The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-12-11


spent Christmas day at home, always.
They went to church always.
The beautiful Christmas sermon fell
on very sad and murmurous heart that
day; and as Beryl's sweet, powerful
voice arose in the first words of 81
Know that My Redeemer Liveth," it
trembled SO she was frightened, and
with strong effort forgot everything
but the grand chant. "How wicked
must be-" she thought to herself, "to be
thinking, always thinking about my own
self, and fretting about that when every
one tries to make me happy"
When the solemn benediction trembled
on the sir, as she arose for the first time
she glanced down at the congregation !;
but shrank back with her heart beating
unanimously as she encountered pair
OF dark eyes looking up into hers. How
long it had been since she had seen
them. Flushed and trembling she ran
down the stairs and hurried to the car
riage with a celebrity that greatly sur
prised Mrs. Dean.
If could only make some unfortu-
nate happy, | think l could be happy
myself" she thought, nervously. 81 am
so selfish and egotistical in my sorrow,
no wonder never have any rest or COM
fort. Ahp' as sudden idea crossed
her 81 know. I will go and see Mrs.
Hull. Poor old lady, she will be lone
some to-day"
And so while the late dinner was in
preparation, and the children in the
nursery perfectly carried away by some
wild play she silently attired herself in
heavy cloak, and went down into the
kitchen and filed basket with chicken
and jelly and grapes and everything
which she thought would be likely to
tempt the appetite; and took her way
through the wet gray day to q little
cottage q mile or Two away where dwelt
Mrs. Hull, a childless widow, destitute
and alone in her helpless old age. She
found her, patient and accomplishing,
laid up with bad attack ofrheumatism
the fire almost out in the clean little
room.
The withered old face frightened up
when Beryl came in. &c / have come to
stay with you an hour or two, Mrs.
Hull" she said, taking off her water
proof and Frightening up the little fire
until it blazed and flckered in the
cheeriest manner
And here is your Christmas" wrap
ping thick wooden shawl about her,
and putting a pretty white cap and
handkerchief on her own pretty self,
and laughing and dimpling in the most
delightful manner at her little surprise.
And you and | are to have luncheon
together; / couldn't wait to have it at
home, so brought it with me. hope
you'll excuse my unceremonious entry
with my bundles. / dare say mamma
will be scandalized when tell her about
our picnic" and Beryl laughed one of
her pretty merry laughs, not caring to see
the tears in the old eyes.
"This is like the larks we used to
have at school. A whole year since
was schoolgirl" with q heavy sigh.
81 haven't enjoyed life half so much
since" Girl-like forgetting the summer
that was fairer than any poetic idyl to
her young heart; forgetting the bright
autumn days that were happy and
dreamful and filled with delicious
peace; only remembering the sad win
ter days that had come in with storm
and tears and misunderstanding.
She put fresh coverings on the bed,
lifting the pain-twisted form tenderly in
her strong young arms; she bathed the
hands and face, and combed the gray
hair gently, and hushed the grateful
words that were her portion, by draw
ing little table to the bed and cover
ing it with the contents of her basket,
keeping up q running stream of gay girl
ish chatter. Then she propped the old
lady up with pillows, and drew the one
chair to the table for herself, poured out
q cup of hot fragrant tea which she had
made for Mrs. Hull, and waited on her
much more assiduously than she would
have done for any of her mothers ele-
CANT friends.
&c Mamma will be anxious about me-"
she said, at last. Il am afraid / must
go" putting on her rubbers. I'm just
step into Mrs. Dunn's and tell her to
send Maggie over for an hour or two, so
YOU won't be lonesome, and IN come
again in u day or two. l think you'll
be around ali right, soon. The fog
ness as my little sister Jessie says, is
She bent over the little white bed and
kissed the wrinkled forehead gently.
"God bless you, DEAR" the old lady
said. "You have made this a happy
Christmas for me-"
wondering how Mrs. Hull could be re-
SISutu W ACI pONSIby duu lOutl1uCSS,
and happy as well as content. Then she
scolded herself heartily for her restless
ness and the sore place in her heart.
81 know it makes mamma sad to see
me so disconsolate. must certainly re-
form. I'll begin this very minute.
She ran up the steps blithely.
How long before dinnerp" she called
to Nora.
"Half an hour, miss"
"Can I dress in half an hour!" she
queried of herself. 81 must" reso-
lutely.
She flew to her own room.
81 have taken no interest in my APP
pearance at all lately; one would think
I was a perfect beauty to judge by my
nonchalent attire, and could afford to
slight the arts of the toilet Christ
mas night! / must reform"
Surely no fairer Christmas vision
gladdened any eyes in all the wide city
that night than the slim girl-form that
ran down the broad stairs into the bril-
liantly-lighted parlors half an hour
later. Trailing robes of gauzy black.
white arms and shoulders shining
through, vivid scarlet blossoms al
rounded throat and in the shining hair
Bright fires glowed in the CRATES
beautiful odorous flowers trailed over
the table nantel and bracket; anC
as she turn. long mirror to see the
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