Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-12-26
sit down. Sit down, sir said Mr..
Dale. carefully.


porous business man, who noticed, as
he did so, the look of care and de-
lection on his employees thin face.
1T has been my custom, sir, for
some years to make my employees
little present on Christmas eve" he
proceeded genially, as he took bill
from his Iesk drawer and laid ii in
Lionels hand. L presume you can
find use for it; or if you cannot, no
doubt the good wife can, hey.'
Lionel looked at the bill in dumb
astonishment; if an angel had come
in and clapped him on the shoulder
he would not have been more sur
prised, for it was fiftydollar bill.
But, sir he stammered, Il have
beeh with you so short time, | have
not merited such consideration
That's all right, sir. You'll have
ample opportunity TO make it up in
your future years of service, for do
not intend to part with so faithful all
assistant"
There WAS more in the manner
than the kind deed itself, and Lionels
heart bounded with gratitude. He
thought Of Mary and of the many,
many uses the money could be put
to, warm blankets, the winter cloak
Mary had needed for years, and-but
his face fell. There was dunning
letter in his pocket at the moment
which he had concealed from Mary
from the holder of a note against him
for fifty dollars and peremptorily de-
mandng payment.
No, no, it would be wrong TO ap-
propriate one dollar of the gift for
personal needs Mr.. Dale was a
shrewd reader OF faces, and Lionels
thin, anxious face had appealed to
his sympathies strongly since he had
entered the Office, and he noted the
change OF expression.
What is it, Webb p he said, kind
ly. You look depressed and troub-
led"
As Lionel heard the kind voice and
looked into the kind face an impulse
came to him to tell this man his
troubles. 1t was so hard to bear 1t
alone and to wear smiling face over
a heart so filed with anxious care,
and hardly knowing what he said, he
poured out his story Of the past, OF
Mary and Of her pitiful shopping to-
day. 'It hurts me so, Mr.. Dale he
said. in conclusion, that | cannot
use even dollar Of your generous
gift for her"
How much now would cover this
entire Indebtedness 2 asked Mr. Dale.
He was drumming thoughtfully on
his desk and looking keenly at Lilo
mel. not in blame or in doubt OF the
truth of his story, but III making an
effort to put himself in another
place.
Fifteen hundred dollars would pay
every dollar"
Mr.. Dale refiected-in the light OF Ills
millions the sum seemed very trlfiei
vet here was a man whose strength
and happiness were being wasted for
the lack of it. What would you say,
then. if | should loan you this money
and let you work it out gradually a.
you can afford it?'
Say, sir / should work on wings,
il would make my heart SO Eight.
Then put on your wings, returned
Mr.. Dale, smiling, FOR well have the
matter arranged at an early date
And now go home and spend TINS
money for Mary and the children with
clear conscience"
Mary was filling the stockings when
Lionel came home and, poor soul, she
had evidently been shedding tears
over the task.
A pretty ruche and ribbon for Jen
ME. and pair OF stockings and win
ter gloves for Amy, the merest neces
sites amid the ocean of lovely, tempt
ing things she had seen that day;
pair of warm gloves for Lionel which
he would not buy for himself lay II
her bureau drawer, and there hac
been Just enough left to buy a sinai
chicken for the Christmas dinner, FOL
n turkey was not TO be thought o.
this year.
She had not heard him when he
opened the door softly, and he stood
watching her through the glass doo'
which led from the hallway to th'
little parlor.
She had finished now, and with the
stocking on her lap, leaned her hea'
dejectedly upon her hand. 1t was sc
hard to give pennies where hei
warm heart would so gladly lavisf
pounds.
"Oh. Lionel, how you startled Inc,
as he opened the door and went In
"Why-what has happened, dearf
He was loaded down with packages
and every pocket was bulging out II
addition, and she knew that some
thing unusual had occurred.
The Lord hasn't forgotten Us yet
Mary" he said, taking her worn fac'
in his hands, and kissing it tenderly
She listened to his recital OF the con
versation with Mr.. Dale with eye
brilnming over with tears, and wheI
he had finished. and she realized tina
the load Of harrassing debt was TO b
lifted. her face took on a reveren
shade OF joyful Thanksgiving, anC
taking Lioners hand in hers, Sh'
said. gently: Let us pray"