The record-union., 1893-12-23

gay, wealthy society young man had
rendered a service to a soul, a service
which brought careless, pleasure-loving
Jack Wistar nearer heaven than their
church-going did.
Two years passed and wicked old Con
Peterson passed the way of all flesh.
Marcella was less alone than when he
lived to disgrace her. Bill was in pas
lures new. and Marcella now ready to
take position that had been offered her
in the Bay City.
Jack was making a trip around the
world, but he had not forgotten her. In
deed that was impossible. Her grateful
little notes in answer to his, not only
showed the improvement in her studies,
but served to fan into flame the interest
that had developed into love.
One last ride on Bill, mad chase across
the sands, q goodbye kiss-On old BilfS
freckled nose, and the parting was over
and Marcella was going with some friends
to the city. The weather was pleasant
and they all, accustomed to the sea all
their lives, were going by schooner,
which took less money. But, alas for
human hopes a storm came up and the
little craft, disabled. was drifting out to
sea when sighted by the outward bound
steamer to honolulu. And here Marcella
found employment and good pay, and
ure from California, found the new life
quite interesting. Then came the Ha-
Wallan trouble and the new Government,
with ali its changes. And Marcella found
work plenty-copying papers, typewrit-
ing dispatches Tor copy, bookkeeping for
societies. Her life was a busy one. Her
beauty had developed. She was tall,
fair and lovely 10 look upon, modest and
good. Suitors for her hand were nu-
merous, but somehow their suits were
hopeless. Some link bound her to the
past, link she could not break-fetters
forged by kindness. friendship, and
fastened with rivets of an old love, love
born first of gratitude, then love for loves
sake. Jack was her hero, her ideal Of all
that was good, true and manly.
Ii was when the MaripoSa was ready to
sail, on her trip TO arrive in San Francisco
Decem ber Dist, that the Provisional Gov
ernment had dispatches to send after the
boat had left her wharf, and was in mid
stream waiting for some last commission.
The Secretary was fearful about trusting
them to natives, and Marcella, employed
in their Office, offered to get boat and
take the dispatches out. She was quite
used to the management of a boat in the
surf, and after some dinner she started.
The ROyalists had an eye on her, and al
though not seeking her Lie, they did not
want woman to injure their cause So
the men gave chase to her boat more
from sense of antagonism to her cause
than for anything else.
The sun had not yet set, and the pas
sengers watching the shore on the q1t{ UiUe
for some demonstration, saw the boat,
and the girl, and her pursuers. On the
boats came; but Marcella, with every
nerve strung to it's highest tension, was
losing ground, when the steamers Cap
tain ordered boat out TO protect what he
could see was an American citizen want
ing protection. The natives seeing this,
gave one yell of disappointment and de-
feat, and the passengers and officers of
the steamer cheered in reply.
soon willing hands were helping her on
board. She delivered her paper, and then
the Captain thought it wise for her to re-
main on board and return to San Fran
cisco, as she had no relatives or friends to
protect her in case of turthey trouble in
Honolulu.
Just as she was deciding, one of the
passengers came up from the saloon sur-
prised pleasure IN every feature, as he
extended his hand, and Marcella saw be-
fore her Jack Wistar.
He was returning home, and fate had
done the rest.
Marcella's blushing consciousness gave
Jack the assurance he wanted as he held
her hand long and tenderly.
''All the world loves lover" and we
will be DardOned if not visible. We
listen to Jack pleading his case
Il have always loved yOu," he says,
land If you are as grateful as your letters
say you are to me you can cancel all
obligations by giving me yourself for
Christmas gift. You know you could
not take care of yourself-t those Kanakas
came near catching you"
She shivers little at this peril, and
clings little closer to his arm. ''You
gave me the white horse years ago. re-
turned him, but now | want his owner,
his rider" and he bends down to catch a
glimpse of the pretty blushing face.
The great steamer plows her way
through the water, her engines throb-
bing in unison with Jacks heart. The
smoke, thick and dark, goes skyward
and seaward in great curling masses, lit
up at intervals with tiny sparks from the
furnace-room-"S Sparks like exiled stars
returning home"
MaTcella has not spoken a word vet,
and Jack is lmpatiently waiting her
answer. Don't you; can't you love me?'
he pleads
is it because you pity me that you
ask me to be your wite?" she asks.
''Well, if pity is akin to love, then it's
pity" says Jack, putting his arm around
her; and Marcella nestles against him
shyly, silent, and slips her hand in his.
The silver question, annexation of
Hawaii, restoration of colored royalty,
tariff, crematiOn-an burning questions
OF the day-might just as well be
quenched in the waters of the blue Pacific
for aught these two happy people care.
They pace up and down in the shadow
Of the lifeboat, and Marcellas soft voice
says: bill, freckles and all, then, and
go together if you want u.s." Jack laughs
happy laugh of assent as he kisses her.
The steamer arrives the 2lst, the we'd
ding for the 24th is spoken OF, while Bill,
the white horse of the Gospel,'
browses in content, little thinking the
share he had years ago on just such
Christmas in bringing love to these two.
A Christmas with such glad gifts as
love and fidelity, ''the love that silvers
DER the wooden spoon and gilds the
gourd with gold." For love is heaven
and heaven is love-" And the first Christ
mas Day on Judean hills was loves own
legal birthday. The love songs were first
sung by the angels and have echoed
down through the ages ever since, and
the whole world gives back the song in
grand chorus at the glad Christmas time.
DANGER JUST AHEAD.