St. Landry democrat., 1881-12-24

Z
disappointed, wrathful man. ltgoaded I
him to hear the sweet-toned bells, and :
I am afraid that both to him and to
Kathleen Christmas that year meant so
little goodwill that they took very
meager pains to have it afford to those
about them peace.
JINGLE THIRD.
.sThere is more sleighing this winter
than usual. How the sleigh-bells riot
to-day.' said the blind girl. Her face
was as serene and pure as ever, only
paer and thinner. In spite of all that
had come and gone, since she had told .
to Dick and Kathleen, years ago, that
.dream of sleigh-bells,'' she looked
like one who had always kept the Joy !
she had spoken of then-"one deep.
perfect, sure Joy, underneath the con-
fused. conflicting, changing over
current The tinkling bells of laughter
and pleasance were indeed little heard
in this narrow city home; even trends
voices were grown few, and. shielded
by her blindness though she was, there
were many times when discordant cir
cumstances or painful anXietles re-
minded her how old delights lad grown
rusty, and with what u weight her
heart beat now The three lonely
women could not speak even to each
other of that which was their worst
dread, as this added year waned to Its
close. There had been 4 long DELAY IN
letters and remittances from Dick.
} Letters sent to him at the old address,
letters sent to Uncle Lane, had been
returned unopened. What could it
meanp Helplessly they looked at each
other, and silently plodded on. Even
Kathleen, self-confdent Kathleen. be-
/ gan to doubt herself at last. Perhaps
: She had made dreadful mistake in try
inc to manage herself, and to hide all
from Dick Her mother had long ago
insisted on sharing Kathleen work
until her health had begun total. The
!. feeble step. the slight cough, were
constant reproach to Kathleen. her
1 own roses were faded, and many a
: night of weary toll, many self-sacrl,
: tice for the sake of the one who could
d not see the strategy, had dimmed the
d fire that still could flash sometimes IN
Y her eyes
AS her sister spoke, she looked up
:. Something in the transparent face, ar
). increased delicacy and sharpness, was
J. brought out by the slant OF the ligh
n through the window near, and with
,e sharp pang she thought: ''she look
r. too like an angel. Am l going to los
: them all? Is this the punishment o
Is my self-will?'
w For a moment she could not speak il
X reply to Snowtiake's remark about Tn
bells, but she did not need, for her SIS
e, ter presently asked, going on plac,dl
a with her knitting, which eked out thel
ty scanty income:
X "What bells are those l hear now
y They crate and clank. They are Ink
ia doors turning on disused hinges"
IN Kathleen glanced out to see' an
H. rose, flushing little.
al "Our landlord is coming IN. dear.
an will receive him, and would you s
e. with mother while he stays? You sha
or not be leased with our badgering abo'
money matters" Despite her utmo
ed efforts the months rent now due WI
tie not ready; Snowflake need not kno
to that.
But what could be the "badgerr
M about money matters that kept M
de Lawrence so long the sister began
en- wonder with her mother, by and D
~ She tried not to hear the voices, tn
Dis, sounded as though some one were
our treating, persuading. arguing, and
we though Kathleen answers were aglts
he ed and brief. Still more to prove
mas that quick and sensitive listenll
ter which was her habit from gatherll
auoht that Kathleen would rather
ill. have overheard, the blind girl ga
ar herself up to thoughts which all d
md had been depressing her. and all d
In had been withstood. This was Dicl
IA birthday: one week before Christina
for All! the old holiday frolics; the {
ef- Christmas cheer, the merry-makln
ork that, in the dear, square house. us
and to mark this date! And now and tn
to oh, dear Dick! where can you, |
ak. And if YOU only knew!'' whispered
: blind girl to herself, crying softly,
ully she thought and thought.
ed. Meanwhile Kathleen was sore bes
let Was Mr.. Lawrence right? Once
ers- had believed her own Judgment mia
are- BILE: her faith in it was shaken nc
Was he right, after all? Even thou
lie he were not her first love. could she
civ. be all he asked, a faithful wife? Dlt
matter anv more about herself, sill
t a the love she had so reckless!y re'ec
IS at could never complete her own Ii
med Here would be peace protec'ion'
luxury, for the wasting mother and
had delicate sister; she Wouia noI iol
Ellis? hesitate thus se1shiy' loi nui ~
ried strength had had to own itself o'
A taxed of late, and could not long
her adequate to the burden she had
veil proudly assumed. Almost lne s ass
ASH which would end an nao oeen ~
tinr TO her llpS, Wne1 Inc uooL openeo