The Wingham Times, 1913-04-03, Page 7e
•
Purified *
hy Suffering
BY
MARY J.
HOLMES,
%*** **46.464646§k
told hint what had happened, and
.asked what she should do.
"Do?" the old man repeated. "Gc
home with me to your own folks un•
til he comes front the wars, He is
your husband, and I shall say no.
thing agin him; but if it was to gc
1 over I would forbid the banns. Thai
chap has misused you the wust way
You need not deny it, for it's writ
all over your face."
Mr. Cameron knew that Kate
Would he happier at Silverton, ant
'he flintily consented to her going, and
placed at her disposal a sum whist
seemed to the deacon a, little fortune
in itself. I
To Mrs. Cameron and Juno it was
' n, relief to have Kety taken front •
their bands, and though they made s
show of opeosition„ they were easil3
quieted. and helped hr off with alas
rity, the mother promising to see
that the house was properly cared
for, and. Juno aiming to send the
latest fashious whi"h might be suit.
able, as soon as tley appeared. Bel:
was heartily sorry to part with the
young sister, who seemed going frog
'her forever.
"I know you will never come back,
Something tells. in so." she said, as
she stood utth her arms around
TCaty's waist, and her lips occasion.
ally touching Katy's forehead. "Dui
E shall see you," she continued; " 3
tam coining to the farra-house in the
summer, and you maty say to Aunt
Betsy that I like her ever so much,
and —" Dell glanced behind her to
-see that no one was listening, and
then continued: "tell her a certain
officer was sick a few days in a hos-
pital last winter, and one of his men
:brought to him a dish of the most
delicious dried peaches he ever ate.
'That man was from. Silverton, and
-the fruit was sent to him. he said, in
.a sot hag, by a nice old lady, for
whose brother he used to work. Just
to think that the peaches I helped tc
Tare, coloring My hands so that the
stain did not come oft in a month
should have gone so straight tc
Bob!" and Doll's fine features shone
with a light which would have told
'Bob Reynolds he was beloved, if the
lips 'did refuse to confess it.
"I'll tell her," ICaty said, and thee
'bidding theta all good-bye, artd put,
ting her hand on Uncle Ephraim's
arnh she went with him from the
home where she had lived but twc
years, and those the saddest, most
eventful ones of her short life.
CHAPTER XL.
There was much talk in Silverten
'when it was known that Katy had
come to stay until her husband eh
'turned front the war, and at ftrst the
•people watched her ouriously as she
ciente among them again, so quiet,
�o subdued, so unlike the Katy of eV
iii..... that they would have hardly reecen
nzed her but for the beautx of hes
l;feece and the sunny smile she gave to
all, and which rested oftenest on the
goer aT1Ck suffering, who telessedthhew
as the angel of their humble homes,
preying that God would remember
her for all she was to them. Wil-
ford had censured her at first for go-
Veeg. to Silverton, when he 'inferred
he should stay in New York, hint-
ing darkly at the reason of her
choice, and saying to her once, when
:Oho told hitu how the Sunday before
her twenty-fiest birthday ' sho had
knelt. before the altar and taken up -
*et herself the vows of confirmation,
"Vour saintly cousin is, of course,
delighted, and that I suppose is suf-
ficient, without my con gratu I at ions."
Perhaps he did not mean it, but he.
esteemed to take delight in teasing her
and Katy sometimes felt she should
be happier without his letters than
with them. He never said he was
sorry he bad lett her so suddenly --
indeed he seldom referred to the
past in any way; or if he did, it was
in a manner which showed that he
*tnight himself the injured party, if
eit her.
:Katy did not often go to Linwood,
and, seldom saw Morris alone. After
what Mu. passed, she thought it bet-
ter to avoid him as much as pos-
sible, and was glad when early in
June he accepted a situation offered
him as sturgeon in a Georgetown hospital, and loft Silverton for his new
field of labor.
