A Cup Of Cold Water

CHAPTBB I. Tho December sun streamed pleasantly through the largo window of Alice Olayton's class room, and, thongh late in tho afternoon, and the close of a tiresome day, her face wore il strangely gladsome expression. The monthly report which Bhe was making out was enough to have drawn wrinkles over her forehead; debits and credits would rot balance; the average proved a fraction took small; yet she worked patiently away, pausing only now and then to rest her head upon her hand, while the gladsome smile grew brighter still as she whispered, "I'm a very child in my antieipation. " Once the pencilling on her sheet showed marks of dollars and cents, which certainly had naught to do with Bobby's attendance or Jenny's absence, and from an envelope in her drawer she took a roll of bilis and counted: " Twenty-five, thirty-five, forty-five, ntty; ves I can surely spare ten this month; that, with the fifteeu at home, will just do it, and he must know nothing of it till Christmas Eve - dear Ernest ! he shall be proud of me for once." and something made the tear-drops fall on a little band of gold that looked too new to be a wedding ïing. Poor Alice ! as if she needcd to finger these soiled greenbacks, when si: e had received exactly that amount for so many, mauy pay-days. Perhnps you will be astonished to learn that it had taken three months to save the fifteen dollars, and now, that the whole amount was laid up, she feit richer 1han you j could guess. Alico Clayton's dress was ! always genteel; the simplest delaine or ! cheapest gingham fitted her with a grace ' that others could not feign. She liked pretty things, and it was not easy to pass the piles of heavy camel's hair or silky I grenadine on the counter where she i bought a materaal that rost half as ! much; but with the spirit that pervades all frue hoarts ehe numbered the j ings she had ratlier than those beyond her reach. When Ernest Dent placed the thal ring upon her iinger and said, " Por better and f or worse, my darling," she marveled at his choico. He had been ! brought up in oase, if not luxury, and moved in gay society till business oalled him to the city, where a peculiar ohain of circumstaiiccs led him a frequent ■ vieitor at her aunt's. "Ernest," she said, "Ican ive you ! nothing but myself . I would scorn a love j which should be less 1-ecause I am plain ! and uiipolished- only a poor teacher. You laugh now, but remember, dnar, biDding yonrself to me, you will bo obligod to make many a sacriüce, and to j bea with my life in its surroimdmgs. Auirt Jano's hótle is humble, but you will lind a weluome whenever you come. I cannot go into the eircle tg which you ' havo been accustamed, and would not i it lay in my power, for my aim- our ïiow, - is a higher ono than mor pleasure-seeking. Will you bo conten with me as I am - savo as I improve uu der you gnidance?" Ernest Dent feit that he was making no sacrifico, and wondered tliat Alico eould have even faucied any change 01 his part. She did not doubt Jiis love, only with herwoman's eyo foresaw hours when ho might wish things different around and about her. A noble f ello w, he was working his own way, bccause he had preferred i business other than tho profession marked out by his father, aud Alice was the very one to stay his hands when they faltered. Ho never realized how she hid her own weariness, and showed a cheery countenance when ho came; or knew how far the warmth of his little home was due to her iufluence till she was sickjthen the blinda were closed, thero was 110 liglit in the window for him, I and Aunt Jane did üot help matters by saying, " That blessed girl was too good; she was wearing her life out for him, and he too selfish to sce it, he'd lose her som e day."' Honest Aimt Jane always spoke the truth, he had once heard Atice romark. How was he sëlflsh; what could he do? Unen he thought over the past year - yes, he had been unkind, yet it was nothing but impulsiveness, and her forI giveness seemedthe sweetest thinginthe i woiid. Their disagreements were over little things; she would not go to the opera when he urged her, and he calle d her prudish for broaching economy, There had also been two or three quibbles about her dress; he likedatrifle more of stylc, and tried to think the reason of his fault-findingwas pride in her appearance. The next Sunday she wore a new tie- his favorite shade, and a i dainty pair of gloves to match; he recollected holding her hand and wishing aloud sho could always have kids. That was long ago, and since then the neatest of Alexandres had gratifiod his taste. i Did he know that midnight stitches had bought those same kids? Do you exclaim that it would have been wiser for Alice to have told