Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-12-23
MARGIE'S CHRISTSsS EVE.

1t was the day before Christmas.
A cold still day with a leaden sky
hanging like a gray curtain over the
earth. A day cheerless enough to
make poor little Maggie Hepburn's
heart sink and her blue eyes fill with
tears as she sat pressing her cheek
against the car window and trying
vainly to catch a glimpse of the sun.
Just one little ray of sunlight would
have set her eyes and heart dancing
again, for there never was a msrrier
fairy than Margie, but the grey clouds
hung lower and lower and she could
not help being miserable.
Poor child She was all alone in
the world, with nothing but her light
heart and her trust in Providence to
keep her from dispair. Four years
ago she had been left an orphan, and
since then the cold, unwilling charity
of her aunt had supported her at a
city boarding school. She was going
now to live with her aunt as the un
der-paid governess of a tribe of inso-
lent, ill.bred children. She had been
travelling all night, and cold, fatigue
and unhappiness had made her cheeks
pale, and her eyes languid, but the
brave young heart kept hoping. hop
ing on, and trusting the future to bring
her peace and happiness. Now, !
mean to stop thinking about myselfand
look for something else bright, if !
can t zee the sun, she thought, as the
train halted in a city depot. There |!
l knew l should find something cheer
full. What a pretty group Of girls !!
And how happy they look, chatting
and laughing with their friends
They are coming in, ! declare. Now,
] shall have pleasant occupation In
watching them.
The party entered three young
girls, dsrk-cyed, blooming aud pretty
and FIVE gentlemen, young, too, and
oil good looking. The merriest Get
they were, and evidently, from their
remarks, they were bound upon some
very pleasant expedition. With a
good deal of hustle and laughter they
were at last seated. and, as they smil.
ed and nodded farewells to their
friends on the platform, the train went
jarring and laundering on its way
again.
Little Msrgis. seated just opposite
the party, watched them quietly, and
learned many things about them. She
learned chat the two browu-eyed girls
with such dazzling complsxions were
Alice and Emma, md one OF the
young men their brother Les.IIis. The
tall, quesnly girl with . akin lie
magnolia bloom, and dark lashss
dropping low over her black eyes, was
Adelaide. Adelaide Brent, appar.
entity. for q gentleman whom she call
cd brother. and who was by far the
gravest Of the party, was addressed as
Mr.. Brent BY the two hazel-eved girls.
Then there were George and Tom
Hardy, two fun-loving youths with
almost imperceptibls moustaches. and
John Winston. . distingnished-look-
Tag young man, with very dark gray
eyes. and quiet, graceful manners.
He always spoke in q low, subdued
tone. but what he said was sometimes
accompanied by q smile of intense
amusement, and 9 glitter of the deep
gray eyes. Then q shout Of laughter
was sure to follow from the rest Of
the party, and Margis would wish she
had heard what hs said.
Poor little Margiel The merry par
ty opposits paid very little attention
to her. A glance or two from their
laughing eyes fell on her quist figure,
and glinted of again cOldiy and care
lsssly. She was only q pale. slsepy.