True to her promise, Bell came the
last of July to Silverton, peeving
herself a dreadful romp, as she dilute -
ed over the rocks in Aunt Betsy's
heinous sheep-paature, or raked the
bay in the meadow, and proving her-
self, too, 0, genuine woman, as with
blanched cheek and anxious heart she
Waited for tidings from, the battles
before Richmond, where the tide of
:euceess seemed to turn, and the
Korth, hitherto so jubilant and hope-
ful, wore weeds of mourning from
Afaine to Orogen. itdeut. Doh was
eelli there, and Wilford, too; and so Whs
e 'Captain Ray, diggitig in the umrshy
:swamps, where death floated up in
Poisonous exhadations—plodding on
the :weary rahrch, and fighting all
through the 'seven days, where the
nun poured down eta burning heat
tend the night beought'littlihieit. NO
edonder, then, that three pair' Of
e`YeS greet dint With watching the
daily Papers. But the natnes of nei-
ther Wilford, Mark, nor Bob were
over found aniOng th0 St ()IMO& deed,
.Or Missing, and with the fall of the
irst autumn leaf Dell returned to the
hie City mere entztlea, More PerOlelted
/14t. thttn ever With regard to iholett Lehe
nex'S real. feelings toward Ceptede.
UN:.
'The week before -Christmas, Mark
Came home for a few dee, latticing
bronzed from exposure and 'hatt1Shies,
Wit Welshing a disappeinted, Reales.
took Which 'Dell was etuiek tes detect
connecting it in someway with Ilel-
en Lennox. Only once did he call at
Mrs. Cameron's, and then as Juno
was out Bell had hint to herself,
talking of S'Ilverton, of Helen and
Katy, in the latter of whom he seem-
ed far more interested than her sis-
ter. Many questions he asked con-
cerning Katy, expressing his regret
that Wilford had left her, and saying
he believed Wilford was sorry, too.
He was in the hospital now, with a
SO,' eve cold and a touch of the rheu-
matism, he said; but as Bell knew
this already she did not dwell long
upon that subject, choosing rather to
'talk of Helen, who, she said, was
"as much interested in the soldiers,
as if she had a brother or a lover in
the army," and her bright eyes
glanced meaningly at Mark, who an-
swered carelessly:
"[)r. Grant is there, that may ac-
count for interest."
Mark knew he must say something
to ward off Dell's attackS, and he
continued taking of Dr. Grant and
how much he was liked 'by the poor
wretches who needed some one like
him to keep them from 'dying of
homesi-kuess if nothing else; then,
after a few bantering words concern-
ing Lieutenant Bob and the picture
he carried into every battle, button-
ed closely over his heart, Marie Ray
took his leave, while Dell ran up to
her mother's room as a seamstress
was occupying her own. Mrs. Cam-
eron was out that afternoon, and
that she had dressed in a hurry was
indicated by the unusual confusion of
her room. Drawers were left open
and various articles scattered about,
while nn the floor, just as it had fall-
en from a glove -box, lay a letter
which Dell picked up, intending to re -
Piece it.
'Miss Helen Lennox," she read in
astonishment. '*Itow came Helen
Lennox's letter here, and from Mark
Ray. too," she continued, still more
anuteed as she took the neatly fold-
ed note from the envelope and glanc-
ed at the name. "Foul play some-
where. Can it be mother?" she ask-
ed, as she read enough to know that
she held in her hand Mark's offer of
marriage, which had in some myster-
10115 inalther found its way to het.
mother's room, "I don't understand
it," she said, racking her brain for
a solution of the mystery, "But I'll
send it to Helen this very clay, aud
to -morrow I'll tell Mark Ray."
Procrastination was not one of
Cameron's faults, and for full
half ati hour before her mother and
Juno came home, the stolen letter
heal been lying in the mail box where
Dell herself deposited it, together
with a few hurriedly written lines,
telling how it came into her hands,
bet offering no explanation of huy
k ud.
"Mark is home now On a leave of
abs. nee which expires clay atm. to-
morrow," she wrote. "T ani going
round to see him, and if you do not
hear from hint in person I am great-
ly mistaken."
The next day a series of hindennees
kept. Bell from me.king her call as
early as she had intended, so (het
Mrs. Banker and Mark were just ris-
ing front dinner, when told she woe
in the parker.
"I meant to have come before."
she said, seating herself by Marls.
"but T could not get away. 1 have
brought you some good news. 1
thihk—that is—yes, I know there has
been some mistake, something wrone
somewhere. Mark Ray, yesterday af-
ternoon I found—no matter whert or
how—a letter intended for Helen Len-
nox, which I am positive she nevereaw or heard of; at least her 'denial
to Inc that a certain Mark Ray had
ever offered himself is a proof that
FELL AWAY TO
A SHADOW.
