The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-01-09
MARGARET ARNOLD's CHRISTMAS.

table in the hall, where were other let
ters awaiting the hour of mailing, and
tripped upstairs cheerily, with smile
on her lips and in her dark eyes.
She even hummed little song softly,
as she passed through the nursery and
entered the school-room; and the chill
dren ceased their noisy play to run at
ter their governess and climb into her
lap.
"W hat makes you sing, Miss Ar
noldw questioned the little Elsie.
"You haven't sung for so long, and you
look so tired always. You don't look
sorry tonight, though. What is max
ing you gladr
The child laid her head against Mar.
garet's shoulder caressingly as she
spoke, and patted her governess's cheek
with soft, tiny hand.
"Why do l sing? replied Margaret.
"Oh, Elsie, don't you know Christ
mas is coming, and we ought to be
glad--oughtn't we, dear?"
"Our house is jolly at Christmas
time, tell your" interrupted Harry, a
boy of seven winters, who had himself
been Christmas gift to his mo. her,
and who, as a consequence, enjoyed an
unusual share of presents at each return
of his birthday. "It's awfully jolly,
and we have lots of company. Do you
have nice times at your house, Miss
ArnoldH
owe used to, when l was a little
girl, Harry, but there are only two of
us now-mother aud l and our Christ
mas days are quiet, although very hap
nv. when we are tOUetherv
"Won't You be glad to get home
again, Miss Arnold?" I'd be awfully
homesick away from mamma SO long l''
And Margaret replied, gently:
"Glad to get home? Oh, Harry II
you only knew how glad!"
The opening of the schoolroom door
interrupted the conversation, and Mrs
Granger entered.
"Oh, here you are, children. Paps
was asking for you. Run downs stairs u
Then, as the little feet were pattine
merrily through the hall, the lady turn.
ed to her governess.
81 came to say, Miss Arnold, that |,
will be impossible for you to 90 homt
this year for Christmas. Ny daughter
Isabel expects company to remain will
US during the holidays, and YOU car
understand how troublesome the chill
dren will be without your care. I ar
sorry; but, after all, it can't make muci
difference to you, presume, and reall,
your presence will be absolutely nee
essary to me-"
She withdrew herself and her trailini
robes from the schoolroom, as Marga
ret bowed silent reply TO the commam,
which had instantly driven the glad
ness Of only a few moments preyiou
from her heart.
What did she know of the glad plan
and hopes which the children's Cover
ness had veDtured to form IN bonor q
The coming season of " and peace
Or, If she had known, this woman G
fashion and ease, would she have careG
But the twilight shadows came on an
iilled the schoolroom with gloom a
dark as the gloom which crowded tn
sunshine from out Margaret's hear
and presently the girl went wearily on
of the room and down the stairs.
Thomas, the footman, was just gail
ering the letters from the table for tn
purpose of mailing them; but Marg,
ret's voice arrested him.
"Thomas, there Is letter to m
mother amongst those; will you kindl
hand it to meW
The letter, with all its words of 10,
ing cheer and glad anticipations for til
lonely, widowed mother far away, WI
laii quietly upon the Goals and burne
before Margarets eyes ere she lighte
the gas and penned, with tremblin
~ hand, another which must go in 4
e place.
is The tears were dry, and the patie,
t heart had grown yet more patient, aftt
u the following lines were written an
d addressed TO "Mrs. M. Arnold, -
:. Conn.,"
MY DARLING MOTHER: l thought
spend this Christmas with you, b,
Mrs. Granger has decided that my SO
vices are needed here. l am paid (,
those services what right have we
grumble5 In fact, what rights have Il
poor at any time, mother? Does tn
read bitterly? Well. my heart has ve
tured 10 rebel against fate little L
night, for, one hour ago, 1 was SO hal
py fairly sang, and my heart was
full of plans for you and myself that
even regretted the few days intervenil
between now and the time of my @
pected homeward start. Oh, MANN
dear, help me to be patient, and, abo
all, help me to look on the bright sid
If there be such side, to our lives,
"Yours, MARGARET" !"
This letter was sent at last, and Ms
= garet now awaited Christmas as thou,
20 IL were only the usual Sunday, whi
no no would give her one days rest fro
he study. She turned the light down lo'
ne replenished the fire, and drew her chs
M aa close beside the glowing Goals. Dov
ss stairs the children with their faths
y Isabel was singing at the piano, a