him all? Even so, but withhold your blame from either; I am telling my story, and so long as woman lightens this worlcl with her presence, so long will she make sacrifices for those she loves, counting it sweetest service so to do and give. Ernest's error was rather thoughtlessness than selfishness, though, while Alice lajjr in her sickroom, lie berated i his conduct till he was well-nigh wild, and sent her grapes and flowers which she declared were the cause of her reI covery. Thus the months had passod, he learning slowly but surcly more of her worth, till, returning from a visit to his home, j he brought word that his mother and sister would spend the holitiays in the city. Of course.she desired to see Alice, and as she knewthe Sherwoods, and with whom they they were going to stay, it i would be so pleasant. Somehow she j was very quiet over this news ; asido i from a natural shrmking from strangers, she dreaded these poople wlio would cerlaiuly criticisc her, umi it took all Emest's persuasión to assure her that'he could scarcely wait for the day to arrive, so anxious vas lie to take her to his mother. It had boen a hard winter, and Alice had done moro than her usual sharo towarcl Aunt Jane's expenses. But for the company on Ohristmas Eve she would uot have droamt of an extra dress ; the i black merino of a year beforo w;is good fis new, and becoming, Ernest had often told her. It requirod a deal of argument ! to believo she was justificd in appropriating so much from her salary - twentyñvc dollars 1 The eapsimere she wanted, and lace to go -witli it, would cost all that ; she had decided, even to the color - a shade of dove, sorviceable for spring use afterward. It was about this, then, that slio was "avery child :" it was "for Ernest's sake!" The report was completed, and, adding her signature, she was reminded of the late af temoon by a peculiar medley in the adjoining room, though not unfamiliar toher - aclatterof dustpan,biiish. and broom ; yet above it all couM bo heard a clear, f all voice chanting froin the "Gloria in Excelsis :" Thou tliat takest away the sins of the workl, have mercy upon us .'" Clear and wondrously sweet, but with aiiintonatioiiof agony that made lier shudder as again the refrain was repeated. ïlising to get her hat and shawl, the singing ceased and the door was oponed by a boy of perhaps ten years. Such a queer, old face f or the little body whose nead did not reach the top of the broom-handle that rested over his shoulder. I " Why, Joey, I've keptyou ñora your work again. I'm sorry. Where are your shoes ?" as she spied the blue feet. " Oh, I take them off when I sweep to save them," and the voice treinbled so that Ah' ce said : ' ' Joey, something troubles you. I saw it in school to-day; j you cannot hide it from me, my boy. " She read liim well ; one of her brightI est scholars, a keen, sensitive nature, which she had so oftcn befriended. His mother janitress of the school, he did most of the cleaning, while sho went out wasliing. His long, bony fingers crept slowly tlirough his hair - she knew that meant trouble with Joe - a quiver of the thin lips, and then a quick turning from her as if the tenderness were more tliau ho could bear. Sitting down on one of the benohes her sympathetic " Come, Joey ; teil me all," brought him to her side, but his heart was too full ; a great sob, and leaning his head on Alice's arm he wept more with the grief of a man than a child. She wisely waited in silence, svire his story would be told, for there was a strong love between the two. All through the school he was named " Miss Clayton's Joe." "You see. Miss Clayton, ever since you got me into the choir I've been so happy. Prof. Wcimer says I'm his best treble and he can't lose me. I've leamed all the chants for Christmas - oh, the dear chants ! - and for an instant the boy's face grew radiant with unutterable joy. " He would pay me next year, and then I'd help mother ; but, oh, I wish I were dead!" " Why, Jooy, with such a hope bef ore you, what do you mean?" "111 never go into the choir again. You know Prof. Weimer is going to give a sacred concert Christmas Eve. We are - no, thoy aro practicing for it now, and I can't, I can't go. I don't mind their fun in the choir so long as the curtains hide me, because when I sing I i'orget all about - " he only looked down at the patclics uu) rags - " bnt you see, at the concert ! I ivish I could dio this minute!" She woudered she had not thought of it before. The week previous the Professor had told her that her protege possessed a rernarkable voice and was lua rnain dependcnco in solo parts. The cliild's wliole nature was musió ; his mother said ho spent hours during Üio night ohanting to liimself till