The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-12-19

Mr.. Jay simpered uneasily. He had n
vague idea that the heiress was making
game of him, and he muttered something
about "the ladies being always young"
''Please favor me with this gentleman's
address," interrupted the lady, rather
imperiously. II may want some law
copying done"
Anything in our line, madam" be-
gan Mr.. Jay, eagerly.
eff | had wanted you to do it, should
have put it in your hands," said the
heiress, and Mr.. Jay was silenced.
4 Il +
''Girls, it's Christmas Eveh said Mr..
Bloom, as they sat around the fire.
"Heres my months money; it's the last.
Jay & Jay have discharged me. would
have liked to buy you all Christmas
presents, but | can't" And his head
JIUppcu ou his breasts
ave don't want any Christmas pres
ent, Uncle Bob" cried Lofty, clinging
around his neck.
"This bunch of holly is Christmas
present enough for us, Uncle Bob"
whispered Bertha.
''And look, Uncle Bob" said Lillian;
"this is the copy of Paradise Lost that
you wanted. l found it at second
hand stall and it's quite perfect. Here
it is, Uncle Bob, with Merry Christ
mas!"
Uncle Bob's eyes lighted up once
more.
"But you shouldn't have bought it,
Lillian" said he. "We've got to econo-
mize now, my girl--we've got to econo-
mizep
GIVE hemmed new silk handker-
chief for you, Uncle Bob! p said Bertha.
II meant to keep it till tomorrow, but
Lillian has set the example of giving our
gifts now"
"And, Uncle Boil" shrieked Lofty,
producing from her pocket an in6nites-
imal parcel done up in tissue paper.
"I've knitted yon pair of silk mittens!
Real silk! To wear on Sundays and
high holidays. Put them on at once,
Uncle Bob, and see if they will fiji"
"Girls--gills!" stammered Uncle Bob,
''this isn't economyl No, it isn't! But
you are three little darlings! Come here
and kiss me! II don't care whether
Jay & Jay have discharged me or not, so
long as / have got you!"
The slow tears trickled down his
cheek as he spoke, and Bertha softly
Rugged him.
"Uncle Bob" said she, "Ihaven't told
you about it for fear of worrying you,
but Allan and have had serious dis
agreement. And all because I wasn't
ready to be married this Christmas. But
it's all right now. Allan will wait. He
came this afternoon and brought me this
little brooch. See, Uncle Bobp'
ats very pretty, my dear, " said Uncle
Bob. "But don't keep him waiting too
long. I've known of serious troubles
from long engagements, Bertha. Marry
him, my child-marry him. Lofty
might perhaps live with you. Lillian can
support herself; and as for me, why there
is the Old Gentlemen's Home, if 1 can get
interest with the directors!"
Bertha's eyes filled with tears.
'Uncle Bob" said she, ''don't talk
nonsense! There's no Old Gentlemen s
Home for you, except just here. As if
would ever leave you, dear Uncle Bob p
Long after the girls had gone out to do
their Christmas marketing very
small scale it was this year, poor things
Uncle Bob sat staring at the fire.
tMy little girls!" he repeated to him.
self-smy three dear little women
They've got lots of love but no logic in
'em. If l go into the Old Gcntlemen'f
Home, it's got to be on the sly"
Just then there came a soft tapping al
the door.
"Come inl" said Uncle Bob, with 9
start
The door opened; there was the rush
of soft silk, the scent of delicate perfume
recalling the violet banks of long ago, and
a woman's figure came in.
.Nell,n he cried aloud, starting to his
feet.
ayes, it's Nell-Nell Sandiford," cried
the woman. $50 you knew me again
Oh, Bob, is il wrong and unfeminine of me
to come back to you, this Christmas Eve,
aud ask your pardon for all that happened
twenty years ago, and ask you TO take me
back 10 you heart again. I'm rich now,
Bob; Eve got more money than know
what TO do with But there's no one to
love ne as you did, Bob-desr Bob
I've kept single all these wears for your
sake. I've sought for you hjgh and low,