Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-12-22
Ella MOOre'S Christmas
Written for the Herald l

| written for the Herald.
With tootl toot the engine slow
ed into the B. & o. depot and l step
/ ped once more on my native heath,
after an absence of seventeen years. l
had changed; SO had the town, | men,
tally commented: 1T looks like new
placer'
All life and stir-dizzy sounds of
hurry and scurry-which accompanies
preparations for the great holidays Of
the year, and especially noticeable be-
fore the greatest one of all-Christmasr
Swarms of men, women, and chill
dren crowd and surge through the
streets into the shops, attracted by the
gorgeous display at the store windows.
entering and emerging again with
boxes, bundles, and packages of ali
shapes, containing their precious
Christmas presents. At one of the
windows, more artistic and beautiful
/ III 10 dioP pays imam oil oluClo, otoOu d
tall woman. Something in the grace
full poise of her stately head caught
my attention. Her black garments,
perfect fitting as they were, showed
not the newest cut but had seen
much and long service. One small
ungloved hand, discolored and gnarl-
ed from excessive labor, told tale of
hardship most piteous, as it hung
listlessly by her side.
She turned toward me. "Oh, how
beautiful % mentally exclaimed. A
Greek face, framed-in by a waving
wealth of fine, soft, black hair that
curled carelessly over her fair brow
and around her neck. Whenever a cruel
pin had loosened from the hard twisted
Psyche knot at the back of her head
| sufficiently tor a few stray thr ea,ls of
that shining mass to escape, those
too, curled into tender cupid rings.
And such eyes! Large, full, and lu-
minous. But there was no Christmas
Joy in their limpid depths. 1 realized
in that one swift glance into those
soulful eyes, that the heart of their
lovely possessor was not echoing the
Joyous feelings of those around her,
and their happiness seemed to make
her own sorrow more bitter by con-
trast.
Once more her face was turned to-
ward me and her glorious eyes, start
led and inquiring, scanned me from
head to foot. 1t was now my time to
turn and seem absorbed in the display
of goods in Burdette's window. But
even there l saw only her face, pale
and sorrowful, and my heart felt a
strange pity-something akin to lo9e
and as thought, wondered how
had travelled through so many conn
tries without finding one woman face
among the many able to impress me
so much as to give it ascend thought
till reached home again, and upon
the main thoronghfare of my dear, old
native town, Martinsburg.
| l could not now see my strange
beauty, but felt that her eyes were
still upon me, and hesitated whether
to turn and make an apology for my
rude staring or to walk away, when a
rustic of drapery, a light step,an open
ing of a door, made me turn in time
to see her disappear into the store. Led
| by some impulse followed, saw her
purchase single sheet of paper and
retire. What possessed me? NOV
ed after her and stopped. Was
| dreaming ? Had l gone mad Where
ever l looked that face with its dark,
sorrowful eyes was before me. seem.
ed laboring under a mesmeric spell
: Had not scoffed at such things, And
yet what did this strange power Iuean!
Must follow or flee another way :? In
sheer desperation, rushed in an op
posite direction.
Shortly after I called in the pos
!, Office. AS went toward the genera
; delivery, dark robed figure stepped
/ in front of me. | knew the nameles.
grace that chung to that figure, clad il
that shabby black l gave start
then making quick resolve to fine
v out all possible. and to do it unobserv
:, ed, watched outwardly careles
but inwardly alert-impelled by a fer,
: desire as strong as it was strange. M,
quick ear caught the name, cell
Moore" My heart stood still. l
was the name of my little schoolmat
of long ago, who was the idol OF IN,
boyish worship. 1t might be til
same. Oh, no! Impossible! I ha
heard of her death ten years ago. He
ismall, ungloved hand reached for til
letter and she moved away uncor
scious of my presence. followed g
a respectful distance. and the siler
it form moved along down the hill b
meath the bridge and turning corns
i lost sight of her. Hurrying forwar