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UT * I 4
1886. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. 1887.
IN A CHRISTMAS STOCKING.
"I am going out ! " Instantly there rose a
clamor at Ethel Can-melon's announcement.
Going out in such a storm , surely ( die mur-t
be joking. But she was not , and soon left the
room to prepare for a walk.
Mrs. Rokfort had gathered together a few
choice friends to spend th < j holidays with
her ; it was the day Lefore Christinas , and a
furious northwest snow storm had heen
driving everything before it since the night
previous , with no signs of abatement. Mrs.
Rokfort and her guests had been satisfied
to stay in doors , content with the warmth
and luxury which surrounded them ; and
most all with one accord sought the pleas
ant morning room.
As Ethel was seen departing some
fifteen minutes later , they decided that
it .would not be long before she would
be among them again ; but in this they
were mistaken , for as she traversed
the garden walk , there was a hard ,
cold light in Miss Carrington's usually
soft eyes.
Leon Rokfort had left the gay com
pany about an hour before to write
some letters , but his thoughts had
gone so far astray that he had not
been able to accomplish his mission.
He had vibrated between his desk and
the window , alternately grasping his
, and then growing absent-minded
gen would find himself at the window
thinking of Ethel Carringt on.
"She is a flirt , she is a flirt , " he had
eaid to himself , over and over again ,
"and I will not notice her , not that I
care seriously for her , " he explained
tohimself , ' 'but I so dislike to see
women stoop to'that sort of thing.
However , I have no time to waste
harping on that theme. I will write
Wilson I accept his offers and that he
may expect me on the5th of January ,
not considered a very pleasant month
to cross the ocean , but then . By
Jove ! who's that going out in this
storm ? It must be yet it cannut.
Why should any of our guests go out
on foot to-day , least of all Miss Car-
rington ? "
But after a few futile attempts he
gave up trying to write , and crossed
the hall to the morning room. He ob
served that Ethel was not among the
gay young people assembled there , and
also noticing that Mr. Morbury was
likewise absent , connected these two
together , and decided that she was in
some safe retreat flirting with him , for
Morbury's devotion was evident to all.
Why did he call her a flirt ? He had
never remarked anything of the co
quette about her ; but then the world
called her such because all the eligible
young men aye , atd old ones , too ,
for that matter fell in love with and
wanted to marry her , and people said
she was a coquette , so she went for
one because they said so. She was
very beautiful ; to Rokfort she seemed
cold ; .her smiles were frequent , and her
manner particularly winning.
"Where is Ethel ? " asked Mrs. Rok-
fort , coining into the room.
"Said she was going out. "
"Gone out in this storm ! alone ? "
"Yes , we saw her , but thought , of
course , she would come right back. "
"How long since ? "
But Leon waitpd to hear no more ;
instantly he thought of that figure he
had seen an hour or more ago , and
which he had entirely forgotten. He
rushed out of the room and hastily
donning overcoat and hat he was out
upon the street before he knew what
he was going to do. He could scarcely
expect to find her , as he hadn't the
least notion in the world where she
had gone. He walked hastily over to
Wabash avenue , and seeing a passing
cab hailed it and entered. He felt
strangely affected , and could not have
told himself why he was so anxious to
find Ethel Carrington ; surely there
was no reason 'she should not go out
if she chose. Arriving at the corner of
State and Monroe , he alighted without
definite purpose.
Meanwhile Ethel was hastening
through the storm regardless of wind
or snow ; her mind was in a tempest ,
and the outward gale did not reach
her/she wanted 'action to keep pace
with-her thoughts. .
"Why should I care ? What matters
it what he thinks of me more than an
other ? Why do they call me a flirt ?
I never cared so much before when
others said it ; because I was conscious
of my own good will and regard for
truth ; that sustained me , for all the
protestations in the world will not
make people change their opinions , if
they are determined not to. Then
why should I take what he said so
grievously ? Only , " with a little
catching sob ; "one would like every
one to think well of them. " And in
this train her thoughts ran on , over
and over , round and round the subject they
sped with ever increasing tumult and dis
satisfaction , until she found herself on State
street in the midst of hurrying crowds , in
spite of weather the 24th of December is
ever a busy day , before gaily decked win
dows.
"Please give me a penny ? " came a wee
voice by her side ; looking down she saw a
ragged child with a small purple hand held
out to her.
