The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-12-30

of her time with the little invalid. Ore
day, about two weeks before Christmas
the two girls were talking about this the
greatest of all holidays. The tears came
TO Clara's brown eyes as she said, 81 will
show you my last Christmas present."
why, don't you get one every Christ.
mas" said Maude.
- did before-before papa died, and
that was TWO years ago. After he died
ne lc1t me IN charge of d friend of his,
VINO promised to bring me up as his own
daughter. lie did his duty faithfully
for two months and | was almost happy
again, when he was killed by a mine ey-
plosion and ! was left to this care of his
wife. She is so different from him. Mrs.
Grey was eager to come back to the
New England states, where she was
born, so we came.
Clara walked to her bureau. and talk
ing out a little box, brought it TO her
friend, saying. this is my last Christmas
present from papa 1t was "A heavy
gold chain and lockct, c%uriously en-
graved. The locket contains the only
picture ! have of my mother who died
when | was very young" explained
Clara.
Maud's call on this particular day was
to talk over her plans for a party which
she was going to give an Christmas eve.
and invite Clara to help her receive her
friends. Through Maude's persuasion.
Mrs. Gray was prevailed upon to get
Clara a pretty, though inexpensive.
dress, made for the occasion.
On the eventful evening. The West
mansion was lighted from cellar to gar
rot, and the long dancing hal, was dec
GRATED p%rofusely with holly and ever
greens The supper table was a perfect
bank of roses, At first Clara was rather
bewildered by the blaze of lights.
music. and whiring figures, but soon that
FEELING was overcome and she gave her
self up to the enjoyment of the evening.
1t was quite late. when she stole into a
little alcove to rest. AS she was laying
a portfolio of drawings aside. someone
pushed back the curtains and stepped
in. 1t was Col, West. He had taken a
great liking to his daughters little
friend.
We'll, little mousic. he said. seating
himself beside her, you look lonesome
in mere all by yourself" II came in here
to rest and look at those lovely pictures
replied Clara.
Col. West took up the portfolio and
began telling her all about them. oh,
how lovely it would be to travel. and see
Of those lovely places. ] have never
Travelled much only around California.
and mostly then among the mines in
long emigrant trains"
Then you must have had ii friend or
perhaps Il relative Interested in the
mines" queried the colonel. ~ s my
father was ii miner" answered Clara.
By IA little questioning Col. West rot
the whole story of her life from Clara.
She ended by showing him the locket.
That Is the picture Of my mother said
Clara.
Col. West stopped over and looked
more closely al the picture. All of a
sudden he looked up with an exclama.
tion: "Grcat Heavens! YOU said that
was your mother: What was her name
she was married, and where did
she come from"
she came from Massachusetts. and
why. what II queer coincidence. her name
was West"
Il knew it" cried the colonel.
"knew what. said Maude. walking in
with her arm around her mothers waist.
why. ! have Just made IA new dis.
said the colonel. his face grow
iiS itu WIN cNClttilleDI. 'lhlS young
lady here is your cousin"
Maude was perfectly astonishcd at
llrst. but as 500 as she could recover
herself. she rushed up to Clara and.
throwing her arms around her. SAID:
'Oh, now you can come and live here
with me always
The Colonel told his story in "a very
few words. His sister, Marie, a beauti-
spoiled girl had fallen in.Iovc with IA
young man, who, though perfectly hon
himself, had always been hated
by Marie's father, on account Of some
between the families years ago.
The marriage was opposed, amt the
young couple had quietly clipped. and
lad never been heard Of since. Marie's
'ather repented and searched for his
laughter IN vain.
When all the guests heard tine news
hey were delighted and Clara received
warm congratulations on every side. Us
he last sleigh had driven way they all
Merry Christmas, Cousin
lara"