The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-12-23

no power in himself to resist. He
had only been in town . short while,
and had never been alone with her
before. He had SEN her . number
of tines q. different social gather
irgt, but she had ever seemed S. .
sou! that { welt apart not because of
haugbtiness, but because abe found
no congenial spirits in all that "mad-
ding crowd" called society. Heller
had 10 thoughts n,w save the past
aud the work of the presen. She
did not often allow her thoughts to
peer into the far eff future, did not
look beyond Christmas day, when
she hoped to see the fruits of her
labor in the happiness and JOY
these gifts would bring to these who
had never known such blessings.
On Christmas Eve she worked
late, until every package was in its
place o. the tree and everything in
readiness for the morning. When
all was done she went to her room,
and, throwing herself across her
bed, she burst into flood of tears.
All the pent-up sorrow that had
been crushed back through these
trying days now found an outlet,
aud she wept until che fell asleep.
When she awoke the light of Christ
mas morning WAS creeping into her
room. She dressed hurriedly and
went down stairs. When she enter.
ed the library she saw what was
meant for her gift from her father
"a life Size portrait of her mother
and one of the two sisters together.
She coul | not look at them long,
for the teaIs began to fall; ard it
would not do for a tea' full face to
meet her guests.
She arranged the tree in a large
room there at home, where the
children had always played, and she
had spared herself no pains to make
it thing of beauty; and it also
proved JOY forever, for her sweet
memories are the purest JOYS of
life.
Oscar Dalton had told his pro-
teges that he had a surprise for
them, and they must all meet him
at the school room at seven o'clock
Christmas morning. When he reach.
ed it at five minutes before seven,
eve'y child was there, expectancy
written on all their faces. He then
conducted them to the home of Col.
Charteris, telling them they were
invited there by young lady, and
each one must see how we'll he OF
she could behave. Helen met them
az the door and ushered them in
When all had found seats the cur
tam was drawn aside, ard there be-
fore them stood the loveliest Christ
mas tree they had ever seen. Just
over it in evergreen letters were the
words, "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, and good will t.
men," The tree was Illuminated
with tiny wax candles, sprangles az
tinsel glstened all over it, while the
borghs were laded with packages.
When Helen told her father her
plan he gladly joined her in making
it grand success. lie c4llei out
the namrs on the p ck*gea while
II len distributed them. There were
dolls for the little girls, #nd drums,
tools, etc, for the hoyF; while each
one received soW- use!ul st, in the
way Of clothing. Then ,lrre was
candies, fruits and nuts fer all
Their faces showed their gratitude,
though their lips knew not how to
express it.
When they had started on their
homeward way rejoicing, Oscar Dali
ton fingered behind. ''Miss Helen,
let me wish you a happy Christmas,
and may you may know that peace
which the Christchild brou ght;"
and he placed in her h nd small
package.
Thank you, Mr.. Dalton; l am
sure it = happy Christmas for me,
and feel that | am in debt to you
for it; for you know it was your sug-
gestion. May it also be happy one
for YOU"
On opening the package she found
it contained a beautiful bound book,
copy of poems by her tavorite
author. On the fly leaf was written
only the date. The days passed
slowly on, and the New Year, with
les hopes and fears, joys and sorrows,
had begun; yet Rev. Oscar Dalton
still made frequently calls at the
Charters home. These calls became
more and more frequently as time
went on, and he saw into the depths
OF her character "a perfect woman.
nobly planned" He began to reaG
his own heart, and found that there
enshrined was the image of Helen
Charters, not as an idol to be
worshiped, but as the queen to his
heart; a pure, true woman, worthy
of the love of brave, strong man;
vet he would not make known his
feelings, for he had but just begun
his minis erial work, and his salary
was very small, while she was the
daughter of one of the wealtbiest
men in the town, living in a home of
and luxury.
But you who know a woman's
heart know it Graves that which
money cannot bay. Love is her pre-
negative, and without it her life is |
but dreary waste; though it b.
spent amidst all the splendor and
wealth of the world. Helen Charters
was thought by.many to be cold and
distant, but they did not und r
stand her nature. True, she did
owe many; but those who found the
way into that inner circle of har