The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-12-22
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hdlN HSalo, puo pSihdpo ehS Soo'
saints will soften it, finished the little
girl with cheerful optimism. "Oh"
she cried, starting up in terror. "What
is that p
1t was the noise of John Kilvert's
stick, which had fallen from his ner-
vous grasp. Shrinking in his chair,
trembling and amazed, he covered his
wrinkled face with shaking hands.
Vaux took Herry's hand, and leading
her up to the agitated man, he bade
her kneel and repeat the last lines of
her rhyme. This Herry did, with im-
plicit faith in the efficacy of the advice,
although she was gnorant of the name
of him to whom the petition was ad-
dressed:
Tawleigh Court and Tawleigh lands.
Place again in Tawleigh hands;
That upon this holy eve,
None Of Tawleigh blood may grieve.
"Childw cried the lawyer, starting
up wildly, II can hear no more!'
"Mr. Kllvert p cried Herry, rising
in her turn. "Oh, Father" she added,
running to the priest, 81. is cruel Mr..
Kilvert y
"John Kilvert," said Vaux, in sol
emn 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 fore
fathers 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 Christ
mas Eve in the name of Chris.
Through you, their instrument, will
they grant this petition? This child
has faith in their promise; do you
have mercy"
"She has her mothers face" NUT
tered Kilvert, gazing at the child, "and
her mother deceived me-"
"Not so. Your own vanity de-
ceived you. But, be that as it may,
surely after fifteen years you can for
give?"
ooh, Mr.. Kilvert," said Herry,
stretching out her hands, "forgive
father and dear mother! Do not let us
60 to London! All, good saints, give
us the Christmas Luck!''
Kilvert hesitated. and then the ap-
peal of the child went straight to his
heart. With long-drawn breath he
opened his arms, and the child fed to
their safe shelter.
"The Christmas Luck shall be
yours!" said John Kilvert, in faltering
tones.
CHAPTER III.
At o'clock on Christmas morning
Julian Tawliegh was reused from sleep
by violent ringing of the front-door
bell. His terrified wife was already Oh
her feet and standing in the middle Of
the room. After reassuring her, Ju-
liam dressed himself hurriedIy, and de-
scended 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 Vauxw he cried
with start. "What does this mean?
All! up he added, recognizing the
lawyer-"you, John Kilvert u
"Yey, Tawleigh, it is l, who have
come to acknowledge and repent of my
evil ways"
"Oh, father, father!' cried Henry,
throwing herself into Julian's arms,
'he brings you the Christmas LuckV
"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.. Kilverthas
to say"
In considerable bewilderment Taw.
leigh led the trio into the little draw
ing room and lighted the lamp. Then
he called his wife down stairs, and on
seeing her mother Herry ran forward
with a burst of tears. The events of
the night had been too much for the
girl, and she threw herself on her
mothers breast with loud weeping.
i "Herry, Herry," cried Mrs. Taw-
leigh, much agitated, "why are you not
in bed p
"My daughter,,' said Father Vaux
gravely, "youf child has been kneeling
before the altar in Tawleigh Church"
"Tawleigh Church = echoed Julian
'at this hour!'
cat midnight, my son. She went
there to pray for the gift of the
Christmas Luck of your race"
"And it has come, mother! it has
come! Good Mr.. Kilvert-'
Good Mr. Kilvert!'' said Dora,
wrathfully.
eyes" said the lawyer, rising from
the chair into which he had fallen from
exhaustion, "you may call me that
soon, Mrs. Tawleigll; and you also,"
he added, turning to the astonshed
Julian. II have come to beg your
forgiveness"
"Our forgiveness" exclaimed man
and wife together.
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