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l!j o One j 11 Christmas Eve I % .!i| ' *? I j i j By OTILLIA F. PFEIFFER j I (Copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper Union.) fLDEN REVERE loved everybody, all the world over, and all ol the time. It was natural, therefore, that he should expand beyond all limit when Yuletide came abound. There was a hidden sorrow in his life, but he had not allowed it to shadow the sunshine of his nature. He had caved up a tidy sum to marry winxSome Viola Deane. Without warning she and her father had vanished, and ?a week later it was learned by the city papers she had wedded a man Revere had never heard of before. * nnfn Viei4 ' onmo trt , A ICOi'iSiaUICU uuic liuu vvuiv ?V (him in the handwriting of the being r ,he had loved and lost. It bore only five words: "It had to be?forgive." Revere had kissed Viola as his chosen bride under the. mistletoe on dust such a snowy ^moonlit oc'casion (ft jj I 1 as this Christmas ? ? I ,. I [ jeve, and in the nW [ loneliness of his T /f 11 room he now sat, ?jf iMjjk wistfully, longingHy, one by one ' _ _ looking over the mementoes of his ? iold love experience. Finally he ^? =;\ ' * jput them away I jfpvff ft" and went down iW jfl * "Get your y skates, sister," he J W hailed briskly. * ) ft; "We mustn't miss a glorious night like this. The ice is |ft smooth and hard as glass. They're going to have the. town band and we'll fcoin the rrowd keeD happy. There I.- -go the crimes. Muffle up good and : warm, for it's, snappy outsidej' i "Poor soul!" murmured Ruthi "think,< v ing only of others, when his heart may * be Breaking. Tljey returned home two hours later, flushed and enthusiastic over the rare Alport. "Why, brother!" At the doorstep Ruth paused, astaref Her brother's eyes followed her own. v< Upon the doorstep lay a basket. From >-Jjfc, swaddling mass of pillow and counterpane a tiny cry issued. "Alden, it's a baby! Oh, the cherub! ... Quick ! Get it into the house. You 1 * angel! you treasure!" and under "the . hanging lamp Rtith went into ecstasies while Alden whispered .awesomely: "What are we going to do with it?" Keep it, cherish it love it of fv? - course!" cried Ruth. "Heaven has sent it to bless our lonely lives. See, there is a scrap of paper," and Ruth snatched it up and read: "Because Alden Revere is a zpan with a heart <rf gild, a poor mother leaves to him I1 the care of her child." ut suppose Td better hustle down town and get a couple of gallons of ~1 milk," suggested Alden. "Oh, you men!" mildly scolded Ruth. p|- "There's plenty of milk In the house, Aldfen!" she abruptly cried. "My fur collar! It's gone! I lost It'on the 1 *. v river. - Your present last Christmas, Itoo. Oh, I remember now?I loosened : x ft in the old boat house and it must :fhave slipped off.. Hurry and see." Alden fairly skimmed the ground. As he entered the shadowy boat house his foot touched the missing collar. S A siiarht mcun echoed out. He J strained his sight to make out a femg inlne form crouched upon a bench. "Who is it/' he questioned' quickly. **l? am just BHHM resting," pulsated BHBI a feeble "In this cold bSHSI^^H damp place? Why, you will freeze! Who are ->!?' Sg' ^ you? Come with ? me, if you need _^Jp|T shelter and help. Why?Viola!" ' */ He ?atIiered *r her up in his strong arms. - . Breathless, reeling, exhausted, he ?. reached home to stagger into the room where Ruth was cooing to the little One, entranced with the rare bright5 nesa and comfort of the place. "Poor soul!" was all that Ruth laid. "I?I must go," faltered their latest guest arousing, but Ruth's arms were around her neck. "Tell me all, dear," she said tenderly, and amid tears and sobs Viola recited the tragic story of her life; forced to wed a man who held a secret over her weak and vacillating father, a man who squandered her fortune, deserted her and was killed in a drunken brawl. Meantime her father had died, she was left alone in the world, all alone! "Not while two loyal hearts that love you are here!" cried Alden Revere, roused out of himself. "Oh Viola, if all those weary years the old love was in your soul as in mine?go no further. For you and this dear little one let this be?home!" And the holy stars of Christmastide shone softly down upon the humble < home, destined to be the abiding place of perfect love and peace. > i cmsiis DAYS ' Island of Madagascar the Only Country Thus Favored. r Queen Ranavalona II on Ascending Throne/ Became First Christian Ruler and Adopted "Glory to God in Highest" Motto. There is only one spot in the whole j world #where Christmas is celebrated j twice each year and that is the Island of Madagascar, off the eastern coast of the southern end of Africa, and which dominates that part of the Indian ocean. Marco Polo, the great traveler, first made this island known to medieval Europe in 1298. It was