All Her People Thought She HMI
CONSUMPTION.
Mrs. Wm. Martin, Lower Ship Harbor
East, N.S., writes:—"I mpending you a
testimonial of my cure by Dr. Wood's
NorwaysPine Syrup. Last May I took
cold, and at settled on my lungs. I got
so bad I could not.rest at night. I had
two doctors to treat me but got no relief.
"All or my people thought I had
Consumption. I had fallen away to 111
shad**. I bad given up all hopes of
ever getting better main until my ditudt-
ter went to a store one day and bought
me a bottle of Dr. Wood's Norway Pine,
Syrup. After taking half of it I felt
better, sot got two more, and thank to
theta 1 ain.well, to -day, and able to do
iny hou3e work. 1 Chilliest say too much
in its Preitle, and I shall always keep it in
th h house." ;
Dr. Wood's Norway Pine Syrup con.
tains all the lung Letting virtues of the
famous Norway Pine tree which makes i,
the very best preparation tor Coughs, '
1 Colds and all Throat and Luns Traublei.
I See that you get "Dr. :Wood's" *telt
you ask for it. There are many intita-
time oit Om Parket.
Price, 25 and 50 cents.
See that the nae, The T.
Litrittd, ie on the yellow wrapper.
U! *INGRAM. TOES, APRIL 3 1.9)3
sho never saw what was an offer
intgle just before you went away. T.
react enough to Inow that, and then
1 took the letter and--"
She hesitated. while Mark's- eyes
turned dark .with excitement, and
even Mrs. Banker, scarcely less inter-
ested, leaned ettgerly forward, Shy-
ing:
"And what? Go en, Miss earner,.
on. 'What did you do with that let-
ter?"
"I sent it to the rightful owner.
Helen Lennox. I posted it myself.
But why don't you thank me, Cap-
tain Ray?" she asked, as Mark's face
wits overshadowed with 'anxiety.
"1 was wondering whether it were
well to send it—wondering how it
might le? received," 119 sedd, and
Dell replied:
'She will not answer no. As one
woninn knows another, 1 know Hel-
en Lennox. I hew' soendea her on
polpt. I told her of the rumor
th.sre was afloat. and she denied it,
seeming greatly diet ressed, but
shuwillef plainly that had such offer
been received ehe would not have re-
fused it. You should have seen her
last summer, Captain Ray, when
we waited so anxiously for newe
from Potonmc. Her face was a
study as her eyes ran over the list
of casualties, searching not for her
amiable brother-in-law, nor yet for
Willard Braxton, their hired man, It
Was plain to me as .daylight, and till
you have to do is to follow up the
letter with another, or go yourself,
It you have time," Bell said, as she
rose to go, leaving Mark in a state
of bewilderment as to what he had
heard.
Who withheld that letter? and why?
were questions which troubled hint
greatly, nor did his mother's assur-
ance that it did not matter so long
as it all came right at last, tend
wholly to reassure him. Ono thing,
however, was certain. He would see
Ilelen before he returned to his regi-
ment. He would telegraph in the
morning to Washington, and then
run the risk of being a day behind
the time appointed for his return to
'duty.
"Suppose you have three children
when I return, instead of two, is
there room in your heart for the
third?" ho asked his mother when
next morning. he was about starting
for Silverton.
"Yes, always room for Helen," was
the reply, as with a kiss of benedic-
tion Mrs, Banker sent her boy away,
CHAPTER XLL
There was to be a Christmas tree
at St. John's, and all the week the
church had been the scone of much
confusion. But the work was over
now; the church was swept and dust-
ed, the tree with its gay adornings
was in its place, the little ones, who
had hindered so much, wore gone, as
were their mothers, and Helen only
tarried with the organ boy to play
the Odwistmas Carol, which Katy
was to sing alone, the children join-
ing in the chorus, as they had been
trained to do. It, was very quiet'
there, and pleasant, with the fading
sunlight. streaming through the chan-
cel window, lighting up the cross
wall where the evergreens were hung
and falling softly on the
above it,
with the sacred words, "Pehee on
earth and good will towards men."
