Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-01-05

lying an old man. At his side stood a
venerable woman with brow wrinkled
and cheeks furrowed. A young girl,
wrapped i'll heavy shawl, was seated
IN an easy chair in front of the CRATE.
Her eyes were large and sunken, yet of
wondrous brightness. Her cheeks were
shroud white, save spot in the center
OF each, which was scarlet Her face
was thin and wasted, and her hand,
which lay uncovered, was almost trans
parent. She raised it to her mouth as
II to still cough, that she had scarce
ly strength to make.
1--WE must go. He has no pity" said
the old man, turning restlessly in his
bed.
He may relent Surely he is not
without some compassion | will go to
him tomorrow and plead. On this Christ
gift day he will be more tender. God
will fill his heart with pity" said the
wife as she bent her venerable head un
til it rested on the pillow at the side Of
her aged husband
1t will be useless. In 20 years
have never met man who seemed so
utterly heartless. No, you must not 60.
You, too, would fall in his presence
and be turned into the street"
Father, IL he could only see me /
am sure he would let us remain if only
for few days-until am gone.
"No, my dying child, told him of
You, but his ears were closed to my
story. Oh, if when you go God would
be so merciful as to take us alive
three-and thus end our sufferingr'
''We must bide his will. said the
wife and mother. Heavy as our crosses
are, we must carry them. Were we not
able he would Tighten them"
John Frostberg attempted to leave the
window, when the host detained him as
he asked:
where are you going?"
Into the room. No, / cannot enter.
could not look them in the face. My
presence would be his death. You go.
Tell them that they shall remain for
ever. Tell them that the debt is paid.
Oh, tell them anything and everything,
and it shall be as you have said be-
seech you, be quick, lest he die--lest
she that is in the chair diep'
"It is better to die in that bed than in
the street into which you thrust him,
said the host.
John Frostberg felt that he was sink
ing, when the strong arm Of the host
bore him up and lifted him into the
sleigh. In another moment he was at
his side, and as the team rose from the
earth to the painless air John Frostberg
in very agony exclaimed:
''Oh, spare me! Show me no more |!
My brain is ON fire and my heart is ach-
ing. In mercy spare mep'
"The fire and pain will purify you,
not consume you. One more scene, John
Frostberg, one more scene, and only
one. Then will leave you. You must
look upon it. 1t will save her, and,
what is still better, it will save you"
John Frostberg made no answer. He
rested in the sleigh as though dead.
"Do you want to see her, John
Frostberg?" asked the host.
ravines and rugged hills, over the roofs
and above the spires, acroas the great
pleasure ground and through the throng-
ed streets they sped, until narrow way
was reached.
1--WE will not enter here. 1t is not
necessary. You will be able to see
enough. Look" said the host, pointing
to the upper window Of a two story
dwelling. 1.-The light is very dim, and
/ think she has wearied and fallen to
sleep over her daily toll. Perhaps she
has been thinking of Christmas eve 20
years ago. 1t may be that she has sigh
ed and wept herself into forgetfulness.
Do you see anytbing?"
John Frostberg strained his eyes in
his anxiety to discern the object at the
window. The light was low in the
socket and fitfully fiickering. A tongue
of flame would shoot up for an instant
and then shrink back, as if reluctant to
aid in exhibiting the sorrowful picture.
Again the tongue of fame for mo.
ment's space, and then darkness i'm
penetrable. John Frostberg was trem-
bling as though smitten with death.
again that tongue Of fame. He would
see head crowned with fair, sunshiny
hair, and that was all. The face was
hidden, resting in her hands. Then
darkness for few seconds which ap-
peared like an age, when the tongue Of
fame again shot up. The face was
raised and exposed, and ON the instant
John Frostberg had jumped from the
sleigh.
Fanny he exclaimed. Fanny"
he shouted. Fanny. Fanny
What's the matter, sir? Whom do
you call?'
"Where is she? Where is he? Where
am Ii''
"Who. sir? What she? What he?
You are in your own room, sir"
at is you, Madison, and you only" !"
sighed John Frostberg, as he fell back
into the scarlet chair.
"Yis, sir; it's me. Who were you
a-callin, sir? There's nobody here but
our two selves. / was comm to your
room, sir, when heard you call. You
must have been doin it in your sleep,