The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 14, 2 April 1903, Page 23

The Storyteller

THE HOLLY WREATH. (Concluded from last week.)

111. For, the next two weeks nearly every one in Stillwater was busily engaged in making Cnristuiab greens. The village maidens wondered at the friendship that had sprung up between Miss Alherlon and Anna Morris. Anna went lrequently to the pretty cottage and seemed sincerely attached to her new friend. It was just a week before Christmas. Estelle and Anna were together in the former's cosy sitting-room. A cheerful lire burned in the open grate. Twilight was deepening and the llowers began to droop their heads sleepily. Estelle lighted a lamp, and the two sat down to linish the last wreaths of the season. After working a while in silence, Estelle held hers up for inspection. The design was beautiful and unique. It was made of holly and pendant in the centre, suspended from its points by slender chains of laurel leaves was a star, composed of red alder and scarlet berries. The designer surveyed it with the eye of a connoisseur. ' How do you like it, Anna ? ' ' It's perfect ! ' Anna spoke rapturously, with her small head on one side like a bird's. ' 1 never saw anything like it.' 'Nor I,' said Estelle, leaning back in her chair a trifle wearily. 'It is the last — the last should be the best,' she added laughingly. ' But they are all very pretty,' said Anna, looking admiringly around on the green chaplets. ' This one will be shipped to New York, I presume,' and Estelle laid her hand caressingly on the red star. 'I have woven my name into it. May it bring its purchaser the "bright star of hope.' Anna looked up enquiringly. 'Stella means star, does it not ? But I thought your name was Estelle.' 'So it is, but mamma always called me Stella — mamma and ono or two of my friends.' She paused. Memory's curtain was rolled up by invisible hands. She saw herself seated beiore the piano in her father's drawing-room. A manly form stood by her side, and Bertram's clear baritone sang tho beautiful song — ' Fondly and truly — pride of my heart, Well I remember the days of long ago ; E'er we had learned that tho faithful must part, Star of my life — I loved, I loved you so.' She caught her breath in a half sob as the sad minor strain died away. Involuntarily her hand pressed the blazing star lying in her lap She started up with a cry of pain A needle hidden in it had pierced her finger She rose hurriedly and laid the wreath among tho others. While Estelle, lost in painful retrospection was reviewing her past life, as it moved phantasmagoria-like before her — her little friend was planning what seemed to her a pleasant surprise. Her ideas of New York were somewhat vague and uncertain, but she knew that it was a great, grand city, with many wealthy and generous people living in it. Perhaps tho puichaser of tho holly wreath would send Estelle a Christmas gift, providing her place of residence was known and the fact that the groat festival day was also her birthday. Tho more she thought of it, the more delighted she became, in anticipating hor friend's surprise and pleasure. So, while Miss Atherton was still busily thinking and mechanically gathering up the broken twigs and placing them on the glowing coals, Anna found pencil and paper and wrote the following : 'Birthday of the maker, Miss Stella Atherton, wStillwater, Del. 'December 25.' She folded it neatly. and, unobserved, slipped it securely into the centre of the scarlet star. * It was Christinas Eve in New York A lady, young, fair, and attired richly in velvet and costly furs, came from one of the large stores and passed to a waiting carriage. She was accompanied by a gentleman, tall and handsome. The two onteied the carriage and as it started tho lady leaned back on the cushions with a sigh of relief 'We are nearly finished, Bertie.' she sa'.J, sir.'lisig 'T t was kind of you to come and help :ne select Ihc chilrsu-n's presents ' ' I have enjoyed the novelty,' ho answered ' Brother,' she said, speaking earnestly, ' there is a certain tabooed subject that T cannot refrain from touching upon Why do you not marry ? Dear mother is dead, and you are all s^lone in the world. ' Not quite, Laura ; I ha\e still you and tho dear children ' ' I know, but if you had a wife ' ' No ' he interrupted, ' T will no\ or marry ' ' Have you forgotten — Stella ? ' she asked, timidly No, nor can I ever care for another.' The carriage rolled along and both were silent At last it stopped. ' Are wo homo so soon ? ' he asked. ' No, it is tho market 1 am going to buy my Christmas decorations. 7 want something especially fine in honor of your first Christmas among us. You can make tho selection for your own room.'