And Helen felt the peace stealing o
et' her as she sat down by the m'egis-1 for a. moment eve going to the
organ loft where the boy was wait-
ing for her. Not eveu the remem-
brance of the dark war -cloud hang-
ing over the land disturbed her then,
as her thoughts went backward eigh-
teen hundred years to Bethlehem's
manger and the little Child whose
birth the angels sang. And as she
thought, the Chad seemed to be
With her, a living presence to which
she pre.yed, leaning her head upon the
railing of the pew in front, and ask -
jug Him to keep her in the perfect
peace she felt around her now. For
Mark Ray, too, sho prayed, asking
God to keep hint in safety wherever
he might be, whether in the lonely
watch, or in some house of God,
where the Christmas carols would be
sung and the Christmas story told.
As she lifted up her head her
hand struck against the pocket of
her dress, where lay the letter
brought to her an hour or SO, ago
—Dell's letter—which she had put
aside to read at a more convenient
:season.
Taking it out, she tore open the
envelope, starting suddenly as an-
other letter, soiled and unsettled, met
her aye. She read Bell's first, and
then, with a throbbing heart, which
as yet would not believe, she took
up Mark's, tinderstandieh now much
that was before mysterious to her.
Juno's call came to her mind, and
though she was unwilling- to charge
so font wreng epee .tht nottog
lady, she could find *o other -solu-
tion to the mystery. There was a
glow of indignation—Helen had scarce-
ly been mortal without it—but that
passed away in pity for the inis-
guided girl, and in joy at the happi-
ness opening. so broadly before her.
That Mark would come to Silveettia
she had no hope, but he would
write—his letter, perhaps, was even
then on the way; and.hiseieg the one
site held, she I'ti h it in her bosom
and went up to Where the organ -boy
'had for several minutes boon kick-.
ing at stools and hooks, and whist-
ling Old John Brown by way of at-
tracting attention. Tho boy wha 111
4 hurry, and asked in so forlorn h
tone, hIs we going to Play?" that
Helen answered good-humoredly,
"Just a few minutes, Billy. 1 Went
to try the carol and the opening,
which I've heftily played at all."
With an air of submission Dill
took his post and -Helen Ingest to
play, but she could only she before
her, "1 have loved you ever Since
that morning When T put the lilies; in
d plaeed so gut of
;Z•initier.hair,"
n
tunenthat Bill asked,
-What. macaw 'elit go so bad?"
"T can't play now; I'm not in the
mood," she said, "I shall heel better
by and by. You can go home if you
like."
hilly needed no second biddites,
but catching up his cap, raft tiewn
the stairs, and out into the horeln
just as up the steps a young Matt
camel hurriedly.
"Italie* bo" he Cried, greelpilth
"the roller of Bill's roundabout and
holding hem lost, "Wito'S in the
chute h?"
"Durn pee Jim Sykes," you let
Me he, or 111---" the boy begage,
but when ho saw his. captor was
not Jime Syhes, but a tall man,
wearing it soldier's uniform, he
changed his tone, and answered civ -
By, "1 thought you was Jim
Sykes, the biggest bully in town,
who is alltis hectorin' us boys. No-
boaly is there but she—Mies Lennox
—up where the organ is," and hav-
ing given the desired information,
Bill net off, wondering first if it
Wuen't Miss Helen's beau. and Won-
dering next, in case she should some
time get married in church, if he
wouldn't fee the organ -boy as well
th' sexton. orto," Bill soli-.
lo odzid, "for I've about blowed my
:hzzard, out somethnes, when she and
;les Cameron sings 're Deum."
eleauwhile Mark Itay, who had
driven fast to the farm -house in
queet of Ilelen, entered the church,
at 1 stole noiselessly up the stairs to
vt h sat the dim light,
reeding again the precious letter
witeh 'Id from her so long. She bad
wined her stool nearer to the win-
eow, and her back was towards the
a nor. No that she neither saw nor
h. aril, nor stisp anything, until
Meek., bending over her so as to see
what she hod in her hand, as well
ns the tear t.b..; had dropped upon
it, clasped both his arms around her
neck, and drawing her face oven
back. kissed her fondly, calling her
h's titteling. and saying to her, as
hit! ti) struggle from. him:
"I know 1 have a right tee hall yen
darling, by that, tear on the letter,
t- d the look upon your Mee. Dear
helen, we have found ouch other at
1 t: t."
