South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-01-11

Il
and Jane workei earnestly. At last.
Nellie opened her eyes. The room was
warm. aud bright. and hxasions. In
one corner stood gIit.ering Christmas
tree. She iookei from one object to
another. aud sudden smile liz her white
face
This is iIeasea.' she said. softly, and.
oh where is mammal
Mrs. Goidtawsise bent down and kiss.
ed her, her tears falling.
No. dear~it Is not Heaven. But YOU
are with kind friends. who will take the
best care or YOU
For minute the child looked troub-
led. Then she tried TO rise.
Il must go on. want 90 get TO Graf.
ton. aud try 10 find Mr.. Eoi ithwaite.'
WHY my dear, tiers is Mr.. Go,dth-l
waite, and am his wife. Were YOU
coming to sec usy'
Nell:e's eyes widened. and her little
face frightened again.
4 am so glad. Are you Mrs. Alice
GoldthwaitcY
Yes, dear
Then I've letter for you. Mamma
wrote it before she liel, and I've kept
it so long
Nellie struggled up, and drew forth
the worn letter from her bosom. The
lady took it eagerly. tore it open, read
a liuc or two, and then caught the child
in her arms.
Oil Charles. come here.' she cried.
Read this letter She IS poor Ellen
Cobura's child. She was coming to
u.s.
Mr.. Gold!bwaite real the letter with
lawyer like precision then he held out
his hand to Nellie.
You come just in the nick of time
my dear he said. genally, 'and have
saved INC the tronble OF hunting you up
There's fortune waiting for you. my
little girl. Do you know you are an
heiress?'
Nellie made no answer; she turned
to the lady, aud put her arms about her
neck
win you be my second mother?'
she asked her eyes filling. Mamma
said you would and I'm SO tirel and
| want a mother 40 bad
Indeed, will cried Mrs. Goldth-
waite, Your loving mother You shall
never be tired, or sal again. my Iittle
your new little sister,
The girls came willingly, but Fred
flushing to the roots OF his curly hair,
hurried ont OF the room,
Wen, can't 60 TO Grafton for the
Tudor girls, tonight he said, But
burrah for Christmas eve !,
'Hurrah for Christmas Eve chimed
in papa, AID the happy house fairly
rang.
Years and years after, AMI it was
Christmas Eve agaih. rhe hallowad
day never grows old; no matter how Of.
ten it returns to Us, il always brings
Peace aud Good will.
The Goldthwaite home was in n blaze
of light. Papa sat in his chair.
silver threads on Iijs brow. Mamma was
busy with the Christmas cheer.
Fred. tall bewhiskered young fell
low, his fathers junior partner. made
his way into the drawing room. where
| Nellie sat at the piano.
i say. Nellie, haven't you a Christ
mas gift for me?'
She looked up, with smile and
blush.
! I've ever 80 many pretty things, Fred
/ but you're so hard 10 please
Am /? Shall tell you what I'd like
to have. Nellie,aboye everything esS in
I the world?'
/ Yes. Fred che said, softly, her eyes
/ dropping.
Well, [ will. 1t is just seven years.
since that Christmas Eve. when found
/ you down yonder in the snow. Neil.
was a boy then, but fell in love with
you that night, and love you yet.
want yo,t Nell. for my Christmas gift
Nellie answered not a word. but she
held forth her slender. little hand, and
the happy fellog caught it. aud carried
it TO his lips.
And this was Nollie's happicst Christ
mas Eve.