Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1910-12-08

thick snow had
packed and hardened. while the air vi
brated with the Jingle of bells deco
rating alike sleighs and runnered
wagons At it's head, the thoroughfare
and in one of the triangles thus form
ed rose the Brick Hotel. 1t was an ex-
posed spot, one to be avoided in rough
weather. affording as 1t did full scope
to the wind to play mad pranks; even,
at its widest, to sweep unfortunate
pedestrians before 1t. like dust before
q giants broom.
Yet on Christmas eve, Maris Favor,
returning from the Office where the
rush of holiday work had detained her
far beyond her usual hour, paused.
wondering what attracted the crowd of
her fellow townsmen. She crossed to
the outer edge of the gathering in the
by a companion of the man who was
speaking, she saw street preacher.
Goodwill towards all men," was
the text he preached. Goodwill not
alone towards those In our beloved
and immediate circle; not alone to-
wards such as we hold in careless toll
Grant regard, but goodwill towards
all, whether they have done us good
or evil turns. For the advent of the
Christ-child brings with it a brooding
spirit of peace to a sintossed world
which among you" cried the
preacher, his voice risen to accusing
note, (which among you, were all Sc
crets known, would not be found to
cherish and foster the memory Of
some special wrong. suffered perhaps
years ago, that you hold back, and ex-
cept when you pray, Forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us"
In the second story of the hotel one
of the windows bad been raised and
Maris, feeling that curious sensation
which is caused by an intent regard.
glanced up to encounter the concen-
trated gaze of the mistress of the hos
telry, who leaned a little distance be-
tween the parted shutters Maris, with
sullen color mounting to her face, re.
turned the look; power to turn aside
being negatived by some strange force
in the eyes that compelled hers.
She and the woman. who once had
been as a mother to her only to slam
the door of happiness in her face. con-
tinued TO stare across the heads OF the
preacher and his listening audience.
The older woman leaned little
farther and. with imperative finger,
beckoned the girl TO enter the hotel.
with a defiant negation of the head,
turned to pursue her way
"Maris-"
The girl could not have told wheth-
or or not her name had been actually
spoken. or was merely silent cry.
part of the compelling influence she
had experienced Nevertheless her
steps Jagged and. though yielding had
been far from her will. she presently
turned about and entered the Brick
Hotel
The door was open. the sitting-room
warm with fire and lamp. and Rachel
Castle stoCd listening. her face turned
towards the door
SO the preacher man forced you 10
think OF nae after three years OF S.
ience?' The girls voice quivered un-
der tho burden Of mingled feelings
coniured up by the meeting.
"iIe made the moment opportune."
corrected the other Il have thought
of YOU always"
well. say your say, and let me
60"
Nlrs Castle moved towards the fre.
pushing forward a chair
You have grown hard shogh
scarcely know you. II o. wore not Zoe
your eyes aud hair Come. sit here,
Ngris. . cannot stand very long
now"
ruwiuusly Maris took the chair
Indicated. while Mrs Castle seated
herself opposite Ia the searching
T'are of blazing loe9. the glrl could
nuf fail to remark rhe change IN the
other. the aFgFe had become wasted
the face tlurhti lirf heart stirreA
ureamlarfably Despite their quarrel
hsris owed much 10 Rachel Castle
the charity 81 the Brick Hotel had
saved her s'rIhaad from tbe poor
house
You have been ill'" she asked
'FoF a scar. yol dit noe haarFH
rhs rlrI book bee bead. and her
eve wandered over fte room noting
tn almost iupsreert.bla ehausaa that
tims bad araHa aal au1 seIr1mias tbr
salient feafares fhat ityHd ln hef msn.
ery fha bookcase. the hafse.haIr al.fa.
en- maft.,fa fapgst table eifh Ha ease
~ stuffed rauarlsa. manf 81 Nham shs
bad ffH iH Hfa and. Iast af ed. lhr
mans photograph aH tho maafaL ssf
o. ta haaF .Itsr frama Hba seemed
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