The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-12-24

TOR the third time the girl moved
her spinning wheel. "If 1 am
too far from the fire / freeze,
and II l am too near the fire l
cook" she laughingly complained, set
ting her wheel awhirl again. 1t Is q
bitter night" her old uncle agreed from
his corner of the settle on the other
eide of the cobbled chimney-place of
rough stones and mortar. where the
great logs were blazing merrily.
Young Westcott, on the settle beside
him. said nothing at all, but his eyes
followed her every movement with a
sort of reluctant fascination. They
had been following her ever since her
arrival IN the Massachusetts, colony.
six months before. He had never seen
such a girl nor dreamed of such bright
bewilderment of beauty.
Something in the silence, perhaps
something in Westcott's eyes, which
rested on her. seemed TO disconcert the
girl, for she cast about for sub
tect Of remark.
Dropping her distaff, she bent to
rouse The children. Wake up, little
folkl | must take you up to bed. Miles,
dear: wake up! The apples you set
to roast are all cinders. Elizabeth,
wake upl"
The little girl sat up with a start, her
cund, sleepy eyes opening in bewilder-
t.ent.
IS It Christmas yet?" she demanded.
nv old man reused as at a shot
al; mis- deep eyes under their shaggy
avs bent peeringly upon them.
christmas" he repeated, with angry
emphasis. Where have you heard of
LhiIstmas?"
"Zellah said" stammered the little
girl, that in merry England"
Merry England came grimly from
,he old man s throat
she said they did no work that
day, but had u great dinner, and some
set up a tree from the forest with
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
ftummery. And what did she tell you
was the meaning OF ltY'
The small brother rescued her with
remembered phrase.
''Ihey are 50 giad that the Lord is
born" he repeated In mis- grave little
sing-song.
ana tnat is the way for a righteous
people to show a holy thaukss wing?
BY sticking up tree like popish idol
in Tne house and rigging 1t with
heather candles? We keep no Christ
mas here. The laws provide punish
Inent for anyone VINO keeps that day
with a feast or even ceases from mis-
usual labor. Put this folly from your
minds--lst me hear no more Of II,
and do YOU" turning to his niece, keep
your tongue from running ON such
matters, charge you, for your souls
sake."
Nay, Mir. Cotton" young Westcott
demonstrated, touched by her flushed |
face, "she did but tell them of the
custom, not commend II to them"
She took the little ones up to bed and
1hen the girl presently returned she
rand her uncle asleep.
Reluctantly Westcott rose to go.
1t Is late" he murmured.
She nodded, with unconscious rueful- |
iess
Westcott took a quick step nearer |
her, mis- fur cap gripped tensely In both |
hands. There was something that he |
had come over half-mlnded TO say that |
evening, something the sight Of this |
girl always tempted him 10 say.
He distrusted her beauty and his de-
sire for II.
Undeniably there had been tender an |
ticipatlon in the girls face IL went |
out now before a flush of hot shame, |
and her eyes were twin fires of pride.
You are so thoughtful" she said. |
with scornful little smile, whose
mockery he felt, but scarcely under
stood.
II wiz come tomorrow" he prom
ised, lingering.
"To wish me Merry Christmas or see
II j am wickedly abstaining from
work." she implshly persisted.
II could not think any such Ill doing
Of you" he answered gravely.
iii doingT she hotly fiared back. |
"Do you In truth, see any Ill doing in
Observing the day."