The morning call., 1890-12-25

DunH0 as L DIdne ner, SAID IePna.
It's seven years since the old General
died. / was second girl then, and / know
for fact how Miss Celia persuaded him to
alter his Will and leave money to Miss
Grace-that's what she was then. Well, |
don't guess she could a been more'n II
then. And remember how, after they had
sent the kilograms, they waited and waited !;
and the General made Miss Celia get out the
papers and find out about trains. It was
only from Chicago, for they were there
then. And he'd keep asking The time. say
ing, DO you think she'll come this time
daughter?' He did it till the hour before
he died, for Miss Celia never showed him
the telegram she got"
Yes, l remenrber." said Maddox, who
had heard the story plenty s. times before
auditor. who was curious. Didn't Miss
Celia ever show the telegram" said She
mo, but | know. i knew the telegraph
man. and be told me. 1t said. Il cannot
come. and not another word"
so he died" said Lizzie in an awe-struck
voice, and without seeing her? Good
ness me p
Yes; but the last words he said before
lie 1ell asleep, and he never rightly did
wake up from that Sleep was to give little
Oracle his love: He was sorter wandering
then. and kept thinking she was just little
thing
And did Miss Celia give her his love ?''
lou better b'lieve she didn't" said
TeeDa enelgetically; NOR me neither if I'd
been in her place. And / don't blame her
IL she never speaks mortal word to her."
But she was so Young" urged the more
merciful Maddox "and you and / know,
Teena. that young girls is awful fools"
So the philosophers in the kitchen dis
cussed her tragedy, while alone, over the
gray ashes OF the fire, Miss Celia watched
all night through with her memories.
She went back step by step through the
quarrels. Did they look so objectionable
now that the slight creature that had caused
them was past all misunderstanding in her
grave?
Vain, selfish, ignorant, playing with a
grave mans honor as If it were tinsel, TAX
ing TO Mysteries and her bed whenever her
husband refused her anything, flying into
tropical RACES and equally tropical remorses,
franticaily jealous of little Grace's affection
1or her sister, and utterly reckless IN her
wiles to win the child, yet generous, de-
voted TO Grace, creature without con-
science, surely, but not without heart
Il never liked her-I could not like her any
where" said Celia honestly, ''but l might
have been kinder to her."
And even the end did not seem so incon-
ceivably black as before. What could this
brilliant little creole, who never could keep
the principles of the two parties distinct,
know about public honesty or public honor?
She took the tremendous bride offered her
quite complacently until she perceived her
husbands horror. And he-he extricated
his wife at the expense Of his own stainless
reputation. He saved her-and never for
gave her.
Neither had Celia forgiven her until now.
But Grace-Gra e was different Ii she was
her mothers daughter, so, too, was she her
fathers, with his very eyes and smile, his
very courage Celia knew well {for do YOU
suppose she had not listened eagerly TO the
talk about her sister Fastened, looking the
other way and not seeming to hear, his
honor and his pride.
The chimes were ringing again:
Star OF wonder. star of might
Star OF glorious beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to the perfect light
Miss Celia knelt down, sobbing: 81 can't
feel il is light 10 forgive her. | can't!
can't!