"My dear child , what are you doing out in
such a storm , at such a time ? "
.The short Winter afternoon was already
yielding up its daylight ; thought it was
scarcely 4 o'clock the cas and electric lights
blazed forth through the snow.
"Please , ma'am , my mother is sick an' I
want.some money to buy her som'n to eat. "
"Come in here"and tell me all about it. "
said Ethel , taking her hand and leading her
into a store.
Miss Carrington did not see a gentleman
whom she brushed by and who gave a per
ceptible Htart as he perceived her. and sta
tioned himself near the entrance so.that . he
might see her when she came out ; she was
too intent on her mission.
After hearing a tale of poverty , sickness
and distress , to which there are thousands
of duplicates in all large cities , she interested
herself in the child's behalf. She was utterly
sink of dwelling so long on her own troubles ,
and entered with a zest and activity into
the new project. As they went from store to
store , purchasing many articles of use and
luxury , Ethel felt her own heart grow light
as she witnessed the joy of this little begcar
the child , who bounded nimbly along , joy
having lent wings to her young feet and
chased away her weariness , Ethel thought
she heard a step behjnd her ; she paused
trembling and affrighted ; she did not hear it
i.giiin and nlie went on. After all , in a
crowded tenement why should there not be
many people going and coming all the time ?
But being unused to it and completely worn
out with fatigue , she could not help feeling a
vague alarm. At lengthshe reached the top ,
where her email guide was awaiting her in a
fever of anticipation.
Into n small back room she led the way ,
saying , as she opened the door :
"M , here's a real lady come to see you
an' she's bought us lots of things , "
It was utter darkness to Ethel , but the
child had no difficulty in going about ; she
heard some one stir uneasily on a bed some-
earring. She was too petrified with terror
to cry out , but before she had time to face
her interceptor , a well-known voice rang
sharply on the night air :
"Villain ! unhand that lady. "
The next moment shf was free , and turn
ing she beheld Leon Rokfort. She did not
question why he was there , hut a devout
thankfulness rose in her heart at flight of
him. The man wrenched himself away from
Leon and sped down the street.
"
"Ethel , are you hurt ? " he asked , tenderly ,
drawing her hand through his arm.
' "No , " she answered , wondering a little , in
a vague way , why he should use her given
name.
"I should have spoken sooner , but dreaded
that I might frighten yon.1
"How came you here ? " she asked , the
strangeness of it coming upon her suddenly.
THE ENTREE OF CHRISTMAS.
child. She determined to see her home , al
though it was then quite dark. They were
both heavily laden with parcelsit was a
i.ew sensation to the petted darling of
wealth , and she felt exhiliarated ; how glad
she was of her soreness of heart which had
sent her forth to do some good in the world.
Her small companion led along State street ,
then turned west at Harrison , then on again ,
then another turn. Ethel was 'quite lost ;
the street was dark and narrow ; so far it
seemed to her ; she was getting chilled and
tired after her unusual exercise , and now
that the excitement was wearing off ; but she
bravely toiled on until they came to a mis
erable , rickety tenement , which was dimly
discernible by a flickering gas lamp opposite.
As she stumbled up the unlit staircase after
where and , a poor weak voice say :
"Thank you , mom , I can't get up or I
would , do you , Lucy , light the candle. "
Ethel only lingered long enough to render
, them as comfortable as she could , promis
ing to call again soon. Her heart beat high
with apprehension as she slowly felt her way
down the daak stairs , and a shiver of cold
and nervous dread shook her slight frame
as she paused in the outer doorway ; not a
person xvas visible. It had censed snowing
and the light from the gas lamp caught the
sparkle of the diamonds in her ears and
tossed it in irridescent flashes into the eyes
of a man who was standing in the shadow of
the buildings. As elieglided across the door
step onto the sidewalk she felt herself grasped
firmly by the arm aud a hand clutched her
"Another time I will tell you , but now I
must get you home as quickly as possible. "
By this time they had reached Van Buren
street , and found a carriage standing in front
of the depot , which Leon hastily secured.
"No , " Ethel protested , "I will go in the
cars , "
"Nonsense , you are cold now , and would
freeze in the street cars. "
"After the suffering I have witnessed to
day , I cannot allow myself to be comfort
able hardly , being cold is no consequence.
What is it compared to all the suffering
among us ? "
"Tlmfc is simply ridiculous ? Will makins
yourself sick , alleviate others' sufferings ?
Come , get in , " he ordered peremptorily.
