Beth Woodburn

ns drawn and the candles flaming among the holly over the mantel-piece. It seemed all the cosier because of the storm that raged without. The sleet was beatin

I am glad you're not

and passed her father a plate o

mustn't find any fault. Just eat eve

-rug, and Beth's pet kitten was amusing itse

the footstool at

all's work, Beth; hard stud

t agrees wit

in Toronto, Beth? I was hoping you would

ver saw h

saw him

t her a lit

he matter betwee

the bell had attracted her father's attention, and Aunt Prud

mill, is wuss, an' his wife's too

go out into this dreadful

and death, perhaps. Help me on with my coat, daught

d sleet, then went back into the parlor. It seemed lonely there, and she went on to the kitchen, where Aunt Prudence was elbow-deep in pastry. A kitchen is always a cheerful place at Christmas time. Beth's fears seemed quieted, and she went bac

hat are you doing

" She tried to laugh, but the at

her wraps, all matted with snow, and c

out to-night,

to the Browns'. But w

, and I didn't think the storm so very bad when I started; but I'm like the Irishman with h

th away!

idn't like to refuse. But it's mean, though," she continued, with a sweet, affe

orrow. Isn't that just fine!" Beth was dancing around her in child-like glee. Mr

Woodburn had gone

Brown is

so poor, too. I don't believe th

Father ought to be back. It was only

ins, but the sleet beating harder and h

, as a step entered the hall

, dear-why

, sound, and he looked so pale and exhausted. She led him to the fire, and began removing his icy garments. She was too frightened to be of much use, but May's thou

and the snow blowing through the cracks; and I just took o

hing as he sat there trembling before the fire. They got him to bed soon, and Aunt Prudence tramped through the storm for Dr. Mackay, the young doctor who had started up on the other side of the town. He came at once, and looked grave after he had made a c

red, and the old shutter creaked uneasily. The husky breathing continued by her side and the hours grew longer. Oh, for the morning! What would the morrow bring? She had promised May to awaken her at three o'clock, but she looked so serene sleeping with a smile on her lips, that Beth only kissed her softly and went back to her place. Her father had fallen asleep, and it was an hour later that she heard a gentle step beside her, and May looked at her reproachfully. She went to her room and left May to watch. There was a box on her table that her father had left before he went out that

and Beth slept a little in the afternoon. When she awakened she heard Dr. Mackay going down the hall, and May cam

s done so much! If God should call him home to his

ead on May's sh

th?" she asked, in

r so,

grief have its way for a while,

s for him, wil

" she answered, wh

nce during the few days that followed-bright winter days, with sunshine and deep snow. The jingle of sleigh-bells and the sound of merry voices passed in the str

you, my child." He paused a moment. "You will have to teach, and I think you had

tly lighted windows and the snow-covered roofs of the town on the hill-slope, and the Erie, a frozen line of ice in the distant moonlight. The town seemed unusually bright with lights, for it

He looked at it tenderly, then gave it back to her. He tried to say something, and she bent over him to catch the words,

ck, unconscious, into May's arms. When she came to again she was in her own room, and Mr. Perth was

two words soothed her! He talked to her tenderly for a li

ld woman whom he had helped and encouraged, hobbling on her cane to give him a last look and blessing; there was the poor man whose children he had attended free of charge, the hand of whose dying boy he had held; there was the little ragged gi

t. Aunt Prudence came to bid her good-bye before she went away to live with her married son, and Beth never realized before how much she loved the dear old creature who had watched over her from her childhood. Just once

, Lord," she