The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-11-01
CHATTER III.

"When she wakes in the morning, Agnes,
do not question her, leave her to tell her
story at her own time. Only make her feel
welcome here; remember it is Christmas
time, when He, who was the Spirit of Chari-
ty, was born amongst us. The girl has a
good sweet face, and is habitcd like a lady.
Let that suffice; let her understand we see
no wrong in her, and she will then trustus."
Come, Ally" he said to the child, ''lct
me wrap you in this, and take you to bed.
You puss, it is almost what you call morn
ing time"
The child allowed her father to wrap her
up snugly, but protested against going to
bed directly minute"
She was cold, she said, and wanted some
negus and mince-p'c like Agnes had got for
papa.
And rs usual she I'd her own way. and
sat on the rug by Dirt $ side till she fell fast
asleep, her pretty dark lead Graded on his
warm coat.
Then with a CHEEKY good night, Pierce
picked her up and carried ncr to her little
bed. AS he laid her down he whispered
drowsily:
Papa, will Santa Claus bring 80 pretty
lady a present to put in her stoc. Sec
she hangs it out-I have mine. Kiss me
goodnight"
The dark laShes swept the rosy cheek,
and in a second the dear little one slept
and dreamt of beneficent Christmas fairies,
fine gifts, and Christmas cheer.
Pierce thought OF her words. Why should
not the poor outcast be remembered kindly
by him?
He picked a bit of holly, all ruddy berries,
and hastily going to the best parlor, he pick
ed his only flower, a Christmas-rose grow
i'll a terra-cotta pot, painted with swallows
and wild roses.
This he bound together with a piece of
cord, and sat down to write q Christmas
card.
when You wake you will find yourself
among friends who do not wan to question
your past, but only wish to help and sue
cor you. God bless you and restore you to
happiness, is the sincere prayerof your true
friend, PIERCE PENFoLD."
When Dorothy woke next morning, the
Christmas bells were ringing merrily, the
frosty sunlight shone in, and showed an
old-fashioned room, eXquisitely clean and
neat, with a look of comfort and homeliness
about it.
On a tiny table by her bedside stood q
| piece of shining holly and a Christmas rose
in a glass, beneath which lay a Christmas
card, prettily painted, and upon it the reas-
surfing words Pierce had written the night
before.
Childish laughter sounded in the hall and
the patter of childish feet.
Dorothy sat up in bed hastily, and caught
sight of herself in the glass panel of the
wardrobe, and for all her sorrow laughed
outright at the queer figure she cut in old
Agnes's nightcap, and much befrilled bed
gown.
Her head was a little dizzy, and her limbs
ached, but otherwise she felt little the worse
for that fall in the snow-drift. which must
have proved fatal but for the timely help of
her generous host and his dog.
She took the flowers tenderly, and read
the kind words written on the card.
Then she united her cap, sat up, and rub
bed her eyes.
The memory of the night before AZ first
was dim and indistinct, then it gained force
and clearness, and stood wildly ont before
her, dyeing her cheeks with shamed GRIM
son.
She was still regarding the card with CRATE
full tear-dimmed eyes. when q knock came
to the door, and in replyt to her :imid 'Ccme
ill.," little Ally, in all the glory of crimson
sash and stockings, and white cashmere
dress, flew in, her arms full of toys.
Agnes followed, her kind old face flushed
with cooking breakfast.
She carried a tray covered with a snowy
cloth, on which was a cup of fragrant tea,
fresh eggs, and a tempting kidney, and put
1t down beside the bed with the hearty: "A
merry Christmas to youV' so dear to old En-
gland.
Little Ally climbed upon the bed and
showed her Christmas gifts, saying in her
pretty way:
I'VE are all glad to have yon here. Papa
says you arc a Christmas guest, and as it is
our Savior's birthday everyone is welcome
for his sake. Eat your breakfast, and com
down quick-sharp; papa is waiting to see
you"
agnes has ironed your clothes and Patty
has put them outside all clean and warm.
Why did you come so late?"
II came when your kind papa brought me.
What is your name, little one, and how old
are yon?'
II am five next birthday. Ny name is
Ally Penfold, and l am papa's sweet pet.'
With a kind nod, after putting down the
tray, old Agnes brought in the girls clothes,
and left her masters gnest TO the entertain
ment OF his little daughter, wlio was dis
posed to be yer, friendly.
where Is your manlma dear little Allyn