The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-12-23

him, and o. course 1t amt II there's
no holly nor mis'toe put up. If
Edith had lived We would be 50
happy. That's why why we don't
put any holly up. That's why
mamma has tears in her eyes and
says to me all the time: s'Ge way
Roxy
"And Tom is cross and so is
Esther. o dear what a dweary
Christmas eveln Tears OF loneli-
ness and sorrow and disappoint-
ment flowed down the baby cheeks.
She was always talking to herself,
aud she soon began again.
"There's Mrs. Gwace, she Is buy
ing presents for her children. But
then her baby is not dead, that's
the reason. o." the little creature
slid to the floor, I" 1 know what I'll
do, it's the best thing! Then we'll
have Christmas I'll 90 and get
Aunt Louise'e baby. When Tom
took me riding we passed By her
house, aud Tom said she had q
siceet little baby. l know papa's
angwy with her for marryin' Mr..
Day. He told us never to speak
to her again, not to look at her.
But then he never thought OF our
getting her baby"
"Tom said he'd speak to her
cause papa didn't like Mr. Day
cause he wasn't rich. I'll hurry
and 60 right now"
She slipped to the closet and
took out her over-shoes, all the
time initiating her mother.
"That's right, Roxy; you must
always wear your rubbers, It is
damp and chilly. Now for your
cloak and hood-the crimson one.
Humph, knot in the ribbon. 1t
might rain or snow, so take Es-
theirs silk umbrella, she won't care;
not II bring back the baby. And
it is so cold, I'd better take her
maf, for | might get chillyblains
on my hands like on Toms toes"
Cloaked and hooded, Roxy sal.
lied across the hall, turned the
knob of the door and was out upon
the street. No Que noticed the
midget's departure. Mamma and
Esther were up stairs, the SER
wants we're busy, and Roxy could
slip out without being seen. Her
Aunt Louise's house was not so far
away, aud she knew the right
street. None questioned her as
she passed along the street. The
crimson hood, primly set on her
curls, the cloak concealing her
s0iled dress, her hands in the muf,
she looked as if dressed by IA maid.
Only a wonder might cross the
mind why such baby should be
given an umbrella nearly as large
as herself, for it was held tightly
to her brerst.
On a side street Judge Hexley
stopped her. "Where are you
gong, fairyi" But wicked Roxy
answered with u toss of the head,
30, Pun OIL business" So with a
laugh the Judge allowed her go by.
The snow began to fall, the
flakes dropped like feathers upon
the earth. SO Roxy said to blue.
coated policeman-think how brave
she was-"will you please waise
my umbellai"
And he did. Ab, Roxyl But
the umbrella was clumsy, too large
for the baby hands, and somehow
Esther's muff slipped away and
went rolling into the gutter. She
tried to pick it up, but only hurt
her nose, 80 she said to herself,
"Well, it don't matter, If l only
get the baby
Mud from the gutter remained on
her cloak az she went on her way.
Her hands soon chilled without muff
or mittons, the umbrella was only
in her way. Then too, she broke
Que OF Its ribs against Q fence, "and
| it didn't do any good, . she said.
At last she stood before her Aunt's
house. 1t was q pretty cottage,
with a garden full Of green shrubs,
and once frightened with flowers.
She tried the latch Of the gate, 1t
hurt her hand aud the tears came
to her eyes.
'Tt made a blood blister on my
finger. That hateful old gate. /
wouldn't have such gate i'll was
Aunt Louise
1t was a woe-begone figure that
finally tiptoed and rang the bell.
Aunt Louise came to the door her.
self, In q long blue dress, aud her
blue eyes all sweetness. 1t had
been Q year since Roxy had seen
her Aunt, and for a moment she
stood transfixed by the beauteous
vision. Then dropping the umbrel.
Ia, and wet with the snow, she ran
and clasped her Aunt's knees cry
ing, "Oh, Aunt Louise! Aunt
L0niselin
"Why, Roxy, isit youi how came
you here "
But not word answered Roxy.
Without more questioning Mrs.
Day lifted the little creature and
carried her to the sitting-r0om. She
removed the damp clothes and
warmed the numb feet over the
crate. And then In her Aunts lap
Roxy nestled and told how she
came tor the baby, because 1t was
| solonely at home without one.
aAnd do you know | just b'lieve
that God made me think Of coming
to you for my Christmas, Aunt
L