The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-12-27

with the mountains in the distance.
Now snow lay on everything, and the
dreariness was intense, and to Pen most
dispiriting.
When her uncle fell asleep, late in the
afternoon of the following day, she put
on her travelling 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 pitying the people who had
to put up with such commodities
At length she came to a little chtirch
of an lndescribable style of architecture.
The gate and the door of the basement
were open, and piles of cut evergreens
within the inclosure 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 filing 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 fngerless gloves,
moved rapidly as she talked to her COM
panions.
Hate, he wants a crown made to
match that and the star, }" said oiie of The
girls, stopping to admire the cross.
81 would not attempt it. told him
SOL"
eff you can't make it, Kate, no one
ean.''
"We1l have enough, anyhow. He is
making all the sentences at home; he
told us SO last night. He cuts the let
ters cut of green paper and pastes them
on white muslin. All the fine wreaths
for bordering have to be done yet, and I
have work at home, presents that Unjust
finish. So there is no use promising the
crown; / never tried one"
He will be disappointed, Kate"
"Here he comes p 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 corners,
and standing near Kate. inspected her
work, saying something in an tindettone
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
and laughed with the gay group, and at
length, pleading visit to make, left
them. 4 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 room?"
"Very much. The signs Of Christmas
attracted me, so l came in.
"Won't you let me introduce you to
some of the young people? p
els it worth whiles I was thinking
of going to the hotel"
"I'n see you safe there. It won't take
a 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 acquaintance 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 p 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.
81 do still, at home"
CT wish [ could interest you IN it
here"
''You have good working corps"
g. Yes, but they arc young, and require
so much overlooking"
81 hardly think stranger would be
pleasant to them. They might consider
| it an intrusion"
81 had set my heart on having few
pieces. They declare it impossible to
make them; you could"
eff it would really oblige you, DR..
Stuart
81 don't wish to tax you, Miss Irv-
ing"
"Ill come down tomorrow afternoon
as soon as uncle falls asleep, and you
can leave directions what you want
made"
"Thank you"
The next afternoon Pen found the
doctor on the hotel porch ready to escort
her to the church. There she found a
little table, twine, scissors, shapes, and
baskets of fine greens, in waiting for
her. While she took off her hat and
drew on her gloves the doctor hung up
| his hat and overcoat. Then he sat on
stool beside her, and punched while she
arranged and tied.
Then he alluded to an evening fifteen
years ago when, in the basement of an
old city church, he and she had held the
same relative positions.
The voice more than the words touched
Pen. She forgot to be cautious and
cool. Memory began to work, and in a
few minutes she and the doctor were ex-
changing the condolences of fourteen
years.
1T grew dusk; the children trooped in
and gathered around the melodeon to
practice their carols. The doctors voice
sank in whispers, and at times ceased,
the pauses being filed with words that
he and Pen had often sung together In
old days.
Now they listened with softening
hearts and glances that betrayed what
was uppermost in each mind.
Uncle will be awake and anxious. y
Yes, We'll go; nothing here need be
disturbed.
1t was cold and slippery when they
got III the street. Pen Tas unconscious
of how eagerly she took the strong arm
that was offered her. They walked