Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-25
Gales ano Skettbes.
wHEN CHRISTMAS COMES.
By JNo. CHURCHILL.
Continued from Yesterday }

Her eyes grew fixed and dilated--
"llelen, widow of Robinson Lee," was
the name cut on the stone which stood for
Mazie's mother in the adjacent church.
yard-the husband sleeping somewhere
Atar II was not common name. II
was Maize who was being sought for!
How could she give her upe Why need
she have seen the small item i'm an OBJ
scurc corner of the city paper. SO crowded
with lists of vacancies to fill," and
wants of the grasping world9 Who
would steal away from her hungry heart
this one treasurer The temptation did
seize her. TO remain silent, but she was
too severely just There was no time to
lose. Oh. if it had only been too late
She took up her pen. with hand SO trem-
ulous she could scarcely write. and briet-
ly edited the date of Mrs. Lees death,
and the whereabouts OF her one daughter,
desiring the inquirer to "come without
delay" Then she directed it to the post
office box designated. There was no
name appended. and she gave none. 1t
was the business mention of place to per-
son; not a welcome from friend to friend.
The morrow dawned. but no one had
come il was distance that could scarce
ly be so quickly traversed. Maize in
spirit of mischief. was tying up stairs the
long hair of Gruff. the faithful old dog.
with tufts of gray wool. No word had
been spoken TO her; perhaps there might
be need of none.
Some one had come in she had given
orders that whoever called should be
shown into the library land with conscious
pride and grace she went forward to meet
this would-be usurper Of her well-earned
rights.
4 gentleman of some forty years. hand
some. and of fine address. stood waiting.
Mrs Radcliffe ?" he said.
She bowed. II was natural mistake
enough. and it did not matter. She turned
the card he had handed her about in her
fingers. bu, she had not glanced at it her
heart was sinking il this self-possesed,
elegant gentleman had claim on Maize.
she must give her up. There was quiet
power in him. conscious power of man.
hood. that shea woman-recognized
She had stood haughtily defiant before
him. her eyes demanding of him where
fore he had come? And he had looked
back, till her eyelids fell, and sensitive
color dyed her checks.
He smiled slightly and withdrew his
gaze. for while she provoked him in this
mute selfassertion. she had as silently
acknowledged his superiority Of will. II
was a delicate homage. most delicately
received
Cuff had been q critical observer OF
this momentary bv-play. He was severe
ly subrosa regarding the interests Of this
house. and utterly undemonstrative to-
ward its casual visitors: but his ear had
pricked at the strangers first step, and he
was now shifting and fawning about. eager
for notice. and giving vent to low barks
of welcome. He finally jumped to the
gentleman shoulder and licked his face
in transports Of JOY.
why, Gruff. old friend, Is il YOU?
Forgive me il ] did not know You with
this finery on. old fellow :" he said. 81
have at least one welcome to native
shores.' And he clasped the delighted
brute about the neck
"Phillip.' gasped Miss Mansfield. as
tonished and trembling and half leaning
towards him.
Yes" he replied. And you are,
Mary. see now why your face had in Il
a familiar look. But the days OF the years
Of our separation have been so long and
so many. and time, like river. has rolled
on between"
Yet he did no: clasp her hand. or say he
was glad in her presence. Even Gruf'
had more proof of his love than had She
Her cheek burned and her pulses quivered.
She stood before his searching eve humil.
iated-a,most betrayed She had yearned
so for one chance of explanation. And
he was here. Bnt she was affrighted.
dumb.
"lIow did you find me ?" she asked at
length
IL did not find you. do not know that
I especially sought you. came to this
house as directed without delay, for nv
sisters child
Good heavens Was he. this dear CON-
panion Of her youth, the uncle OF her
darling girl? What had an overruling
providence thus strangely brought about?"
Should she tell this calm. salf-possessed
gentleman. how teDderly the orphan child
had been cared for "when all kin was
reckoned dead and everybody gone ?''
Nay: her old pride rose up to match
his quiet strength. and she grew coldly
still.
Maize just here came dancing in. her
hair blown about and her cheeks aglow.
''Ob, auntie-mamma: I've had such n
ride. am so gratefully happy this day.
And oh. this blessed to. night. It is al
most time to prepare. l want to get into
nv dres; it looks like a glistening spray"
"Will yon be seated?'' Miss Mansfield
said to her visitor who was still standing.
lie took the seat designated and she hall
drooped on the sofa near by.
'.Come here my darling" (" she said to the
happy girl. II have something to say To
You that may change all our plans. This
gentleman is friend. my DEAR.
Maize bowed silently, her sparkling eye
growing grave and apprehensive. Then
she knelt before her "auntie'' looking in
quiringlv up to her face.
II want to tell you, my pet" her prond
lips growing firm. though her cheek was
pallid; .'how, one other Christmas. long.
long ago. when was young and hopeful,
and nearer the verge Of bliss than you
have ever been. broke the pledge had
given to one / loved dearest on earth, and
threw his betrothal ring away
'.Ob, mamma-auntie how could you ~
said Maize, in quick comprehension,
CLAIMING toward the silent listener.
because he was 20 dear that to doubt
lContisued - 1ourth page.