The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1910-12-15

packed ana hardened, WINE lhc hi "
brated with the Jingle Of bells dero.
rating alike sleghs and runnered
wagons At it's head, the thoroughiar"
widened. to split in four directions
and In one Of the triaGges thus form
ed rose the Brick Hotel. II was an eS
posed spot, one to be avoided In rough
weather. affording as It did full scop"
TO the wind to play mad pranks; even
nj its widest, to sweep unfortunate
pedestrians before It, 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 70
the outer edge Of the gathering In IN"
roadway. and by faring torch. held
by a companion Of the man who was
speaking. she saw a street preacher
Goodwill towards all men" was
the text ne preached Goodwill not
alone towards those In our beloved
and immediate circle; not alone to
wards such as we hold IN careless toI
Grant regard. but good.wil toward
all whether they have done us good
or evil turns. For the advent Of the
Christ.child brings with II broodluF
spirit of peace 10 n slntosecd world
which among you" cried the
PREACHER. his voice risen to accusing
note. which among you. were all sc.
crefs known. would not he found to
cherish and foster the memory Of
somc suecial wrong. suffered pnrhnas
wears MO. that you hold back. and ry.
cent u.ben Won nrav FORGIVE us Crr
trosngsses MS we forgive those who
trespsse against us"
In tho second story N the hotel oas
NJ the windows had been raised ard
Maris feeling that curious sensation
which Is caused by nm intent regard
glanced up to encounter the concen.
trated gaze Of the mistress Of the hos
tclrv who lcpnod a little distance be-
tween the nartod shutters Maris. with
rnllcn 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 az mother to her only to slam
the door Of happiness In her face, con
tinuod to stare across the heads Of the
preacher and his listening audience.
The older woman leaned a little
farther and, with tmperativ" hnger.
heckonod the girl to enter the hotel
The action broke the spell ana Maris'
with dehant negatioh OF the mead
turned 10 pursue her way
M"''s
ne EH' '"u'u ho' nave 'o'u "i'etn.
er OF NOV heT hHtn' iau pee" aeluaiiS
hpoNen' VI was merely SIIe"' Wy,
part OF the competing influence She
nae experienced NeVer'heIess her
steps l"ss'u anu ''ouen 'le'u''k "nu
o''h lar from heT VIII sh' Prosrut'y
turned aDout ana entered inc BITCH
Ho,'"
me uoor was open inc S''',ns room
warm WIN hre ana lamp ana hachei
N"''' H'""' I'"''"'"s' "'' INV '"' "'u
to"'r's 'he uoor'
30 me preacher man forced you 10
thinR OF me aiter three years OF 81
renee Inc glrIs voice QuiVered I'M
DER me burden OF mingled teellngs
cohlured UP oy inc meeting
W" made the moment opportune,"
corrected the other. u have thought
OF you always"
Well, say your say, and let me
go"
Mrs. Castle moved towards the fire,
pushing forward a chair
You have grown hard-I should
scarcely know you, II II we're not for
your eyes and hair. Come, SIT here,
Maris I cannot stand very long.
now"
UnwllIngly Maris took the chair
indicated. while Mrs. Castle seated
herself opposite. In the searching
glare of blazing lors the girl could
not fail to remark the change in the
other, the figure had become wasted,