she thought the angels must como and tako liim. " Joey, have you no other clothes ?" "No, ma'am, and I'vo triad so hard to be easy on my shoes. I'd go barefoot on the street, to save thom for the concert, if mothcr wouldn't iind it out. Sho wanted to beg somoold clothes; but, oh, Miss Clayton, Horace Drake said ho'd put ' ragamitffii out of the choir' - thoy're all rich but mo, you know. " It was terrible to see that little hand run thiough his hair, and on tho clieoks bunied two scarlet spots as liis excitement increased. It was the cough wliich started Alice from her soat; in a minute she was otit of the room and back, kneeling before the child, with lüs shoes. "Joey, put these right on, and don't go without them ever. 111 bring you warm stockings to-morrow. And, Joey, will yon pronrise me ome tliing - novor again to wisli you were dcad?" "Oh, Miss Clayton, you dou't know; it will kill me if I can't siiig 1" "Yon can sing, dear boy; you shall sing at the concert Christrnas in a wliolo new suit, as good as Horaoo Drake's. I know some one who wants to make a present." Was it the hungry look betore her that half stiiled hor words just there? - " a present to a little boy like you, and it will buy ncw boots too, Joey." ïhe tears were in Alice's eyes then, for the gladsome smile had gone from her faco to his I Tiirning from the school-room door, she lingered at the foot of the stairs to hear agnin the "Gloria:" "Wepraise Thee! we bless Thee! we worahip Thee!" and she accepted it, a song of thanksgiving to Hina whose "little one she had received." In the days that f ollowsd a great peace rested over her heart; it was enough to watoh the light in Joey's eye, thougli his congli increased so rapidly that he remained at home the last week to save liimself for the concert, only going out to practice. CHAPTEB II. Christmas Eve - and Ernest Dent waited in Aunt Jane's parlor. As the anticipated hour drew near, it must be confessed, he harbored a little anxiety aa to the first improssion his betrothed would make. His mother would love her in the end, but sho was haughty in her marmer - not altogether pleased with his engagement; gay, i:ollicking sister Kate wovild take hor right into her aflectionate heart. So, busily thinking, he did not hear Alice till, vith her hand in his, she stood directly in front of him, her eager eyes seeking his verdict. " Ernest, for your sake, I wish my appearance were more in aecordance with your taste. I tried very hard to have it different. Don't ask any questions. I cannot teil you to-night why - ;" then, as a faint shadow fltted across his brow, " You are not asharned of me? - because, if you are, I - " "Nay, my darling, yon know me bet ter than to misjudge me ; I was onb thinking how for once it woulcl deligh me to see you in some delicate color There, forgive me ; it was a passing thought, and I am thonghtless you are so unselfish, my owu, truo giri !" Yes, she did forgive kim, but the look had been given, the word sjioken, and somewhat it hurt lier as never bofore, tv hile the sting rcmained in her heart till in front of St. Mark's Church she stopped and broke the silence neither could seem to shake off: "Oh, Emost, listen- it is Joey !" "Oh, your Joe ; do yon know Weimer says if he lives - what is it, are you so cold ? - if he lives, he will makc a fortuno. He is cxceedingly interested in the boy; was going to fit him for the concert, only some one got ahead of him. I must get the child something to-morrow, justbecause he belongs to you. " After hearing that voice Alicc was strong, and the oxcitement, together with the frosty air, had given her a glowing color by the time they reached Mrs. Sherwood's. "Doar Miss Alice," said Minnie wood, who was ia the former's Biblc class, "how sweetly you look? Isn'tMr. Dent very proud oï you 1 Til ask hiin when we got down stairs." How she was triod in all directions that night. Miunie's criticism was correct ; the black merino clung in graceiul folds to the tall form - Alice always moved quietly - fluted ruffles partially covered a white neck that many a belle would have coveted, and dropped over the wrists around which were buttoned perfectly fitting gloves. The full braids that her own hands coiled soeasily looked darker still for their crown of heather blossoms, and a tiny bunch of the little bolls relieved by a single tea-rose supplied the place of a brooch. Ernest was proud of her as he introduced her to her mother, and if any hautincss on the part of the latter chilled her future daugh in-la w, Kate Dent made up for it in cordiality. The evening was spent in pleasant conipany, albeit a eloud shadowed Alice 's spirit, she scarcely knew why. A comment of Mrs. Dent's had reached her heariug ' ' Black