San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-08-22
THE COLD CREAM ISLANDS.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY REBA GREGORY PRELAT.

He look her on MS zap III VIC Dii-
lard room and told her she was ex-
actIy like her grandma Fortescue.
1t will always be noticed that when
man is displeased with his wife, he
turns instinctively to the memory of
his mother. He was very patient
with her, and she found knocking the
balls about great fun. When half an
hour was over he asked her again
where she had heard the words that
accompanied her cream. so! Papa,
don't ask me, they are fairy words and
[ don't quite understand them my
self, perhaps you don't either" "They
were fairy Words, he answered, land
| doubt if have rightly understood
them, until now" Letitia had
heard her mother and Aunt Mil
red come from dinner, and her
tender little heart yearned over
them. She slipped away from the
billiard room and into the parlor.
Aunt Mildred was playing some wild
music on the piano. Mamma was
reading a book, that is, she held one
in her hand, but she lC )ked beyond
and above it. Her daughter went to
her and said: Papa is in the billiard
room. He did not go to the club. o!
Mamma, how pretty your bangs look
tonight. Let me lift this one curl !"
She raised the yellow tress and gently
rubbed her magic cream upon the
white forehead. compromise, con-
cession and a little charity"
"What is that, child?n said man.
ma sharply, but Letitia went reso-
lutely on, and repeated it four times.
Then the charm began to work, mann
ma put up her hands before her face,
and Letitia thought she was going to
cry. but instead she dropped the book
on the floor and went into the billiard
room. Letitia, with a tact worthy
thrice her years, remained in the par
lor. Aunt Mildred went on with her
stormy music, but presently her
niece ventured to approach the
piano.
"Please Auntie, dear" began the
little girl, "make it up with Mr.. Ed.
| don't believe he ever meant TO make
you angry"
Hush" said Aunt Mildred, 81
have given Thomas orders not to let
him come in if he calls"
Letitia noticed that the big beauti-
full diamond was gone from her hand,
she walked to the window and locke d
out on the street. The gas made II
very bright and lit up the snow and
the passers by.
Presently she saw a very familiar
form coming nearer. 1t was Mr..
Stuyvesant and he was walking rap
idly.
If he rang the bell and Thomas an
swered it he would be told that Aunt
Mildred was not at home.
The child knew the working of the
weighty front door, and gathered up
her determinations She rushed to
her Aunt and startled that young
person by putting some cold cream
upon her forehead. "COmprOmise,
| concession and little charity" she
whispered breathIess y. but so dis
ttnctiv that each word was heard.
Then she flew into the hall just as
the bell rang and Thomas appeared.
She was before the fOotman and let
the gentleman in.
80! Mr.. Ed" she electrified him by
saving. "Amt Mildred has been cry
ing. and it's awful. She don't want
to see you, but perhaps the cream has
done her some good
She led him into the parlOr and
shut the door.
Standing alone in the hall, and
! hearing her father and mother talk
ing in the billiard room, she cOnclud-
ed to leave her "fairy spell' to work
| its way and went up stairs to bed.
once tucked into her pretty bed,
she tried to sleep, but could not.
After while she looked from under
her dropping lids and amused herself
by watching the room.
First, about ten, Nora appeared.
She tried on her newest cap before
the glass, and admired it. Leutia
blessed the policeman, but did not
let Nora know she was awake.
Next at eleven Aunt Mildred en-
tered. She put a magnificent Paris
doll on the chair near the chimney,
where Letita's stocking hung. AS
she APPROACHED the bed the little cir
noticed the big diamond once more
sparkling on her finger. Aunt Mil
dred murmered "NOu sweet, darling
precious. wonderful child :" and
kissed her more warmly than ever il
her life before. Aunt Mildged wa!
considered a cold young person, anC
her niece knew she would have fel
EN- EMBARRASSED TO meet her waking eye
Last of all came papa and mamma
, They filled the chairs with present
, and mamma said: "HOraCe | have
put the Old certificates into LetttiaI
/ stockings. The 5000 shall sta!
where you have placed it. l will jus
take whatever pocket money ~!
stingy old husband gives me. Tn,