The morning call., 1890-12-25

Oh Spun-SOIu llnRs lulnDleu over the gray
fur and blue cloth, would not have stopped
to admire its splendors, and the patient
Swede girl with her would not have coaxed
her in vain.
Miss Celia looked at the child with a
friendly smile. Spinster as she is. who has
passed more than one birthday in the forties,
there is no living woman with a warmer
heart for children. Besides had she not her
own little boy waiting for her at home?.
Poor Eiizas child left to her with Eza's
diamonds and a pretty legacy. five years ago.
Eliza was the beauty of the Wilder family.
Celia's own sister She had been married
in Washington-when General Wilder was
in Consress-to rich New Yorker with
weak lungs, who could not live at
home. There Eliza held court for
more than ten years, not forgetful of
her sister, who visited her regularly every
winter. Then came a last sad winter.
Eliza and her husband died within four
months of each other. and the poor
little rich boy was left to his
aunt. 1t was six years ago. Rex was
only baby; and the wrench and
S hook had somehow been outlived, for 1.-The
strong years conquer u" but Celia's faith
full heart often ached yet. She had taken the
pretty, delicate little creature ard reared
him with much love and some tears lest she
should miss the best course for boy. IL
only her father had lived! Celia believed
her father the nobiest of lien and a great
statesman. She had been his friend, his
eonhdant, his private Secretary, ana his
never ALTERING worshiper. For his sake,
-ssne who had beer handsome girl and was
a distinguished locking woman, had never
married, in spite 60 many lovers.
After his death she lived alone in the old
house that her father had left her, and
d ned with the family portraits until Rex
came.
Remembering Rex now, she smiled again
on the little GIRL saying in her gentle, high
bred voice:
Do you want something in here, dearie?"
want to do in and talk to Santa Claus"
said the little lady very compoSedly. My
mamma did talk to Santa Claus one day in a
store"
Isle must go home,'' the maid interposed
we must take car, Mrs. Brace, Sic not like
it"
Miss Wilder's face changed at the name
and her hand dropped off the little shoulder.
She said coldly that car was coming and
without making any further remark, turned
and went up the hill, toe absorbed in some
sudden thought to remember her book. or
even to notice Mrs. Rollins, who had come
up putting little with THE Crime of Syl-
VeStre Bonnard."
Mrs. Rollins was little, plump, white
woman, with pretty toilets and lisp. She
appeared a soft timid, and possibly silly
Rev. Thaddeus Graves Rollins, her husband,
was rector of the parish to which Miss
Wilder literally subscribed. She went every
Sunday, twice day to church, she attended
the week day services in Lent; but she did
not belong to the church. Why? That was
what Mrs. Rollins was telling Mrs. Dubarry,
the librarian, while Miss Celia tramped
more and more swiftly up the hill
She hurried off so quick that couldn't
make her hear" said Mrs Rollins between
pants, loOsening her senl-Skin.
Why, / saw her talking to Mrs. Braces
little girl only a minute ago." said Mrs.
Dubarry, stranger in the place; reserved
dark woman who had known enough hard
ship and turmoil TO be thankful for this quiet
iiarbOr.
''Ah, that was it, Betty" (Mrs Dubarry
was an old friend of the rector's Wife. L do
believe she didn't know and then somebody
told her."
Know what, Janeta"
Know her own niece. That child is Miss
Wilder's niece"
why shouldn't she know her?"
We'll, 1t is longish story, and the placard
says, Do not talk you know"
oh, certainly; perhaps we would better
not" said Mrs. Dubarry timidly, with
thought for the Board of Trustees and the
mites at home, and how much the salary
meant to her.
There's nobody here" said Mrs; Rollins,
who stood in less awe of the, Trustees,
about the only place that isn't crowded.
Well, you might as well know, Betty, be-
cause otherwise. Miss Celia being here so
much and all, you might put your foot in it
with stray question. 1t is this way. You
know Miss Ceia's father was General
Wilder He had regiment in the war and
was breveted General, and was our member
of Congress until he died; would have been
our Senator if he had lived. Miss Celia
thought him the greatest man on EARTH
We'll Ganprai Wildar n aI ftpa mi, 10
to be supposed that he got along comfortably
with the first one (Celia'S mother. She died
when Celia was fifteen. and he married
again, which, | lave been told. Celia took
very hard. Whetherl was her stepmother's
fault or hers they were not happy. The
stepmother was handsome creature, very
gay and fond of admiration. The husband
was absorbed in politics; he was used to
his daughters, sympathy and to being
considered a demigod. His wife didn't
bow down and worship him as he
was accustomed to be treated; she was
waiting to be worshiped herself. The re-
suit was they Quarreled. There was one
child, girl She was 10 years old and
pair separated-exactly why nobody knows
but there was plenty of gossip. The little
girl went with her mother, and from that
day to this Cello has never had word to
say to her sister,"
=" But don't you think that hard ?' said
Mrs: DubaIIy. You know the child nat
uraily would cling to its mother"
On. that wasn't the whole story. As
the girl grew up her father wanted to see
her, and she sided with her mother and
wouldn't see him, and it was very horrid
indeed. They do say that he sent for her
when he was dying and she wouldn't come.
i don't know"
-" Did he leave her any property ?" said
Mrs. Dubarry, who, POOR SOUL was so poor
that she could not help considering money
any more than she could help breathing
Yes, that was the odd part OF it. He
left her almost as much as he left Celia"
% And she is rich ?''
why, l suppose Celia must have two
hundred thousand"
!" What became of the mother?"
"She went to Europe"
And the daughter?"
She married, too, and has come here to
live. You know her; it Is Mr.. Brace"
-" And thar WIN bar dannhfor