“When Yule Logs Bum.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17223, 14 December 1923, Page 11

“When Yule Logs Bum.”

(By RUTH TEMPLETON'). Author of “ The Master Key/’ “ His Christinas Guest,” *l* Prodigal Jan,” &c., &c.

[COPYRIGHT.] Every Christmas Ere, Judith Norton, who had 6pent as much of her existence as she could remember, in the Grangeieigh Foundling Home, gathered the little check-frocked, pig-tailed girls together, ansci told them the story of Christmas as it had ala ays existed in her dreams. And always at the end was a picture of a big- oak-panelled room, with a wide hearth on which the Yule logs blazed merrily. The climax invariably came just two seconds before Mrs Hobbs, the acid-faced matron, rang the bell for bed, and Judith, a head and shoulders taller than her small charges, hustled them up the uncarpeted stairs to the huge, cheerless dormitory that somehow Father Christmas invariably managed to forget. But to-night, for some unforeseen Teason, Mrs Hobbs was late, and- Judith’s story ended, the conversation turned to the subject of jam. 4 ‘ That the only way w© know it’s Christmas,” ono small girl piped, “ beeauso on Christmas Day the gentleman from the big hou6o allows us an extra ounce of jam.” Judith’s smooth cheeks blazed, and her extraordinarily blue ey6a, set beneath a forehead from which the hair was strained back unbecomingly, flashed indignantly. 44 Wouldn't I like to tell old Sir John Reppell what I think of his miserly 1 But it salves his conscience I suppose—that is, if he’s got one, which I rather doubt.” She crossed to the uncurtained window, pulling aside the blind, and in the distance caught sight of the lights of the big manor house, where* tho man of whom she had just spoken lived. 44 Whatrn joke if someone .told him how we hate his dole of jam, then perhaps he’d give these poor little strays something different—a Christmas tree f rinstanee.” Judith let hey thoughts run on, as she stood looking out over tho white ground, on to which the powdery anowflakes were still falling. 44 A ter all. he can’t possibly know if nobody tells him, and Mrs Hobbs, old hypocrite, lets him think he’s * the greatest benefactor tho Home has ever known. Pah!” And Judith’s prettily shaped nose went up, whilst at the same time the light of adventure drove the indignation from her eyes, &&_th© great idea came to her. Why not? Why shouldn’t •he slip away from tlie Home during the extra hour allowed her as a “grown-up,” after the others had been seen safely to bed; beard old Sir John in his stately home, and petition for something a little more exciting than the annual dole of an ounce of jam extra per head! Judith, in all her twenty years, was nothing if not thorough, and before the of her charges was securely tucked in bed beneath the check-pat-terned quilts, her escape from the Home was worked out to a detail. No one saw her go, and a dark cap© tof Mrs Hobbs, boldly borrowed for the occasion, made a successful covering for her check frock and whit© overall, that constituted the Home uniform. The sharp wintry wind stung the colour into her cheeks, the hood of rhe cape pulled well over her strained-back hair, and sure that the winding, twisting road must eventually lead to the ©ld Manor House she -trudged on. until she came to the cross roads. Whicu to take, she did not know, and apparently someone else was in tho same predicament, for a motor-bicycle and side-car had come to a standstill by th© derelict signpost, and a tall, leath-er-clad young man was doing his best, by an unusually large flage of snow, what was written on the dilapidated arms. With a sizzle, the last match flickered and died, completely extinguished by an- unusually large flake of snow, and Judith actually laughed, whereat the young man wheeled sharply round and stared at her by the light of his one an<3 only head-lamp. 44 Perhaps you know the way to Grangcleigh Manor?” he asked in somewhat exasperated tones. ‘‘This stupid signpost's worse than useless, and I’m just about fed-up.’’ Judith eyed him with deepening interest. A young man, even a *very exasperated one. was something quit© new in Jfcer experience, and she liked pew experiences. 44 Well, it’s sure to be one road or the other,” her voice was soft and very musical. ** 1 don’t know myself, but I want to get to the -Manor on a little matter of business, I thought of taking th© right-hand road, and, if that led nowhere, trying the left.” In spit© of his exasperation, the 1 young man laughed, then, still looking at Judith, he put a rather curious question. 44 Is my uncle. Sir John Reppell, expecting you too?” This time Judith laughed. 44 Not in the least. In fact, he's never seen me in his life before, and I m what you might call going to beard tho lion in his den.” “Humph!” Young Hugh Reppell seemed suddenly plunged into serious thought, and it was a moment or so before he spoke. When he did, his voice bad an excited ring about it. 44 Well, I wonder if you’re the sort of girl to help a fellow out of a curious difficulty. The idea mav sound a bit mad. but I can’t help that. Mind if I smoke?” • He took out his cigarette case, then remembering bis last match had gone, thrust it back into his pocket, giving Judith time to study his far. Sh© liked the clear-cut features and frar.k, i boyish eyes, and instinct told her that ho was 44 all right.” 44 The idea is this. Y ou say my : nncle has never seen you? Well. I’m | •upposed to turn up at his place toj night with my fiancee—it’s the only i thing that’s reconciled the old bov tt> ! a meeting with the son of his harem*carem brother, my engagement to the A * nes Murdox. I mean. But ocdly enough, Agnes decided she liked someone else better than vours truly.” he laughed boyishly, 44 and at tho very last moment changed her mind about coming down to Grangeieigh for Christmas—in fact, about marrying me and I’m not at all sure but that my arrival without her will result in my getting my conge straight away. I don’t mind much for myself, but mv little mother neec.s some of Sir John’s superfluous money to give her the chance of regaining her health, and that’s the sole reason I want to get into his good cocks. Now why shouldn’t you do me a good turn, bv going as the Hon Agnesi I’ve got a suit case of hors here-, so if you’re :n need of pretty frocks, etc., well, ihey’re yours to command. ’ 44 Me! Go as your fiance©?” Judith’s laugh had something of sad**as in it. Suppos© she flung aside

