Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-12-30

Teddy gszed at his sister with the keen,
penetrating eyes Of childhood.
You are not happy" he answered. ''YOu
look pale Acknowledgment"
II an happy" she protested. 81 am!
So long as ! have you nothing shall make
me otherwise. Never mind my lookes,
dear. The kettle is boiling and you want
your supper, do you roi?"
He followed her shout while she toasted
the bread and set the tea 10 draw.
II wordsr," said the child, wistfnlly,
IF Santa Claus will come this way To-
night? wish he'd bring you some pretty
gowns and WARN furs, Sioyl, such as you
used to wear when we were rich. / wish
yGu nsedn't work any m ore in the mills"
Sibyl poured the tea with tolersbly
steady hand.
"Aunt Farleigh will necer come back to
u.s." she answered. Don't hope for that,
Teddy. l made her very angry once, and
Ihs disowned Us both in consequence. II
Santa Clause comes tonight, his visit will
be to you, not TO ne; he is the children's
saint"
Teddy hung his head guilty. For the
first time in his life he dared not meet his
sisters eyes.
81 want to earn money" he whimpsr-
ed. - want to buy you thing, Stbyl
Tell me about tie time we were nch-the
tima when Santa Claus did coma"
Si6yl caug her breath.
Il can't, Teddy. Don't ask me, dsar.
You and I NUT be brave and not lock
backward, but forward. And don't talk
nors anse, poor baby-it will he many
day before you can earn money"
She cleared away the supper, her
thoughts busy with many things. There
was very little money in her purse,
months rent was due, and rumors of a
strike in the mills fillei the air; but some.
thing she must buy for Teddy. What
would Christmas be without gilt for him?
He needed warm coat
He shall have it, too" she thought
reCRlessly.
She put on her hat and shawl, and said
10 the child:
II have a. Grand in the town, dear.
I will call Liz TO stay with you till l
cone buck"
The hunchbsck girl lived on the floor
below. AtSibyl lis summons she promptly
appeared, in what seemed to be state Of
suppressed excitement. Suspecting moth
ing. wrong, Sibyl went out, leaving the
children together.
"What luck !" cried Liz, rs she listened
to the departing 70 ,tsteps Of her friend
'Q1ick, Teddy! Pat on your cap and
muffl4r, and get your fiddle We must
be uncommon spry, or she'll come back
and catch us, you know"
The two stole out of the teneme At
Rouse into the street, where a fall moon
shone do Tn upon their pale, eager faces,
and the north wind met them, like tie
stab Of knife. Conspirators they were,
bent upon speed and secrecy. Together
they had batched fiue plot for Christ.
mas Eve, and nothing but the reappear-
ance. of Sibyl herself couid deter them
from ex scuting it.
First" shiveIed LIZ, "let's 20 down
to the big hotel, Teddy"
They t,udged eff, disturbed olly by the
fear that they might encounter byl on
the road. But the coast, hover, rem aimed
clear, and mounting the steps of the hotel,
| Teddy tucked tie violin under his chin,
and both children, in heavenly sweet
voices, began the old Christmas carol Of
God rest ye, merry gentene n"
Listeners gathered around the waits.
Liz extended faded Tam o Shanter cap,
and te,rd small coin rattle cheerfully
into it. As the pair moved on down the
st,set, she stopped before Lighted win.
dow 10 count her spoil.
We've dollar and ten cents, Teddy"
she announced, joyfully.
"And Sibyl said couldn't earn money"
gagped poor Teedy, as he shook with the
hi:reI cold.
"Hurry" urged LIZ. "Now we'll 60
uD TO Colonel Kiike's villa. He's got a
dinner party there tonight. It's good
place, should say, for the brass"
They crossed the stone bridge, and
sc4mperel up an avenue of evergreens.
| TIE vii a was all ablszs with light. Our
two waits crept INFO deep porch, where
colored lamps hung, ard, through parted
curtains of lace aad satin dsmssk, peerei
irto long, shining roomo, full o. wonder
fully dressed people. They could see the
green frcnds of palms, banks of roses and
orchids, Yule-logs blazing on tiled hearths,
walls green with holly and mistletoe;
stately male figures; fair, laughing girl
fices.
'Ohn' gssped LIZ, "ain't they precious
lo., Teddy? They make my mouth water
they dc! You'll have to tune your loud.
est here, COS they be so lively inside
| bless 'em!"
Teddy tuned" 1t chancsd that Hof-
man and Ninon Kirke, psuing at that mo-
ment in window, espied the shive,irg,
hslffrozsn childIen-hea!d the feeble rasp-
ing ofths violin. =,
Look" cried Miss Kirke "Prsy look
at that hunchbacke1 gill, Mr.. Hoffman
And what a lovely yellow haired boy
Christmas beggars-and, I am sure, they
must be peIishing with the cod
''Let Us call them in" said Hoffman,
gcol-raturedly.
A moment after, q footuan opened the
door and beckoned the children into the
warm, lighted hall.
'Halloow said Hoffman TO the girl.
'Ia this little chap your brother
mo. SIR" faltered LIZ. Teddy is
Miss Sibyls brother, he's a gentleman.
I'm only mill-hand. Ifyou p ease, well
sing you a carol, cir, and go away"
tSing on" answered Hoffman.
At the top of voices grown hoarse and
tremulous with the cold, the waits shout
ed:
Carol, Christians, carol,
Christmas comes again"
Colonel Kirke and his guests poured out
of the drawing-room and, with smiles and
shrugs, listened. Under pretenss of look.
ing at Teddy's violin, Hoffman bent down
to the child and eaid, sofly:
"Wtete do you liye?'
Teddy gave tbs street s1d ngmber with