The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1910-12-23

VI dtcu Will Iuc jungle VI UcAo uSNo
rating alike sleighs and runnered
wagons. At its head, the thOroughfare
widened, to split In four directions,
and in one of the triangles thus form
ed rose the Brick Hotel. 1t 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 its widest, to sweep unfortunate
pedestrians before 1t, like dust before
a giants broom.
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 a flaring torch, held
by a companion of the man who was
speaking, she saw a street preacher
Z 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 a 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 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 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 81 have thought
of you always"
We'll. say your say. and let mo
60"
Mrs. Castle moved towards the IRE.
pushing forward chair.
You have grown hard should
scarcely know you. If 1t were not for
your eyes and hair. Come, sit here,
Maris. l 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?"
The girl shook her head, and her
eyes wandered over the room noting
the almost imperceptihle changes that
time had wrought. and welcoming the
salient features that lived in her mem
DRY; the bookcase, the horse-hair sofa,
the handicapped, table with, it's case
of stuffed canaries, many Of whom she
had fed IN life and, last of all, the
mans photograph on the mantel, set
IN its heavy silver frame. She seemed
to look long. but in reality after the
FIRST moment she could distinguish no
single feature. for the hot binding
tears that she would not suffer to
fall.
BEN hasn't changed" said Rachel
Castle. following her eyes. "only in