The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1912-12-27
The Call Of theHeart
A New Years Event
By cARLorTA PERRY

ssssessssssssssossssseese
~T is not often that the .prodigal re
turns on Thanksgiving day to s'l
at the table where plate Is al
ways laid for him; that Christ
mas brings a restoration of peace am
good or that Easter sees resurrection
Of buried hopes. But here Is family
episode at New Years which Is excep
tional.
They were an old fashioned family
and they lived In an old fashioned
country house.
They always watched the old year
out and the new year In. ana when
from the near church tower the oid
bell fingered on the last stroke OF IL
with much ceremony the outer door
Of the great hall was thrown open
that the old year might depart and the
new one enter And according TO q
time honored custom each one made 4
wish for something that was most
desired at the hands of the New Year
There was a tradition that strange
and beautiful things had come to pass
because Of this wishing.
Mr.. Walter Graham, the head Of the
family. was a man of warm heart, but
with an intense pride and an I'm
perious will.
Ten years before the time Of which
this story tells the eldest daughter OF
the house had clandestinely married o
man to whose patient and faithful
court paternal consent with unreason-
ing prejudice was refused. The father.
in his wrath. forbade her ever to cross
the home threshold again.
The girls heart had not misled her.
The man was in every way worthy.
Happiness and prosperity had been
their portion.
The holidays at Graham House.
though still the occasion of hospitality
and mirth. were days on which men,
ory was sadly busy. The loving moth
er felt more keenly on these festal
days the estrangement Of which she
might not even speak.
Always when New Years eve came
Mr.. Graham would slip away from
the family and guests and spend an
hour alone II. thought of the daughter
who had disobeyed him. From these
retrospections he had always come
harder and more unrelenting than
ever.
On the New Years eve Of which this
story tells merry company was gath
cred In Graham House.
As usual, little before midnight Mr..
Graham slipped away for his tryst
with bitter memories, but when Just q
before the time for opening
the door he came down the grand stair
case there was new look on his face.
"Dear friends" he said gently, will
not all who love us wish with me that
peace, love and charity may enter
Graham House this blessed New
Years eve and abide fNevermoreY
The dear mS,her. with a sob OF Joy
In he. Joice. the brothers and sisters
and all the guests said softly. peace.
love and charity to Graham House for
everlnore" Then, as the midnight bell
rang out. the door swung open to the
starlit sky. the snow white world, and
each one welcomed the New Year, max
Ing the wish dearest to his heart.
Now. this Is wh2t happened next.
There on the porch they stood us IL rure
of welcome, the daughter and the
husband and two smiling fur clad lit
lie children. The youngest lifted up
his voice geefuly, saying: We've
GRANDPA ther Muvver says she
heard your voice. Did you call"
The old man stopped and gathered
the little ones in his arms. "Yes. call
ed you" he said. "She heard Alright
the call of my heart"