Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-20
CHAPTER "


Like weird romance untangled. the
broken threads in the experience Of Claire
DenSlow that mystic Christmas eve were
all supplied ere another day had dawned
She understood all. as with little Elinor
and her mother. at Christmas noon they
hastened down the cliff-side ladden with
holly and evergreen and mistletoe bough.
Joy had taken all the palor from that
| lovely face, the haunted eyes were radiant,
and her happy heart was singing.
It was Leslie FentOn she had rescued
from the ravine, her mourned lover, re-
turned from shipwreck and terrible cast
| away experience, poor as when he had left
her. but true manly. with stanch heart
and stout hands ready to battle the world
! once more.
The voices Claire had heard outside the
hut belonged to the villagers, and they
told her as they removed Leslie to The
Cedars that Grandfather DenslOw had sent
them and was himself safely housed at the
town.
And now at noon Leslie. weak and pale
from his terrible experience in the ravine.
but restored to consciousness, sat in the
little parlor of the manse awaiting the
return of the trio he had insisted on
sending forth for Christmas trimmings,
as he placed the gold coins in little Elm
or's palm.
What does this mean?''
A gruf voice spoke the demand and
Gurdon Alymer appeared at the door of
the room unannounced, and scowled
darkly at the array of wreaths and holly
sprays.
1T means that | have returned-too
poor to redeem the domain your treacher-
Gus arts have stolen. but fully able to pro-
tect and support the woman | wed to-
night and her devoted friends.
Heavens You aliVe?'
White to the lips the money-lender re-
coiIed as he recognized the man he had
thought to send to his death the night
previous.
Yes: no thanks to your murderous kind
ness. Go. miscreant and assassin. The
law allows Mrs. Denslow month s posses
sion of her home whatever your claim. By
that time we all will have removed to a
humber but quite as happy a home. Co.
this is vet her house.
The discounted Alymer bit his lips
Very well. my money or my property,
he ground out. Il will show no mercy.
Your money! Mr.. Alymer. what is your
claim -
The money-lender started. A new voice
had spoken Turning he recognized a vii
lagG lawyer and by his side quivering with
some extraordinary excitement, stood
Grandfather Denslow
What is that to you?" he demanded
surlilv
Nothing: but my client. Mr. DensIow,
wishes to redeem The Cedars.
Eth, he redeem it. - sneered Alymer
Yes. responded the lawyer Justice
has favored his cause at last. He last
night received a letter settling the long and
costly litigation he has been engaged in.
for the sum Of ten thousand dollars. He
will pay you your mortgage. dollar for dol
lar. whenever it Is presented to him.
Like the craven he was. the baffled Ayl
mer skunk from the house
Then it was given over to joy. festiyity.
and love. and at eventide the village bells
chimed out a happy wedding peal.
The old halls rang again with merry
jollity the windows glowed with many
lights. and all the dark shadows and sor-
rows Of the past were lost and buried I'M
der the gratitude, the happiness of that
blissfnl Christmas day.
Did you ever go within mile Of soap
factory? If so you know what material
they make soap of. Dobpins' Electric Soap
factory Is as free from odors as chair
factory. Try it once Ask your grocer
for 1t. Take no imitation
Mrs Elizabeth Webb. who died at Kal-
amazoo last week. aged ninety-one Is be-
lieved TO have been the oldest member of
the Methodist church In point of years Of
membership In the country. She had been
a communicate for eighty-two years.
g0n the way 10 Sunday school ~, Mama
you haven't given me my FIVE cents yet 70
send 10 the heather . Il have Just given
Il 10 tI.e. he..rt,aszl rra5saif TInt,rny That