Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-03
CHAPTER V-Continued.

/ wrote often to Uncle Paul and Aunt
Jane. and know that my regular letters.
sober in style. carried assurance to them
that l had not fallen again by the way.
1t was one of my greatest pleasures to
give this solid comfort to these two. to
build up in their minds a temple of faith
i'm myself which In time should become
indestructible. When the Christmas holt
days came | went home for week, and
they were unaffectedly glad to see me-
The snow was deep on the ground, but
both were at the station with the car
liage 10 meet me. Each gave me a long
critical look To be assured that | was
safe. and then I saw the pleasure of be-
lief in their eyes.
They had made some attempt TO deco
rate the house for me. much their
puritanical tastes and natures allowed. A
little Christmas holly was about, ard big
Christmas dinners, at which my aunt ex-
celled, came every day. They did not
shine in adornment either of the house or
themselves, but great fires were blazing
- the wide freplaces, and if anything
ere lacking that made up for all. Moth
ing is more cheerful than to see the snow
outside, to hear the hail rafting on the
window panes, and then TO turn ones
eyes TO the great rudy flames as they
flare up the chimney and throw warm
Shadows on the carpet.
! STAYED closely at home during the holi-
days. the snow giving me ample excuse
bat I made many inquiries, as was nat
ural about those whom i knew. and in
the course of them / soon arrived at Ali
Ella. She rarely came now TO Carlton. I
was informed by Aunt Jane. who had all
the local gossip at her tongues end, and
Il was said that she remained away be-
E1pG oh 20 lot lives Il
friends to know that she was ill-treated
and unhappy. Grey had alternate periods
OF harshness and neg'ect but she pre-
tended far as she could 10 notice
neither.
Poor Alicia! How often that term rose
20 my lips. | should have written To her
but ! did not deem II wise, and / had a
strong desire to go to Louisville TO see her,
but that would have been unwisest of ALL
and so | did nothing remaining hungry
for the sight of her face and the sound of
her voice. Yet ] was not destined To go
back To the east without word from her,
although ii was but the cold character
that pen and ink make. She had heard
somehow-she seemed 10 watch over me in
silent manner-that i was at Carlton.
and the letter came the day before my de-
parture.
1t was a letter wholly of cheerfulness
and hope for the future-I appreciated the
bravery of a woman who under her cir
cumstances could write this. thinking
wholly of my fortunes and nothing of her
own. She had heard. she said. of the
great progress was making and she was
confirmed in her belief that | should be a
great man. a benefit tn my state how
easily women make heroes of undeserving
men whom they would help. She sent me
Christmas greetings In my home she said
aud ended by wishing me all prosperity
and all happiness.
When ! returned to Harvard / carried
on my studies with renewed zest and
I h9C
summer holidays. ! brought my law books
with me. resolved TO keep on with my law
course even then though not at such pres
sure Ii was not my purpose TO make my
self wholly a recluse and | went several
times to Louisville where | had more or
tess distant relatives. On one such occa-
sion | fulfilled my great longing and saw
Alicia. II came about in the most easy
and natural way. | was invited in the
usual formal manner to a reception at Ter
house | old friend from the
game village. former playmate, and it
would have seemed odd 10 leave me out.