The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-12-13

that I have thought Of it, and can re-
lease YOU"
Have ever sought released"
I'm words. No. Never"
"In what, them"
I'm a changed nature; in an al.
tered spirit; in another atmosphere
Of life; another Hope as its great
end. In everything that made my
love OF any worth or value in your
sight. II this had never been be-
tween u.s." said the girl, looking
mildly, but with steadiness, upon
him; "tell me, would you seek me
out and try to win me now"
He seemed to yield to the justice
OF this supposition, In spite of HIM
self. But he said with a struggle,
"You think not"
II would gladly think otherwise
If I could" she answered.
"Spiritl" said Scrooge, "show me
no morel Conduct me home. Why
do you delight to torture me?"
Zone shadow morei" exclaimed
the Ghost.
They were in another scene and
place; a room, not very large or
handsome, but 'fuiiccf 'cornfort.. Near
to the winter fire sat q beautiful
young girl, so like that last that
Scrooge believed it was the same,
until he saw her, now q comely ma
tron, sitting opposite her daugh-
ter. The noise in this room was
perfectly tumultuous, for there were
more children there, than Scrooge in
his agitated state could count.
But now knocking at the door
was heard, and such a rush imme-
diately ensued to greet the father.
who came home attended by a man
laden with Christmas toys and pres
ents. Then the shouting and the
struggling, and the onslaught that
was made on the defenseless por-
ter! The scaling him with chairs
for ladders to drive into his pock-
cts, despoil him Of brown-paper par
GELS, hold on tight by his cravat,
hug him round his neck, pommel
his back, and kick his legs in ire
PACooAOlC dlACSblOhI IlC 6IlOuLb vi
wonder and delight with which the
development Of every package was
received The terrible announce
ment that the baby had been taken
in the act Of putting a dolls frying
pan into his mouth, and was more
than suspected Of having swallowed
a fictitious turkey, glued on q wood
en- platterl The immense relief of
finding this false alarml The ioy.
and gratitude, and ecstasyi They
are all indescribable alike. 1t is
enough that by degrees the children
and their emotions got out of the
parlor and by one stair at a time,
up to the top Of the house; where
they went to bed, and so subsidized.
And now Scrooge looked on more
attentively than ever, when the mas
ter Of the house, having his daughter
leaning fondly on him, sat down
with her and her mother at his own
fireside; and then when he thought
such another creature, quite as
graceful and as full of promise,
might have called him father.
Belle" said the husband, turn
ing to his wife with a smile, II
saw an old friend Of yours this after
noon"
who was it,"
''Mr. Scrooge it was. I passed
his office window; and as II was not
shut up, and he had a candle in
side, could scarcely help seeing
him. His partner lies upon the point
Of death, / hear; and there he sat
alone. Quite alone in the world, l
do believe"
Spirit" said Scrooge in a bro
ken voice, remove me from this
place"
II told you these we're shadows
OF the things that have BEEN" said
the Ghost. THAT they are what
they are, do not blame mel"
Remove mel" Scrooge ex-
claimed, II cannot bear III"
He was conscious Of being ex.
hsusted, and overcome by an ire
sistible drowsiness: and, further, OF
being in his own bedroom. He had
barely time TO reel TO bed. before
he sank into a heavy sleep.
ITO BE- CONTINUED