But as he saw she still hesitated , he lilted
her up and put her in ; he told the driver to
make , all possible speed to No. Calumet
avenue.
"Are you cold ? " asked Rokfort , after
awhile.
"No , " she responded , stiffly , her teeth
chattering as she spoke.
Ife took off his overcoat and told her to
make use of it.
"Who is nonsensical now ? put your over
coat on directly.yoti will takecold yourself- "
"I be you take it , I am very warm , but
you have had shock to your nerves , as well
as being overworked and excited , all of
which are inducements for taking cold on
such a night. "
"I have plenty on ; it would make no dif
ference in my ft-elings ; I pray you put it on. "
"Miss Carrington , why will you be HO per
verse ? " he said , with considerable irritation ;
r ' "you drive me to it , " and without
further parley he forcibly wrapped ik
around her against all her remon
strances ; and to keep it on her he was
obliged to hold his arm about her.
"You are rude , Mr. Rokfort , " she
said ; "I did not expect aui-h conduct
from you. "
ft
"I hope you will forgive me , " he
said , not altering his position , "but I
Bee no other way. "
"I will not forgive you"she said , re
sentfully.
"As you please. " They said no
more until they arrived home.
There had been considerable wonder
about Ethel's non-arrival , but there
was no one about as they went in , for
the dressing bell had rung just a mo
ment before and all were in their
rooms.
Miss Carrington hadonlj'been in her
room a short time when there came a
rap at the door , she opened it , and
there stood Rokfort with a strong hot
whisky in his hand.
"Here , drink this , " he said impera
tively , holding it toward her.
"How much trouble you take , " she
returned fulteringly.
"Will you take il ? "
"Yes. "
"Thank you , " he said , turning
awny.
= = = gP It had been decided that theyshould
all hang up their stockings Christum *
" Eve in the library , and celebrate in
- = ' royal style.
At dinner Ethel was very quiet , and
when questioned about her "running
away , " they called it , she said but lit
tle , only replying that she had met a.
friend.
Christmas morning dawned with
glory , a pale pink flooded the eastern
sky long before the lazy sun appeared ,
and heralded a bright , clear day. The
high white snow drifts yielded a ri : b
harvest to poor men and boys , who
were out early with their shovels.
Ethel was the last to make her ap
pearance , and wasgreeted with "Merry
Christmas" on all sides. When they
were all assembled in the drawing-
room , they started all together for the
library and were as happy and eager
as children.
Miss Carrington found down under
neath everything in her stocking a let
ter. The hand was unfamiliar ; she
never remembered to have seen it be
fore , but it gave her a singular sensa
tion and she slipped it into her pocket ,
unseen save by one pair of eyes whose
owner was closely watching her. At
length she found an opportunity to es
cape from them all. She stole into
the conservatory and hid herself be
hind a high tropical plant and sat
down to read her letter.
CHRISTMAS EVE.
My Darling : I lovo you ; I tried to
blind myself to the fact , but to-day
when I heard you had gone out in the
storm alone , my heart rose up in pro
test ; I felt almost as though I had
driven you forth and that I might
never see you again. After that which
I have seen to-day I know that you
would not wilfully hurt the meanest of
God's creatures. Forgive and love
me. I know I am unworthy and do
not deserve you , but my soul cries out
in longing and I implore you to be my
wife. Will you take me for a Christ
mas present ? Most anxiously ,
LEON ROKFOUT.
Her eyes were filled with tears as she
finished , happy tears , and as she
raised them murmuring : "I do love
him , I know it now , " she encountered
those of Leon bent wistfully upon her.
"I could not wait for my answer , "
he said , advancing. "What is it to
be ? "
"This , " she answered , extending her
pretty , white hand. It was the left.
He took it , thankfully , and pressed
it to iiis lips.
A Mean Man's Christmas Present.
"What are you going to give your
wife for a Christmas present this
year ? " asked a bluff man of his friend
the other day.
"I've been thinking , " he replied. "I hardly
know what to do. You see I want a new
overcoat , but if I give my wife much of a
present I can't afford to get it. I've got a
scheme , though , that I think will work. I'll
give my wife a twenty-dollar gold piece on
Christmas morning as a present , see ? and in
a few days I'll borrow it and buy a coat.
How does that strike you , hey ? "
Christmas presents as well as absents
make the heart grow fonder.
Never look a Christmas gift in the mouth
unless it is a pitcher of beer.
No , my dear children , you do not always
find stockings on the limbs of Christmas
trees.