Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-19

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Whipped from IT, n;adh cheat" a 0'ttte''"o
with his sleigh, believing that short
drive in the exhilarating air would be
of benefit, Leale, too, left them, and
Mrs. Farrar and Helen Daunton were
practically alone. Mess call sounding
cheerily had called the men to their
MONDAY meal
The eyes Of the elder woman had fol.
lowed the tall, soldierly form Of Leale
az he left the room, and then, tenderly,
questioningly, almost entreatingly turn
cd upon Helen.
II love him almost as do my own
son, Helen. My husband died in his
arms Surely you must realize that his
great heart has belonged to you ever
since he first set eyes Oh your bonny
face
Mrs. Daunton almost started to her
feet.
''Oh, not that! Surely not that He
is my good. true friend" she cried.
mot tho less your friend because oil
your lover, Helen"
"Oh, never my loverl Ihave no right
Il am not free!'
Listen to me, Helen" pleaded her
friend. "Shall one mistake blight
lifetime? know your short marriage
experience was cruel one."
ut was-heaven knows it was," as
sented Helen, shuddcring.
Then do not make youths mistake,
DEAR" continued Mrs Farrar. "and
think the story ended because one chap
ter is closed. thought my story ended
when they brought me home my dead
soldier. I've prayed many time my
story might end in the years my first,
born was an outcast Helen, have
hardly spoken to you Of my eldest boy,
but can tell you now that, standing
here tonight, realize how out Of sor
row peace has como to me. Death,
which took away my husband, gave me
back my son."
DEATH" cried Helen. "Royle Far
rar is not-dCad?'
Helen, how strangely you speak.
He has been dead year, though only
recently did they give me all the cruel
facts. Major Wayne learned them from
the consul in Mexico'
In uncomfortable agitation Helen
Daunton had turned away. "Royle Far.
rar dead!" she gasped. Then I-oh.
God be thanked"
The tears were binding Mrs. Farrar,
and for a moment she saw nothing OF
Helen's agitation. The bells of Leale's
sleigh came trilling merrily up the road
without. Hastily she dashed away the
pearly drops and, smiling fondly, drew
her shrinking friend to her embrace
"Helen, dear, there is new look in
your face" she whispered.
lit is because I rejoice in my soul
that your heart is at rest. l. IS because
it is Christmas-Christma the time OF
burdens dropped, Of old sorrows healed,
of new births and sweet beginnings.
Dear, the Christmas chimes are pealing
in my heart. 1t is the first real Christ
mas l have known in years. And so,
her arms twining about her friend,
she led her forth into the radiant day.
with all its sunshine beaming in her
face. One minute only had they gone
when, crouching from the dressing
room at one side, his face bloated and
distorted, the soldier Graice sped swift
ly across the floor and stopped to peek
through the eastern window. Suddenly
back he sprung and stood swaying at
the door of the anteroom as Helen Daun-
ton hurriedly returned. Coming from
the dazzling glare Of the sun without
into the dimly lighted room, she almost
collided with the hulking figure before
seeing it at all.
"Mrs. Farrar has left her cloak. " she
faltered. "Will you kindly move from
the way?"
"You thought had moved from your
way" was the thick. husky answer.
"but you re mistaken, my dear. "
Back she started as though stung. an
awful terror In her staring eyes, her
blanching face.
"You-Royle Farrar-and herel' she
gaspcd. "You-Royle Farrarl Oh, my
gracious GodP'