The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-20
TOR the third time the girl moved
her spinning wheel. IF / am

Tor the third time the girl moved
her spinning wheel. III ! an
too far from the fire I freeze
and II I am too near the fire
cook" she laughingly complained. set
ting her wheel awhirl again. 1T Is 8
bitter night" her old uncle agreed from
his corner Of the settle on the other
side 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
sort of reluctant fascination. They
had been following her ever since hel
arrival in the Massachusetts, colony
six months before. He had never seen
such girl nor dreamed OF such orign'
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 a sub
ject of remark.
rouse the children. wake up, little
folk! L must take you up to bed, Miles.
dear; wake up! The apples you set
to roast are all cinders. Elizabeth.
wake upp'
The little girl sat up with a start. her
round, sleepy eyes opening in bewiider-
ment.
lis it Christmas yet?' she demanded.
The old man reused as at shot
and his deep eyes under their shaggy
brows bent peeringly upon them.
"Christmas!" he repeated, with angry
emphasis. Where nave you heard OF
Christmas?
eZeiiah said" stammered the little
girl, that In merry England
Merry England! came grtmIy from
the OLD man 8 throat.
."She SAID they did no work that
day, but mad a great dinner, and some
set up a tree from the forest with
candles on it
Yea" said the old man, there were
not enough aDOminauonS in England
with tnelr masklng and mumming, bu'
they must needs bring in this German
flummery. And What did she tell yor
was the meaning of it?
The small DroLner rescued her with 9
remembered phrase.
'.1hey are SO giad that the Lord IL
born" he repeated In his grave little
sing-song:
land mat is the way for righteous
people TO snow a holy thanksgiving
BY sticking up tree like popish loo
in the mouse and rigging IL Win
heather candles? We keep no Christ
mas mere. Inc laws provide punish.
ment for anyone. who keeps that day
with a feast or even ceases from his
usual labor. Put this folly from your
and do you,'' turning to his niece, "keeI
your tongue from running on sucr
matters, L charge you, for your souPs
sake"
NAY, Mr.. Cotton" young Westcot
demonstrated, touched by her flushed
face, ''she did but tell them of the
custom, not commend it to them"
She took the little ones up to bed ant
when the girl presently returned Sht
found her uncle asleep.
/ Reluctantly WestcoIt rose to go.
1T is late,'' he murmured.
! She nodded, with unconscious rueful
ness.
Westcott took quick step nearer
her, his fur cap gripped tenseiy in boil
hands. There was something that b.
had come over half-minded to say tina
evening, something the sight Of thi
girl always tempted him to say.
He distrusted her beauty and his de
sire for it.
Undeniably there had been tender an
ticipation in the girls face. 1t Wen
out now before a flush of hot shame
and her eyes were twin fires of pride.
You are SO thoughtful" she said
with a scornful little smile, who's
mockery he felt, but scarcely under
stood.
IT will come tomorrow" he prom
Used, lingering.
ITO wish me Merry Christmas or SCI
IL I am wickedly abstaining from
work." she impishly persisted.
Il could not think any such i'll doing
of you" he answered gravely.
iii dOing?" she holly f1ared back
do you, in truth, see any i'll doing il
Observing the day."