Lt was so unexpected that Ilelen
caved not speak, but site let her
h ati rest on his bosom, where he
lute laid it, and her hand crept into
his, so that he was answered, and
lo • a moment he only kissed and
caressed the fair girl he knew now
was his own. 'they could not talk
together very long, for Helen must
go honw: but h' made good use of
the time It had, telling her many
things, and then asking her a ques-
tion which made her start away
'rano him as she replied. "No, no,
n11! no, not,to-night—not so soon as
that!"
"And why not, Heti n?" he asked,
with the manner of ono who ',vas not
to he denied. "Why notto-night, so
there need be no more misunderstand-
ing? I'd rather leave you as my
wife than my betrothed. Mother will
like it .better. .1 hinted it to her,
and she said there was room for you
in her love. It will make inc a bet-
ter man, and a better soldieh; if I
can say 'my wife,' as other soldiers
do. You- don't know what a charm
there is In that word. Helen. It
1,0eps a man from sin, and if I
8110•11d die, X would rather you
should bear my name, and share my
fortune. 'Will you, Helen, when the
ceremonies are closed, will you go up
to that altar and pledge your vows
ho Inc. I cannot wait till to -mor-
row: my leave of absence expires to-
day. I must go back to -night, but
you must first be mine."
Helen was shaking as with a, chill,
but site made him no reply, and
grapping her cloak and furs about
her, Mack led her down to the
sleigh, and taking his seat beside
h .1., drove hack to the farm -house
where the family were waiting for
her. Katy, to whom Mark first com-
municated his desire, warmly espous-
ed his cause, and that went far to
wards reassuring. Helen, who for
some time past had been learning to
look up to Katy as to an older sis-
tee, so sober, so earnest. so woman-
ly had Katy grown since 'Wilford
WCat, away.
"It is so sudden, and people will
talk," Helen said, !wowing when she
said it how little she cared for peoe
fish and smiling at Kuty's reply.
"They may as well talk about you
a while as me. It is not so bad
when once you aro used to it."
After Katy, Aunt Betsy was Mark's
best advocate. It is true this was
not just what she .hctce expected when
Ilelen was married. The infair
which Wilford had still declined was
still in Aunt Betsy's Mind; but that,
she reflected. might he yet. If Mark
went back on the next train there
could be no proper wedding party
until Isis return, when the loaves of
feosted cake, and 1 he baked fowls
ht had seen in imagination should
be there in real. tangible form, and
ate dhe expressed it,thcy would have a
"high." Accordingly she throw her-
self into the scale. beginning to bal-
ance in favor of Mark, and when at
last old Whitey stood at the door,
to take the family to the church,
Helen at upon the lounge half be-
wildered,. while Katy assund her
that site could play the voluntary,
even -if she had not looked at it,
that. she could lead the children
without the organ, and in short do
anything Helen was expected to :do
except go to the altar with Mark,
'"That I leave for you,'' and she
pwrittly kissed Theletde forehead, as
she left the room, looking back when
she reached the door, and charging
the lovers 001 to forget to come in
their absorption of cash other.
St. John's was crowded that
night, the ehileirett occupying the
front seat, with Jetties of expectancy
upon their faces. as they studied the
heavily laden tree, the boys wonder-
inif that ball, or whistle, or
Wheelbarraw was for them, and the
hirls appropriating the tastefully
dressed dolls, showing so conspicu-
ously aitumg the dark green foliage.
Ibo itarlows were rather late, for
upon 'Uncle Ephraint devolved the
duty of seeing to the license, and as
he had no seat in that honso, his
arrival was only known by Aunt
Betsy's elhowing her way to the
front, and hear to the Christmas
thee which she had helped to dress.
just us she had helped to trim the
church.
Attie Betsy elbowed her way ep
the middle (isle, her facewearing a
very import•ant stud knowing look,
especially when Uncle lephraint's 14111
figure bent for a moment under the
beutloek boWS, end then disappeared
itt the little vestry room, where he
'held a private consultation With this
rector. That she lineW something
her , neighbor's didn't was evident,
but she kept it to herself, turning
her head occehionelly to look up at
the organ where Katy was presiding.
Others too, there were, who turned
their heads as the soft music began
to fill the Church, and the heavy
base rolled up the aisles, enaking tee
floor tremble beneath their feet and
sending a thrill through every vein.
