The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-14


voice shook. Mr. Irving put down the
prescription and, steadying his glasses,
looked at Pen.
"Was there anything between p"
Yes; he and thought we loved each
other. Father said twas nonsense, and
SO"
And so, here you are, Miss Penelope
Irving and the doctor, / II warrant, still
a bachelor"
Elm sure he is married"
"He had very old-bachelor look to
me-"
" Well, uncle, there is no use fretting
about it now"
No, you like New York society life,
and can marry any day. I'll send for
this stuff now, and there is an article, a
good one, on the Tammany ring, that l
wish you would read to me-"
The immediate surroundings OF the
hotel were very disagreeable-t tracks
filled the road in front, and narrow,
dingy street bounded it on each side.
Beyond In all directions stretched what
was in summer lovely landscape,
with the mountains in the distance.
Now snow lay on everything, and tho
|
dispiriting.
When her uncle fell asleep, late in the
afternoon of the following day, she put
on her traveling-dress and started out
with the determination to walk off the
impending blues. She went up one
street and down another, looking in the
stores, and plying the people who had
to put up with such commodities.
At length she came to a little church
of an lndescribable style of architecture.
The gate and the door of the basement
were open, and piles of cut evergreens
within the Enclosure suggested "dress-
ing the church for Christmas"
Pen went in and down the steps, and
found herself in long, narrow room, the
ceiling and walls of which were snugly
boarded. A number of young people
were making wreaths, and the spicy
odors mingling with the warmth from a
large heater gave Pen the first sensation
of being at home that she had expert
enced since leaving New York.
She sat down on one OF the long
benches, put aside her muff, and silent
ly enjoyed the familiar ideas sug-
gested by the scene. Here and there a
lamp was in requisition, and the COR
ners of the large room were lost In
shadows.
A pretty young girl was filling in a
cross shaped with laurel and holly. She
had light hair, shading her forehead
with little fluffy curls, and her small
hands, protected by fingerless gloves,
moved rapidly as she talked to her COM
panions.
"Kate, he wants crown made to
match that and the star" said enc of the
girls, stopping to admire the cross.
4" would not attempt it. told him
SOL"
:" Ii you can't make it, Kate, no one
can."
"Well have enough, anyhow. He is
making all the sentences mt home; he
told us so last night. He cuts the let
ters out of green paper and pastes them
on white muslin. All the fine wreaths
for bordering have to be done yet, and /
have work at home, presents that Unjust
finish. So there is no use promising the
crown; L never tried one"
He will be disappointed, Kate.
Here he comes !" cried another girl,
glancing beyond the group. Pen turned
to the door to see this very important
and particular individual; but he came
forward from one of the dark sorners,
and standing near Kate inspected her
work, saying something in an undertone
which made her color and look up, show
ing pair of merry blue eyes.
Pens heart contracted as she recog-
nized DR.. Stuart While she tried to be
sensible, and feel Indifferent, he chatted
a lox, ,o1 OF
length, pleading visit to make, left
them. A minute after he had passed
Pen, seen her, and turned back.
$50 you found the church, Miss Irv-
ing? I'm glad to see you. saw your
uncle this afternoon; he is really improv-
ing. How do you like our Sunday
school rooml"
every much. The signs of Christmas
attracted me, so | came in"
Won't you let me introduce you to
some of the young people?"
Is il worth while? / was thinking
of going to the hotel"
"I'll see you safe there. 1t won't take
minute to introduce you, and then you
can drop in when you like, and feel at
home here"
every we'll" She rose and took his
arm.
The introduction over, Miss Irving
had much to say about Christmas decor
ations generally, and those before her
IN particular.
Meanwhile, she noted every girl in
the group, and mentally weighed her.
Nor were her new acquaintances at all
behind in interest and curiosity. They
admired her from head to foot, and, as
she disappeared with the doctor in the
gray shadows near the door, they whisp-
cred, "How handsome - and, els not
her hat lovely?"
You used to take great deal of in.
terest in church work." said the doctor.
when they were outside.
Z" do still, at home"
wish 1 could interest you IN it
here"
You have good working CORPS"
Yes, but they are young, and require
so much overlooking"
g hardly think stranger would be
pleasant to them. They might consider
it an intrusion"
I" had set nv heart on having a few