Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-12-22

for her carriage to come for her.
The Orphanage stood upon the out
skirts of the town, and it was long
walk from there to her beautiful home;
and yet she had fingered after the
Christmas tree and the distribution of
the gifts, while the other patronesses
had hurried away to their home
preparations for their own children,
until now the wintry daylight was be-
ginning to grow dim.
Mrs. Catherwood shivered and
wrapped her furs more closely around
her, as she thought OF the warmth and
light she had left behind her, with the
music of happy childish voices.
Mrs. Catherwood was young and
beautiful and widow. She had been
an old mans darling, and in return for
her faithful affection and compan-
ionship, hec dying husband had en-
riched her with all his wealth.
In the second year of her widowhood
she had been persuaded to reenter So
ciety, and now for two seasons she had
reigned queen. She was considered
a woman to be euvied, and yet to-
day the hollowness of her life had
come home to her with overwhelming
force, and she felt herself more DESC
late than even those little waits whose
happiness in their Christmas festival
she had just been witnessing.
There was great void in her life,
and she felt the need of some emo
bling purpose, and of a strong sus-
taining arm to lead her on to better
things than the frivolities which
seemed to hem her in on every side.
If anyone had been at hand to tell
her that her life was not at all friv-
olous, as her numerous charities could
testify, her perfect lips would have
curied in scorn and she would have
made the honest answer: my chari-
ties are fashionable fads; perhaps they
may be the means of helping others,
but they do not help me-"
Mrs. Catherwood had left the high
road now for the quiet footpath across
the level stretch of open meadow
which lay between the orphanage and
the town. 1t was favorite walk of
hers, beautiful in spring or early au-
tumn. and place where her heart
seemed to throb in unison with ma
ture; but it was cold and dreary
enough to-day. The western sky
CLEANED coldly upon her, and the
shadows had already begun to gather
over the town. The biting wind came
sweeping across the meadow in vio-
lent gusts, and now and again she was
obliged to stop and wait until its mo-
mentary fury had been spent.
But in spite of the cold and the
dreariness, Mrs. Catherwood seemed
in no hurry to reach her home. In
truth there was a question upon her
mind which she must decide clearly
for herself before she could give her
answer to another, and for that rea-
son she had chosen to take this soli-
tary walk
In all probability that "other" was
even now awaiting her in her own
drawing room with all lovers inn
patience.
Harold Whitney had been as Mrs.
months, and his attention had pleased
nud fiattered her until she found that
she could no longer keep him at arms
length.
The decisive question had beer upon
her lips the night before, when the en-.
trance of another visitor had given
her this short and welcome respite.
Put as he tenderly pressed her hand
at parting, he had murmured: ITO
morrow at dusk will come for my an
swer. fer my priceless Christmas gift. >