The Mineral argus., 1884-12-25

and then rolled down to inspect If the
treasures were real that had Just drop
ned into their hands FROM some swiftly
passing, smiling figures.
"Ispec's they's the Christmas angels
said one.
"Let us watch that old man and that
Young girl, " said Laura.
The Girl had the growth OF eleven
years, but her blue-gray eyes a an eA,
preston, her pale, low, wide brow anu
features wore marks of Thought that
gave her an advanced look. She was
pulling The old man away from the
window.
'sNo, no., grandpa" she said coax,
inglv, IF we get the arithmetic, l cant
get YOU that new warm gray necKer-
chief. and have it you must and shall.
Lilly Barr lets me study out OF her
book when nv questions are torn out.
But the old man continued looking at
the bright new school books and story
and picture-books with the fierce wear
ious hunger which the old sometimes
feel for the wants of the young.
"You can't manage this" whispered
Laura. ''These are not people to take
from utter strangers"
''You see if l can't" returned GLADYS,
sweetly defiant. They came out OF the
crowded store again presently. why
did you let him tie it upp" asked Laura
| softly, sliding in a cherub card. =
want to see how it looks again." cried
Gladys, stopping just by the side OF the
girl, intent upon opening her packet.
20 Laura! = with a start that would have
done credit to Clara Morris, Look
what he has given mean arithmetic
And he is so busy L can't get him to
change it. 1 hate the sight OF an arlth-
metic!" she went on, her eyes laughing
as she caught the unconsciously wlsttul,
~glistening glance of the young girl.
0Little lady" with the most exquls-
itely polite information, "do you go to
school? Isn't there some little boy or
girl who will take this arithmetic out
Of my sight? " regarding it very dis
tastefully, then glancing at the earnest,
blue-gray eyes with a pleading, elvlsh
smile.
Claude Vane turned upon her a pain
of searching orbs. To take q gift from
this creature, she thought In her heart
was like taking one from the tall, fail
Christmas angel sending forth the dove
as she had seen her on a prize card
Claude was too proud to take withou'
gratitude. Her frank ayes looked it
but as she parted her fine lips to speal
the vision vanished. She almos
thought it was a vision till she pincheC
hard at the book she had in her hands
40, grandpa" she criedto the old man
who had scarcely taken it all In yet
"did you aver see any thing Xix that
And oh! look, look, besides! o, grand
pa, these two chernbs looking dow
from a cloud"-The child drew he
breath quickly. "You shall have thi
card, grandpa"
"No, Claude, darling, you keep
to remember always that the cherubiT
who excel in knowledge, remain eve
young children in Innocence and hi
mility and love"
1t was late when two Treasury clerk
returned with empty pocket-books an
shining eyes to the crimson and blu
chamber. GLADYS knelt to put a site
on the shining fire. Laura, coming be
hind her, bent back the fair head in he
chilly white hands.
| "Are you cold?" asked Gladys.
81 never was so warm in all my lifi
darling. 1t was beautiful. L seem
r move in a cloud of children's faces lool
ing up with great wondering, brighter
ing, pure, loving eyes-lke a Madonna
3 in a glory of cherubim."
"And it only cost us five dollars
said practical G~ladys.-Washingtc
Gazette.