It was a skillful hand which swept
the keys that night, for Katy play-
ed- with her whole soul—not the vol-
untary there before her in prinle
form, nor any one thing she bed
ever heard, but taking parts of
Many things, and min:lithe' theta
with strains of her own improvis-
ing, she filled the house as it ha.1
never been filled before, playing a
soft. sweet refrain when she thought
of Helen, then bursting into loader.
fuller tones whim she remembered
Bethlehem's Cffild, and the song the
angels sang, and then as she recall-
ed her own sad life since she knelt
at the altar a heppy bride, the or-
gan notes seemed much like human
sobs, now rising to a stormy pitch,
of passion, wild and uncontrolled,
and then dying out as dies the sum -
Mer wind after a fearful storm.
Awed and wonder -struck the organ -
boy looked at Katy as she played,
almost forgetting his part of the
performance in his amazement, and
saying to himself, when she hail
finished:
"Guy, ain't sho a *hick?" and wills -
peeing. to her, "Dedn't we go that
strong?"
The people had wondered where
Helen was, as, without the aid of
music, Katy led the children in
their carols, and this wonder in-
creased when it, wus whispered round
that "Miss Lennox had come, and
was standing with a man back by
tho register."
After this Aunt Deno/ grew very
calm, and could enjoy the distribut-
ing of the gifts, going up herself
two or three times, and wondering
why anybody should think of her, a
good-for-nothing old woman. Tho
skates and tho smelling bottle both
went safely to Syleia. and John,
while Mrs. Deacon Bannister looked
radiant when her name was called,
end she was made the recite ent of
a jar of butternut pichles s ch as
only Aunt Betsy Barlow could
"Missinake."Helen Lennox. A soldier in
unifornt from one tee her Sunday
sthool scholars.
the words rang out loud and
clear, as the rector held up the
sugar toy before the amused audi-
ence, who turned to look at Helen,
blushing so painfully, and trying to
hold back the man in a soldier's
dress who went quietly up the aisle,
receiving Alto gift with a, how and
smile which turned the heads of
half the ladies near him, and then
went back to Helen, to whom he
whispered something which made her
cheeks grow brighter than they were
• before, while she dropped her eyes
mu(71.otlY*
..111is •he?" a wonma test ed.,
touching Aunt 'Betsy's ehoulder.
"Captain Day. from New York,"
was the answer, as Atte! Betsy gave
to her dress a little broader sweep,
and Smoothed the bow she had tritd
to tie beneath her chin, just as Mat-
ti.? Tubbs had tied it on that ment-
orahle opera night.
It was not in Aunt Betsy's nature
to keep her secret till this time, and
as the exercises were about to close,
she whispered it to her neighbor,
who whispered it to hers, ti ho whis-
pered it to hers, until nearly all the
audience knew of it, and kept their
seats after the benediction was pro-
noAuIgn from the Rector, Katy
ttici.dtes.
went with her mother to the altar,
followed by Uncle Ephraim. his wife,
end Aunt. Betsy, ehile Helen, throw-
ing. off the cloud she had worn up-
on her head, and givingit, with her
cloak and fur, into Billy's charge,
toqh Mark's arm, and with beating
heart and burning cheeks, passed
between the sea of eyes, fixed so
curiously upon her, up to where Ka-
ty once stood on the June morning,
when she had been the bride. Not
now, as then, were aching hearts
present at the bridal. No Marian
Hazelton fainted by the door ; no
Morris felt the world grow dark and
desolate as the marriage vows were
spoken, and no sister doubted if it
were all right, and would end in
halippieceremony lasted but a few
moments, and then the astonished
audience pressed around the bride,
offering their kindly congratulations,
and proving to Mark that the bride
he had won was dear to others es
well as to _himself. Lovingly he
drew her hand beneath his tuna,
fondly he .looked down upon her as
he led her bac h to the chair by the
register, making her sit down while
he tied on her cloak, and adjusted
the fur about her heck.
"Handy and gentle as a. woman,"
was the verdict pronounced upoa
him by the female portion of the con-
gregation, as they passed out into
the street, talking of the ceremony,
and contrasting Helen's husband
With the haughty Wilford who was
not it favorite with them.
