Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 22, 1902, Winnipeg, Manitoba Manitoba morning free press Winnipeg. Monday december 22, 1902. Connoisseurs prefer whisky boiv1n, Wilson co., 520 St. Paul St. Montreal. Sole agents for Canada. Strange Christmas Collins visitor Thor of the prettiest woman in the Star and a dead Friend or p come Between us. I will kill you fair of i Only Ernie Between you you if i can. Hub find for a Good girl. Tho sons of the addressed each same other his will seemed to dominate she did not know How to resist it. She s a poke ule Itri Sempos sible of if Mark had Only spoken but he had not. She looked longingly at the window hop a to see one of the others cumin01 but no one came. Promise me cried John. She Sank Back upon chair trembling. Don t ask me i implore she said. I do not love no one Ever knew what it Cost to Force these rebellious words out while he stood towering above he his fierce eyes fixed upon . Of. That is he said. You will learn to love me Hen i come Back from the voyage at Christmas we will be ried. I am going fur a two years i voyage after that and i will take you with you shall to a spoilt Ami Happy Bride on my boat. I Tel the picture filled Ida s heart with. Dismay but she found no strength by Thor respect. I with which to answer join Wen they stood looking at ii Nee. The Captain of a Merv As the elder by some he was a Strong Man. With a heavy i. Little eyes. Rare and a m an Guy gleam Nowd staring at his brother. I indignation As he words. You Are was and slight a expression Mado 11 Vns tru child marriage to a kind nature y a pleasant thing the Comfort of As regards Money v in a had a Christmas Madrigal. Hat . D and do and a a widow for Tho second but those o constantly at other having chosen having gone to by. Had found horse in House in the North where All life had Hiie Hud few friends fur had been unpopular in it. Ii. V. Id had Drift i chair u of portrait unsuccessful and. A at invalid. As sons us. Her Hunu Beau in for in their Separ in site and n. He poured out More words than ii himself would have thought pos sible a Clerce rugged Olariu Otic name to him. He was determined to con Quer Anc. He did. At last i a d out almost Iho . Ment i Rince rushed to the door to Welcome mrs. . A Large old Oak chair stood beside Tho sitting room -.ire. Which had 1-e-. N a favorite with John s father an. When John was at Home he always sat it had Boon raid Tho master s Ever since mrs. . Had first come Home a Bride As Harrold. And it was called the master s chair i now. Perhaps from Mere custom. Ida j often wondered if it was rnon1 Cus j torn. It had an ominous sound. A As he indeed the master Here by sheer their a tour and con Force of will it had straight arms Comfort. This i and a High Back All carved it was i music hah charms. Ploy Sav tech in in do Kif 1 is Hoim Tor Sny has pow Ful charms Ter me. into House As a fair Young Ziess orphan whose father been killed in the a brought Sunshine to and tilled it with life and first moment that Captain when he came Home age and found by his -a.rth, he intended to be feared him she could a shrinking repugnance air ired in or. He was to see this that it was to he had ail he away Ihnut speak Iiri to his that he looked k a for him. And to a while he was away. Art Sank within an old Shiuh chair thru Captain i car rold. Senior had brought Home with from one of his voyages. John sat Down in it now with an air As if it were a throne. to said. Eda has promised to be my i am glad said mrs. Linton in tones of genuine thankfulness. Yet she knew Eda would be unhappy. But she had dreaded the girl s refusing him and the terrible quarrel which foresaw As the result. The few Days before Captain rold s boat sailed were Mads the most of. He insisted on going out with him constantly he bought a very Beautiful engagement ring he told his friends that they were engaged. It was a martyrdom to the girl who grew so nervous that she started trembled at the least sound even in the Solitude of own room where foreboding when i she thought and prayed instead of Ner beloved Mark came saw How he looked at 1 come to live at Takt. Hiiro. Certificates a turned to establish in As a at of the new built in the mrs. Linton saw his startled i the Bright Young i saw How he looked Kwik softened she know quite Well i a it himself i 1- a with ,1 pure and i it for John this glad As it was a deep dread. 1. S to this no sleeping. She had been intimidated into this engagement and the 2. T trips pm wife ragtime Dana in in de dim i sees dem turkeys trying had i or Ink cd Alu on de limb. W. Stop Lively in lifts Lively no or. So w Whin to Kin can Des i to inked on. Ley fall Eefou de chime am Thoo now Erh Cuit dip Boa d. Loot s Iii Inkon he Lis Day. Dot. Banjo Hab been Nind e in Coons. In Coons knows How Ter Phil 1-iin he kicked three Knock which had always 1-is since he was a his Moth i or let him in. Ida heard him stumble he his Mother s etching voice heard his thick it prayed to be shown in Christmas cheer Ami gaiety was like Stab to and their own preparations were undertaken on part a feeling of or and and despair. I mrs. Lint in was det ruined to make preparations a somewhat larger them i Way of deliverance. Aid in those two j the johr., More gently give me your Promise. Be my wife one von from me. Prom the it i saw you i resolved be too Prince jumped up into the on the Dre. Choir and curled himself up on ment of Al silk Cushion that Lay in it. Voth an action and this time manner had not the dreariness in it but a new ele apprehension. She looked at fear. His brother had never allowed him to do this tone of authority from him Tion showed perfectly that but Sale never had. With he had an i his master had not