The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-12-24

ENJOYING themselves. There 10 always !
\ great cxpectation az something mar
yellousIy delightful At Christmas; what
We never quite knew; but we 90 e.
pcct II every year. and every year W.
feel just as disappointed. - we nave
done ever since the death Of the days
when the delight took form IN tue re-
ccipt Of new doll or top, ana TOO
much 10 eat.
The Major had worked himself into
a state Of savage despair over his d;i-
fcrcnt woes, and was almost weeping
for sorrow for himself. when no sud
denly saw Edith coming toward him.
That wrctchcd invalid-as the Major
termed poor Mr.. Scott--was not Win
her. and she was walking very slowly:
with her mouth set in a determined
manner that told any one who knew
her that she had made up her mind 70
do disagrecablc duty. and that moth
ING would deter her from doing what
she intended. How sweet she looked
as she came through the straight red
stcmmcd pine trees. through which
the blue Ky cleaned. and the white
clouds seemed 10 play hide-and-scek!
| Then she came out Of the pines. and
along the edge OF the ellis. In one
moment the scene had changed. Her
foot slipped on The grassy pine needles
blown down by the storm, she threw
up her hands and disappeared on the
edge Of the cliff that all At once gave
way. and. crumbling like piece o.
sand. turned 10 20 in an avalanche
baftcr her. The Major forgot his i'll
ness. forgot every thing. save that ne
loved Edith. and that she was dead;
and, jumping up from the couch that
for five months lie had never left cx-
cert to be carried 10 his sofa or bed,
dashed forward at once to rescue ms
darling's remains, or perish in the at
tempt
Ii he lives 10 hundred he will never
forget the moment Of agony he spent
before be reached the place where
Edith had disappeared, and could look
over and see where she was. Every
cruel word he had ever spoken 70 her.
every syllable Of rsproach he had
: pourcd out On her devoted head, came
back to him. and he could almost have
sbrieked aloud to Heaven for help,
. when he suddenly saw Edith face rls'
ing over the cliffs. lie stood notion
. less; then he rushed forward. and with
out one word. drew her hands in his
J and dragged her forcibly up to icve
: with him. Then he looked over; ne
1 harm was done. The soft red cartl
Q had crumbled little. and slid shor
I distance down towards the sea, but i
/. 50 gentle decline that a child coul'
! not have been hurt in the least, an;
all Edith had had to do was to :urn
= and, with small detriment 70 an,
: thing save her garments, climb bac
y again to terra fiima.
s.Thank God for the lands'ip'' sal
i the Major. after the first explanation
!, were over. and Edith having heard d
!, his story and told hers in return. Ia
: consented to take up again her twiste
I, threads Of life. and make the best
i what was left them both. IF il ha
a not been for seeing you go over n
q cliff. ! should never have spoken
% you again"
sOh. YES. YOU would-' said Edit
i; ! as she shyly took his hand in her
= s.for l could not stand the idea OF
II being Christmas. and You all alone Al
u sad. And, when was coming iowa
- YOU. was going slowly in order
:. make up my mind exactly what to q
~ YOU Frank seemed dead 10 me; Maj
IL Priestly was not my old friend. a
~ Francis seemed as IL wanted to be 1
q verc--and did not. only wanted
a. 81 make you happy. and see the rmiics
- knew so well return. forgot eve
!. thing. Frank. except that ! loved 20
e. and that you were in trouble.
IN And, lifting up her face 70 his. .
~ gave him the first kiss she had Civ
~ him for eight long, weary years. IN
Y. suddenly down in the valley the be
: began to ring. and the sound came
"A the breeze through the pine trees in
~ measured cadence.
~ Good bye to the Invalids' Corn
~ for me-" said the Major. I'll
- wrc.chcd doctor would have kept
~ ~ another month on my back. but y
~ can see for yourself how well am.
- And. indeed. when that wretch
- invalid came out to Sit in the sunshi
- when the mist had disappeared. !
~ ~ pccting to find Edith. as usual. rea
W 10 read to him. he was electrified
a" see her walking TO meet him. lcani
~ ~ lovingly on the arm Of the other hi
" ituc OF the Invalids' Corner. -drgos5
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