Four hours ho had to stay, and
they were repent in talking Of him-
self, of Wilford, and of Morris:and
in planning 'Helen's future. Ot
course she Weida spend El. portion of
her time ht the farm -house, ho said:
but his mother had a claim upon
her, aid it was his wish that she
sgsttitie.
lc,lbet in New York as much as
Swiftly the last moments Went her,
.and mi "Merry Christinas," was said
by .one and (Mother at they took
their seats at the plentiful repast
Aunt Betsy bed provided, Mark
feasting more .ott Tielen'e face than
on the viands spread before hire,
et was hard for him to leave her;
herd for her to let him go; but the
-hay was iteperative, rind so when
at telt the frosty air grow keener as
the small hours of night crept on,
he stood With his arm* about her,
bot' thought it unworthy of a sol-
dier that his oWn testes mingled
with hers, es he !Ade her good-beti.
kissing her again and again, a.teli
Melling her his precious preeLott Wife*hen*
memory would make his estop life
Children Cry for Fletcher's
CASTORIL
Whe Mad Ton Ilave Always Bought, and which has been
in use for over 30 years, has borne the signature of
and has been made under his per.
sonal supervision since its infancy.
., Allow no one to deceive you in. thin.
All Counterfeits, Imitations and Just -as -good." are but
Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of
Infants and Children—Experience against Experiment.
What is CASTORIA
Castor's, is a harmless substitute for Castor 011, Pare.
goric, Drops and Soothing Syrups. It is pleasant. It
contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic
substance. Its ago is its guarantee. It destroys Worms
and allays Feverishness. For more than thirty years it
has been 111 constant use for the relief of Constipation,
Flatulency, Wind Colic, all. Teething Troubles and
Diarrhoea. It regulates the Stomach. and Bowels,
assimilates the Food, giving healthy and natural Sleep.
The Children's Panacea—The Mother's Friend.
GENUINE CASTORIA ALWAYS
Bears the Signature of
1
The Kind You Ilave Always Nught 1
In Use For Over 30 Years
1
a
brighter, and ,shorten the days of
absence. '1 here was no one with
th en, when at last Mark's horse
dashed from the yatrd over the creak-
ing snow, leaving Helen alone on
the doorstep, with the glittering
stars shining above her head, an.1
her husband's farewell kiss upon her
lies.
"When shell we meet again?" she
sobbed, gazing ftp at the clear blue
sky, as if to find the answer there.
But only the December wind sweep-
ing clouts from the steep hillside,
and blowing across her forehead
made reply to that questioning, as
she waited till the Igst faint sound
ot Mark Ray's bells died away in
the distance, alai then, shivering
with cod, re-entered the farm -house.
CITAPTEIt XLIL
Merrily rang the bells next gay,
Helen's heart was very sad as she
met the smiling faces of her friends,
ard Mark had never been prayed for
more earnestly than on that Christ-
mas morning, it h Helen. knelt at
the altar rail, and received the sac-
red symbols of a Saviour's dying
love, asking that God would keep
the soldier husband, hastening on to
New York, and from thunce to Wash-
ington.
"Married.—On Christmas Eve., at
St. John's Church, Silverton, Mass.,
by the Jtev. Mr, Kelly, ('apt, Mark
RELY, of the —th Itegituent, N.Y.S.
Vols., to Miss Helen Lennox, of Leah
vert on."
Such was the aenonneement which
appeared in several. of the New York
papers two days after Christmas,
mid such the announcement which
De'l Cameron read at the breakfast
table on the mot ning of the day
when Mrs. Banker started for :i -
vert on.
"Here is something which will per-
haps interest you," she said, passing
the paper to Juno. who had come
down late, and was looking cross
and jaded front the effects; of last
nigetth; dissipation.
Takfog the paper from her sister's
hand, Juno glanced at the pant-
grai h indica ted by Bell; t hen, as
she raught Mark'e name. she giant. -
ed again with a start 'ed, inert do -
toes look, her cheeks and lips turn-
ing white as :-11 reed that Mark
Ray was lost to her forever. and Got
in spite of the stolen letter Ilelee
Lennox was his wife.
•'11 hat is it, Juno?" Mrs. Coe 'won
asked. noticing .11 no's agitatioe.
Juno to.d her what it was. aid
then hand ne her the paper tet he-
re. I it, for herself.
"introesible! there is vont., mis-
take! Holy was it brought ale) t?"
Mrs. Cameron said, darting a cur-
ious glance at Pell, whose face e-
trayed nothing, as she leisurely sip-
ped Ise,' coffee and remarked: -I al-
ways thought it would come to lis s.
for I know he liked her. It is a
splendid match."
