Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1903-02-26
CHAPTER XIIi.-Continued.

per at HawkSDurgn Tor the young peo-
ple-to which two sled loads went.
laughing and rollicking as they left the
village; and bacchanalian merriment
and the feverish delights of the card
table for those that were of the earth,
earthly.
And every one was glad or happy or
thankful-or should have been. For
each one had something for which to
be glad or happy or thankful. Julia
Barwood was serenely glad; Ter father
had given her money to spend upon her
Sabbath school proteges, and had con-
tributed 80 pounds of candy for the
Christmas tree Dolly was eXuberantly
happy; she had the promise OF gold
watch and sealskin Jacket. DR.. Bar
wood himself was thanktul--though he
would not have confessed it-that his
rheumatism was fast leaving him, that
lie was financially able to give good
gifts to his children. and that Christ
mas comes but once year. Marlowe
was thankful--how thankful he him
self only knew--that hard and inces-
SAINT labor brings wit. it the balm of
torgetfuness. And last, but by no
means least, Sam Clark was supremacy
and ecstatically glad, happy, and
thankful, he was lover-an accepted
sutton.
AT o'clock that evening, Marowe
closed the drugstore and went over to
The church. Ii was packed to the doors.
The minister. the Sunday school super
intendent, and other notables had had
their say, and the distribution OF the
Wits was in progress. With many
vT be ant M or
Santa Clans was reading the names
upon the packages taken from the tree
by his nimble young assistants, and
was passing the articles back through
the crowd. Their rightful owners, with
hands upheld and madly waving, were
clamoring for them. Little lassies were
hugging huge doliies TO their hearts and
softly grooming to them; sturdy laddies
were critically examining new skates
and sleds, and loudly detailing their
many points of excellence to admiring
comrades.
All was hustle, chatter, confusion,
ed Some childish lips trembled and
some baby eyes were moist with unshed
tears. Poor little tots! They were
learning the bitter lesson that Santa
Claus is a trucking respecter of per-
sons and worldly conditions.
Marlowe walked home with Mrs.
Barwood and her daughters, carrying
their manifold bundles and parcels. AT
the door he stopped and babe them
good night
Are you not coming in?" Dolly ask
ed plaintively,
Not tonight 1t is late; and all of
you are tired and sleepy"
Yes, come in, Dr. Marlowe," Mrs,
Barwood said shiyeringly. 1T is only
half past nine"
Ralph yielded, and entered the big
sitting room with them. But he held
his hat in his hand, while he warmed
at the fire, and did not remove his over
coat--though Dolly urged him to do so.
DR.. Barwood was already abed Mrs.
Barwood went to look after some
household duties that had been defer
red Presently she called Dolly to her
assistance; and Ralph found himself
alone with Julia.
1t was the opportunity he had been
seeking; and he FASTENED to improve
It,
Miss Barwood," he said "ere your
mother and sister return, ! desire to
have a few words of private converse
ton with you"
Interlocking her white fingers in her
lap and looking him full In the eyes,
she replied calmly:
Il am listening" DR. Marlowe.'
do you love Morris McDevitt?"
Ralph asked bluntly.
"Sir!"--Her thin lips compressed, her
black eyes flashing.
thtnk I m taking a n
unwarranted privilege. but he
started to explain
Il certainly do" she interrupted,
iciy,
But" he went on nnheeding. u
come as Morris McDevitt's friend-at
his request insist that you answer
my question
For q moment her eyes blazed and
her chest heaved. She half arose from
her chair, then frogidly reseated her
self Ralph kept his eyes fixed upon
her, At last her lids dropped and her
lips trembled
do you love Morris McDevitt,
julia" he repeated, softly
She flung up her head, her black eyes
swimming with tears. and cried impul-
sively-a catch in her voice:
"Y j, Ralph Marlowe, ! love Morris
McDevitt--love him more than you
think me capable Of DOING"
Pardon me" he said kindly. 81 I
have been abrupt or rude But ! fear
the return OF your mother Of sister,
had to come 10 the point al once. and
insist upon your answering my ques-
ton before ! could proceed Julia, If
you love Morris McDeyitt, why do you
not save him."
Save him ?"--With wide eyes and in
q voice barely above whisper -
Eyes. DO you not know that your
refusal 10 marry him has discouraged
him-unmanned him. that he is drink
ing and gambling heavily, is on the
highway 10 RUM"
Paling visibly, she gasped;
Il did not know haye-haye
noticed that he has not been himself of
late but | thought"
She stopped abrupt. The blood
surged % her face; she drew herself
prorjiy erect and said scornfuly.
"Dr. Marlowe. what kind Of man
are you-to come TO me and speak dis
paragingly Of him to whom you claim
you are friend?'
Again she was her hard cold self
And ] am his friend" Ralph an
~uared earnestly. land will be yOurg