Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-12-23
The Cross of Fire.


Alice Randolph sang il, to an impro.
vised melody, as her carriage rolled
down the gay street, forgetting the last
verse, where, Ia the gloom Of midnight,
amid snow and sleet, an outcast died
on Bright Broadway. Just then the
street was filled with sunshine and fra.
GRANGE from the 'piny woods'-the
breath of Christmas, Alice said, recall
ing the little country church, where,
amid Christmas green's, she had stood
year before In bridal attire, looking
upon the holiday of life undismayed by
the dismal prophecies of her guardian,
quaint Aunt Sophy, whose experience
had induced poor opinion Of men.
The old. life and the new were still
in vivid contrast that evening. when in
her lovely Brooklyn home Alice ex-
pressed her. enthusiastic gratitude 10
the man whose love had wrought the
transformation.
Il wonder, Arthur, how ever en-
dured my colorless existence In the
prosy town of Braniford. One lives
more in single day here than in ayear
where, as Auerbach says, nothing ev-
er happens Day after day the same
people are in the same places at a Civ.
EN- hour-a wonderful contrast to
Broadway with its ever varying combi-
nation. Then there Is the broad river
flowing past the two great cities, bear
ing ships from every sea. / sit at the
window watching them as they come
and 60, some of them from arctic re-
gions, some from tropic lands; and then
there are always ships sailing away
into the unknown sea, ships that reach
no earthly port. So oyer all broods
the perpetual charm of mystery.
T he charm of mystery enveloped
Alice's life. After year Of marriage
her husbands occupation was still un-
known to her. She had felt curious
delicacy about asking questions, and he
had volunteered no information. Aunt
Sophy had instituted no Investigation,
because she considered New Workers
'all OF piece anyway SO inquiries
were superfuous. Her permission to
the marriage Was granted in character
istic fashion.
Yes. you can have hel, as you both
seem determined, and DON'T know as
you'll make her any miserabler than
some other mau would
Since Alice's marriage she had often
urged Aunt Sophy to visit her, and this
had been the burden Of the answers
Il never see no good come Of trapsin'
round the world. hain't meyer been
but twenty miles from home in all my
life. ana can't see but I'm as well off
as though I'd been.to Chiny and Aus
traly.'
The approach of the Christmas holi'
days, and the prospect of sharing in
the glorious festival as celebrated in
New York churches, beguiled Aunt
Sophy into undertak ing the dreaded
journey, though she prudently made
her will before starting. She arrived
in the city the day before Christmas,
comparatively calm and happy, though
haunted by the fear that something
unchurchly might creep into ground
pine decorations of the Brantfo rd
Chapel without the guard of her vigil
ant eye. Them young folks is sc
| fighty.'
Her first expressed wish regarding
her entertainment was to visit them
tombs where they shut up live folks
Alice went reluctantly, as she was
anxiously looking for her husband, who
had been absent the previous night
Courtesy to her guest, however, de-
manded the sacrifice, ana they were
speedily transferred to the dismal pris-
on.
| Aunt Sophy insisted upon exploring
every corridor of the structure, greatly
TO Alice's distress, who felt as much
hesitation in intruding upon the pris-
oners as though they had been in their
own homes.
When the distasteful exploration was
nearly concluded. quite by chance AL
ice caught a glimpse of prisoner in
one of the cell, and recognized her hus-
band. She gazed fascinated there
| was no mistaking his identity. AS
long as she sees anything in this world
she will see that dreary cell. its inmate
sitting in an attitude of deep detection.
while far above his head-so high that
he could not by any possibility catch a
glimpse of the bright world without
streatned the few rays of light that
showed only more clearly the horrible
desolation of the place.
Fortunately Aunt Sophy did not
shareL Alice's discovery, and so she
brought to her service that sublime
power of human self control that hides
so many agonizing secrets. and she
asked quite calmly of the attendant
policeman the offecse of the prisoners