The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-12-24

the scene, like some great crown offered tOl
the salvation Of mankind. Christmas
She could almost SEQ the Christ Child ly-
ing In his manger, where he was found
that morning centuries ago 1t had never
been so clear 20 her before or the benefl-
cence of the season so full of beauty.
What II day of all days for Roberts re-
turn!
Seeing some one in the distance, she
waited with an eagerness akin to restless
ness. Then as he came nearer she recog-
nized Jim Clayton.
Good mornin. A mcrry Christmas, -
he said.
He was lean, lank individual, and
nature seemed to begrudge him the few
pounds of flesh he had, for they hung on
him In wrinkles as though they had shriv-
eled before they had grown. He came and
leaned against the doorpost, whiting a
stick.
YOU'RE expectin Robert today, amt
your"
Miranda glanced at him with something
OF scorn in her expression.
eyes, I'm expectin Robert" she an
swered. "And you know very well, Jim
Clayton, II 1t had not been for you he
would never have been condemned for
something ne ulun Z 90.
Clayton laughed. His small eyes rested
on her hungrily.
"Well, " he said presently, "it's taught
him lesson anyway, and it's taught you
one too. You won't be so trihin with
mems affections hereafter as you've been
with mine"
~ never triied with yours "
"You didn't, ehf Then, when are you
goin to marry moi"
She did not answer, and he continued:
"Remember, Miss Miranda, beaus amt
as plentiful with you now as they used TO
be- You'll have to take what you can get. "
81 won't take you anyway. I'd rather
live and die single. So therer"
AS he looked up at her, standing on the
step above him, he devoured her words, and
they fed his purpose las grist feeds mill
Then, closing his knife with a click, he
put 1t In his pocket and started to CO.
After he had got a few feet away he called
back over his shoulder:
"Goodby. just dropped round to see
how things were goin. I'm sorry you're
expectin Robert. You might be disap-
pointed"
Miranda smiled as she turned back into
the house for breakfast. Her father had
Ooiho uOWh SIhlIsi sO Vloy bdJ uOWn UOBeUn-
or. She talked freely, for she was think
ing much and rapidly. Robert would be
there soon now, she knew, and she wanted
to have things bright and CHEEKY when he
came-something to remind him that it
was Christmas
But as noon came and he had not arrived
her spirits began to flag. She served the
turkey and pudding for dinner without
eating herself.
"Where's your Appetite" asked her IA
ther.
II feel as II I'd just had breakfast"
Land sakes, it's been eight hours or
morel You must be little worried over
Robert" ;" He was an easy going man, and
trouble set lightly on his shoulders
II am, father. l wonder why he doesn't
conner"
"Oh, he'll be here presently. There's
another train in about o'clock"
Still she felt restless and soon began to
watch for the last train of the b. and o.
over the mountains. 1t passed, but
Robert did not get of.
What had Jim Clayton meant
Her father sat down before the big log
fire and began to smoke
"Robert's IS late" he yentured.
But Miranda said nothing. All the |
thoughts that she had had during the day
had left her.
She went to the door and looked out.
The sky was leaden gray, and the moon
name oyer the peaks and cliffs.