Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1878-12-24

tne Hy-leal was written A merry Christ
mas and kind farewell to Miss Matte
F. c. Then l knew he had left u.s. /
turned the leaves, but the letters mingled
and read no word. A note slipped from
between IFS pages, and there | read of the
heart had lost-no, thrown away. And
now he had left us, never to return
Called to take the night train, while l.
with merry mingling Of bells, had entered
the village. he, with a sad heart and the
shrek of thewhistle, had passed out. One
sentence | did not like. He writes: 4
shall have no correspondent in the village,
for could not bear to hear your name
connected with another: yet | will wish
you all happiness He is good friend,
and worthy man. And he adds: Our
| life walk will unite no more on earth
May | only so live, that in heavensT may
meet your These words shall he my
pole star; there, where no suffering comes,
we will not be parted. On Christmas eve
will search my heart to bind the good
in sheaves and cast out the chatf. May
be able to say, each year, this has been
better than the last. Afterwards, ] went
down to Herbert, and placed the letter in
his hand. When he had read it, Ire drew
me to him.
!"MY poor Matte. he said, we must
try TO forget him.
No, | answered, rather let his name
be sacred between u.s.
1t was growing dusk, and turned the
leaves to close the journal, when my
glance rested upon the darker ink of that
day. These sentences seemed to rise up
and meet my eye:
''Nine years ago tomorrow, my trial
came to me. Dear Hattie trembes upon
he brink whereon | slipped. May she be
spared the sorrow that has chastened
and humbled this heart May her life
be one Of greater happiness and beauty
laid the volume as had found it; but
within my heart dwelt clearer knowl-
edge Of life's duties, and of woman's mis-
sion. trembled at the sameness of our
destiny, and determining that the gay
party should go without my presence, /
descended to the parlor.
AS l carelessly swung backward and
forward in the comfortable rocking
chair, waiting Aunt Marthas return
home, Cousin Kate entered. As we ex-
changed greetings, | saw that she was
troubled, and asked what it was that an
noyed her.
mot much, she answered. I've
brought home that nubia you sent me for
TO morrow.
But you'll need it, if it's Ike to-
day3' at
But she shook her head
I'm not going
All summer, Kate had been confined to
the bedside of an invalid mother, deprived
for the season of all our amusements, and
the party was entirely on her account;
and 50 told her @
Don't, Hattier' she said; and the tears
filed her eyes. 81 know it all, and | want
to go SO muchl But there's no one to stay
with mother.
"Where's Susan?'
Her brother is to be married No,
can't gol -.se .,-
Eyes you can" Glad was | Of any ex-
cuse for remaining at home, and here
offered a golden opportunity for doing
good. I'm not going" answered her
look of wonder "TelI Wilson to call for
me, as the party passes, and he can bring
me back in the same way
"But Hattie"
mo buts-run home and get readyf'
| pushed her toward the door; but not
before I saw another tear-drop glisten on
her check, this time for gladness.
The next day was what such days should
be-the crowning efforts of dying year.
had not told Aunt Martha my intentions;
but as | saw her anxious look, | answered
it..
mo. Tn not going sit with aunt,
that Kate may go"
/ She nodded her approval, and | knew
she was contented. The hours, like all
hours, whether ladenwith pleasure or pain,
passed-evenly onward, and evening greeted
us. | was all ready when Wilson called.
Aunt Martha kissed me, as she clasped my
furs, and murmured:
you are right now, my child All,
little did we imagine how a jealons love
could pervert the act.
Not ready YETI That was my ex-
clamation, as | entered aunt's chamber,
for Kate stood by the CRATE as quiet as
though sleighrides were tabooed. ''Hurry
child where are your thingsl Here, take
my cloak? it was made for such occa
sions." And Threw the warm plaid ovrt
her shoulders. t.-sa
As drew her hook and eyes together
under her rosy chin, she said
1T isn't right leaving you here
"Yes it is; it's always privilege tC
stay with aunt. So hurry of, and give Us
long EVENING"
When the stiffness Of the night all
brought to us the last cadence of the
Ginning bells, told aunt how it came
that | wished to remain, and Of reading
the journal.
Martha has been true to her first love, >
she answered, ''and Christmas eve is de
voted to his memory and the reviewal o
her hearts progress in its predestineC
work of good. By much suffering, has
she been purified; meekly she accepted
her cross, and great must be her re
| ward
Then we talked of other matters, ani
the evening gliding unconsciously away,
brought the return Of the party. A merry
word here and there to the occur ants o
the sleighs, and again seated by my gal
liant conductor, we sped onward towards
home. With much ado over the shortnes
Of our ride. he assisted me to alight;. ant
with merry adieus we parted. As
turned to answer with saucy retort thu
worded bonbon he had thrown me, / saw
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