is genteel, at any rate ; we may as well make the best of it." But then she was worn with teaching and extra care, and when she bade Ernest good night it was the saddest parting she had ever given. She slept, half resolved to release him from his engagement the following day. With the morning's dawn carne a message : " Joey is very ill and wants you to come." Aye ! she had foreseen it the night before, listening to the Professor's words - "if he lives." Hastily scribbling to Ernest a Une excusing her absence, she was off as the early Christmas chimes summoned the people to service. "Joey is dying, is dying!" was the one echo they bore to her, and then she began to realizo what a claim he held upon her heart that loved all children, but peculiarly the poor and suffering. The thin cold fingers clung to hers in greeting, while his mother told of the hemorrhage that followed his coming home, though the Professor had brought hitn in a carriage and gone immcdiately for a physician, promising to cali the next day. He was completely exhausted; had watched nervously for hifi teacher, mul seemed satisüed to have her near. Sho knev she must be calm for the sake of the littlo lil'e that hung by a thread. The doctor said he could not lingor thi'ough the day, and comforted the mother by showing how his existence would be one of intense ruflering should he be spared. Bo thoy watched for hours, ndministering stimulants tliat had no effect. In the ü'ternoon he rallied to consciousness, and, becomiug restloss, Alice liited him gently till his head lay against lier bosotn, 0110 of hls hands clasping hors, and tho otlier holding the bit of hcathor shc had brought. Thus it was that Prof. Woimorimd Ernestfound j tliem. Tho latter had gone oarly to Alice's, anxious to plead agaiu tor a placo which ho feared he liad forfeited, and not understanding her absence (in lier haate she had writtcn only a line) left the houso in a restlcss mood and wandored to St. Mark's. He, with others, missed Joey'svoice - for that, if not its owner, was known - and he folt that for Alice and himself it was a sad Christmas Day. Departing from tho ehurch, the Professor slipped his arm in his to say: "Como, I'm going to look af ter my little boy; I never dreamt he was so sick. and ho practiccd faithhdly. Yes, come, for you might be joalous of the love he confers npon your Miss Clayton. Notliing made liim easy last night but my promiso to send for her." Alioe was too deoply absorbed in Joey to be surprisod at Ernost's entrancc. She was bending her ear to catch his feeble words : "I don't wish I was dead - I'm going - to liear musio - all the time. Oh, fiing, picase; sing for me." "I eau 't, Jooy, but some day you wiU teach me how, wheu I get home with you. I wish I could!" and she looked so imploringly for his sake as he again picad, "Siug, picase," that Prof. I Weimer tried, but for once his tenor failed, and he buried his face. Alico's and Joey's were the only tearless eyes in the room. " I knew the angels would come for him," cried the mother. " Hush !" motioned Alice. The dying boy's eyes lighted with an unearthly joy as, raising himsolf with that strength which so often precedes the end, he whispered : " Listen ! I hear them. ' Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace,'"and the voice which was fast joining the angels' sang out clear and j full the swelling chorus: "Oh, Lord! God, Heavenly King," then lingered over the three-fold prayer till it was lost: " Thou that taketh away the sins of the world, receive - " It was Alice who broke the awful silence ; Alico who laid the form down and closed the eyes with trembling hand ; Alice who directed what should be done, and said to Emest : " Come for me in three bours." When the two retumed she led them to the little body. Perhaps Ernest Dent's heart was the single one which feit a pang as he saw the new clothes. Joey's mother had told their story, wliile Alice covered them with the flowers the Professor had brought, murmuring to herself : " No more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, for God shall wipe away all tears." The firelight flickers and dances in the parlor - Alice's face full of her loss, yet in her soul there is naught but thankfulness, for herself, for the humbled man at her side, but most of all for Joey ! Tenderly stroking the black merino, Ernest whispers in a broken voice : "I am not worthy of you. Oh, Alice, a Metime alono eau prove how proud I am of yon. My darlinp, it is the saddest, saddest Christmaa uighl !" Aunt Jane.stopping to bid good-night, lays her hand on the dark braids and says : "Whoaoever shall givo to drink unto one of these little ones a cup oi' cold water only, shall in no wise loso his reward !"