The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-12-21
BY ETA W. PIERCE.
N~~~~NNOO~

S>>~N0~>~~N0O><S
~ GIRL stood at the door, with
red shawl pinned across her
h bosom, and in a shrill voice
Carol, brothers, carol; carol joyfully.
Carol the good tidings; carol merrily,
And pray a gladstone Christmas
For all good Christian men.
Carol, brothers. carol,
Christmas comes again."
''In heavens name, who Is that crea.
ture" said Cedric.
His easy chair, pushed into the bow
window, commanded view of the gar
den walk and the singer. His crutch
leaned against the wall beside him; his
blond head rested languidly upon Grim
son silk cushion.
II haven't an idea," answered, as
put tho last touches to the Christmas
pine above the high carved mantel. "A
tramp, evidently. Do you like the effect
OF Christmas roses In silver bowls, Ced-
rlc?
Arrange your roses In silver bowls,
or in iron-bound buckets, just as you
like, Beth" answered Cedric, peevish.
ly. II hate weddings-they are even
worse than burials. Cannot you see that
you are all riding, roughshod, over my
hearth"
He raised himself on the arm of his
chair and looked out at the figure before
the door. The bleak December wind was
blowing through the girls thin gown.
Her face. which bore traces of beauty,
was livid now with cold, and perhaps
illness.
'She is the image of despair" he
cried. II feel fellowship with her!
Go. Beth, bring her in--give her meat
and drink, and whatever else you may
have at your marriage feast"
Cedric was the most unreasonable of
human beings. was always afraid of
him when he was in his dark moods.
ran out Of the room.
But third person had heard the sing
or. and, as reached the hall, 10! there
was Jacquita, gliding down the shining
shallow stair--Jacquita, with her dusky
hair and creamy skin and great South.
.ern cyes-she whose bridal had filed our
: old Plymouth house with hustle and cx-
peotation.
For years we had been classmates In
"a young ladies' school. She was of the
hot South Of the cold North. Yet we
loved each other devoredly. Proud was
/ when, at tho end Of our school days,
.Jdcquitn came, an honored guest, to the
old house overlooking the gray waste
of Plymouth Buy-prOud was l when
all henrts went down before her there,
and that gallant sailor, Captain Dacre
Ho!,ne, hnstene1 to lay himself and his
future at her feet; and, alas! sad was
when found that she had also made
wild havoc Of my poor crippled Cedric's
peace.
"rhat girl looks sick and heartbrok-
en-" said Jacqnlta, as she stepped light
ly down into the hall. She flung back
tho hall door. The eyes of the vagrant
fell OH her with an expression that
shall never forget. An unspeakable
hatred aud despair blended In tho look
"Here is Christmas gift for you,
poor girl" said Jacquita, and she held
out tho gold piece.
A. wicked look flashed into the way
farers face. She took the money, spat
on 1t, flung 1t on the ground. Then,
seeing my rising wrath, she snatched 1t
again and slipped it into her pocket.
"Eor luckw she mumblcd. In apology
for her strange action. and then added,
curtly, reluctantly, "hnnk You, miss"
"Havc you Travelled far?" asked Jac-
Quita.
"a good bit" replied the girl.
"And where are you going now?"
'"ro find my man." snllcnly. "Hc
promised TO marry me, but he went away
Tho didn't keep his word-l'm looking
for him."
led tho girl to the kitchen and di-
rectcd the servants to provide frr her
needs. went away soon after 20 dress
Jaeluita for her bridal. Guests came
trooping In and filed the house. Un-
der an arch Of Christmas pine, with the
mellow wax lights shiuing lovingly upon
her, Jacquita. In tulle anal lace and
satin, stood By the side Of hcr hronzed
( young vikinS, aud took tho woss which