Christmas Carol Read Online Free PDF Page A

be permitted to give up this eternal
wandering and take my proper place in the other life.”
    “Whoa,” Carol said, putting up a hand to stop
the eager flow of Lady Augusta’s words. “I’ve seen this plot before
in an old movie. And I read something similar once in a Christmas
story. This is some kind of a put-up job, isn’t it? Who planned
this, anyway? That’s what I can’t figure out.”
    “From whom do you think the creators of those
old movies or books received the plot lines, if not from the
Greatest Planner of all?” asked Lady Augusta. “Such stories linger
in the hearts of ordinary folk because those good souls recognize
the eternal truth in them. This is no game, Carol, nor is it a
trick. What I tell you is but a truth too simple and obvious for
your closed and earthbound mind to grasp. In time, left to
yourself, you will understand as I have come to understand, that
love and charity and goodwill toward all whom you know are the most
important qualities required of any soul. But by then it will be
too late for you to alter your earthly life. In any case, you
cannot stop what will happen next.”
    “Happen?” Carol repeated weakly. “What do you
mean, happen? What are you going to do to me?”
    “Now then,” Lady Augusta went on as if Carol
had not spoken. “I have been given this special season, from the
winter solstice until Twelfth Night, in which to convert you to a
better life.”
    “I don’t like that word convert ,”
Carol said.
    “No matter. Another word will do as well. Say
change, alter, transform, or transmute if you prefer. It is
all the same to me. According to your earthly time, we have the
three nights until Christmas Eve in which to begin our work.
Afterward, the final changes will be up to you.”
    “You mean, your work,” Carol said. “I
hope you don’t actually expect me to contribute anything to this
project. I am not in favor of donations. And I am definitely not in
the Christmas spirit.”
    “You will be, by the time I have finished
with you.” Lady Augusta’s pale face took on a serious expression.
“You must be, Carol, for the future of my very soul depends upon
your transformation. Fight the events to come as hard as you wish.
The alteration in your heart will mean more to you if it happens as
the result of struggle. In my place, as in your world, what comes
easily is not appreciated.” Lady Augusta rose, her robes billowing
about her, though Carol still could feel no wind. When Lady Augusta
held out her hand, Carol shrank back into the shelter of the wing
chair.
    “I am not going anywhere with you,” Carol
declared.
    “I cannot give you a choice in this, lest you
reject an opportunity that will never arise again for you or for
me. You will come with me, Carol, and you will give your
all—heart, soul and mind—to what transpires. Let us begin.”
    Lady Augusta spread her arms wide. The folds
of her flowing gown whipped toward Carol, who sat clutching at the
arms of the wing chair, determined not to participate in what she
still perceived as a farce or a trick. The lavender folds blew and
drifted ever nearer, wrapping themselves around the chair until
Carol and chair were both totally encompassed in fog-like, wispy
fabric.
    “Don’t!” Carol clawed at the sheer cloth,
fighting desperately, afraid she would be smothered in what was now
a pale, lavender-colored, lavender-scented mist. “Stop it! Let me
go!”
    “Fight all you want,” Lady Augusta said,
embracing her. “What will happen, will happen. But I will not
desert you. I will remain at your side.”
    “I don’t want this! Go back where you came
from!” Carol shrieked, still trying to push the cloth away from her
nose. She could not breathe, the lavender scent was so strong it
was choking her, and Lady Augusta’s cold embrace almost stopped her
heart with fear. Carol had never been so cold. It was like the
coldness of the grave. She screamed….

Part II.
     
    Christmas Past
    London,