The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-08-18

you home now. 1t is Christmas, you

know, and l."
"Christmas!" she echoed, in far
away voice. Are you sure, Brian?
Christmas always brings happiness, l
thought. and there is no happiness here.
I am ready to go home, though. I be-
lieve I have been waiting for you. l am
SO tired, so very tired. I don't feel that
can ever be rested again"
Brian looked his concern. Such weak
ness was unusual in Margaret.
Il an afraid you have done wrong"
he said, with some reproach. You
should have taken my advice, Margaret;
but suppose it is too lat, to scold now.
You need rest. That is evident.
Margaret scarcely heard him. She
rose rather unsteadily and started to
leave the room, but with sudden remem-
brance she turned back with the words:
Il shall take the children TO Elmwood.
Christmas here would be a mockery for
them"
shade Of annoyance passed over his
face. 1T would be useless to oppose
you, oven if I desired to do so, he re-
turned. Take them, of course, but 40
let Mrs. Davis care for them. won't
have you worrying yourself into an ILL
ness. believe in a certain amount OF
sympathy, but too much is too much"
Il only want to go to bed and sleep
forever" was Margarets answer. i
am so tired from being sorry"
Then the sooner you go home the
better. have the carriage, and it you
are ready"
I'm second, Brian. I will not keep
you waiting long,"
This time Of waiting was spent by
Margaret in the darkened room, where
the rector sat by all that remained to
him Of beloved wife.
She approached the still form and
pressed long kiss on tho pale brow.
She felt the rectors burning eyes upon
her and she heard the hoarse words with
which he turned to her:
How am I to live my life alone?"
She longed for the power to comfort
him, yet all the sympathy she could ex-
press seemed to hold the mockery Of
easy consolation.
There are the children" she said in
a low voice. -Four loving little hearts
to make your life less lonely. And there
is God. Ho sends tho cross, and He
sends the strength to bear it. We see
so dimly. What seems so hard to US is
often kindness from our Father
hands. We must linger here in suffer-
ing and tribulation, but for her the
crown has come before the cross had
grown too heavy. Father, teach our
hearts to say Thy will be done.
Leaving the echo of her prayer be-
| hind her, Margaret Joined Brian, with
! the four grave faced children, upon
whose childish minds the intangible
shadow and silence had made such a SOL
emn impression.
She found it hard to meet the pathetic
inquiry of those baby eyes, and she was
quite relieved when she could give her
new charges into the kindly care OF the
surprised Mrs. Davis. After this, she
went to bed and slept for the remainder
OF the day, and when dinner time or
rived her incl nations were so decidedly
against rising that she could scarcely
force herself to dress and % n Brian.
Hell find me rather doleful at best,
she remarked to the heavy eyes and
pale, tired face which looked at her from
the mirror. Il suppose | must try to be
cheerful.
But her short talk with Elsie, just be-
fore dinner, did not tend to brighten hel
spirits.
The child had spoken so earnestly Of
the great care her mothers death hat
left upon her, and expressed such pa
thetic wish to grow bigger so that She
could help papa more, that Margare
found it hard to answer calmly viii
those earnest eyes upon her.
You may be little, Elsie, yet you can
help papa even now. These little feet
can be tireless in his service, this dea1
face may always wear a smile for him
and this tender little heart may low
and comfort him in every trouble"
Little people, and big people, too
can only do their best.
Poor little tot, commented Brian
when Margaret repeated this converse
ton after dinner. Let us not think
them any more tonight, Margaret. lie
us try to be happy. am so sorry GU
Christmas has been clouded. got yo'
this little remembrance, and | reall
have not had a chance to give it to you:
"Only remembrance" she asked
taking the exquisite little jeweled pi
from his hand. This is fit for prin
cess. How it flashes in the light.
dazzles me. II don't know how t
thank you, and I have nothing for you
, Brian.
Tro BE CONTINUED.