The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-02-12

=. rit<tr4 spot where
dnrs say this liehtsnow has not covered
a. The gsris tell me they arc not IN the
habit q putting Christmas eyergseens
about the house. but l always did il AZ
home. ard"
H. understood me AZ once. H. said.
with his rare gentleness: And YOU are
trying hard 10 keep some III the old
christmas feeling about YOU. You
must forgive me IL can not heIp seeing
something q your brave struggle. and
yearning 10 help you in H."
fearning! II was strong word.
but his eyes made Il stronger. a. could
not help CHANGING up TO see. And be-
fore, IN my confusion. l could drop
mine again. somehow my mufr was on
the snow At our feet. and both nv
hands were in his
Miss Deane ~ Annie can help YOU
with nv whole life, Anniei'
And, after that. Is Il any wonder II
the sun shone straight into my hearth
don't think our researches would
have added much to the cause Of either
zoology or botany that day. On the
latter especially my lover would have
made strange confusion. insisting that
We weTe passing under quite number
81 mistletoe boughs. IL my superior
knowledge Of the science had not set
him right We did lind the cr0w-foot.
however. and. as / had expected. not
too deep in the snow. But when he
had torn up long spray Of II and
flung Il trailing over my shoulder.
stayed his hand Madge and could
come some other day for some there
was plenty Of time before Christmas
but to-day's in-gathering l meant to
keep all to myself.
Al least for this one day. told him.
when we had reached the house and
paused together in the porch-for
this one day we would not call in any
one. however friendly. 20 see what il
had brought me; but tonight. when he
was gone then would tell Aunt Mar
gsret that was TO be his wife. snid
the word in a little hutter as we stood
there together. for already he had been
asking me how long ! meant 20 keep
his own from him. As said il.
glanced up snyly at him. and il would
have discounted me 20 see how his
face changed. paling At that word, il
his hand had not closed on mine with
a Tightening grasp which made me
ashamed Of = dawning doubt that he
wanted it,
Annie"
The voice. full Of = strange pain.
stsrtlei me- Could this day have any
pain IN its
Perhaps he read that thought-he
was always 80 quick to understand
for he said Il have story to tell you,
Annie. story that nav take some Of
the brightness ont Of It's hour for you.
rs il has taken all the brightness out 81
the last seven years Of my life until
now Snail tell il you now? Or can
you trust me that il Is nothing which
ought to part Us? and would you rath-
cr v ait to hear il until Tomorrow
could trust him: ~, rather. / could
not distrust him, and told him 80.
Let Us live this day out without . shad-
ow; afterws ard. il shadows must come,
he should lead me safely through
them.
: There Is no danger in the shadow.
Annie; there is only something for us
both to forget"
Let " forget il now. then. See.
there is Aunt Margaret 1t the window
signing TO me; she il afraid / shall let
her neichbor 50 offend against her good
old fashioned hospitality rs to 90 away
70 his bachelors nall. y hen il Is three
o'clock and our s.snner hour"
The shortest day Of all the year. We
were watching its setting from the
library window. we two left alone, for
Madgt and Fanny had driven into the
village for the mail. and Aunt Marga-
ret was summoned to one Of those
kiichen-cabinet councils which in view
Of Christmas cheer grew more and more
frequent under old I4ethe able admin
istration So We two were standing
together in the bay-window. watching
the crimson glow fade Cd from the
wide snow stretch of lawn that sloped
down to tine lane. dotted here and there
with bIack-grccn pyramid Of fir. be-
tween the naked oaks. when presently
caught sight 81 something moving
acroSs their shadows hung stiff and
dark against the white.
Some one ID coming Isaid, break
ing the happy silence "A lady, 1
thought-shough l wonder who II could
be. walking"
'sWhst = boresr'
.sOh. she'll not be shown in here.
and unless you feel disposed TO 90 TO
Aunt Margaret's assistance"
Here saw the aide door Of the IL
brary opening from the lawn. The
visitor must have observed rs Il tie
window; some one on sufficiently I'M
ceremonious terms
IL was . stranger.
She had closed the door behind her.