St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-12-20

"NOw, Nellie" said Harry, "here il
your other big brother, and 1 don't be-
lieve you can order him about as you
do me. You have my sympathy Ned,
if Nellie tries any of her ideas on you.
We probably will have to be martyrs
for the next week, doing that young
ladies' bidding. But, Nell, where il
that wonderful friend of yours that
came from California to hear sing
Will have to talk French or Latin, OF
can l address her in my native tOnguef
"Now, Hal Carter, you wont talk
that way when you see her she il
magnificent She has worked her way
through school so far, and she has had
to work, too. She has no home and is
very poor, but is just as sweet as can
be she is to be valedictorian at COM
mencement in June, and is a lovely
singer; she has worked nights on heI
studies to be able to give more time to
her music she is a perfectly grand
girl, and if you two don't just admire
her courage and work as well as beauty,
l believe will,-well, l don't know
what | won't do"
DWELL, Ned, we have Nellie's Opin-
ion of her friend and presume it is
true"
at u.s." my boys, said Mrs. Carter. ~
am almost as delighted with Marion as
Nellie, she is very winning young Ia
dy. But now you had better retire,
for you must be tired and Nellie will
no doubt, demand your aid tomorrow"
Christmas eve! The hall in the city
of Rochester was brilliantly lighted
| and Christmas decorations were album
dant. The hall was rapidly filling with
those attending the concert when Mr..
Carter and his party entered. Their
seats were in very desirable part of
the hall. The concert soon opened
with brilliant musical selection fine
ly executed by two young ladies. At
the fifth number Nellie appeared. She
looked very girlish in her simple suit
of brown with cluster of cream roses
IN her belt her song was simple bal
lad and she sang it with sweet but
not heavy voice.
Ned turned to Harry and said, "She
is sister to be proud Of" and then he
thought of his lost sister.
"That is so, Ned, but what comes
next, | have lost my programme"
Ned pulled his from his pocket and
said as he glanced at it, ga recitation
by-Oh, Harry 1t must be-just lOok!'
Ned Spencer looked like piece of
marble as Harry took the programme
from him. The reciter was Miss Marion
Spencer, and he instinctively thought
of Ned's lost sister, as he whispered,
at must be, Ned, but for mercy sake
don't look sop
On came the speaker, tall, graceful
young lady with a thoughtful face.
She was dressed in plain suit of dark
garnet, the only ornament being a
half-open rose with it's leaves fastening
the lace at her throat. She looked at
no one but commenced that beautiful
poem,
Backward, turn backward Oh time in your fight;
Make me a child again just for tonight
1t was not a Christmas poem, but
she held the vast company spell bound,
for she seemed to forget everything
only the longing for home and mother.
AS she left the platform perfect quiet
reigned for few seconds, then round
after round of applause burst forth.
From the first Ned Spencer had
buried his face in his hands and sat
mOtiOnless. At its close he would have
left the room in search of her, but his
friend said, "She is to sing again in a
few minutes, please try and wait"
When Marion once more appeared
she was greeted with applause. 1t
was evident that she was the favOrite
in spite of the dress which had done
duty many times before. Her voice
was clear and sweet as she sang her
Christmas song. The audience seemed
determined to recall her but she re-
fused.
When Mr.. Carriers family reached
their home, Nellie could hardly lay
aside her wrappings before she said,
'1sn't it just wonderful When Marion
came from singing, she asked me what
the name of my brothers friend was
she said there was something strange
ly familiar about his eyes. That it re-
minded her of some one connected
with her childhood, and she caught
my arm in an excited way and said,
Nellie, if my brother Ned were alive
should think it were he, but he must
be dead, it was SO long that auntie did
not hear from him before she died.
| said, why, Marion, my brothers.
friend is Ned Spencer, how strange!
never thought before that your names
were the same just as l said that,
the door opened 1--WE were in one of the
rooms off the halD and Mr.. Spencer
came in. He went straight to Marion
and said with his voice all trembling,
My little sister Marionr and he Just |
put his arms around her. came away
and left them, but Marion's eyes were
shining like stars. Oh, is it not too
good to be true to think now her hard |
days are over, for brother Hal tells me
his friend is very wealthy. | don't be-
| al fnn in6 7 Il al
want to see Marion and hear the whole |
and what will do without her 2"
"Well, my little girl, don't think
about that; only remember how happy
to bed my darling"
AS Nellie goes to her room the
Christmas chimes peal forth their mu-
sic. Marion and her brother are list
ening to the same sounds as they bid
each other good night.
eyes, my darling sister," Ned is say
ing, at is peace on earth, good will to
men, 1t is peace with me for l have
found my Marion; no more hard times
rs you have endured, for you have
your brother to help you. Thank God,
ny sister, we have found one another.
Now l must go for l am keeping Mr..
Carriers people up, but l will be with
sou early in the morning" And with
I good night kiss he passed rapidly
Town the street and Marion went to
ler room singing lightly the refrain,
Peace earth, good viii to men,"
December Magazines.
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