the covering cape, ami showed him the charity frock she wore, the hated hallmark of the Foundling Home? Then, because she loved adventure, with a spice of risk in it, she mado up her mind to accept the daiing invitation. “I’ll do it. There! That surprises volt, doesn’t it?” Her blue eyes had challenge in them, but Hugh Reppell did not appear to notice it. He was thinking how adorably pretty her mouth was, as the red lips parted, showing glistening white teeth. ‘'lt pleases, mo, for my mother’s sake, 1 ’ ho raid quietly. “ You get in the side-car. There’s room, if l move that case.*’ But Judith took the case on her lap, her small, ungloved hands resting on the top of it, whilst she conjured up visions of the dainty clothes it might contain. As luck would havo tt, the road thoy took '.ed straight to Grangeleigh Manor, and, evidently expected, the wide doors were flung open nt the 6cund of the approaching motor-cycle “You Blip into some of Agnes’s! things as soon as ever you can,” Hugh whispered -as he helped Judith out of the side-car, then aloud, to Sir John’s man : ” Have Miss Murrlox 6liown straight to her room, please, as her things are damp with the snow.’ The black cloak drawn closely round hc-r, Judith, feeling that she was taking part in something very unreal, followed a kindly-faced maid up the wide staircase to a large room, in which a cheerful fire burned, and the moment 6h© was alone, proceeded to examine the contents of the suitcase. "Everything necessary for a few days’ Btay was there, and for the first time in her life she handled garments of silken texture; knew what it was to exchange her drab, uninteresting clothes for the dainty new underwear and frocks belonging to the absent girl. For the first time, too, her hair was* allowed to fall into its natural waves, and Judith, the foundling, was speedily transformed into really beautiful girl, the discarded check frock, clumsy shoes and stockings, / bundled into the empty suit case, and with them, all memories of the ” Home.” Hugh Reppell WO3 standing on one side of the wide hearth in the large panelled dining hall when Judith was shown in. the tall, white-haired old man on the other aide, obviously Sir John. From a pair of keen, grey e;.-es he scrutinised Judith closely, and evidently approving the radiant vision, held out a thin, whito hand. “ Welcome to Graugeleigh Manor, my dear,” oddly enough, his voice was not nearly as gruff as Judith had always imagined it to be. “ I’m glad my nephew has had the sense to realise the charm and beauty of Ralph Murdox’s girl.” Judith flushed, and momentarily mat the amused expression in Hugh’s eyes. But it was during the meal, as they sat in the pleasant rays of the candle-light, mingied with the glow of the flames from the huge log fire, that an idea came to her. Here was the setting of the story she had always told to the other little foundlings. Why shouldn’t they share it? Why not an invitation from Sir John Reppell for Mrs Hobbs’s charges to spend Christmas Day at Grangeleigh Manor ? And Judith, the diplomat, skilfully ted the conversation round to the Home in tho neighbourhood, thfet, she declared, she’d often heard about, discussing it in such a way that miserly old Sir John Reppell ended by positively wanted its forty-odd inmates to shares Christmas Day with them I 11. “ There! How’s that. Miss Mysterious? Is that particular branch of holly hung quite to your ladyship’s liking?” Judith surveyed the young man on the steps in the Manor dining-hall before glancing at his handiwork. ‘‘ You’re not to address me as 1 Miss Mysterious,’ Mr Reppell.’* she said with severity that the smile in her eyes belied. fi Someone will hear, and then ” ” They’ll be just as mystified at hearing you call me ‘Mr Reppell.’ when my real name’s Hugh,” was the laughing retort. ** And I say, you look absolutely stunning in that grey frock. I really think I must congratulate Agnes on her excellent taste, though of course, it takes a pretty girl to show a frock off to advantage, you know.” Pretty? Judith looked amazed. No one had ever called her pretty, but to f»e quite frank, she had been astonished at the reflection the mirror threw back at her that morning, the winter sunlight turning to gold the wavy masses of her hair that had never been allowed to fall into place before. ‘ Hasn’t anybody ever told you how pretty you are?” Hugh, down from the steps, the last piece of holly in place, stood looking down into Judith’s flushed face, very real admiration in his r.ico eyes. Because you are. you know. As pretty as a picture, and Fm actually jealous of old Cncle John. Why, he’d give you the moon if you chanced to ask for it. Fancy inviting a lot of rowdy youngsters here on Christmas Day. Yoif had a pretty good nerve to ask him, and I admireyou for your pluck.” Judith locked at him steadily. Haven’t you ever had a dream tbar | you’d, like to come true?” she asked. lie wrinkled his forehead in a puzzled frown. “ Don’t know that I have until just recently—and very tecently. at that *’ She knew the colour deepened in her face, so turned aside to rearrange » sprig of evergreen over a dim oil-paint-ing, then counted tho places down the long oak table, where forty little cheekfrocked, pig-tailed maidens would eat their Christmas dinner that day. YY hether they would recognise her with her altered appearanee and in the dainty new clothes &he was wearing, Judith hadn’t gone so far a& to speculate. But the question had to be faced, and up in the room assigned to her, sh© studied herself in tho glass with n uew interest. Xo, she didn’t believe they would recognise her, so completely altered did she look. But the end of tho day must see the end of her masquerade. She couldn’t prolong it indefinitely, j Here the colour flamed into her face I anew. Sooner or latter Hugh Reppell ! would want to know who she really I was, ar.d when he knew, ho would no j longer want even to be friends, i She sat down in a chair by the j window, gazing absently over the I fnow-covered fields, but all she saw j was a handsome boyish face, and a j pair of very nice eyes that had heldj unmistakable admiration for her. ! ‘ I’m just a mean little fraud! T | ought to have told him at the very j fiist. But I’ll only wait until the j children have gone, and it's time for ; Judith Xorton to return to her Charity . Home.”

