The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-12-27
ASHES Of ROSES.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
by LILY NJ. CURRY.

deed, think it happened most fort
nnately So"
"What has he done to forfeit our
friendship, aunt?"
Nothing especial, my dear. But,
candidly, it is as we'll for the young
man that he be not thrown in your
society-don't interrupt, Clarice.
Close observation, when we last met
Mr.. Mcclure, convinced me that he
might easily become too greatly in
terested in you. That is all I have to
say, my DEAR"
"That is the only reason, aunt?"
"The main reason. 1t is difficult to
say what sort of man he may be grow
ing. Poverty is against him; poverty
and quick, passionate nature. He
seems inclined to communistic notions.
l have no sympathy with Communists
or Socialists or Nihilists. That is all,
Clarice; and now must go down and
speak with Jane"
Clarice went slowly ont OF the room
and down the winding corridor to her
own apartment; there she shut herself
in and sat by the window to look upon
the dusk and the white fields.
"Aunt," she said, speaking hor
thoughts aloud, with tinge of bitter
ness, "you have spoiled my Christmas;
but will not spoil yours, for you are
an old woman-an old woman, and You
have been good to me. ] will try not
to show disappointment, but it is cruel,
cruel"
She said no more, but sat there in
the dusk, thinking very rapidly and
trying to feel less grieved. What
would Christmas be, now that he would
not come? What were all the others.
if that one earnest face, with it's clear
blue eyes, looked no response? That
hopeful, handsome face, with its crisp
chestnut locks at the temples.
She had not seen him since October,
when he had come out with Elmer,
just before Elmer had Sailed. They
had corresponded at intervals. She
wondered if her aunt had thought Of
this. Her aunt was the last person on
earth to pry into another's correspond
ence-even to examining postmark.
All. yes, her aunt was nobly iust-to
her!
But to Robert-Robert, so brave, so
honest, SO full of youths enthusiasm!
Poverty? Yes, sore poverty was
against him. Elmer keene had told
her something once about rich man
having defrauded Robert, rich man
who knew well that which he was doing
when he took advantage of legal quib-
BILE and and days lapse to so possess
what Robert should have gained-his
mothers heritage. But Robert had
never learned the name or identity OF
the defrauder. Robert was peculiar in
some respects. "Communistic!' she
wondered if this were Communism, a
great heart yearning toward all the OPP
pressed, the suffering ones of earth.
Ii he were rich man, or even fairly
fixed, she knew what no would be do
ing just now. He would be going and
sending from house to house among
the low, the ignorant, the sorrowing,
with bread and meat and Tenderness
for soul and body, and blessings for the
Christmas day SO near approaching.
Oh, it was cruel. She rose and
walked slowly to and fro. How calmly
her aunt had dismissed it! How eff.
fectually She knew too we'll the utter
vanity of reopening the subject. She
almost regretted she had not let hel
heart cry out for him, saying.
Aunt, for my sake, let him come"
But he had never said that he loved
her, and should she be the first? I'm
possible! Her face grew hot in the
darkness. Still she could not give him
up thus. She must sec him once more
if only once. She had no thought o.
wronging her aunt's confidence, for hel
aunt had ever been just, and iustic.
begets justice wherever its touch ha,
been felt. But she would write hin
tomorrow, in any event. He SHOULD
know that if all else were different, sh.
remained unchanged.
Thus resolved she went down to tn.
sitting-room, and as they sat at dinner
her face was unclouded and beautiful
Miss Claiming had possibly forgotten
the conversat Oh and the evening
slipped quietly away.
But Clarice retired only to toss fever
{ ishly all night long and realize that sh,
stood face to face with her first trouble
She would not write, she determined
but telegraph instead, when on the NOR
row she went to town. 1t occupied he
mind to word out this message:
did not know until few hoars sine
that you had not been asked this year. NJ.
aunt has always attended to such matters
and supposed 1t to be as usual. cannot to!
you how panied am-though were you her
might convince you. Remember, though
J other things be different, | ann still the same
Answer this IL possible that may know yo,
believe me. shall he In town some hours.
cLARlcE.
Yes, she would say at least this much
He should know that she was his friend
if nothing more
v PART Ill.
I The morning had risen white as
sanctified spirit, and with love upon tn
| shining fialIu