The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24


study out Of school, and Mrs. Hastings
don't want me to sit up late. But there,
ought to be glad have as good q home
as this and a chance to 70 to school at
all. and, above ali, to such good teacher
as Mr.. Campbell is, though he is SO
clever he must think me dreadfully stupid
sometimes, and soft light eame into
her brown eyes as she thought of him.
She was an orphan of good parentage,
who had been thrown upon the cold
charities of the world. She had been
received into Squire Hastings family
upon stipulation-that she should work
for her board when out of school. They
were selfish, though nos absolutely
unkind family, end they found her so
useful end willing that they put double
work upon her and never seemed to
think she was tired. The girl paid dear
~ for her home.
81 believe I will 60 and look on, ;" she
thought after she had rested little, and
she arose to make her simple toilet
She took down her long brown hair, and
dressed it in Q becoming style. There
was positive beauty III her pale face;
with it's regular, refined features,
but it needed appreciation and becom-
ing dress to bring it out. She removed
pile of school books from her trunk,
where she had thrown them in hurry
the night before, when SOME one had
called her and took out her hat, coat
and gloves. They were all well-worn
and plain, and she looked at herself with
| i'll concealed dissatisfaction. She took
q piece of pink ribbon and made little
bow for her neck, whieh frightened up
nc. Fon
now article to redeem the sha bbiness, q
light, feecy zephyr scarf, which, when
she placed it around her neck and
shoulders, produced an artistic effect
that was very pleasing to her as she
marked it. 1t was Christmas present
from Lefty. She heard voices below,
and looking out of the window she saw
the party setting off in the early twi-
light; Maud and Lefty ahead; Marion,
tall and stately, behind. with Mr.. Camp
bell beside her, erect and proud, look
ing like herself. "What a handsome
couple they makel" Ruth thought, with
wistful look as she watched them, and
trying to swallow something that SEEM
ed to rise up in her throat. ST think
she's the favored one; but she's not half
worthy of him, and don't know who is,
for he's as good as gold.
The gentleman who seemed to be the
center of interest to the girls, was the
principal teacher in the Middlebrook
school for the winter. He had found
boarding-place at Squire Hastings, and
enjoyed his quarters immensely, for they
treated him more like a guest than
boarder. He was a fine scholar, and
was to take charge of furnishing acad-
envy in the spring. Meanwhile he had
taken this school to keep him from grow
ing rusty. 1t WAS generally understood
that he was interested in one of the
Hastings girls, but the public had not
decided which one.
The Christmas tree was in the largest
of the two churches of the village, and
was only few minutes walk from the
Hastings residence. Ruth went down
into Mr.. Campbell's room to attend to
Marion's order, glancing wistfully
around the room with that soft light in
her eyes as she went out. She wendell
her way to the brightly illuminated
church, and found crowd there. A
polite usher showed her into a little
quiet corner, beside a schoolmats and
her mother. She was glad to slip into
it unseen by the other members of the
family, particularly by Mr. Campbell,
for she was proud and sensitive, and.
could not bear to have the handsome,
fastldious teacher note the contrast of.
their holiday array with hers. Every
face was animated, everybody seemed
joyful, as they should be on Christmas.
The tall tree was laden with gifts of all
sorts, and there were piles of things
beside it that it wouldn't hold. The
faces that were turned expectantly to-
ward it shone almost as brilliantly as
the tapers that lighted it. There was
continual hum of conversation and light
bubbling laughter as the overlooking
gladness OF the season communicated
itself from one to another. "Every body
seems happier than l." Ruth thought,
the tears filling her eyes. She could
see Marion and Maud chatting with Mr..
Campbell, their faces wreathed in emiles,
and LEFTY deep in talk with girl of her
own age. There was TO be little en-
tertainment before the distribution of
Christina presents, and the crowd was
called to order. First, glad Christ
mas carol, iubilant in measure as were
the hearts of the listeners, was sung by
a chorus of youthful voices. Then
there were prettily dressed children who
lisped about "Babe OF Bethlehem, and
scenes where little girls in white night
dresses slyly watched broad mouthed
chimney to see Santa Claus and his
wife whisk down with hands full of
presents, which they deposited in the
stockings hung to receive them, and
disappeared up the chimney again in
twin king. The curtain fell for the last
time, and then Santa Claus, with his
bushy beard reaching to his knees,
stood by the tree to deliver the gifts to
the impatient walters. Then the mer-
riment recommended. There were all
sorts of presents. One young man.
whose sweetheart had Tilted him, was
rather heartlessly presented with
string of onions, for no doubt in such
case the tears would flow freely enough
without artificial appliances. Scores of
hearts were made glad by things useful,
beautiful and much longed for. Mr..
Campbell's name was called twice. and
the girls beside him tried to look I'M
conscious as they saw the parcels their
own hands had that day made for him.
s'Some one has been thoughtful for
me, he said. ST shall not investigate
until get home"
ssMiss Ruth Norrisl' the nasal tones
of the presiding genius drawled out.
Ruth's heart beat fast. Surely that
sounded like her namel but no, it could
not be hsrs.
ssMiss Ruth Norrisl' the voice called
out, more loudly and Enthusiastically this