Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-12-16

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sounded as though somo one were on
treating, persuadng, arguing, and as
though Kathleen's answers were agitat-
cd and brief. Still more to prevent
that quick and sensitive listening
which was her habit from gathering
aught that Kathleen would rather not
have overheard, the blind girl gave
herself up to thoughts which all day
had been expressing her, and all dav
had been withstood. This was Dicks
birthday; one week before Christmas.
All! the old holiday frolics; the old
Christmas cheer, the merry-makings
that, in the dear, "square house," used
TO mark this date! And now and then
oh, dear Dickl where can YOU bep
And il you only knew!" whispered the
blind girl TO herself, crying softly, as
she thought and thought.
Meanwhile Kathleen was sore beset.
Was Mr.. Lawrence rightp Once she
had believed her own judgment infalli.
BILE; her faith in II was shaken now.
Was he right, after ALP Even though
he were not her first love, could she not
be all he asked, u faithful wifep Did IL
matter any more about herself since
the love she had so recklessly rejected
could never complete her own lifeP
Here would be peace, protection, even
luxury, for the wasting mother and the
delicate sister; she would not longer
hesitate thus selfishly, for her own
strength had had to own itself over.
taxed of late, and could not long be
adequate to the burden she had so
proudly assumed Almost the assent
which would end all had been forced
to her lips, when the door opened and
the blind girl stood there, quivering
with excitement, an unwonted flush on
her cheek.
"Hark! bark! don't you hear them?"
she cried, in quick. ringing voice.
"Darling, what is itp'F and Kathleen
ran to her, frightened and mystiied.
Nearer, nearer! Kathleen, don't
you hear themP How fast they are
coming! How, they chime and clashm
Kathleen did hear at last the old sill.
yer music of the string of sleigh-bells.
at is no wonder, Snowflake" she
tried to say calmly. II presume the
Collamores have them still, and know
the family is back from Europe. Prob
ably some of them are driving past.
But louder in more frantic glee rang
the familiar bells, and stopped; stopped
at their gate.
"Dick-oh! it is DickP" gasped
| Snowflake.
Which was Dick, which was Frank
Collamore poor, dazed Kathleen could
| not clearly be sure mt first. She was
only sure of one thing; she had not
said "Ycs'' to Mr.. Lawrence; indeed,
he had quietly disappeared.
How did they tell everythingP How
did everything get found out? At last
there were no secrets Between smiles,
tears, silence and speech all was ex-
planned. On Kathleen's part, why she
had deceived Dick so, and why, alter
disgracing herself by fainting-fit like
any common, weak-nerved girl, desti-
tute of will and energy, she had to lie
still, utterly weak and nerveless from
the relaxation of the long over-strain.
On Dicks part, how certain rumors had
reached him which made him both in.
dignant and alarmed.
g could not believe at first that you
could have misled me so. Kathleen, !"
said Dick, "but finally could endure
it no longer. When Uncle Lane found
that return l would, even though my
fortune was as yet only small fortune,
he declared that he would come, too.
will own, Kathleen, that / was too
angry with you to write home then. /
said l would surprise you, and, if you
suffered any suspense meanwhile, it
would serve you right. Twas bruter'
Dick interrupted himself to interpolate
gratuitously. Then he resumed: '.Poor
Uncle Lane! At his age the hardships it
was our ill-luck to encounter were too
much for him. He grew very ill, and
at the very first European port we were
put ashore and turned nurse. 1t was
peculiar malady; we both hoped
every week that the next would see him
rallying, so that we might go on.
Don't write; we'll surprise them yet,
he would say. But death, alas! sur
prised him first Then for long whi G
1 remember nothing. suppose / was
very ill; know / was months getting
well. months in caring whether ever
came home or not. So you see my
surprise is very belated surprise, in.
deed" said Dick, drawing Snowflake
closer.
"But genuine one in the end. Fol
instance, only imagine my sensations
laughed Frank Collamore, sat having
this bearded stranger grip my horses
bit in the middle of the street, and ex
anime those sleigh-bells as if he were 6
> madman." f.
"It was q mad proceeding" an
swered Dick, "but had only Just land
ed, and was feeling my way to thi!
street and number when suddenly
heard the dear old bells. knew then
. in an instant; never dreamed that any
but some of you could be driving be
a a hind them, and suppose l did lose my
, wits. Certainly, / never felt so trans
! liked with amazement as to see Frank
! whom knew ona second glance, glow
: ering at me over the bells where / hat
! found Snowhake's initials engraved
, just as they alw vs. were."
"They shall go back to their right
full owner" said Mr.. Collamore, gently
"Snowfake won't refuse that gift from
!, me on Christmas Day know, particu
! larly if take Kathleea's"-
,, "Oh, hush, hush!" said warning
, voice from Kathleen's sofa, and jus
= then no one minded the interruption
), for Dick was speaking.
believe, little Snowflake, that m,
, boyish boast has come true; hav
: brought you behind the sleigh-bells
!, fortune, or almost fortune, at last, TO
Uncle Lane has left his all 10 me
+ But, and Dicks voice shook, sit ha
a cost me dear, for ! have lost in him
, second father. And to you all three
: almost came. fear too late"
Not quite! They kept their Christ
), mas of n week later with chastene
: gladness, indeed, but good care an
h freedom from anxiety in time brough
n health, assured though never robust, t
!. the invalid mother, peace unrutlled I
a the blind girl, and the old warm glo,
;. to Kathleen's face, the old sparkle t
4 her dark eyes.
:, . "But now ] know" she said t
Snowflake on her wedding day, as the
:, stood once more in the parlors of 18Th
a Square House, ''that your prophec
= out of the sleigh-bells was reality, nc
a all dream, as l thought then; kno'
! that even the harsh and discordar
;, clashing, which seemed such a drear