The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-12-24

around the corner of the house. Alice
ran into the nall, and catching shawl
from its hook, plunged out into the
drifts.
"Earn2stn'
Hello. Don't come out; I'll be
right in" He had opened the large
door and driven into the barn.
Il am out Already Alice called
back. Isn't it q fearful storm? Do
you suppose we can go to-nghgt?'
go? OF course we will Wen go
il we dig every inch of the way"
He stood III the barn door 10 receive
| her-a great fellow in heay dOg-skin
coat tipped with seal. and cap of the
same pulled we'll down about his ears.
All the strength and sweetness OF his
nature shOue in his eyes.
Look out, Go out around that
! DRIFT be called. There. what did
tell YOU" He ran out and helped her
| up from where she lay laughing in the
| snow, and held her close il his arms.
| Why didn't you wait until | came in:''
y couldn't, l wanted to tell you"
We'll, kiss lie before you tell me
thing.
I She kissed him seriously, and they
| went on into the barn.
ItAIl-Si W III lilCtA4SIS I4SlA LlScls
Yes and | know by your poor little
face you didn't get anywhere with
! her"
"She was real kind and listened I'M
! til | was going to say l wished she'd
ask father to come tomorrow; and
then she sal, Well, you needn't WISH
! just as hard us ever"
Never lnlui. l don't know as We
| had Any right 10 try and hurry mother
! because we want every thing pleasant
| tomorrow. Your father will win her
il time. \ love like his never fails.
Poor old sCui, she'll have II chance to
think after tomorrow, and we are GO
ing to leave her alone tonight, too.
Let's go il, and III jolly her up Il bit
| before we start
The atmosphere OF the old house al
ways underwent u complete change
when Earnest entered it, The un-
happy spirit OF the place was dissolved
IN the health and sunshine of his pres
ence.
While Alicepr pared their supper he
held the stern little mother, whom
every one had always feared, in his
arm, and talked to her of his happi
hess and hope for the future.
"0ur nome will always be yours"
he added. Don't think you have to
live here alone one day if you don't
want to. If my heart isn't large
enough to take in Alice's mother,
don't deserve her.
Mrs. Wheaton had learned, with all
her will and force. that it was impos-
sible to free herself from Earnest's
strong arms as it was to resist mis- good
humor. The Snow plou&hs were pass
ing land the linen were singing a sleigh
ing song. Alice ran to the window to
watch them.
1t had stopped showing, and above
the cedar-trees across the road the full
moon shoue brokeniy through heavy
clouds.
The supper was not a comfortable
one Earnest talked and laughed but
Alice felt the restraint OF her mothers
eyes studying her closely.
You are not going out tonight,
Alice" she said at last. Though she
intended to speak in command, the
quality OF her tone was almost plead
ing.
ION, yes, she is" Earnest answered
cheerily. 1T is freezing already. 1t
is going to be fine night for sleigh
ride. Wait until you see the flowers
we bring back to make the house gag
tomorrow. We are going to pack
them in boxes and wrap them in
buffalo robes. | wish you were going
with us. There's an idea! You don't
want 10 stay here alone OH Christmas
eve. Well take you with us,n
Alice clasped her hands. "Oh, please
so, mother. 1t would make us all so
happy!n
Mrs. Wheaton rose from the table.
you two must think I've lost my
reason she said. and started to leave
the room.
People ought to lose their reason
at ChristmaStime and let love guide
them Earnest answered, quickly.
He jumped up from the table and
stood with his back to the door, bar
ring Ter passage. Look here; forget
everything else, and just 20 20 please
Alice and ine?' Tomorrow you'll be
left alone, and you can please your
self the rest OF your life. You needn't
Eet out of the cutter; III tell Mr..
Wheaton we've decided not TO come
il. He objected to Our leaving you
alone tonight, anyway"
Mrs. Wheuton's lips trembled. Il
Con t see why you beset me so, Earn
ist?'
The young lover stepped forward
aud put his arms around her. Because
you re Aiice's mother, and love you.
I'm nos going to leave you here alone
On Christmas eve if can help it.n
"Weil--IIl go. Ill go, and I'll go in
with YOU She struggled with the
words a. though they were cords that
bound tie throat.
Earnest ksset: her heartily. That
is right Wen tuck gu up between
US and pat Il hot brick a Your feet.
and you'l be perfectly comfortable"
Having yielded her mind 10 the plea
of love, all the tender avenues of Mrs.
Wheaton heart were opened. As
she tied u. her fur-tdged mood before
her glass ana buttoued the fasteniugS
of her handsome beaver cloak. reni-
tenoe and the desire for her husbands
forgiveness came to her. She thought
of all that Alice had told her. 1t
seemed not SO much a revelation Of her
husbands character as revelation of
her own.
He had lived in her home for fifteen
years--u gentle. silent man governed
by her will rs though lie we're Z child
and then, without t word of censure
or complaint, had quietly withdrawn
his lie from hers.
Tie soul Of Ellen Wheaton woke at
that moment to its first knowledge OF
love, in which there is no Judgment.
She stood with bowed mead aud
clasped hands, listening to the whis
perings OF peace.
When she raised her head, her eyes
rested upon picture Of herself, with
Alice when she was Il baby. and Gimly
co1;;A IN her file realization that all