nearly two j hundred years later when a Portuguese traveler obtained the first authentic information about the island, in 1497. From that time on there were attempts by the Portuguese, French and English to settle the island, and they met with defeat at the hands of the | wild and Savage Hovas, who controlled the island, and many died from Mala-i gasy fever in the lowlands of the coasti On Christmas eve in 1672 all the f Frenchmen at Fort Dauphin #ere murdered by the natives. In 1810 a Hova chief, Radama I, a young man, allowed the Christian missionaries to teach their Bible doctrines in the island, and by 1820 Protestant Christianity was effectively introduced among the Hovas. First Christian Ruler. Radama died in 1828, and one of his wives became Queen Ranavalona L She was bitter against the Christians and persecuted them in many cruel ways, and she had her warriors from | the interior mountains of the island massacre the native Christians, who would not renounce the Christian God onH or* hnpk to the WOrshiD Of idols. The cruel queen reigned until her death in 1861?a wicked record of 83 years. Then her son, Radama n, became king, and although he was a great drunkard and led a wild life himself, he allowed the Christian missionaries to come into the island again. He was assassinated in the palace in 1863, and his widow, Rasoherina, was proclaimed queen. Upon her death in 1868, a niece of Ranavalona^ ascended the throne as Ranavalona IL When a ^irl, her gentle charities and sympa-. thies with the Christians during their persecutions had won respect and love, and when she became queen it was understood that Madagascar had the first really Christian ruler on its throne. Between 1830 and 1835 the entire Bible had been printed in the Malagasy language, also an English-Malagasy I dictionary. So, on the day of her coronation the idol which had been prominent on similar occasions was banished by Ranavalona n, and a copy of the Malagasy Bible placed near the throne; while on the canopy above, in golden letters, were the words: "Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men." With one hand on the Bible, the queen addressed the people, expressing the hope that they would adopt the Christian faith, but added: "In this matter you shall not be compelled." Ordered Idols Destroyed. She ordered her own household idols [ and the chief national idol to be burn ed and gradually her example was followed by the general destruction of household idols among the Hovas. She j married the prime minister the following year and made a public profesj 8lon of her faith, and from that time I on the Christian religion has been growing fast in the island. |. The words over the canopy at her coronation the queen knew to be spoken by the angels in the sky when the shepherds heard the noise of wings at the time the Christ was born in Bethlehem. Christmas is celebrated all over the island now. But the Hovas have a different way of computing time and by their system Christmas falls some time in November, and they celebrate it then. The Christian date of December 25 is also celebrated by the natives along with the missionaries. But it is not a Christmas of snow and sleighbells. It is a tropical country and Christmas day is under a torrid sun, but the sky is brilliant* and the magnificent flowering trees of many ,vivid colors are filled with many peculiar birds of brilliant plumage, while the ground beneath is bespangled with 'wild blossoms of varied hues. Too Late. It was Christmas eve. Staring at | the dying embers of the fire was a j beautiful woman. Her face was worried, and she clasped and unclasped her hands in nervous excitement. "Christmas eve," she murmured, "and no money to buy baby a Christmas gift!" Mechanically her eyes wandered around the room until, with a guilty start, they rested on something standing on the mantelpiece. It was baby's money-box. "If I only dared!" she thought; "but what would John say?" For a few moments she stood debat* - -- ??r? liminrl lag [lit? ZX W1U1 IJUC'^UVU lil 1ACJI uiiuuy and then reached for the box. "John need never know," she said. With trembling hands she broke open the box and emptied on the table a collection of buttons, nails, and so on, John had been there first! THE CHRISTMAS GARLAND. Cora A. Matson Dolson. Make one wreath more; Yes, cne wreath more, To hang outside, above thy door, That all who pass this way may set j The Christ-tide spirit is with thee, t H the| Ml TWICEPROVEN itt If you. suffer backache, sleepless ^05 nights, tired, dull days and distress- VI 'ing^ urinary disorders, don't expertment. Read this twice-told testl mony. It's Bamberg's evidence ? j w y doubly proven. * James A. Mitchell, R. F. D. mail / J&Gh carrier, Calhoun St., Bam/berg says:. Wg "I have taken two boxes of Doan's Kidney Pills and am glad to give ^ /j my public endorsement for the' ben- j