Chapter II.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 234, 24 December 1887, Page 1

Chapter 11.

I Woman's Christmas Thought. \ " WffAT lovely costumes," exclaimed Mrs j Bernard, as she sat among the chaperones j of the young people who were assembled at I the fancy dress ball, given on Yew Year's I night by a lady in the neighbourhood. " Yes ; are they not ejcqufcite?" said her friend, the hostess. "They have been all specially designed for the occasion ; each one is a study, exactly suiting the wearer, which is not alway the case at these fancy balls. For instance, notice that lovely Florentine flower girl ; see her name is traced in silver characters on the ribbon of her corsage. " Silver Spray j" is it not appropriate. She really looks a3 though ane had stepped from a picture." , Mrs. Bernard became much interested as I her friend proceeded, " They certainly reflect great credit upon their designer. I think lie will have his hands full during the season " ••Who is he, pray, and when did he commence his business among us? I have never heard of him before," said Mrs. Bernard. " Oh ! he is a very interesting individual ; a ti'avelling artist, with some great sorrow written on his handsome face. He is an Italian, I believe ; speaks very pretty broken English, and has, oh ! the loveliest eyes you ever saw. Look 1 there he is; that mask in the black velvet costume. His figure alone lend* quite an eclat to the assembly." Little did the lady think what emotions she was awakening in- her listener's heart,; for surely this must benp other than ne, 'the 1 husband of poor 'Mabel, whom she had left &b home to amuse the children with funny stories of Italian life, and descriptions of different places she had seen. Poor, patient, faithful heart; is there to be a glaa New 3! ear for thee ? , "I would like an introduction to the artist,? said Mrs. Bernard, afterwards, ( " I should so much like to secure, his serviced for Glossies, birthday, patty. They: want

their meny round, Mr 3. Bernard was formally introduced to the artist, Signor Gabriel Sevigney ; and the good, lady's heart beat high as she arranged with him for an interview on .the morrow. No sleep for Mrs Bernard that night, so busy was she planning a surprise for the sorrowing pair who should be so strangely united. At last she was inspired with an idea. " My dear," said Mra Bernard, "we are to have a party on the 12th, and the young folks want some tableaux. I wish them to have something original, if possible ; not the , same old scenes that have appeared year after year. Would you mind assisting us ; you have such excellent taste, and besides, you would be quite a fresh study. It would give me quite a pleasure." "Anything that could do that, dear madam," replied Mabel, " I shall only be too happy to assist io. What characters do you propose ?" "My dear, people sometimes think I have queer notions, but I will try to explain :— I believe in the nobility of woman. I hope for the redemption of society through i her knowledge, patience, and devotion. I believe that if woman really understood her sacred mission, she might become the saviour of her sex, and also perform a great work in the world. Wo keep the blessed festival of Christmas ; we love to think of the holy Christ child who brought such blessings to humanity, peace and healing, love and joy, from the presence of the Father. Here we recognise the fact that He, the perfect ideal man, was born of woman ; and shall we nob J go farther than that, and carry the lesson home to our own hearts, and strive to impress it upon the maidens around us. My dear, I believe that children are born either of spirit or fle3h, either spiritual or sensual, and I know that the characters of the children we bring into the world are in a great measure formed before birth. Herein lie 3 woman's sacred mission. Surely, the angels could not wish a higher ! If she lives in such pure and lofty companionship as the occasion of maternity requires ; if her evecy thought, word, and action are carefully modelled after the highest ideal ; if ' she walk with the angels,' and thereby secure their blessing on her unborn child ; if she concentrate her thoughts on things that tend to moral and mental progress, and earnestly seek the Divine blessing on her efforts, there will surely be born of woman children of the spirit, even the spirit of Him whose blessed birth we now commemorate. These are the thoughts j that Christmas always brings to my mmd — the ideal woman, the ideal chid, who shall bye and-bye become the ideal man. When man recognises this fact more fully, he will strive to surround the expectant mother with objects of beauty, sounds of harmony, deeds of kindness. And thus together shall they work with God for the salvation of mankind." There was a pause — Mabel looked into the earnest face of her benefactress, and realised the truth ot her belief, and it seemed a3 though each heart communed with the Father in silent prayer that " so it might be." Mr 3. Bernard resumed, " A friend of mine has recommended to me a connoisseur in these things, and I would like his opinion on my idea ; so I propose to group such of us as can be placed, with such drosaes as we have, and await his approval before making any new ones, which shall certainly be designed by him, as his taste is unquestionable, and his costumes are so greatly admired. I want one or two of my own ideas, if they can be portrayed, and I think you will make a splendid figure for my purpose."