Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-22

only thirteen sousi" ;he keeper was crying.
Thirteen SOUS for any toy Ia the shop, LOOK,
ladies, al these beautiful Christmas trees!~
Jeanne stopped. Thefa She entered. Gpon the
counter near her lay the TOY which ner little
boy had so much loDged for and talked about
a brightly painted Jack ill., the-b box only tnir-
teen sous would make bis heart glad for The
year. and, God help her She had not one.
The Snopkeepefs back Vas turned. She caught
up the 10Y, examined IL, glanced ABOUT 20 see
II any one was looking. and took d step toward
the door. Then she paused. and after an instant
OF feverish hesitation. threw down the 10Y and
few precipita1eiy toward home.
She was shocked by what She had almost
done. She. Jeanne, "Henest jeanne had never
stolen d m0rseI OF bread even when hunger was
at the door. and now she had nearly become a
thief for the sake CT giving her children play
thing!
Back again so soon said her husband, in
surprise. as She euteItd
"BaCk again"
She sat down. unloled her bundle anc laid it
on the table.
."Too late" she said simply.
Al that moment the Christmas bells began to
AT first. those in the neighboring church. then
Others more distant. and Then all mingled their
peals gladly and joyOusy.
IN spite OF herself JeanneS eyes wandered
10 the chimney where the two little stockings
we've hanging. There was something so
pathetic In their emptiness that she could
heIdly keep back her tears.
In imagination SHE saw her children waking
from their sleep the next morning; saw them
spring from the bed, run TO the chimney aud
plunge their eager little hands into the empty
stockings, ard then. az they had d)ne The
christmas before. unable To believe tina they
had been forgotten. hunting In the asncs
beneath, in the belief that the preSe ats had by
mistake fallen there
She saw them, as she had seen them the year
before, turn toward her with fearful eyes: 20
mamma mamma, there Is nothing"
She saw her two little ones stand hungry and
empty handed at the window all the day,
watching other children so up and down, bear
ing their toys.
And all the while the Christmas bells we're
ringing.
Jeanne flung, herself down by the bed and
wruDg her hands
And there are those who believe in a God."
she cried, bitterly.
There was a sudden knock at the door. It
opened. figure entered. It was Nine. Ron
Gel.
She came IN softly. made sign Of silence to
Jeanne,. went softly TO the bed and kissed the
two little faces.
THE Two angels" she said, tenderly.
Then. opening basket she carried with her.
she kneeled down by the chimney. Into one
stocking she put the coveted Jack In the box,
into the other charming wax doll, and into
both plenty of bOnS DonS.
Then rising, she said With SMILE II must
make haste, Tor have the stockings OF my own
little ones to ftlln
Her hand was already on the knob of the
door, when she heard a StIHed cry. It was
Jeanne. who had watched the whole scene
prehendlDg II. With bursting heart she Hung
herself into the arms OF Nine. Rondel, and her
tears. for years dried within their channels,
foTed freely. My darlings, my poor little
darlings." she cried
The wall of jealousy and suspicion was
poverty came back to the little nome once
more.