The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-12-27
Santa Claus on his Annual Tour.

occasionally, Dora; he thinks rather too
much of himself Nothing more was said
of Roaud's words; but they left a great
fear in Dora's heart.
In the evening merry party was gathered
together in that room,--sever Il juvenile
friends of the younger Grays, as well as the
growing-up friends of their elders. Henry
Carleton was the very life Of the party keep
ing everybody brisk and merry, as if he
were the very embodiment of the genial
King Christmas of fairy lore.
In spite OF the mirth and happy gaiety
surrounding her, Dora had to make strong
efforts to conceal the heavy -heartednes she
was feeling. She did uot care to speak or
smile, and all the briliancy and delight of
the party was to her, vanity and vexation
of spirit solely because her lover still
showed that same strange manner which so
troubled her of late Once during the even
ing, she found an opportunity of sitting
down by him apart from the others for few
moments, when she said earnestly, DO tell
me what is the matter Harry? You seem
so strange again tonight, and it makes me
surmise all sorts of dreadful things. Are
you repenting of our decision that this is to
be our last Christmas at home p
No, darling, no 7 he exclaimed quickly,
fixing his full gray eyes Oh her with tender
but melancholy expression. Il am in lit
tie trouble,-little it would be to some men,
but it is great to me ; and am such poor
hand at playing hypocrite, cannot conceal
it from you, and therefore | ought to keep
away from you. | should have done so this
evening, but that | was afraid my absence
would cause you to distress yourself with all
sorts of foolish surmses
Tell me all about your trouble, dear Har-
ry,' said Dora entreatingly.
Yes, | will, Dora; but not just now. |
must make a clean breast of it to you for it
ia torture to attempt cone ealment. You know
we decided long ago that no secrets should
exist between US and for my own part tn y
shall not, though the revealing of the only
one | have kept from you may blast every
hope which have been cherishing so fondly.
But let me tell you, my darling he added
eagerly, as he noticed the expression of pain
on her cOuntenance, that nothing can ever
diminish my love for you, Whatever may
come between us our hearts will still remain
united,-or rather | should speak only fol
myself, and say. shall hold you in my hear
as the dearest and best as long as | live
And if so hold you, Harry, what cal
come between us Surely nothing. So dom
talk in that dreadful, mysterious way i
pains me cruelty. Let me know the wors
of everything at once
. Her words cut him to the heart. My owl
darling ? he said with bitter remorse, Il an
so sorry to pain you How can ever atom
, for it? You shall know everything yer
. soon. And now must leave you, as hav
some important letters to write. Will yo
? make my excuses to the party, Dora, an
. let me slip out, now | can do so unobserN
ed =?
Yes she answered, like one in dream
Il will come down to the door with you.
They left the room together, and wake
r hand in hand down stairs without speaking
In the hall Harry paused, and Dora DIRE
/ him gently into the dining-room, whc
e was vacant, and but dimly lighted.
Tell me AL you have to, now, before yC
It go, Harry she pleaded, looking up in h
4 face beseechingly, and clingiDg to h
: arm.
/ He unclasped her hands and folded h
| tightly to his bosom. My poor darling
4 he murmured, in heartfelt distress, not no'
\ You must return upstairs you will
, missed. You shall know everything to-mo
row. Tomorrow !-Christmas Day ? | "
T.. just thinking what miserable fool am
be troubling you at such season. lnste
= of adding to your happiness, am robbil
n you of all you might have enjoyed. 1t ma
l. dens me to think of it. Now good nj q
: dearest. May God bless and comfort you
| you deserve
|. He kissed and held her as if il were il
/. possible to let her go, and when at length
: released her, she saw that his eyes were W
,- and he had no power to speak another wol
It Then she walked with him to the door a
4 let him out. 1t was frosty night, anC
d thousand stars CLEANED with pure brilliar
overhead. Dora looked up at them, anC
d feeling of hope darted into her bosom. q
IS who holds the stars and guides them, guides
% that concerns us, aud brings joy out ofsorro'
she thought. Theu she turned the thOug
d. into prayer, and in quiet composed ms
he ner, wished Harry goodnight
" Before proceeding with my story, II see
ID desirable that should give some little
y formation respecting the subjects of it. Do
Gray was the eldest daughter of we'll to-
c. people, living in small Dorsetshire tow
u They belonged to the professional class, Il
st were known to be people Of such sterling
II tegrity and noble-minded conduct that III
m commanded the greatest respect aud este
It. from all who came in contact with them.
rs One of their most intimate friends v
n Mr.. Halley-an eccentric old bachelor
sixty or thereabouts, who, being a n,
u, neighbor, dropped in to their house at
hours of the day iudiscrminately, as thou
IT, he belonged to the family But no mat
1t, when he went, the genial old soul was alwl
I'M ! welcomed by both parents aud ch. dren.