The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-12-28

Abbott's. They think she's got a
stroke. We may be gone all night
but don't you be mite afraid, for wen
lock the door and take the key"
Elizabeth's first impulse was 70
spring up and follow them, but the
next was to stay in the nest, even
though the loneliness was dreadful to
contemplate. She heard the front door
close, and the light from their Ian.
tern hickered for moment across her
| window. Then an intense stiffness set.
tied over everything.
"Oh, hope she don't die before they
speak" she whispered to herself. How
dreadful that would be! What if Alice
had had stroke? Wouldn't just kiss
her and cry over her and forgive every.
thing couldn't bear it.
III write tomorrow morning and tell
her 1 love her. There! 1 feel better
already. do love her, and love every
body. I'm glad Uncle Simeon called
Christmas the forgiving time I'm
glad there was a little Child who
brought peace, and love Him to-
night"
The sudden happiness which filed
her heart, driving out the pride and
Jealousy and bitterness of three long
months, gave her sweet sense of com.
partnership and comfort; she went to
sleep like child who has just found
it's mother
The morning sun was shining, her
uncle and aunt had returned. and
breakfast was nearly ready, when she
dressed and ran downstairs.
Did they speak? Is she alive? ?" were
her first questions.
Her uncle knew why such interest
was felt in strangers, and FASTENED to
answer: "At first we didn't know As
she'd recover, but we did the best we
could, and by n by the doctor got
there. But before he came Abbott
leaned over the bed, and says he very
slow and distinct: I paid the butter
money towards the hill pastur. Clor-
inda.' And she sensed it. She made a
desperate effort to speak, and says she:
john That was all, but it showed"
At this point Uncle Simeon turned
to the window and looked out toward
his neighbours in silence.
''The Lord was good to give 'em
chance to speak together again."
chirped Aunt Agatha, as she placed
the coffee pot on the table.
AS soon as possible after breakfast
Elizabeth sat down at her uncle's desk
in one corner of the spacious kitchen
and wrote long letter to Alice. 1t
was such letter as she might have
written from the planet Mars. if she
had been visiting that mysterious orb,
for she felt possessed of 'another
worlds spirit" 1t was a true girls
letter, full of adjectives and exclama-
ton points, but had she written it sit
ting beside the manger-cradle, it could
have breathed no less selfish affection.
Zone day more in this year; then,
will it be Happy New Year for me ." !!
she asked herself again and again. as
she devoted herself outwardlr to her
friends. Her uncle knew she had writ
ten. and guessed her anxiety.
Whatever happens, you've prepared
the way. 'Lizbeth," said he. 81 don't
believe anybody has real happy New
Year unless he casts up highway and
gathers out the stones
The answer came on New Years
morning. A youth rode from the viii
lage on purpose to bring it, for it bore
a special delivery stamp. He had never
seen one before, ard waited until Eliza
beth tore it off for him. She read the
first words and broke down, laughing
and crying Historically.
'Well, well, WE'LL" CALCULATED Uncle
Simeon; IF she's gone back on you"
mo. mol" Elizabeth sobbed, "she
hasn't. I'm crying because I'm so
happy. Read it and you'll see.'
He picked up the letter. 1t was writ
ten vertically" and he was not &C.
quainted with that style of penman-
ship; but he soon made out: ''My pre-
cious, precious Elizabeth. Forgive me,
forgive me. I was to blame. and I've
been so unhappy. Ishall tell all the girls
how wicked I was to let those words
go uncorrected when I saw they were
being taken in earnest. They were only ,
spoken in jest at first. but my proud.
stubborn heart wouldn't confess. How !
could you write first when you weren't j
at fault? Will begin all over again?' (;
Won't I? For the first time in months /:
look forward to a happy New Year"
that's the talk" said Uncle Simeon,
pausing to wipe his eyes. You have
your forgiving time, and now you've
got your happy New Year" = lions
Herald. IL
To the New Year