The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-12-25
cHAPTER ".

Like q weird romance untaDgled, 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 Eli
nor and her mother, at Christmas noon
they haslened down the cliff side, laden
with holly and evergreen and mistletoe
bough.
Joy had taken all the pallor from that
lovely face, the haunted eyes were radi-
ant, and her happy heart was singing.
II was Leslie Fenton she had rescued
from the ravine, her mourned lover, re-
turned from shipwreck and terrible
castaway 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 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 rsyine
but restored to consciousness, sat il the
little parlor of the msnse awaiting the
return Of the trio he had insisted on
sending forth for Christmas trimmings,
as be placed golden coins in little Eli
nor's palm.
"What does this mean?s
A gruf voice spoke the demand and
Gurdon Aylmer appeared at the door OF
the room unannounced, and scowled
darkly at the array Of wreaths and holly
sprays.
at means that l have returned-too
to redeem the domain your treacherous
arts have stolen, but fully able TO protect
and support the woman wed tonight
and her devoted friends"
Heavens You alive2'
White to the lips the money-lender re-
coiled as he recognized the man ne had
thought to send TO his death the night
previous.
Yes: no thanks TO your murderous
kindness. Go, miscreant and assassin.
The Law allows Mrs- Denslow a month 8
possession Of her home, whatever your
claim. By that time we will have re-
moved to a humber but quite as happy
home. Go; this is yet her house"
The discomfted Alymer bit his lips.
"Yery well, my money or my proper
ty," he ground out Il viii show no
mercy"
Your money Mr.. Alymer, what is
your claim ?p
The money-lender started A new
voice had spoken Turning he recogniz-
ed a village lawyer and by his side, quiv-
ering with some extraordinary excite
ment, stood Grandfather Denslow.
"What is that to you ? he demanded,
surlily.
Nothing; but my client, Mr.. Denslow,
wishes to redeem The Cedars."
"Eh, he redeem il" sneered Alymer.
"Yes," responded the lawyer. "Justiee
has favored his cause at last. He last
night received letter settling the long
and costly litigation he has been engaged
in for the sum Of ten thousand dollars.
He viii pay you your mortgage, dollar
for dollar, whenever it is presented to
him.
Like the craven he was, the baffied
Aylmer skunk from the house.
Then it was given over TO joy, festivi-
ty, and love, and at even-tide the village
bells ehimed out happy wedding peal.
The old halls rang again with merry
jollity, the windows glowed with many
Light, and all the dark shadows and sor-
rows Of the past were lost and buried
under the joy, the gratitude, the happi-
ness of that blissful Christmas Day