The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-12-17
"No, Father, no! Not that childr

salu, III low voice; ''Dut or these things
we can talk later on Meanwhile, we
must attend to the child.
But Kilvert, startled by the unseen
voice and by the unexpected presence of
Henrietta Tawleigh, was past rendering
aid, Shivering and shaking, and wiping
the cold perspiration from his lean face, he
sat silently Watching the priest. Vaux
sprinkled water on the child and bathed
her forehead until the color flushed her
wan cheeks and she opened her eyes to see
the kind countenance bending over her
With smile of half recognition Henry
struggled into sitting posture, and shortly
she became more composed.
''Do you feel better, my child p asked
Father Vaux.
Yes, thank you. replied Herry, in
Il tired little voice; ''but-oh the dark
church and the tall figure y
That was |, dear child. heard your
singing
''Oh = sighed Henry, who had not yet
caught sight of Kilvert sitting in the back
ground; land [ thought it was one Of the
good saints coming with the Christmas
Luck
1t was I, - said Father Vaux, once
more. But no wonder you were afraid
in the darkness. So you came to ask for
the Christmas Luck p
Yes Father We need it so-oh.
indeed, so greatly cried Henry clasping
her hands. And you know the good
saints promised boon to Sir Amyas
Il know the legend, my child. And
what boon do you require p
''Tawleigh Court for father, said
Herry, earnestly. 1--WE are so poor, and
mother is so ILL., Father wants to take us
away" she said, bursting into sobs, ''and
we do not want to go. Oh, Father
Father will not the good saints give us
back the Court p
Over the child $ head VauX cast queer
glance at Kilvert, who was listening with
breathless interest THE saints could
even do that my little daughter, said he
slowly, 'but you must have faith.
"Oh, / have faith! | have faith cried
HeTy, rising. II am sure Saint Peter
and good Saint Paul can give us the Court
if they please. If they would only speak
to Mr. Kilvert. | believe he would help
us.
docs your father think 50, Henrietta?
''No; nor does mother, signed Herry.
They say that Mr. KiIvert has hard
heart; but perhaps the good saints will
soften it, finished the little girl with
cheerful optimism. ''Oh y she cried,
starting up in terror ''What is that p
It,was the noise of John Kilvert' stick.
which had fallen from his nerveless grasp.
Shrinking in his chair, trembling and
amazed, he covered his wrinkled face with
shaking hands Vaux took Henry hand,
and leading her up to the agitated man, he
bade her kneel and repeat the last lines Of
her rhyme. This Henry did, with implicit
faith in the efficacy of the advice, although
she was ignorant of the name of him to
whom the petition was addressed
Tawleigh Court and Tawleigh lands
Place again in Tawleigh hands;
That upon this holy eve,
None of Tawleigh blood may grieve
"Child = cried the lawyer, starting up
wildly, Il can hear no more y
Mr. Kilyert = cried Herry, rising in
her turn. ''Oh, Father she added,
running to the priest, 1t is cruel Mr.. Kill
vert =
John Kilvert, said Vaux in solemn
voice, you asked for miracle and one
has been performed. This tender child
has braved loneliness and gloom to kneel
at the altar of her forefathers and implore
the aid of the holy saints who appeared to
St. Amyas. They promised to grant a
boon to the Tawleighs when it was asked
on Christmas Eve in the name of Christ
Through you, their instrument, will they
grant this petition? This child has faith
in their promise; do you have mercy"
''She has her mother's face, muttered
Kilvert, gazing at the child, and her
mother deceived me.
'sNot so. Your own vanity deceived
you. But, be that as it may, surely after
fifteen years you can forgive p
"Oh, Mr.. Kilvert, said Herry, stretch
ing out her hands, ''forgive father and
dear mother Do not let us 60 to Lon
don! All, good saints, give us the Christ
mas Luck -
Kilvert hesitated. and then the appeal
of the child went straight to his heart.
With long drawn breath he opened his
arms. and the child fled to their safe shell
ter
THE Christmas Luck shall be yours =
said John Kilvert, in faltering tones.
CHAPTER III.
At 3 o clock on Christmas morning
Julian Tawleigh was reused from sleep by
violent ringing of the front-door bell.
His terrified wife was already on her feet
and standing,,in the middle of the room.
After reassuring her, Julian dressed him
self hurriedly, and descended with all haste.
When he opened the door, he was surprised
to see three people in the bright moon
light, waiting for admission.
''Herry Father Vaux!' he cried with
a start ''What does this mean? All
you'll he added, recognizing the lawyer
'you, John Kilvert =
''Yes, Tawleigh, it is l, who have come
to acknowledge and repent of nay evil
ways.
'Oh, father father 7 cried Hery,
throwing herself into Julian arms, she
brings you the Christmas Luck p
THE Christmas Luck, child | do
not understand =
Let us in, Mr.. Tawleigh, said Father
Vaux, quickly, land we will explain the
meaning of our visit. Call your wife down;
it is necessary that she should hear what
Mr.. Kilvert has to say.
In considerable bewilderment Tawleigh
led the trio into the little drawing room and
lighted the lamp. Then he called his wife
down stairs, and on seeing her mother
Henry ran forward with burst of tears
The events OF the night had been too much
~