The Morning standard. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1910-191?, 1910-12-25
TOR the third time tho girl moved
- her spinning wheel. "If / am
too far from the fire ] freeze,
and II l am too near the fire L

TOR the third time tho girl moved
her spinning wheel. III l am
too far from the fire ] freeze,
and II 1 am too near the FIRE L
cook" she laughingly complained. set
ting her wheel awhirl again. 1T Is
bitter night, !" her old uncle agreed from
his corner or the settle on the other
aide of the cobblcd chimncy-place OF
rough stones and mortar. where the
great logs were blazing merrlly.
Young Wcstcott, on the settle beside
him, said nothing Mt oil, but his eyes
followed her every movement win q
sort OF reluctant fascination They
had been following her ever since her
arrival In tho Massachusetts colony.
six months before. He had never seen
such n girl nor dreamed OF such bright
bewildorment OF beauty,
Something in the silence, perhaps
something in Wcstcotts eyes. which
rested on her, seemed to disconccrt the
girl, for she cast about for sub
Jeot of remark.
Dropping her distaff. she bent to
rouse the children. Wake up. little
folk. j must take you up to bed, Mics,
dear; wake upl The apples you set
to roast are all cinders. Elizabeth,
wake upl"
Tho little girl sat up with a start, her
round. sleepy eyes opening in bewildcr-
ment.
rs 1t Christmas YETI" she demanded.
The old man reused as at shot
md his deep eyes under their shaggy
prows bent peeringly upon them
"Christmasr he repeated. with angry
emphasis. "Whcrc have you heard of
Christmas?"
"Zcllah sald," stammcred the little
girl. that in merry England-
Merry England came erimly from
lhe old mans throat.
she said they did no work that
Say, but had great dinner, and some
ret up a tree from the forest win
candles on It"
Yea" said the old man. there were
not enough denominations in England
with their masking and mumming, but
they must needs bring In this German
aummery. And what did she tell you
Mas the meaning OF lt|
The small brother rescued her with
remembered phrase
They are so glad that the Lord is
born" he repeated In his grave little
sing-song.
And that is the way for righteous
people TO show a holy thanksgiving
By sticking up tree like popish idol
in the house and rigging IL with
hcathcn candles? We keep no Christ
mas here. The laws provide punish
mcnt for anyone who keeps that day
with feast or even ceases from his
usual labor. Put this folly from your
minds-let me hear no more OF IL.
md do you" turning 10 his niece. keep
your tongue from running on such
matters, charge you, Tor your souls
Iake."
Nay, Mr.. Cotton" young Westcott
concentrated. touched by her flushed
lace she did but tell them OF the
custom. not commend 1t 10 them"
She took the little ones up TO bed and
when the girl presently returned she
jound her uncle asleep.
Reluctantly Westcott rose to go.
1T is late" he murmured.
She nodded. with unconscious rueful-
ness.
Westcott took a quick step nearer
her. his fur cap Sripped tcnsely in both
bands. There was something that he
had come over half-minded to say that
evening, something the sight Of this
girl always tempted him to say
He distrusted her beauty and his de-
Sire for 1t
Undeniably there had been tender an
ucipation in the girls face. 1t went
out now before 4 flush of hot shame
and her eyes were twin fires of pride.
You are so thoughtful" she said.
with a scornful little smile. whose
mockery he felt, but scarcely under
stood
II viii come Tomorrow" he prom
ised. lingering
ITO wish me Merry Christmas or see
Il l am wickedly abstainlng from
work." she ippIshly persisted
Il could not think any such III doing
OF you," he answered grayely.
iii doingT' she hotly nared back
DO you, in truth, see any Ill doing IN
Observing the day7"