The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-08
you home now. 1t is Christmas, you

Christmas!" she echoed, in far
away voice. Are you sure, Brian
christmas always brings happiness,
thought. and there is no happiness here
am ready to 80 home, though. I be-
lleve have been waiting for YOU. l an
SO tired, so very tired. | don't feel tina,
can ever be rested again."
Brian looked his concern. Such weak.
ness was unusual in Margaret.
i am afraid you have done wrong,
ne said, with some reproach. You
| should have taken my advice, Margaret
put 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.
orance she turned back with the words:
y! shall take the children to Elmwood.
them" AVA
A shade of annoyance passed over his
face. 1T would be useless to oppose
you, even If / desired to do so, he re-
turned. Take them, Of course, but do
let Mrs. Davis care for them. l won't
have you worrying yourself into IN ill.,
ness. | believe in certain amount of
sympathy, but too much is too much"
only want to 60 to bed and sleep
forever" was Margaret's answer. Il
am SO tired from being sorry.
Then tho sooner you 60 homo the
better. have the carriage, and if you
are ready"
In second, Brian. l 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 a long kiss on the pale brow,
She felt the rectors burning eyes upon
her and she heard the hoarse words with
which he turned to her.
How am to live my life alone?"
She longed for the power to comfort
hlm, yet all the sympathy she could ex-
press seemed to hold the mockery of
easy consolation.
There are the children, she said in
low voice. -Four loving little hearts
to make your life less lonely. And there
IS God. He sends the cross, and He
sends the strength to bear it. We see
SO dimly. What seems SO hard to US is
often a kindness from our Fathers
hands. We must linger here in suffer-
ing and tribulation, but for her tho
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 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 tho
surprised Mrs. Davis. After this, she
went to bed and slept for the remainder
of tho day, and when dinner time ar
rived her inclinations were so decidedly
AGAINST rising that she could scarcely
force herself to dress and ON Brian.
He'll 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 her
spirits.
The child had spoken so earnestly Of
the great care her mothers death had
left upon her, and expressed such pa
thetc wish to grow bigger SO that She
could help papa more, that Margaret
found it hard to answer calmly with
those earnest eyes upon her.
You may DO little, Elsie, yet you can
help papa even now. These little feet
can be tireless in his service, this dear
face may always wear smile for him,
and this tender little heart may love
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 Of
them any more tonight, Margaret. Let
US try to be happy. an SO sorry our
Christmas has been clouded l got you
this little remembrance, and l really
have not had chance to give it to YOU"
"Only remembrance" she asked.
taking the exquisite little jeweled pin
from his hand. This is fit for prin-
cess. How it flashes in the light. It
dazzles me. IL don't know how to
thank you, and have nothing for you,
Brian"
ITO BE CONTINUED.