The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-12-25

a sur III NoiCc sang
Carol. brothers, carol: carol, joyfully
Carol the good tidings; carol merrily
And pray gladstone Christmas
For all good Christian men.
Carol. brothers, carol.
Christmas comes again."
I'm 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 crutct
leaned against the wall beside him: his
blond head rested languidly upon q
crimson silk cushion.
i haven't an idea" | answered. as
put the last touches TO the Christmas
pine above the high carved mantel. "A
tramp. evidently DO you like the ef
iect OF Christmas roses in silver bowls
| Cedric?
Arrange yorr roses in silver bowls
or In iron-bound buckets. just as you
like, Beth answered Cedric, peevish-
~: Il hate weddings--they are even
worse than burals. 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 be-
fore the door. The bleak December
wind was blowing through the girls
thin gown. Her face. which bore traces
OF beauty, was liyid now with cold, and
perhaps illness.
She is the image of despair" ne
cried. II feel a 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 i'm his dark moods.
i ran out Of the room.
But a third person had heard the
singing and. as | reached the hall. To-
there was Jacquta. gliding down the
shining. shallow stair-Jacquita, with
her dusi1y hair and creamy skim and
great Southern eyes-she whose bridal
had filed our old Plymouth house with
hustle and expectation.
For years we had been class mates
In young ladies' school. She was of
the hot South. | of the cold North. Yet
we loved each other devotedly. Proud
was ] when. at the end OF our school
days, Jacquita came, an honored guest,
10 the old house overlooking the gray
waste OF Plymouth Bay-proud was
when all hearts went down before her
there, and that gallant sailor, Captain
Dacre Holme, fastened 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 Grip
Piled Cedric's peace
That girl looks sick and heart
broken" said Jacquita. as she stepped
lightly down into the hall. She flung
back the hall door. The eyes OF the
vagrant fell on her with an expression
that shall never forget. An unspeak- |
able hatred and despair blended in the |
look.
Here is Christmas gift for you.
poor girl" said Jacquita, and she held
out the goldpiece.
wicked look flashed into the way.
farer's face. She took the money. spat
on IT, flung IL on the ground. Then. |
seeing my rising wrath. she snatched IL |
again and slipped II into her pocket.
For luck!" she mumbled in apology |
for her strange action. and then added
CURLY, reluctantly. Thank you. miss.
Have you Travelled far" asked JAG
quita.
"A good bit" replied the girl.
And where are you going now?"
To find my man" sullenly. "He
promised 70 marry me. but he went
away-he didn't keep his word-Im
looking for him"
led the girl TO the kitchen and di.
rected the servants to provide for her
needs | went away soon after TO dress
Jacquita for her bridal. Guests came
trooping In and filled the house. I'm
der an arch of Christmas pine. with
the mellow wax lights shining lovingly
upon her, Jacquita. in tulle and lace
and satin, stood by the side OF her
bronzed young viking and took the
VOWS which made her his, and his only
till life should end
Throughout the ceremony Cedric
kept his chair and made no sign. She
was married-she was Dacre's wifei
Then followed hubbub OF congratu.
lations and farewells-a confusion OF
friendly tongues; and presently JAG
quita, In a Paris travelling gown. with
soft bands OF fur about her throat and
eyes brimming with happiness. came :
and knelt by Cedric's chair.
"Good-by." she said, lifting her bean.
tiful face to his reluctant gaze lyon
may kiss me, Cedric, IL you like"
You belong to Dacre." he answered ,
bitterly Il do not want to kiss you.
iood-by."
We saw them enter the carriage TO.
,ether-both young and beautiful and
wildly happy. We flung the rice and
hoes after them; the horses pranced |
Town the drive: the guests departed. !
md Cedric and we're left alone.
Darkness had fallen. The wind tore =
wildly up and down the curving plym- I
'uth shore; the bay was white with
Dam. ] turned with a SILVER to the |
Gaping wood fire. !
What a dreadful night for A wed.
ing Journey" I said. 1
In the red glow Of the logs Cedric's /
ace looked like gray stone.
II like storms" he said. sayageIy
That pair is too happy to know I
'hether the sun is shining or a norther s
aging Beth, sweep those flowers ont q
( the room-their odor stiles me" 4
Where" he asked quickly. "is the '
irl that sang the Christmas carol M n
he door? Was she warmed and fed 9
8 | directed?"