The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-12-21


for him every day for week, but he
did not come. Then she heard that he
had left town, that he had become a
partner in the law.1rm In Philadelphia
to which his brother belonged, and did
not think Of visiting Bralton again for
some time.
And this was true. Tom did leave
town the very next morning after meet
ing Elsie In the church. He was stay.
Ia Bralton only on Elsies account, his
own family had left there during his alb
sence, and now he no longer desired to
zee Elsie. Still he could not forget her.
Her bright plquant face flashed before
him In his business hours, her musical
voice rang In his ears, even In court,
when fierce arguments were clashing,
and his own words were either to win
him victory, or bring him defeat. He
| planned telling sentences for tomorrow's
pleas, and the downfall of his opponent
before he slept, but he dreamed of the
serpent ring which he gave Elsie, and
woke In the morning with nothing in
his mind but an almost overwhelming
desire to see her.
year passed in this way, at the end
of which business called him to Bral-
ton.
1t was the night before Christmas
Eve. Tom had been restlessly promen-
adpg the streets since dinner, and many
things besides business were In his
minW He wondered IL Elsie were mar
ried n Leeds yet. He thought not, for
he had carefully read the marriage list
in the Bralton papers, and he had seen
no notice of any such event. He de-
bated in his mind the question whether
he should call at her mothers house or
no, and tried to imagine how she would
receive him If he did so. Then sud-
den turn In the street brought him di-
rectly opposite st. Paul's Church, where
he had met her just one year ago that
night.
The church as then was brilliantly
lighted, and group of young people ran
up the steps, laughing gayly. Through
the open door, as they passed in, poured
food Of jubilant Christmas melody,
and he caught glimpse of great cloud
Of greenery, with bright, flushed faces
in the midst of it,
Elsie is there" he thought, and
moved by an Irresistible impulse, he
crossed the street, and entered the
church.
Peace on earth, good will toward
men," chanted the choir, while the
pure, lofty melody seemed in reality like
the voices of the angels Of the Lord
And the soft undercurrent of happy
laughter, which arose from the pictur-
esque groups whose fingers wreathed
the holly and the mistletoe, was in
sweet accord with the higher strains.-
The odor of flowers and pines mingled
with the sweet sounds like frankincense.
The ruddy light flashed down to find
the scarlet glow of berries in the dark,
green gloom of foliage, to dance In
bright eyes, on scarlet lips and golden
hair. 1t was pretty scene which Tom
gazed upon as he stood for a few minutes
in the shadow of the gallery; but Elsie
was not there. Leeds was looking un-
utterable things in the face of strange
blonde girl, while with his long white
womanish fingers he fashioned what
was evidently intended to be the Star of
Bethlehem. Laura Winthrop, brisk
and commanding as usual, was fitting
hither and thither, with long garlands
of evergreen hanging over her shoul-
der.
Why, Mr.. Hayward, is 1t really
you s' she exclaimed, as he moved to-
ward her. II thought you had forsaken
Bralton entirely. But am so glad to
see you, especially just now,'' she began
after Tom had sufficiently explained his
sudden appearance. There is no one
tall enough to trim these pillars without
the aid of step-ladder, and the step
ladders are all in use. You would not
appear in our midst like some Christmas
fairy every year, If you did not wish to
make yourself of use.''
9 1t is early yet, and Elsie may make
her appearance after all, 2 said Tom to
himself, as he good.naturedly applied
himself to the task assigned him, while
o dozen or so of old acqnaintances came
up to give him merry greeting.
After while he managed to inquire
for Elsie, saying, indifferently enough,
that he supposed she never failed to as