VL efit; I received. The jar and jolt of j driving is, no doulbt, responsible for i the weakness and pains I suffered fl with my back. Doan's Kidney Pills fl brought me relief in a short While fl and I never lose a chance to say & B good word for them." M The above statement was given H by Mr. MitcheM on May 29, 1914, and B on Anuary 22, 1918, he said: "1 B always have a good word for Doan's B Kidney Pils,, because they cured me fl of disordered condition of my kid- fl [leys and the cure has remained per- j fl manent. AH I have formerly said B in praise of -this remedy I gladly con- fl firm. Doan's Kidney Pills are car- fl tainly a fine medicine." fl Price 60c, at all dealers. Don't j fl ? simply ask for a kidney remedy?get I I Doan's Kidney Pills ? the^aame that B * Mr. Mitchell had. Foster-Milbura B Co., Mfgrs., Buffalo, N. Y. 4 H IBest material and workman- 11B ship, light running, requires I fl c little power; simple, easy to I B I handle. Are made in several fl B sizes and are good, substantial I B money-making machines down ' I ^5 to the smallest size. Write for I fl I catolog showing Engines, Boil- I B j ers and all Saw Mill supplies. | H CRD IKON WORKS & 5 M SUPPLY 00. I e Augusta, Ga. , J B ^ The Strong Withstand the Venter I Cold Better Than the Weak B _ Yon must have Health, Strength and En- H durance to figlit Colds, Grip and Influenza. When your blood Is not in a healthy H condition and does not circulate properly, B your system is unable to withstand the B I Winter cold. I GROVE'S TASTELESS Chill TONIC I Fortifies the System Against Colds, Grip B ? and Influenza by Purifying and Enriching H the Blood. 9| It contains the well-known tonic prop- flB erties of Quinine and Iron in a form B acceptable to the most delicate stomach,; B^^^ and is pleasant to take. You can soon feel B gg its Strengthening, Invigorating Effect. 60c. i S Colds Cause Grip and Influenza | Dr. TH LAXATIVE BROMO QUININE Tablets reiaove the ; H cause. There is only one "Bronio Quinine." j Gradua E. W. GROVE'S signature on box. 3Cc ! versity ol Don't advocate unconditional sur- Den Office c render?buy W. S. S. and help bring oyer offic( it about. hours, 8: Grove's Tasteless chill Tonic restores vitality and energy by purifying and en- p , riching the blood. You can soon feel its Strength- r a ening, Invigorating Effect. Price 60c. forts. R? t 0HSTMAS ?K tore Full of Goods Raisins, Nuts, Candies and Fruit We are headquarters for first-class fruits, oranges, apples, bananas, etc. Order a box of oranges?you will need it for the Christmas holidays. We are agents for Wiley Chocolates. Come and see our line in one-half pound, one pound, two pound and three pound boxes. 9 We have a complete line of toys and are selling them fast. Come and get yours before all are picked out. - A I 1 _ Thaniang you lor your past Dusmess and wishing you a Merry Xmas. ucker, & mm pKb5bNI. ^^THAT Wll Give Presents 1 PLEA SI . I MUGKAPHS We sell the Edi:on Phonograph at rfl from $43.00 to $300, 3ne of these will be ippreciated; for life - j jy your family. We also carry a 'ull stock of records ||f 'or any machine, ei- i - ~ her disc or cylind- f ^ sr. Come in to see y" is when in town; he Chandler BAMBERG, S. C. M??pw?w [OMAS BLACK, JR. I 1,1,65 Cured ln 610 14 Da nirmi r CTTP?rT?r?V ! Druggists refund money if PAZO OINTM ENTALi SLKuLUiM. i to cure Itching, Blind, Bleeding or Protrud . t\ *.~i riono r+m on t TTnU InstMtly relieves Itching Piles, and yoi t? Dent^l. Departm .nt Uiii ( restful sleep after the first application. f Marylgjia memuoi _ ital Association. N0 Worms |n a Healthy Ct jpposite new post office and A? .... L1 3 .. a*tu^ WI , rj .r p l A?.fl Ail children troubled with worms ha' 3 Of H. M. Graham. Office healthy color, which indicates poor blood, 30 a. m. to 5:30 p. m. rule, there is more or less stomach dis t> * ivrRPlRr c r GROVE S TASTELESS chill TONIC given BAMBERG. 8. C. for two or three weeks will enrich the t Prove the digestion, and act as a General rallies in blankets and com- enmg Tonic to the whole system. Nature sntz & Felder.?adr. k63 worms> and the Chi in perfect health. Pleasant to take. 00c i ?711 T 3re] fa ;,/ ? > YOUR December W.S.S. Pledge V - IS DUE Make It GOOD . ? rt & V"* ' , v j ' i " ." OY LAND* imberg, S. C. -- ~ 1^?\ ''i / ? * r 1 PLEASE ni> ^ -L-i n: I lieu, uivc JRE ! JEWELRY 11 Watches . I Bracelets I ^ Brooches Vanity Boxes 9 Chains 8 Badges I Etc., Etc. I Company 1^1 S ys ! TRESPASS NOTICE. ENT fails ing Piles. pSe60? i Notice is hereby given that all per?? ons are forbidden to bird hunt or lild i respass in any manner on the lands the undersigned, under penalty of andasa he law. F. E. COPELAND, turbance. 2-17n. Ehrhardt, S. C. regularly Strength- A11 &izes of electric lamps, includ?-11 ?- - i?? 1 ? nrtr\a o * TTonltTiftr WUliueu ing auiuuiuuuo lamps, * ? - ?? S bottle! Electric Service Co.?adv. i