The record-union., 1893-12-23

Marcella'S eyes have a scared, startled
look, and again the shadow of another's
sin falls across her hitherto sun-lighted
lite When she returns the old man is
stupid and sullen with liquor, and all
that night Marcella lies sleepless and
sobbing, dread in her mind, sorrow in her
heart, hlial love turned to donbt, mis-
trust and an overwhelming horror OF
what eventually will be the end.
She sees prison CELL and to her girl
lsh, vivid nervous imagination even the
gallows; and she had loved him so. He
was her all, and she felt like small boat
adrlft on the dark, deep ocean without
guiding hand. And the old man lay in
drunken sleep, uncaring, unconscious OF
his daughters woe.
Jack and his friends on returning to the
bank find the six salmon have vanished.
"Great C@sar's Dutch uncle, who has
cribbed my fish" said Jack in dismay,
looking blankly around.
well, of all the nerve that beats any
thing. Wonder what brand Of nerYe-
food that thief uses?" said Bert, peering
up and down as if expecting to see the
fish.
Ibid any of you fellows see Con Peter
son here?" asked Jack.
Il only saw the girl" said Bert; land
she came round the road. She could not
cross the railroad bridge to get here, you
know"
"Of course she was not n it, said Jack,
colorlng-he knew not why.
'Oh, no,'' said Bert. "'Birds of one
fedder goes nit demseives,' as Hans Pep
per remarked. 'Sumdtlmes, putty soon,
by-and-by.'"
''Oh, L don't mind much,'' said Jack
bravely covering his disappointment over
the purloining Of the fish he intended
sending on the noon train to San Fran
cisco friends. But wish all the thieves
had one neck so l could wiring it,"
And all the good men were twins, "said
Bert, as they picked up their fishing
tackle and went home.
Jack was very quiet on the way, and
when Bert asked him why he was so mute
he replied
''Pm resolving in my mind who stole
those fish?"
Does that part of you work on an
aXis?'' asked Bert.
SIeepless nights and long worried days
robbed Marcella'S cheeks OF theiI pretty
color and dimmed the brightness Of her
brown eyes. 1t was now near Christ
mas, and Marcella had attended her
church and heard the priest say:
"Ye who have scorned each other, or
injured friend or brother; ye who have
made a kind heart bleed. let sinned
against ana sinner forget all strife and
reparatiOn make. AT the blessed Christ
mas tide let peace and good Will abound"
Deep in her sore heart the words turned
and twisted as a saber when being with
drawn from the wound. She could not
bring her father to confess his sins. He
secuted any idea OF wrong doing being
thus published. He would not hear any
reference to the way he obtained his ra-
tions. He said he worked all day for
what he got and worked hard" And
those who knew best said: Eyes, and
night work too" This with a nod and a
suggestive wink.
AlarceiIa had attended the high school
and was brayely working for a prize
which gave six months tuition at the
Business College, but this late trouble was
wearing on body and soul. Her fathers
sins were too much for her slim. young
shoulders. Her every thought and en-
ergy was bent on finding some means to
repair her fathers wrong doing.
1t seemed a hopeless task, till one day
there flashed across her mind the idea
that Bill, the one creature she loved,
must be the scape-gOat for only one sin,
and probably the least, if she but knew it,
of Con PetersOn's petty larcenies. Bill,
the gaunt, the ungainly and treck ed
Bill, the White Horse of the Gospel"
as Bert called him, was TO be sacriHced in
this way.
Christmas morning the bells, ringing
for early mass, awoke the young men.
Merry Christmas" called out Bert from
his room. The CHEEKY call awOke all but
Jack. In Jilfy his frOlicsOme friends
dragged him forth, blankets and all,
sleepIY protesting, as he yawned and
listened to an address impromptu. This
exercise was interrupted by Suetonius,
the fat Chinese cook, opening the door
and saying, tMistee Jackee, you catchee
Nelly kliSmas plesent at the gate"
The young men dressed and hurried out.
There stood the white freckled horse,
Bill, patient and expectant.
''Hi, Jack, that's a present from your
friends. Palo Alta stock, too, Pll be
bound," said Bert, as he first caught
sight OF the horse, but when on closer
inspection they recognize Bill, they
fairly yelled with delight, and Jacks an
nOyed look amused them as much.
''Sired by Electioneer, first dam Win
ME, second dam Liz Maids, third dam
Fannie g." ratified off Will, as he sur
veyed the gaunt white animal.
"Oh, be sensible" said Jack, rather
testify as he read on a card around the
horses neck the legend, For repairara-
ton for a wrong done Mr.. Wistar."
Bert, looking over his friends shoul-
ders said. dryly:
'Ah, ahem! for repairs only. This,
then, is only the frame work. You are
TO build the horse, probably, on it; see."
"Is it worth six fine salmon?' said
VIII, as he gaZed. But Jack said never a
word.
Just then livery man--the one the
young men employed-came along.
"4 our occupations gone, Chris" said
Bert. We've got one Of the Haggin's
string, or at least the knot" pointing out
Bill.
Jerusalem; gosh, have you bought the
Peterson gals mule? What viii she do
for hyer?"
II only borrowed it to ride to the
river" said Jack quickly, winking at his
friends to be quiet and stop chatting. But
Bert and Win referred all break fast
time to the Nancy Hanks rival, that
would stun Golden Gate Park; the 2:I83
racer that would beat his own record and
every other racer known. But Jack was
polite to his guests and quiet.
Alter breakfa Jack took livery horse
and cart, and with the white horse in tow
he started for Crab Flat. Con Peterson's
home.
The bells of the city churches rang out
a CHEEKY summons to service. The sun
kissed mountains and sea, while the blue
sky, "heaven's marriage ring, was round
the EARTH" The air was heavy with the
perfume OF violets, roses and orange bios
SONS. Laburnums were all in blossom,
golden wonders forged in the foundries
OF the air with flames of spring." Sun
light, and flowers fair and fragrant.
And this was California at Christmas
time. No hint OF cold, or frost, or snow.
The little City of the Sacred Cross was
exempt by reason of her beauty. Winter
just kissed and passed her by; he could
not be cold or cruel to one so fair.
Jack reached the Peterson home, and
after hitching the horse carefully he
knocked at the door that stood half open.
10 hpr i
swollen with many tears. She started
when she saw who her visitor was.
81 brought home your horse, Miss
Patarsnn . said lack "a nd it's eli rirht