Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-12-28

resided the Hon. Horace Brunder. now
an elderly man, and Mrs. Brunder, his
wife. For several years these two had
made up the family-a very small fami-
~ for so large house. They had no
children, and, although they were very
good company for each other, they felt
as they daily grew older that they could
not of themselves make their home as
cheerful and as pleasant as they would
have it. They felt this the more forci-
bly, because there had been many years
when that house was very cheerful and
very pleasant. Therefore it was about
six months before this story opens this
all too quiet couple had taken into their
home a young girl, Marcy Griffith. the
niece of Mrs. Brunder and one of
large family of fathcrless boys and girls.
The Hon. Horace had never been fond
of children and at one time in his life
It might have been said that he abso-
lutely dislikcd boys and girls, but now,
since he had ceased to go out in all
weathers and was feeling a growing de-
pendence on the indoor pleasures of his
home, he had agreed with his wife that
It would be good thing to have some
young life in the house and that of all
The persons they knew the niece Mar
gcy was best adapted to supply the miss
ing and needed element in their house
hold life.
1t had been considered by Margey's
family that it was most fortunate thing
that her rich uncle, who did not care for
young people, should take her into his
house, and for time the girl herself was
very well satisfied with the change from
the somewhat contracted suburban house
and the active hustle of a large family to
the quiet rural beauty of the old mansion,
it's garden, its lawn and it's woodland.
But as summer passed and as autumn.
with its bright hued foliage, came and
went and as the rigors of winter settled
themselves upon the land, Margey often
thought of the stirring life which was go
ing on at home. where winter was the
liyeliest time of the year.
At last Christmas came, but it was a
dull time for ALargey. There were neigh
bors invited, but they were all elderly
people and of reposeful turn of mind.
Marcy received several presents. among
them a beautiful little watch from her
uncle, and, although she had never re-
reived anything which could compare
with these Christmas gifts, they did not
compensate her for the loss OF the holiday
atmosphere of her home. During the
whole day she felt as though she were at
tending the funeral of Santa Claus.
But on the last day of the year her
spirits sank still lower. With her broth
ors and sisters and the elderly members
Of the family she had been accustomed
ever since she could remember to make a
great deal of New Years eve, and among
the observances which were never omit
ted was the traditional custom Of opening
the front door of the house exactly as the
clock struck the hour of midnight in Or
der to let the New Year come in. Then
all together, young and old, they would
shout as the door swung back: Come in,
New Year. Welcome. New Year" And
when it was considered that the newcom-
er had really crossed the threshold they
would turn TO each other, each wishing
all a happy New Year and many more to
come. This time honored ceremony was
TO Marcy one of the most pleasant fea-
lures of the holiday season, for it con-
cerned not only the joys of the moment,
but those Of happy days to come.
On this New Years eve Marcy felt
herself in a truly doleful mood. Her
uncle and aunt had gone to their room
ut 10 o'clock, and not one word had they
said which indicated that they consid-
cred this evening to be in any way diff
terent from the ordinary evenings of the
year. To Marcy this seemed like sort
of domestic sacrilege. If she could have
done So she would have sped away to her
home, even if it had been necessary to
speed back again before the cock should
crow.
She went TO her room, not because she
wanted to do so, but because the lights
were all put out down stairs, but she did
not go to bed. She sat thinking of all
the lively scenes that were going on at
home. Most likely they were playing
eharades, but they would be sure to stop
them a little before l.. Her mother and
one of the girls would be getting things
together for Il little supper, for they al
ways began the New Year with some
hing to eat, drink and be merry over.
In this big, old house it would be high
reason to eat between II and ! o'clock
1t night.
The hands of Margey's new watch
moved on and on until they pointed to a
quarter of H. and then the eyes of our
young lady opened wider and wider as
she sat and gazed at the wall and saw
ihe family at home. She could see them
just as well as though they were there
They are all looking at the clock"
The said, watching and waiting and
talking. They always begin too soon for
lear of being too late. Tom is standing
1t the front door now so that nobody
shall get ahead of him when the time
tones"
For a few moments she sat as though
her eyes were fixed on the energetic
Tom, when suddenly she rose to her feet.
"pll do it, she said, "even if | have
20 do it all by myself in the dark. I'll
90 down and let the New Year in"
Slowly and on tiptoe she descended the
softly carpcted staircase. At the landing
which overlooked the hall there was
rays OF the full moon. lighting the hall
and stairway, so that Marcy could see
her way without the slightest trouble.
The big clock was in the shadow, but she
knew it was not yet 70, and, stepping
lightly to the great hall door, she went
quietly to work to unfasten it. There
were bolt and n chain and lock. The
first slipped back easily and without any
noise, and the chain was removed in a
moment but the lock turned hard, and as
she forced the big key around she was
afraid that there might be n sudden click
which would be heard on the floor above.
II would be n dreadful thing if her aunt
should hear it, for it had been thoroughly
impressed on her mind that if that good
lady should be suddenly startled nobody
would know what might happen But,
although she moved the big KEY slowly
and with much difficulty she moved II