Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-12-27
WHAT GAME WITH THE NEW YEAR.
"Hark! the herald angels sing,

''Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new born King'
Rang out from the choir, and the organ
list, IA slender. pale faced girl, with grave,
beautiful brown eyes, joined in the an
them, all her soul in the triumphal words.
1t was the last piece of the rehearsal
The Choir sters t rev down their books,
only too glad to get away. The organist
alone remained, to play over once more a
new voluntary.
"Good-night, Miss Engle art ~ Good
night, Miss Katherine!" GOOD night,
Katie, and merry Christmas Eve % we're
the cries, as one by one, men and maids
left the choir, and went down the stairs,
and out into the bright, white Christmas
night.
Miss Englehart's gravely smiling lips
and gentle brown eyes answered them all.
A moment, and She was alone, only the
white, piercing moonlight streaming thro'
the painted oriel over the altar and TIE one
dim light light below.
A flare OF gas lit the organ aloft, but
this she lowered, and with wrapt face aud
dreamy eyes she PLAYED over and over
again the jubilant new voluntary. She
might ha re gone on for hours-she was
quite capable of it-hut piteous yawn
from the boy at the bellows recalled her
from heaven to earth.
"Oh!" she said, stopping suddenly, with
half laugh, II had forgotten you, jim
my. Well, I won't play any more; and
here, take tn for your Christmas box"
Jimmy jumped up and seized the proffer-
ed coin with glittering eyes.
''Thanby, Miss Katie. Merry Christ
mas. please ma 'am,'' cried the boy, Selling
his cap. "Ah! she's a brick, sue is, said
Jimmy to himself, as he clattered down
the the staircase. Nobody among all the
singers ever thinks of the hoy what blows
the bellows, 'cept her. Don't L jest hope
she won't marry that loIg-legged rooster
that scorts her here sometimes, and leave
tina choir for good 20
Still few moments longer fingered Miss
Englehart on her knees. Then she, too.
hurried down the staircase and out into
the shining GOODNESS of the starry Deem
Der night.
High and white and cold lay the Christ
mas snow. No ''green yule" this year to
make fat the klrk-yard. Cloudless and
blue spread the sky, filled with sparkling
Christmas stars.
katie -
With great start the girl came back
from the land of dreams. 4 tall man had
started up in her path, and spoke her
name.
"You-papa - the girl said in doubt and
surprise. the color that had arisen to her
face faded out.
81 Kate" He drew her hand under his
arm with laugh. ibid you think it was
Harry Hatton ? Well, it is almost as good
for l have come to talk to yon OF him.
Miss Engleheart looked up, sudden
trouble in the brown tender eyes.
VI thought you had done talking of him
papa" she said. a tremble in her voice.
II thought yesterday had aniShed the sub
ject forever
s'Let me see. What was it did say
Yesterday" says Mr.. Englebart, blandly.
sab! remember that my stlff-necked,
doting old client, john Hatton, had made
up his senile mind to forgive his runaway
daughter and disinherit Harry Under
these circumstances very naturally told
you that you wereto meet Harry no more.
You're good girl, Katie--a very good
girl''-Mr. Engiehart pats pateinally the
| little hand in his arm-"and at any sacri.
fee to yourself you would have obeyed me
APP sure. Ny dear, it affords me great