The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-12-21

| squire blair called the noisy groups
to order as soon rs he could hear his
own voice In the confusion. After
some preiminaries the Santa Claus of
the occasion began to drawl the names
which labelled the various presents.
.'Mr Wallace Foster"
That gentleman arose ard received
the pink parcel. which he unrolled aud
passed over to Mrs. Moonlight tor in
spection.
The unlsding Of the tree went on.
Bright faces grew brighter as their
names were called, while small boys
and girls in gay clothing, capped by the
inevitable Tam O'Snant"r," glanced
along the aisl = like humming birds,
their hands iull Of treasures.
"Mr. Wallace Foster!" was again
called out
lie looked triile annoyed as he
stepped again to the tree.
.The slippers this time" Della
thought, leaning forward breathlessly.
But Santa Claus lifted q long wicker
basket, with blue covering, from a
bougn and gave it to him.
"Handle with care!' he said, gruffiy,
as MIR. Foster took the basket with some
h, 81 a,i1n and went back to Mrs Nj on
ligAt.
"What have you got nowi" she
asked, bending forward with smiling
face.
Something precious, should think"
he said, rs he lifted one corner of the
dainty silk covering.
In his astonishment he almost drop
ped the basket, for the face of sleep
ing baby, framed in delicate lace, met
his eyes.
"Why, the darlingr said Mrs. Moon
light, as she drew down the quilted silk
and soft flannel, and disclosed the lit
tie hands clasped over the spotless en-
broidered robe.
Those nearest peeped, and In two
minutes the contents of the basket was
photographed to the remOtest pews.
MIR. Foster was uneasy. Who had
played this practical joke upon himp
He felt himself the focus of all eyes.
Mrs Moonlight pitied his embarrass-
ment.
Santa Claus proceeded more lively
than ever, but the interest was divided.
Funny present to bachelor and wo-
man-hater," said Mrs. Roberts, the
milliner, the bill of the robin perched
upon her bonnet pointing directly TO
Mr.. Foster.
Somebody wants to plague him
he's so queer and distant" whispered
Stropel. the merchant, to his wife,
whose attention was divided between
Mr.. Fosters present and her own, q
silver basket heaped with grapes,
frosted cake and oranges in wax work.
Eyes, the child belongs to some ono
in the church, probably, who will soon
claim it" she returned.
''Moses in the bullrushes!'' shouted
little Seth Bumstead, making hap
hazard application of his Sunday
school lesson, as he craned his neck for
a view, and subsidod with shamed
face at sly shake by his mother.
Mrs. Moonlight drew the basket I'M
der the shelter of her wings. Mr.. Fos-
ter looked disturbed. He did not even
unroll the slippers when they were
handed to him.
The tree was empty; tho crowd be-
gan to move towards the door. But no
one claimed the baby.
Foster stood looking helplessly st
Mrs. Moonlight.
II will take care of it tonight; to-
morrow we shall see what can be- DONE"
she said.
They waited until the last of the
crowd were near the door, then passed
out and walked down the street. Fos-
ter carried the basket, over which
Mrs. Moonlight had thrown a warm
shawl.
He looked at the sweet little face
with softencd, regretful expression,
then said goodnight and retired from
Mrs. Moonlight's sitting-room to his
chamber, where. q coal fire glowed in
willingly in the CRATE and soft, shaded
lamp-light showed the bright, warm
carpet and crimson window drapery.
In dressing-gown and slippers, before
the fire, he fell into reverie. He re-
called the happy Christmas night, two
years ago, richly freighted with joy
and love and hope, when "a warm, pas
sionate heart beat close to his and white
arms encircled his neck. He would
have laughed then at the prophecy of
his present desolation. He had been
deprived of love, home, happiness. And
who was to blame?
There was low rap at the door.
''Mrs. Moonlight about the baby" he
thought uneasily, as he opened it
A tall, stately woman stood there.
The light showed proud, pale, beau
tiful face, with dark, luminous eyes,
now misty with some strong emotion.
"Louisev'
'Wallacel"
She reached both hands towards him.
He drew her into the warmth and
brightness and shut the door.
The two stood looking into each 9TH
er's faces. Hers was irresistible in its
tenderness such contrast to the
pride and naughty defiance which had
,marred its loveliness when he had last
seen her year ago.
II have come, Wallace, to ask your
forgiveness for the past" she said,
brokenly. klt 'A 81 tsttt
Another rap interrupted his answer,
and Mrs. Moonlight bsamed upon them
with y. q in her arms. his blue