The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-12-24

board with some people IN tne sAilAee
until his return. She was Hell-connecteds
pretty. accomplished, and something Of
eoquette.
To Ms. Brzdford's fancy, the evening
passed deligetfully and, when the last
guest had departed, she returned to her
parlor with a pleased smile. 70 find one
Of her boys-Roy-sittiag sulkily by the
IRE. Erwin had seen Polly Peace home,
and Roy was justly indignant over the
fact, she could plainly see but what il
was be would not tell her. Yexed az
the manner In which he answered her,
Mrs. Bradford left the Toom TO pot away
her silver. and Vas busily occupied IN
the dining-room, when she heard angry
voices in the pArlor, and hurrying thith-
er, found the brothers engaged in their
frst quarrel. They had never had the
slightest disagreement before
! -You knew intended to 60 home
with her r cried Roy.
..what If did - said Erwin.
~You had no right TO sneak into my
place in such q cowardiy manner said
Roy.
@Your placer said Erwin How did
Z it come 10 be your place. l tel you,
+ Polly was very vel pleased that ii should
be As il was
you lie - said Roy.
Boys boys - exclaimed Mrs. Brad
ford, this Is dreadful -
Bot even as she spoke. Erwin had lift-
ed bis hand and struck Roy blow
across the face.
Roy did not return the blow He
turned deadly pale, looked at bis brother
! for one moment, then said slowly:
~This parts Us forever, Erwin-" And
seizing his bat and coat, he walked out
Of the house.
He did not return II was the strang-
I est, most horrible thing to Mrs Bradford
and to Erwin, after his passion had cool
ed down. They did al they could to
discover what be had done and whittier
he had be.aksn himself; but they never
recsived any news
After awhile, Mrs Bradford decided
that her son was dead that he had COM
nifted suicide during his anger, and be
cause OF what Erwin had said about the
feelings Of Polly Peace. In her anguish
she told the girl all, and learned that
: Roy had visited her much more frequent
Is than Erwin, and that be had good
reason 10 think she liked him. After
this the tao women were fas. friends
But Mrs. Brzdford's home vas I SD one
now the little party which bad It's on
gin in pleasant feeling had brought bel
great trouble, but 10 two OF three Otheri
much happiness.
Jessie Jackson hsd won a lover by II
and was soon married 10 Mr.. James oil
: NJ. yellum had called on Mrs Merry
field. and, though neither would see $
again, they had concluded 70 end theii
, | lives together. The old Germans found
q little circle Of admiring friends, to al
. OF whom shey we're introduced on tina
Christmas day with which We open on
: story.
Only poor Mrs. Bradford and her sol
regretted IL And, when three years hs,
rolled b., Erwin. who sas young. and I
man, and found II easier TO regain cheer
fulness than his mother. married siste
Of Polly Pssce-a pretty girl, who can
70 his home to make il brighter-Ehil
! Polly kept house for her father. Pol.
!, declsrsd she would never marry, sn'
: seemed 70 be in eSrnes..
II was ten years since Roy had leff hi
!, home Mrs. Bradford's hair w2s quit
grsy; Erwin vas man Of 81, and hi
i wife quite i matroniy person with thre
:. children about her. Polly was >, an
4 declared herself an old maid. AS eacl
Christmas Day came, she remembers
! that night when she had been so light
hearted. She rev that she bad done a
: the mischief-though heaven knows
not Intentionally. Yes, ten years ha
i gone, and still has mother and the girl b
had loved remembered Roy as fondly 9
. ever.
sIt's shame said little Mrs ErEi
% Bradford, on the I'D Of December {
7 that year. Its shame and & pity, z
). Win, that We should never keep U
Christmas in the good old-fashioned va,
/, Here are the children growing lA-s
= enough TO understand, and they'll +
: member Us as heathen, I'm afraid WI
not have a little Christmas party f
M onceg
@You know what sad memories v
= connect with Christmas, Susie, said E
!. win.
! ~Yes. my dear answered his VII
and were it any other day, I'd 81
a nothing. But it's not only ourselves y
{, think Of in our Christmas keeping. Il
: day one should keep. I'm sure 70
- mother viii agree with me"
!. So Susie had her way. Mrs Bradfo
!. was too sensible not to yield and,
= the frst time since the disappearance
:. Roy Bradford there was Chrisln
= merry-making in tie Bradford manzio
l. susie had not meant it 50; but she hl
a no particular account Of the guei
r. Of that evening. And they al were, y
- and Mrs Vellum Mr.. James. his "
- and two children the good German
- and necessarily, Polly Peace. Mr. Pea
j. the father Of the family, younger daug
,r ter and son, and one or two other neig
= bors.
The table was SCI in the dining-roo
a. and the guests we're about to be snmmc
a ed 10 tea
i Meanwhile the old music teacher pls
=, ed on the piano-firsf a CAV tune for |
- children, then dance then be wand
~ ed away into the sentimental music
=. loved best, and the notes of that beAuti
a. song, The Long, Long Weary Day
upon the ears Of bis listeners.
lie Polly Peace knew the words well
I'm she mentally followed them, tears rose
he her eyes She could hear no more
ace stole softly out Of the roorn, and, OP
on ing the front door. stood on the porch
,rd the moonlight Everything was as bTil
,er as day. But for the lzttice-work &