The Portland daily press., 1884-12-25

there was good girl, she is one. She's
swimmin' against odds, but she'll breast the
tide yet, brave heart. A true Morgan, every
inch of her."
Isabelle made round of the house, in
specting room after room; then, satisfied
that all was as it should be, LETT her lamp in
the kitchen, put on shawl and overshoes and
stepped out into the night. Broad, ,clean-shov-
eled paths reached in several directions-to
the barn, the well, the shore-and the banks
of snow on either side were SO high that
she could not see over them. A full moon
lighted the white world beneath it, and the
waters reflected back its splendor; the air
was keen and cold, but the wind was so
slight as to scarcely stir the pines on the
headland: the scene was peaceful and she
fingered long to look at it.
On top of the snow banks the boys had
tiattened seat for themselves, from which
outpost of survey they could GET as good a
view of the road between themselves and
their neighbors as could be had this side the
bluff. Isabelle climbed to the slippery place,
and sat few minutes, looking up to the on
ly house in sight-Cousin Hi Morgan's and
| wondering whether he brought any late pa
pers from Portland when he returned from
market to-day, whether there was any news
from Riv, and what would be the proce eds
from the e'poultry and pork. Suddenly she
saw two figures coming slowly down the brow
of the hill, plunging and fioundering through
the deep snow. One--she hazarded guess,
for they were too far away for recognition.
and she could not keep her seat while they
approached-was Hi bringing news from
Portland, but she could not imagine whom
the other might be, unless one of Aunt Sa-
rah's boys, down from the city, to spend
Christmas at home. She hoped Hi had a
letter from her father, and thought she
would walk down the shore path to meet
him and hear sooner what he had to say SO,
gathering her shawl under her chin, she
started briskly down between the high banks
of snow, and waited them at the turn of the
shore path. As they came striding on,
crunchlng the snow beneath their heavy
tread, they were talking, and she heard HIS
Voice say:
81 hope she'll take it easy-llke, but Pm
feared it'll kinder shock her. You'll be OIL
hand as soon as I get it broke to her?"
sPll stay just outside The door till you've told
her," answered the other; and at the sound
Isabelle's heart gave great leap Could it
be--Tas lt-Noel? She leaned forward to
look, trembling with hope and fear, and see
ing that it was he--the man she had mourned
as dead, alive, in the flesh, and SO near that
she could almost touch him-cried out in a
frenzy of joy, and, another moment was
clasped to his breast.
Hi slipping his parcel into NoePs pocket,
left the lovers to themselves; and soon the
whole Morgan household was awake and
gathered together in Aunt Salome's room to
hear the wonderous story of shipwreck and
rescue that the young sailor had to tell.
Christmas will always be day of rejoic-
ing to us, Belle, She said to her, by and by,
looking down into her happy face; but as Is
abelle could not speak, for gIadness, the 9th
ers answered in her stead:
''The jolliest day in the worldp' shouted
the boys. '1We'll celebrate t!-Just you see
if we don'tr'
"Who'd ever have thought it?'' said Mrs.
Morgan, dropping tear IN her yet unopened
letter. 81 declare, it will be Merry Christ
mas, and no mistake. How lucky it is I did
that cookingp'
"Let us praise the Lord" Aunt Salome
said softly. eyes, Noel, this will always be
time of peace and good will to you,-A
Blessed Christmas-tide.