The Globe-republican., 1892-12-23

Ridgely was concerned. She was
probably engaged to her new lover by
this time-she had undoubtedly for
gotten all about him long since. Then
old Abner Ridgely died, and just that
that day John had concluded arrange
ments for selling the cabin and its
land, intending to leave permanently
the scene of an experience that had
aged his heart and deadened all the
active impulses of his ambition.
"Ready, boys!" he announced, with
a painful effort to appear cheerful,
shouldering his gun, whistling to his
dog, and leading the way from the
cabin.
Hal and Vincent chatted vOlubly
as they followed him along the snowy
paths leading into the woods.
"Oh, John!" exclaimed the former
abruptly, "Ive message for you"
"a message:" faltered John,
vaguely.
Eyes, from mother. She says you
must come up to the house this after
noon. They're going to have a
Christmas tree for the little ones this
evening, and you're to select the
incest one you can find and take it
up to her early, and stay with us
until tomorrow.
"I'm afraid I can't-can't spare the
time. stammered John, with a glance
at his rough attire.
"Oh! you'll appear in disguise,
john" laughed Vincent.
"In disguise?"
Eyes, mother says you'd make a
famous Santa Claus, and in that rare
old bearskin coat Of yours. and your
coon cap back at the cabin, you would
deceive old Kriss Kringle himself.
You've got to come, John. Pity that
Nellie won't be there, but we got a
letter saying that aunt was sick, and
she might have to stay with her dur
ing the holidays"
John gave reluctant assent to the
arrangements suggested. At noon
he left his companions, who, hot for
sport, after seeing him bring down a
turkey, insisted on continuing the
hunt alone. He threaded the lonely
paths leading back to the cabin.
Motherly Mrs. Linden received
him with a glowing smile of well
come, as later he appeared at the
big house on the hill and rendered
the turkey as Christmas gift, and
vainly tried to creep out of appearing
at the evenings festivities.
John Ridgely tried to look brave
and happy and cheerful as he re-
turned to the Linden home that
evening. He had provided the pref
tiest evergreen the forest afforded.
He could see it now cleaning with
lighted candles through the bright
panes, he could hear the merry voices
of little ones at play.
"I'll go through with it for their
sakes," he murmured; "l'll try not to
think Of Nellie. I'll leave the letter
I have written her, the story of all
my hopeless love for her, the express
sion of my wishes for her happiness
with luckier wooer, then to-mor-
row, new life far away, the past
covered over, if not forgotten"
1t was almost forgotten amid the
heart, unless, indeed, formed of flint
or ice, could resist the warm, ex-
hilarating influence of such a CHEEKY
Christmas eve? And he was its
center of attraction! The great
bearskin coat made him stand out
like holiday picture; and the little
ones stared in awe as John handed
them their gifts from the dazzling
tree.
His heart sank again, heavy as
lead, however, as he found himself
alone. Upon the tree, in pursuance
of family custom, hung yet the
gifts designed for its older members.
Here was neat little package sug-
gestive of tiny timepiece, marked
"Hal, from Mother" a second similar
parcel directed to Vincent, and John
Ridgely's eyes grew tender and moist,
as he discerned pretty silk-embroid-
cred handbag, bearing strip of pa
per marked Nellie, from Little Cora,
her Sister," A quick impulse actu-
ated him. Stealthily he drew forth
the letter he had written to Nellie
that day. He slipped it into the
hand bag. 1t was safe for delivery
when the girl he loved came home.
Then in a mOurnful reverie he sat,
waiting till the juvenile feast was
over in the next apartment, when he
was to resume his role and lead the
sports for the evening.
There was a great shout from the
youngsters and the jangling of merry
Sleigh-bellS outside. John noticed it
only as part of the general babel.
Suddenly the door flew open. Ex-
cited little Cora Linden dashed into
the room.
where is it?' she breathed, with
sparkling eyes. Where's Nellie's
present l worked for her? Oh, here
it is"
She proSDed tho ha nd-hap from tho