Whatever Juno thought she kept
it to herself, just as she kept her
room the entire day, coniplabdne01
a racking: headitch +, and o.d.r
the curtains to be &come& as the
light hurt her revs, ehe said to
Dell, who, really pitying 'her now,
never suggested tit it the dart:elm:I
room was more to hide her tears
than to save her eyes, attd who sent
away all callers with the message
that Juno was sick—all hut Sybil
Grandon, who insisted so hard upon
seeing her dear friend that she was
adtnitted to juno's roeleo, talkine et
once at the wedding, and making ev-
ery one of Juno's nerves quiver With
pain as she desennted upon the splen-
did Match it Was for Helen, or ii -
deed for any girl.
"1 had given yon to him," elle
said, "but I see T Was mistaken. It
was Nolen he preferred, unites eou
jilted hint, as petimperyou did."
hiere Was a temptation Juno multi
not resist, .and she replied 'taught -
"t ant net one to boaigt, of eon-
quests*d but ask Captain Ray him-
self why 1 Matelot marry him."
Sybil Grandon was not deceived,
but she good-naturedly suffered the
young lady to hope she was, and an-
swering haughtily: "I can't say
honor your judgment in refusing
him. but you know best. However,
I trust that. will not prevent your
Needle' advances towards his bride.
Mt s. Panher has gone after her, X
nd hstand, and I want you to call
v it h inc as soon as cenvenient. Mrs.
Mark Hay will be the belle of the
easason, depend upon it," and gath-
erhht up her furs Mrs. Grandon kiss -
el Juno affectionately and then left
the room.
1 Camerons and Sybil Grandon
were not alone in calling upon the
!snick', Those who heel likcd Helen
1 .ennox did not find her less desirable
now that she was 'Helen Ray, and
numberless were the attentions be-
te owed upon her and the invitations
site received.
But with few exceptions Helen de-
el'n 1 the latter, feeling that with
her husband in so much danger, it
was better not to mingle in gay so-
ciety. She was very happy with
Mrs, Banker, who petted and caress- I
ed and loved her almost as much
tte if she had been her own dough -
ter. Mark's letters, too, which came
nearly every day. were bright sun-
spots in her existence. so full were
they of tender love and kind thought-
fulnees for her. 'He Was very hap-
py, he wrote, in knowing that at
home there was a dear little brown -
h i red wife. waiting and praying for
him, and but for the separation from
her he was well content with a sol-
dhr's life. Once Helen thought f
seriously of going to him for a week
or more, but the project was pre-
vented by the sudden arrival in New
York of Katy, who came one night
to Mrs. Baneer's, with her face as
white as ashes, and a wild expres-
sion in her eyes as she said to Hel-
en:
1
(To be continued.)
HE CAME TO CANADA
AND FOUND A CURE
flew York Engineer Praises
Canada's GIN PILLS.
Yon ;lever can tell v. hen yonare :ming
Iteve 51 ieeittey attack. It mite be
.lorithe a visit. Ott a Purney,—any time.
It is wise always to have GIN PILLS
wi it yon, at hand. They arehandy to
glee into your travelling beg. Splendid I
for Kidney and Bladder Troubles,
lthentnatistn and Lumbago.
29 Bmadway, New york.
"I bought some of your GIN PILLS j
at Victoria, B.C. last September, Your I
remedy I find, at 6o yearn of sge, to
gi .e perfect relief from the Kidney and #
Bladder Troubles inc:dent to one of my
•
age. 1 Urgently recontmend GIN PILLS
to friends as being the one thing that
does use good." E. G. WOODFORD.
It is worth a. tripacross the Continent
to find GIN FILLS and to be cured of
Kidney eftd Bladder Trouble. But
don't wait till 7oU are sixty, before you
learn by experience the great good GIN
PILLS will do you. IT you have the ,
first sighe. Molten joints or ankles,
pain in the hack, black spec'k's fleeting
in front of the eyes, take GIN PILT.S
at once. "they will free yon of these
syttiptehas Of Kidney tend Vedder j
TroUble. Soc. hox-6 for Peso. Semple .
free by writing National Drug and. f
Chemical Co. of Canada, Limited, 1
Toronto.
1$3
A