When they entered the great market, Bertram, for of course it was he almost fancied himself in a southern forest, The air was fragrant with the delicious spicy odor of evergreen. Laura went around selecting her decorations. Bertram's eyes roved idly over the festoons and garlands. 'There is a pretty design,' he said, calling his sister's attention to a wreath. 'Indeed it is ! A holly wreath with a scarlet star in the centre. It will grace your window, brother.' When the Christmas greens were unpacked at Laura's home, she found the folded paper in the holly wreath. With astoni&hed eyes she read it, and then summoned her brother.

It is needless to say that little sleep came to refresh Bertram that night Estelle seemed restored to him in some providential way. He decided to start lor Stillwater the next morning. Laura, although greatly disappointed at the frustration of her Christmas plans, rejoiced with him and bade him good-bye and Godspeed on his journey.

IV. It was but a few days until Christmas and Stillwater had settled down into its accustomed quiet. A feeling of restlessness had come upon Estelle. She was constantly thinking of events connected with her pa»t life. The approaching Christmas time brought back to her the remembrance of the beautiful music she had heard at the happy season.

She decided to go to Wilmington to spend Christmas and to go to the cathedral, where she could hear the inspiring music surge through its vaulted arches. There were many associations connected with the sacred edifice. There she had been made a child of God, for there the waters of regeneration had been poured over her head. There she had knelt at the altar railing and received her first Holy Communion. One day it had been her cherished hope t stand before the same altar — a happy bride. She had finished her preparations when Anna Morris came in with a request from the pastor of the village church, asking her to take charge of the Christmas music". Estelle was conscious of a feeling of keen disappointment. But with the afterthought that God ia pleased when we make a sacrifice, she promised to remain

With the preparations for Christmas music came the desire to decorate the little church, and by Christmas Eve it was transformed into a place of beauty. And still Estelle's labors were not completed, for she had invited her two friends, Anna and Emmet, to partake of her Christmas cheer. It would be a good way, she thought, to bring the estranged pair together, and late into the 'holy evening' she worked, preparing her feast with something of the day's happiness swelling her own heart

The long-looked-for day dawned clear and pleasant. Tho music surpassed the expectations of all Estelle's beautiful voice filled the church with melody in the 'Adeste Fideles,' and lingered long in the memory of her listeners. Anna accompanied her friend home from church, and Emmet joined them at dinner time. They had a merry tune, and it cheered Estelle to hear Anna's happy laugh ring out There was a lonely feeling in her heart as she bade the two good-bye and watched them go away together, and yet she felt the happiness that comes with the performance of an act of kindness. 'They are sure to make each other happy,' she said. ' The gently gathering shadows Shut out the waning light.'

and Estelle sat alone by the open fire. A knock' sounded at tho door. She rose, opened it and — stood face to face with the lover of her girlhood. She turned pal©. Her lips moved, but no sound came from them. 'Stella, have you no word of welcome for me ? ' With an effort she recovered herself and extended her hand 'Come in, Mr. Desmond. I wish you a merry Christmas.'

A rosy blush mantled her checks, as, still holding her hand," he stepped into the little room. 'Thank you/ he said, gravely. 'It will be, if my errand is a successful one.' Although her heart beat rapidly, she withdrew her hand and said quietly : 'Be seated and I will light a lamp.' The light was brought and Bertram, divested of his overcoat, had seated himself by the fire. Wondermgly, Estelle asked : ' How did you find me?' He told her and showed her tho piece of paper. ' It is Anna's work, impulsive, kind-hearted child ! But why did you seok me at this late day ? ' It was a long story, but he told her all, and she listened patiently, a new joy filling her face and transfiguring it. , . • rrt. ' I also owe you an explanation,' she said. The fault was mine I was too proud to write again. I should have trusted you implicitly. Forgive me, Bertram.' , ... The holly wieath had brought its purchaser tho bright star of hope,' and to the heart of its maker all the happiness that earth could give. Before many weeks Estelle was a bride— and when the glad spring sunshine steeped tho world in its revivifying light, Ann followed her example . Jt „,,, It is difficult to tell which is the happier, the little wife in her pleasant home in quiet Stillwater, or the lady v\ ho -presides, with ease and grace, over a sunny Southern mansion.— Exchange.