The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13

One Christmas eve, during the American
Civil War, a young girl, named Elsie Mac
kenzIe living in a solitary house within
a few miles of the winter quarters OF a
large Federal army, was gazing with
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes at let
ter which she had just been reading. Even
yet she could hardly believe the good It'd
ings it contained, or convince herself that
the haunting fear which mad made life
almost uncomfortable to her had really
passed away.
When her brothers young wife died
she had come TO live with him in order
TO take charge Of the house and children,
and for a year or so her existence had
been monotonously uneventful. Then she
was suddenly placed in a situation which
overwhelmed her with grief and despair.
Some weeks before her brother john
had been arrested on suspicion of being
spy in the pay Of the Confederates, and
accused Of supplying them with informa-
ton regarding the numbers and move
ments of the Federal forces, together with
plans of several important Notifications.
He had been tried by cOurt-martial. and
the circumstantial evidence brought
against him had proved so convincing,
when combined with the statements Of
one witness in particular, that he had
been promptly found guilty and condemn
ed 10 death. Fortunately he had contrived
to escape shortly before the time fixed
for his execution, and had been hiding in
the neighbornood ever since. occasionally
sending letter or message 10 his sister
by a young man named Seth wilkins.
The employment Of Seth had from the
first filled her with dismay. She had never
liked or trusted him, and had latterly sus-
pected him of cherishing feelings toward
herself which. made the thought OF being
placed under an obligation to him ex-
tremely distasteful to her. Nevertheless,
her anxiety for her brothers safety had
forced her to appear as gracious and
friendly as possible, though his manner
had grown so extensively familiar that it
was with difficulty she could conceal her
alarm and indignation. Finally, what she
had so long dreaded had happened that
very day.
Seth had come 10 inform her that John
had contrived to secure a passage on an
English ship under circumstances which
promised him an excellent chance Of es-
cape: but before leaving the neighborhood
he was coming that night TO say good
bye" TO her and the children. With an i'll
concealed sneer at such a proof of parental
fondness, Seth added that John had con-
trived to procure q few toys and sweets
for the children, and wished her to see
that they hung up their stockings US
usual. He knew that they would be anx-
iousy expecting the coming Of Santa
Claus, and he could not bear to think that
the poor little things should be disappoint-
ed. especially as II would probably be the
last time he would see them for many a
weary year.
But Seth had fingered behind after de-
livering his message, and. after limiting
very broadly that he expected some re-
ward for his services. had ended by blunt
ly asking her TO become his wife He had
even suggested that he was In position
to make things very unpleasant for her
so cruel. so contemplate. to take advan-
tage of her helplessness that she had con-
fronted him with white face and fash
ing eyes and told him In the most vigor-
Gus language al her command just pre-
cisely what she thought OF him and his
proposal Her scorn and contempt had
stung him 10 the quick, and he had gone
AWAY in q paroxysm Of rage. threatening
that she should pay dearly for her treat
ment of him.
Then the letter had arrived. man had
ridden up TO the door after nightfall,
thrust IL silently into her hand, and gal
toped away. She had opened IL with