Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-03-31

you can sit in the parlor and read the
magazines, or you can come out into the
kitchen with me and the children. l
must go right back there, because there
are cookies in the oven"
GIL go with you," said Prue; and she
went. Seating herself in one of the ki.ch-
en- chairs, she watched all the perform
ances with deep interest, and even went
SO lar as to stone raisins and pare apples
to help Rosamond. =
You've done good deal since I was
here, she observed. How pretty that
broad window looks, with all those plants.
And do you mean to say you hang pic
lures like those on your kitchen walls?"
''Ies, indeed said Rosamond. sThis
is one of my sitting rooms; and you don't
know how pleasant it is in here when the
work is done. And it is SO warm and
comfortable, and nice place to have the
children's playtbings around"
''And you are perfectly happy, perfect
ly satisfied, and glad you married Phil
lip?" asked Prue, wistfully.
Perfectly happy, perfectly satisfied,
and glad every hour of my life that
married Phillip" Rosamond replied,
picking up her baby with an air of til
umph and leading the way to the parlor.
They had merry, busy afternoon to-
gether, weaving wreaths and crosses of
evergreen for the windows and pictures;
while little Phil and Rosy decorated
every figure in the carpet with the clip
pings. 1t grew dark early; and as soon
as possible after that the children were
coaxed to hang up their stockings and
go to bed. Then Is soon as they were
asleep out from drawers and closets came
the delightful packages that had been in
hiding, and everybody played Santa
Claus and helped fill the stockings.
II do hope there won't be fire to
burn the house down before morning, be-
fore the children see their presents . said
Roslmond, as she carefully planted the
feet of lovely doll in among the bon
bons in the baby's stocking.
1t took al! the rest Of the evening to get
the wreaths and crosses up, and then tired
and happy, the little housewife went to
bed.
The next morning Prue was awakened
by the sound Of a Christmas carol, which
Philip Grey sung as he built the fire; and
not long after she heard little Phil tum-
bling cut # bed and his shouts Of delight
over his stocking. The horn began to
toot, the whistle began to blow, the toy
cat squealed, the woolly dog bow vowed,
and the children held regular revel
"What good times they do haver
thought Prue, as she hurried out to Join
in the fun.
That clear, cold Christmas Day was
different from any Prue had ever known
before. To tell the truth, good part Of
it was passed in the kitchen, for Rosa
mond had announced her intention to
have regular genuine CHRISTMAS dinner,
and Prue borrowed an apron and wanted to
help. She chopped bread-crumbs, washed
celery, grated cheese, and did anything
she was told and Rosamond said it seemed
quite like old times, when they were girls
and always together. Phil raced up and
down the rooms on his hobby horse, and
Rosy, trotted after him on broom, enter
tanning themselves so we'll that their
elders paid them but little attention.
There was one tremendous moment,
though when, in the very midst of stuff
ting the turkey, Rosamond turned her
head and saw her baby on the top of the
stationary tubs, holding in her hand the
reservoir Of oil from the student lamp and
alternately shaking it ovor the water
pitcher and the teapot.
Don't you wish you could keep a
nurse?" asked Prue, as Rosamond flush
ed aud hurried, stopped to scald the tea
| pot.
No, DON'T" said her friend, un-
dauntedly. 4 feel through and through
my heart, that, when get to be an old
woman and look back on my life, the
very sweetest part of it will be the time
had my little children around me and
took care Of them And l think Rosy is
fully equal to Helens Babies, don't
you?"
The turkey Drowned famously, and all
the various articles stewing and boiling
on the stove did their best, when. at a
quarter OF three, Prue, who had no more
to do, thought that she would take the
children tc the parlor and tell them a
story. Suddenly the door bell rang.
That must be the man with nuts. $
said Rosamond; sand I don't possibly
see how | can leave the gravy. 1 wish
Philip was here.'
"I'll 60 to the door," proposed Prue
fyou really don't mind" began Res
amond; but Prue was already out in the
hall. She ran light down
the stairs, opened the door, and met
Harry.
Phillip had fallen in with him, down
town, invited him to dinner, and then,
having to stop on the way home, had
sent him on alone. Prue gave him swift
glance, saw that he looked care-worn
but the same dear old love was shining
in his eyes, they assembled the stairs and
entered the little parlor now perfect
bower with its Christmas greens.
He sat down before the glowing fire
and looked about the room.
Phillips lucky fellow" he said, with
sigh.
Prues heart beat rapidly, for new
brave thoughts were finding their way in
to it; but she SAID nothing, only stroked
Harry's hair with lingering touch.
/ Rosamoud came in now with welcome
and, few minutes later, Phillip Gray
arrived, blithe and cheerful, and, with q
child on each shoulder, was quite ready
to lead the wy to dinner.
Such merry Christmas dinner as i,
was Harry grew gay in spite of him
self, and Prue was as sweet as a little car
nation pink Philin and R0samond die