Merel he of a walk but had gon Ernne out Tui nor i merely always been get the. Was he too go out upon a roughly haps kicked he would not be the chair and per Rise up fiercely and add to the torment of life. She had never any method of dealing with j John May come Back to night do you it is just said mrs. Lin ton but it May be he will be de Laved longer. I think that is More but i must not risk it i cannot delay longer. I must be honest with you. Mother i cannot marry him. I do not love him. T never love him. He frightened me into consent ing and if i do not speak out now before he comes he will frighten me again. I dare not let him frighten me into becoming his wife. It would be a sin for me to do so. I do not love you love someone else said mrs. Linton very softly. Whispered Eda almost in audibly. No one disturbed him. Jonn and his father but submission. I the Kitchen. They were All thankful for the distraction. Had reached a Point where very they there seemed no Light at All and nothing to be said. It was easier to talk trivialities to these cheery people than to speak to each other about the one absorbing topic of thought it was easier even for Eda to endure the laughing congratulations of friends about the return of sweetheart than to be alone with his Mother and not know what to say to . They All Felt the same sense Relief and kept no one ail Owea to Hare i it acid in opposition to John what p to full Possession of it. It would be a sin this being of find mrs. Linton and it would mean lifelong misery for everyone. For he if Mark was to demand the same and what Len she went slowly into the sitting their friends with them As Lone As possible so that the House was filled with noisy voices and outbursts of laughter until quite late in the slipped by in a sort of i to Eda _ there came was to become of he stood now looking Clown upon Dull sad with contempt. And then a sudden keen i you dare not he said. Ton would 50 and look through the Little window where the red lamp room and Sank wearily into usual stood Down the cold Windy Street chair beside work table. Eda Prince Lay on the Hearth Rug beside the stood by the fire restless determined Oak chair and pricked up his ears at not to let the matter drop yet not quite certain what to say or do next. E a Shadow. A piano in his own room upstairs oni he would go straight to it when be came into the Bouse. He spent know what she is doing. I shall Shew this airs. Linton stooped quickly picked she looked at Prince who Lay curled up in the master s chair. He got Down and came to with that strange sympathy in times of trouble that dumb creatures often show. Every sound outside. But no familiar step came. He always put his head Down again and Lay there As if asleep. But in reality listening and waiting with every nerve on the Strain. The last of the visitors gone. Mrs. Linton went to chair adjusted at that moment Mark came in. Eda lamp and took up a Long piece of sew they Are singing Well suddenly three knocks not very loud but perfectly Clear and distinct sounded or. The front door. Mrs. Lin ton Rose at once and Prince went with 1 or. Eda. Remained sitting still Mark stood beside with the Evi Dent intention of not leaving . It was some moments before mrs. Linton returned. She looked very strange and White. She opened the room door and stood looking Back in to the passage. Come in. She said. Call him. Eda. I can t think what s the matter with the dog. He seems frightened. And in t it extraordinary that was John s Knock but there is no one there i have looked up and Down the Street and there a no one but the wait s n at the j Prince come said Zda. But i the dog was cowering in a Corner of the Entrance. She came out and lifted him in arms. He was trembling i All Over. She carried him to the fire i and sat Down with him in Lap try ing to Comfort him. But he got Down. Mercy on said mrs. Linton. Look the dog has put himself just where he does when Johr is sitting in the his How he looks at the chair. Has the creature gone dogs Don t behave like that when they go said Mark laughing. Mother you Are Over tired. Let me sit up for John no i do so. go you to bed now my the Gir went obediently. She Shiv ered with cold As she went up the staircase. It seemed to As if she had never Felt so cold before. Was it fear chilling heart that made tremble so Mark and his Mother remained silently together. Neither said any word but watched the dog who crouched trembling in the Corner by the fire where when John sat in the chair he got out of the Way of his heavy boots yet kept As near to him As he could. He crouched there his eyes fixed on the chair. Presently Mark Rose and left the room. I am not going to bed. Moth he said. Call me if you want mrs. Linton neither moved nor spoke. She sat there with clenched hands looking on the ground. She and Prince remained alone just As they were for a Long time. Then at last mrs. Linton spoke in a strange Low voice she said if your unhappy soul is indeed Here i entreat of you to repent and to turn to god to give you your she slowly with great Effort raised head and looked at the chair. It seemed to that she saw a shadowy shape like John yet strangely different sitting in his accustomed place in his chair. A shadowy hand was stretched towards . A heavy sound and a Sharp cry from Prince brought Mark hurrying Down the stairs. He found that mrs. Linton had fainted and Lay on the Hearth Rug by Tho big chair. Prince cowering beside was Licking face. When mrs. Lint9n recovered consciousness she Lay in own bed and Eda Bright and fresh in morning dress sat beside . She had just brought the doctor into the room. The Light of a sunny Christ Mas morning streamed in through the window. You will soon