Dodge City times., 1883-12-27
WHAT CAME OF 1T.


Clyde who spoke, as she tied faded
blue veil over her straw hat and drew
a shabby fur cape close around her
white throat. She was a very pretty
girl, with turquoise-bue eyes, and a
dash of scarlet in her cheeks and lips.
II you get your money, you mean
said stately Marian, Theo's elder sister,
who wore her calico wrapper with the
grace of Princess royal.
90, Miss Briarby is always punctual,
and she will be sat SIZED with the dress,
] know" =
And be sure you get apples and
raisinS for the mince-meat, Theo, cried
Madge, the youngest of all. "Let' $
have a real Christmas dinner to-mor-
row, if it is week late. It's so long
since we've had nice dinner!'
''But, I'm. only to get three dollars
for the dress, you know, Madge. I'll
do the best | can with that And,
snatching up small basket containing
the newly finished dress, Theo tripped
away in gay spirits.
The three girls kept house in the
Widow Spriggns' thrd-story front
room. Inside, the air was M Id and
balmy as a'summer morning, but out
side it was sharp and keen, and a fine,
powdery snow was beginning to fall.
The dress gave entire satisfaction, and
Miss Briarby wished Theo happy New
Year.
Theo's purchases were soon made
Such a plump turkey 1t almost filled
the basket on her arm. Then to the
meat shop for beef and suet; and the
jolly meat-man threw in fresh, crisp
bunch of celery, smitten to the heart, no
doubt, by Theo's bright eyes and ruby
lips. Next, two pounds of rais;ns, so
rich and sugary it made ones mouth
water to look at them.
Half dollar rema ned. and Theo en-
tered fruit store, tempted by the dis
play Of golden7hned oranges and ba-
nanaS, Brazilian dates, choice clusters of
Malaga grapes, luscious figs and odor-
ous pineapplcs. The gas was brilliantly
lighted inside, for the short December
day was fast drawing to a close.
A man in slouched hat and seedv
-evercoat lounged in after Theo, and
stood leaning against tie counter.
'.Now, then, what do you want?'' de-
manded the proprietor, roughly.
Nothing was the low reply
''Then the sooner you get out of here
The better-' clustered the vender of
tropical fruits. I'VE don't harbor
tramps.''
Tim not tramp" answered the
stranger
Then you're drunk; and get out of
here before / call policeman
For shame. O for shame!' cried
Theo, with blazing eyes. ITO treat
human being so-on New Years Eve,
too.'
as.'Hc's an impostor, asserted the
hard d-hcarted dealer.
I've not tasted Tread for two days."
said the man, in husky tones.
.'Eere. sir" and Theo followed the
stranger. into the street: take this
And she thrust her laSket into his
hand. @
'.No,, no!'' said the poor man.
81 -
but you must! You will need it.
And take this, too And she forced
h m reluctantly to accept her purse.
also, and en- quickly hastened away.
IA s'.She's coming!' cried Madge, flying
to the open door. as a faint footstep
sounded On the stairs. ''The basket
must be heavy, she walks so slowly.
Now for the turkey-why. Theo. You
haven hrorght it. Was it too heavy?
Are they going to send it?''
Theo related h.r adventure.
'.And m only sorry you and Marian
will be disappointed" she added, re-
gretfu!ly.
.You did rerfec;ly right said Mar
ian. heroicallv. ave are not starving
vet. thank goodness! and he was. poor
man."
But Theo still shook her head, and
the tears spark!ed i'm her eyes.
.'i'm glad You gave itto him, cried
MaGge, and added. softly, You know,
Theo, who has said: 'Inasmuch as We
have done it unto the least OF these. We
have doae il unto Me.
The white pine floor had been washed
and secured within an inch of its life:
the briehtly-polished window-panes
shone and shimmered, as daring one
to look at them and not blink: the round
brass knobs ON the old-fash;oned wal
nut sideboard be:med good .naturedlv
in the slant rays of the morning sun; a
pot Of bright yellow chrysanthemums
stood in one of tie white-curta. ned win
dows, fragrant and full of blo,n. and
a handsome tortoise-sheli cat took |or
morning nap on a braided rug before
the fire.
The three hOusekeepers washed up
their breakfast-service, and swept the
room and busted, and put to rights with
a zeal worthy at least of more extend
ed sphere of action.
Suddenly aheaxy. lumbering step was
heard on the stairs, and sounding rap
on the door caused a momentary panic
in the little room.
Marian. rallying first, opened the
door.
"A box. mum, for Miss Theo Clyde
expenses paid. num-
The girls looked at each other in as
Punishment.
+.There's no direction on the box,"
1sa;d Marian. examining it carefully.
..It's m:stakc-it's not for us" said
Theo.,
..Let's open it." cried Madge. 'It
can hurt US. anyway, and she pro-
duced hatchet.
They pounded end pried at the lid,
bruised their fingers, and finally got the