, earnestly ''ponr, dear Ellen,
| wonder if she is living !! 1t seems
10 strange. I should have lost all
trace of her, so entirely ; and we
were like dear sisters once. | wish
you'd give the matter some atten
linn, Charles "
81 will I'll hunt them up vet.
Never fear. my dear.
Mr. Goldthwaite. returned to his
paper, and his wife 10 her work
But in a little while, there came a
schrill tinkling Of slrighhells, and
Flora rushed i'm exclaiming,
"Oh, Mamma J here's Fred hack
again. Something's the matter"
All hands hurried To the piazza.
The sleigh WAS at the gate. Fred
leaped out, and, taking something
in his arms, hastened through the
driving Stow.
"Wny it's Child" screamed the
girls.
81 found her right beyond the
BRIDGE exclaimed Fred, quite ont
of breath. 'BIark Bpss SHE'D, and
the reins broke, auC I jumped out,
and there she lay in the snow.
Mother. hope she's not dead %
Mr.. G"Idthwaiie took the little,
snowy form. from his son, and car
ried il into the warm sitting room.
LAY her on the ionmge. Charles !;
and, Flora, ring for Jane, and order
hot blankets. Poor, little wdif, |
wonder who she eau be. -
The Christmas merriment was all
hushpd, and for an hour, Mrs. G"ld
thwaite and Jane worked earnestly.
AT last, Nellie opened her eyes. The
room was worm, and bright, and
luxurious IR-0ne corner stood a
ghttpring Christmas tree. She look
I'd from Que object To another, and n
sudden smile lii Ter white face.
This is Ptaven," she said, soft
", land, oh ! where is Mamma ?"
Mrs. Gnldthwaite bent down and
kissed her, her tears falling.
"Nn, dear, it is not Heaven.
But YOU are with kind friends, who
will take the best care of You.
or Il minute the Child looked
troubled. Then she tried To rise.
Il must go on. want to get to
Grafton, and try to find Mr.. Gold
tilWaiIe."
"Why, my dean there Is M".Gnld
tlwaitr. and am his wife. Were
yun coming 10 see US p