The Holly chieftain., 1901-03-29
II X x Il x e 4 Z ##MK
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In the Fowler,,s !;
Snare%g~g% &
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by n. .. MAXWELL

faces out on the snow under the stars
Presently GLADLY. pink and tremu-
ious. was led ont upon the steps to bow
her thanks.
Her be rare and sweet to look upon
and that happy! uod bless she. we
do say!"-the whisper went round
among the mummers.
But Mister Gervis. he do look grave
ne do. same's he had the weight o.
all England on his shoulders" some
body added. And there were one or
two head-shakes. for We can't keen
our heart secrets locked up from our
nsighbors quite as securely as we NAV
imagine we do.
Listen!" cried a voice from the
hall. "Hark to the ioybeIls. They've
begun to peal'' S,'s'> f' =
From the distant villages and ham
lets round came ct one and the same
moment passionate peal of Joy.
THE happy bells across the snow
telling once again the happy story to
weary, sin-laden humanity that unto
each and all Savior was born.
For few moments there w'hs> a att
tie hush. The gay throag stood stili
and silent, Just as did the shepherds
on that first Christmas eve the world
ever saw. Humanity held Its breath
In the face of the glad tidings Of
great Joy And now, as then, the
hush was followed by burst Of Joy
full song-the mummers' carol:
All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to
Begin and never cease,
Amen" murmured Leila's low.
sweet voice. And she raised wet eyes
to the Christpas stars above. %.fG j 4
Tonight she could once again say,
God Is good, God is good" for to her
sore heart the Comforter had come,
the Christ Child. with 'shealing on His
wings"
To Gervis Templeton, as he gave her
one glance, 1t was as though he gazed
on the face of an angel. :.
There was that in its holy, rapt
look to help him on the right path.
GLADLY he moved to his wife's
side-'f must take you indoors: This
sort Of night air is not good for you"
A fragile. almost wasted 1ittls figure
1t was that he led into the house, and
plying eyes followed II.
"She's not long for this world; any
hnHv thnx H..
round.
"Oh. nonsense!" Lady Jane. as she
caught it,. frowned. "Eyerybody kapws
that American girls are like. thistle
down to look at. but they are wiry
enough for all that; they make old
women with the best of u.s."
I'm general way-yes; but as re-
CARDS Mrs. Templeton, Lady Jane. you
must face the fact that she lis handi-
capped by constitution so frail. and
a temperament SO highly string. that
any sudden shock might kill her!"
Mr.. Ansdell! Glad to see you have
recovered" Ea n q it
Lady Jane wheeled round, to find the
scientist, clad In irreproachable eve
ming dress, at her elbow. His dark
eyes were intently following the brides
dropping hgure: for, oddly enough,
GLADLY felt one of her miserable Ats
Of depression stealing over her.
What is It! Are you chilled ?" anx-
iously asked Gervis. when he got her
Into the deserted drawing room.
Il don't know-yes. wish that man
had stayed in his room. he frightens
met" gasped GLADLY, family.
What man? You don't mean Ans
dell? The poor old chap would do any
mortal thing for you, Gladdy!' Ger
| Wis said, amazed. M
'Oh, OF course he would! Oh. no.
no. didn't mean that. want
there was q pause--'I. want Leila
A few minutes later GLADLY was in
her own room. her new friends soft
arms round her. ~, -,
'".You ars ovtItitsd, Hrs. Temple
ton." Leila u soft, fichs voice was say
ing almost tsndeyly;- for her heart was
strangely drawn To- this woman-she
who ought 70 be the richest and hap
piest woman on earth, for had she not
Gervis? Leila already knew instinct
lively that the bride was miserably un-
HAPPY. E. q
81 am not strong," said GLADLY, pres
emily. II was always q weak thing.
and I'd no mother to see to me, you
know. But + never was like this be-
Z . A.