Sh© brushed th© tears away that would well into her eyes, just as a maid knocked, to inform her that the small guests had arrived.

Before she reached th© top of the stairs th© sound of many feet crossing the tesselated hall cam© to her, but Judith need not have feared for recognition as she entered the dinign-room since to forty pairs of wonder-filled eyes sho presented the most gorgeous vision in her cream silk fro6k, that they had ever seen. By the side of each plate was some little gift that Judith had contrived from th© treasures of Gran gel eicd. 1 Manor, her resource having filled Hugh

with wonder, as did her tenderness over each amall guest now. Judith seemed to know just the things that each little individual liked beet, and when the meal ended, th© wintry afternoon swiftly closing in, she suggested that the table should be pushed back, so that they could range themselves in front of th© gaily burn- | ing, spluttering log fire, it was tho youngest of the party she held nestled in her arms, whilst Hugh dispensed sweets and fruits that he had ridden ( into th© nearest town to fetch earliet that morning. Sir John himself, his austerity absent for once, looked in on th© fire-lit scene and gruffly declared that ho never knew forty small people could make so little noise; nor later, when it was suggested that they should sing a Christmas carol to him, that children’s voices could bring tears to an old man’s eyes. 44 You never had them here like this before, then, Unci© John?” Hugh asked, and tho grey old head was vigorously shaken. * 4 Like tho old fool I was, I imagined that an extra ration of jam at my expense fulfilled my obligations. I never realised that these homeless little mites had souls. You see, my boy, that’s what come© of choosing a * girl with sense,” he nodded towards Judith, who, with her charges, was out of earshot, 44 you couldn’t have pleased me better with your choice. I declare I fell in love with her myself the very first moment I looked into those blue eyes of hers. And the sooner she’s Mrs Hugh Reppell th© better I shall like it. Understand ?” Hugh nodded, though hi 3 face, fortunately in shadow. was distinctly troubled. Would this girl, whom Fate had sent so oddly across his path, believe he meant it when he told her that it had been a case of love at first sight with him, and——4 * Mrs Hobbs, sir.” Tho trim maid addressed Sir John. “She’s called for the children, and hopes as how they’ve behaved theireelves.” Judith, suddenly startled, jumped to her feet. Tins, then, was the end. Betore them all, Sir John and Hugh, Mm Hobbs’s acid voice would ring out, denouncing her! She made a quick step forward, her lips open to speak, but Hugh’s hand was laid on her arm, and something in his eyes checked the impulsive words she meant to voice. 44 1 want you all to give three cheers before you go, for th© lady I’m going be said, addressing the children, and standing thepe, .in the light from th© huge log fire, his arm stole round Judith’s shoulders, drawing *er a nearer to him. “.It’s like th© ending to poor Judith’s Christmas story,” one of th© children, more bold than th© rest, volunteered. fc>he always had a beautiful lady in it, and a nice gentleman. The room was like this, too—with lots of logs to make nice firelight, and holly and evergreens ajl round the room.” “Who’s Judith?” Hugh asked, his free hand on the child’s smooth head. Uur Judith, but yesterday she ran away, and Mrs Hobbs said we were not to speak of her again, because tlio Heme wouldn’t have her back any more, even if she came.” T hey fi lcd out »“ Perfect order, happy with the memories of a wonderful Christinas Day, but not till tho last lingering footstep had died away, did Hugh Reppell turn to the girl who stood so straight and stiff in the circle of lus arm. Then : .