The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-02-02
Chicago Tribune.
4 sad Christ m "a. indeed.0 -

"a sad Christmas, indeed"
1t was . pretty face, albeit stained with
tears and weary with watching, that was
raised from the snowy white pillow that lay
upon one end Of the Jaatedi ~. Beryl Nc
Closkey spoke these words. And just then,
as II to mock her replning, . great gust Of
wind beat the big rain drops against the
window-panes more Rercsly than ever, and
the bare, black limbs Of the old OAK that
stova near the vrrands Of Bricrton villa
swept through the air with . noise that was
almost human In Its mournfulnsss.
As the girl sat there, the freight just
touching the disordcred masses Of bronssd
hair, snd.bringing into strong relief with its
fltful flashes the pale, sad face aud slender
form, the French clock on the mantel struck
eleven.
Bsryi knew by this that II was nearly five
o'clock. .'..
al wonder II there 10 another girl 10 all the
wide, wide world - miserable - amp" she
exclaimed, II who have everything TO mako
me happy-hsalth, . pleasant home, Loving
parents, and everything that money can par-
chase. And yet am miserable, oh, so
miserableln {.
"You can never be happy, my darling"
said MIS-. McCloskey, who had stepped
quietly into the. room through portsere,
"unt!l You strive to make other lives bright,
other hearts glad" ,.,
"Yss ass right, msshsr'n sAiA Bsryl, tae
look Of discomfort leaving her face even as
she spoke, "and your words have taught me
lesson tha. trust will not soon be forgot
ten"--and rising from the Joutexa she
stepped to the dressing-case aud began work
ing the powder-puff. =
In q little cottage which stood At The foot
of Hackleberry HilL lived the Widow
| Perkins oand her daughter. Pansy
Perkins, although born to struggle with
poverty, was endowed with beauty Of face
, ! and figure such as rarely falls to the lot Of
any girl. Having been eighteen years old
for three consecutive summers, she was tuit
! budding into womanbood- just crossing the
boundary line, upon one side Of which
stands Youth, with rosy cheeks and laugh
Ing eyes, and on the other Maturity, with all
It's mellowed charms and ripened graees.
But IS Pansy Perkins sat by the freside BE-
meath her mothers humble roof this Christ
mas Eve, tears Of sorrow and disappoini-
msnt coursing down her pretty cheeks, and
around the riant mouth thst the buckwhest
cakes knew so we'll, there was an expression
Of pain-s sad, can't find my chewing gum
look.
Presently there was . knock at the door,
and Psnsy answered Il. The visitor was
Beryl McCloskey, the heiress Of Brisrton
villa.
IL have come TO see you to-hight, Pansy,"
she said, .because II seems 10 me that TO a
girl who Is almost alone In the world,
Christmas time must bring with It many
thoughts and recailections that are far from
pleasant. And 20 resolved that one Christ.
mas at least should be 10 you time OF hap
pInsss, aud that 10 Why have come here TO-
night. You know that, apart from my
fathers fortune, am itch In my own right,
and you mus. net refuse. my gift, which you
will Hnd In this little package. Always bs
kind to your mother, Pansy, and try to make
your life pleasant"
..But wbst ID your present ~ asked Pansy.
II have" said BssyL smiling swsesly -
she spoke, "glvsn you my sscoud bsst bang,