Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1910-12-14


icicles that hung
in glistening ar
ray, like crystal
prisms on chan
~ delier.
Id In the road,
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
widened, to split in four directions,
and in one of the triangles thus form
ed rose the Brick Hotel. It was an ex-
posed spot, one to be avoided in rough
weather, affording as it did full scope
to the wind to play mad pranks; even,
at it's widest, to sweep unfortunate
pedestrians before it, like dust before
a 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
roadway, and by f1aring torch, held
by companion of the man who was
speaking, she saw a 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 brooding
spirit of peace to a sin-tossed 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 u.s.
In the second story of the hotel one
of the windows had 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 a little
farther and, with imperative finger,
beckoned the girl to enter the hotel
The action broke the spell and Maris,
with defiant negation of the head,
turned to pursue her way.
"Maris-"
The girl could not have told wheth-
er or not her name had been actually
spoken, or was merely a silent cry, a
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 stood listening, her face turned
towards the door.
$50 the preacher man forced you to
think Of me after three years of ST
lence?" The girls voice quivered un-
der the burden of mingled feelings
conjured up by the meeting.
"He made the moment opportune,"
corrected the other. az have thought
of you always"
well, say your say, and let me
CO."
Mrs. Castle moved towards the fire,
pushing forward a chair.
"You have grown hard should
scarcely know you, If it were not for
your eyes and hair. Come, sit here,
Maris. / cannot stand very long,
now"
Unwillingly Maris took the chair
indicated, while Mrs. Castle seated
herself opposite. In the searching
glare of blazing logs, the girl could
not fail to remark the change in the
other, the figure had become wasted,
the face pinched. Her heart stirred
uncomfortably. Despite their quarrel
Maris owed much to Rachel Castle
the charity of the Brick Hotel had
saved her girlhood from the poor
house.
'You have been ill?" she asked.
For year; you did not hear?"
I'll. Il Il, l. l. I. 4