be All right mrs. said the doctor kindly. He was a very old Friend and knew Many of . Troubles. Take your Medicine and go to sleep again and comedown stairs in time for dinner. I am sure miss Eda is competent to prepare a Christmas dinner for mrs. Linton smiled vaguely. She was worn out and As the doctor expected soon fell asleep after she had taken Medicine. Eda busied self about the House and in the kit Chen. Marie had gone oat Early , did not return before the morning service. At last however he cams. Is Mother awake he asked. Yes i believe answered Eda who was in the Kitchen. I went up just now and found come with me he said Anil his voice sounded so strange that without hesitating she followed him up the stairs to his Mother s room. Evidently something had happened. They found mrs. Linton sitting up in a Large shawl wrapped round . What is it Mark she asked. I am sure John is answered Mark in an Awe struck voice he died at the moment when the Knock came on the front door last night. What can that mean i knew his spirit entered at that door when i opened said the Mother. I spoke to him i prayed him to repent of his sins and ask god s forgiveness. And something seemed to answer me Back and Tell me of his repentance. How did he die what could happen when they were Safe in Harbor t it is a shame to have to say it but you must know. He was mad drunk and he attacked the second mate the Man he has always hated and whom they feared he would kill some Day. It seemed As if that dread Ful moment had come. They struggled together and no one dared interfere. He would have killed that is no doubt of that for he was the stronger of the two and was getting the that in. Their Strug Gle they got close to the Edge of the boat and John lost his balance and fell Over. He Sank like a Stone. They me that in spite of his unpopular Ity there was an instant response to the cry of Man overboard and that every Effort was made. They have Only just got up his dead body. Thank heaven 1" said mrs. Linton. Thank he did not kill the Man. It was All ordered mercifully and i am she Lay and was very quiet. The others softly left alone. Ida went quickly Down to open the front door at which there was gentle into Fate friends who had heard the news came to offer what Comfort they could. As she passed through the Hall under the great Bough of Mistletoe she Felt herself caught in two Strong arms and a gentle firm kiss upon fore head. She made no resistance. A Sec Ond later she opened the door and admitted the friends who were stand ing outside. Mark took them into the sitting room while Ida ran quickly upstairs to see if mrs. Linton would get up. They came downstairs to Gether presently the Mother leaning on adopted daughter s Arm and joined Tho group. After the homely kindly North country fashion the Little House was filled All the morning by a series of sympathizing friends. Although it was known that Captain Larrold was wild and a heavy Drinker no one suspected that Only by his own sudden death had he escaped becoming a murderer. The first mate Mark s Friend who had written to him from abroad was the Only one who knew this and had witnessed the quarrel and he undertook to keep the fact the Story of Tho strange Midnight visitor the three who knew of it kept to them selves. At last everyone went away to their own Christmas dinners leaving these three together with Prince who had resumed ivs Possession of the Oak chair and who though apparently very sleepy and tired was quite him self again a Bravo courageous dog As he had always Shewn himself to be. In Honor of Christmas Day he was asked to take a seat at the table which he did with much , blinking appreciatively at the grand fare. Eda dressed him up in a fancy dress she had made for him in some childish mood and put a sprig of Mistletoe in his col or. They a managed to laugh at him a Little and so recover to some extent from the fearful Strain they had been mrs. Luton sat a Long time quietly in Corner by the fire that after noon linking deeply and praying earnestly for help guidance and for the soul of wayward son. Eda was Busy doing All the housework. Mark went Down to the Bor to attend the various matters concerning his brother. So passed the strange Christmas Day. In the late afternoon the three wore together again. Mark came Back with much to Tell having More time to hear All that happened. They sat and talked in the Twilight drawing together Over the fire. Suddenly mrs. Linton put out hands caught Mark s and Eda s hands and clasped them to Gether. Heaven bless you my dear child she said. I am thankful that you have both been with to through this terrible Eda is mine now by right of pure said Mark. I know said his Mother. I have known for a Long time that she loved you. Heaven has merciful prevented John from committing that sin of terrifying into marriage with him. May heaven help him increasingly. That great sign was Given to us at his moment of passing to show us heaven s they were silent sitting in the gathering darkness till someone came to the door it was the first mate. He was welcomed warmly. No More was said of the terrible events which had brought them together. Mark took him to the Church to the Evensong to hear his choir boys sing carols. Then they came Back to a very a of ascent Toa table mrs. Linton and Eda hav ing done their utmost to create a cheerful atmosphere and put sorrow in the background. The first mate was promoted to be Captain of the ship and went away on the Long voyage which had been arranged for. When he came Back and walked up the familiar Little Street it was to find the same three happily to Gether mrs. Linton now infirm and living very peacefully cared for Sou s Beautiful Young wife Eda ;