‘j Vmr heard what that little kid said—-Judith?” “Judith! Yon—you knew, then?’’ „he would have drawn away, but Hugh s arm held her close, so close that she was drawn aaginst his breast, tho "°™y 'raving hair brushing his chin. ‘ Not quite at first, until you pleaded for a little brightness on Christmas Day to be brought into tho lives of those httl© ones. Without a word to you I went over to the Home late last night, saw Mrs Hobbs, and, incident ally, a photograph of the missing Judjth, who had your eyes and mouth, withouf the lovely waving hair. I told the sour faced lady that you were re maimng oyer Christmas, as Sir John’s guest—and I’m afraid I told her something else, Judith.” lie took her chin, tilting it up so that he could look into her eyes. “ I her that you were going to marry me, because I’ve every reason to hope that you are, considering that J m just crazed with love for you, and I m just worried to death in case mv esteemed relative will try to cut mo out,” he added with a laugh. 44 But you you don’t understand. I m just a little fraud, a nobody,” Ju. dith floundered for once, as a pair oi hps descended on hers. “You’re you, and that’s quite enough tor me,” was the triumphant answer, 44 and, whether Sir John approves or not. I’ll marry no one els©.” And as Judith did not want him to great sigh of relief escaped her, when. • ier story t-old, she saw the merry twinkle in the old baronet’s eve But. later, in t ho rosy light as tho Yule log burned on the widd hearth in the panelled room, she told old Sir John still more- of her dream story that the foundlings had. never tired of listening to. and when she had finished, a wr inkled hand closed over hers 4 ‘ This place is too big and lonely for an old man like me,” Hugh’s uncle said. •• and as'Hugh’s wife, you’ll make ! Grangeieigh Manor your home. Y'ou'll | he near enough to your precious found ' lings then, and, please God, another j Christmas will see them her© again.” ! In the silence that followed, a huge : log spluttered and fell. and. taking advantage of the mometnary darkness'. Hindi leaned a little nearer, to snatch a kiss from Judith’s lips. (The End.) .

Mrs Smith, imbued with a spirit of neiglihourly interest (it being Christmas) in a woman who was recovering from influenza, said to her little son:— “ Willie, dear, just run and ask how old Mrs Brown is this morning.” Willie returned within five minutes looking crestfallen. 44 Well, have you seen Mrs Brown?” th© . mother asked. ~ “ Y.es ; and sho said I was to tell you that it’s none of your business how old she is.” t Mr Jones arrived home late on Christmas Eve after dining well but not wisely. Ho took up his hair-brush, on the back of which was a mirror, in order to see if his face was very flushed. By mistake he held the bristly side towards himself. “Gracious!” he cried. “No wonder everyone stared at me. Don't I want a shave!” How would you like to hear your children crying for bread, sir?” importuned the beggar on New Year’s Eve. “ I’d welcome the change.” said the man, hurrying on ; 14 the v’re always crying for chocolates now.” Missionary: !C And do you know nowhatever of religion?” Cannibal Onief: “ Well, we got a taste of it when the last missionary was here.”