Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-04

When Dorothy woke next morning, the
Christmas bells were ringing merrily, the
frosty sunlight shone In, and showed an
old-fashioned roo.i, exquisitely clean and
neat with look Of comfort and homelines.
about it.
On tiny table by her bedside stood q
piece of shining holly and Christmas rose
in a glass, beneath which lay Christmas
card, prettly painted, and upon 1t 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 little dizzy, and her limbs
ached, but otherwise she felt little the worse
for that fall In the snow-drft. 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 OH the card
Then she united her cap, sat up. and rub
bed her eyes.
The memory OF the night before at first
was dim and indistinct, then II 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 knock came
to the door, and in reply to her timid Come
in" little Ally, in all the glory of crimson
sash and Stockings, and white cashmere
dress, few in, her arms full Of toys.
Agnes followed, her kind old face flushed
with cooking breakfast.
she carried tray covered with snowy
cloth, on which was cup OF fragrant tea,
fresh eggs, and tempting kidney, and put
1t down beside the bed with the hearty: "A
merry Christmas to your SO dear to cd En-
gland.
Little Ally climbed upon the bed and
showed her Christmas gifts, saying in her
pretty way:
1--WE are all glad to have you here. Papa
says you are Christmas guest, and as it is
our Savior's birthday everyone is welcome
for his sake. Eat your breakfast, and come
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 you?"
IL am five next birthday. Ny name is
Ally Penfoid, and am papa's sweet pet"
With kind nod, after putting down the
tray, old Agnes brought in the girls clothes,
and left her masters guest to the entertain
ment of his little daughter, who was dis
posed to be very friendly.
"Where is your mamma, dear little Ally?''
Gone away for always" in mysterious
whisper.
HAS she gone to God, dear? Is she dead?"
II don't know. But once papa said she
was worse than dead. What did he meanY'
Il cannot tell you, dear. Some day he
will explain, perhaps"
Dorothy ate some breakfast, and dressed
hurriedly, watched all the time by the child's
bright eyes.
When she put on her pretty black dress,
that Agnes had freshened mp so cleverly,
she stood perpleXed by her short sleeves
and bare breast. Just then a knock came to
the door, and old Agnes entered with a
white lace fichu On Eer arm, and pair Of
crimson mittens in her hand.
See here, my dear; this will make your
dress more suitable, and here is piece OF
flannel TO fix across your chest"
Dorothy took the things gratefully, say.
ing:
How good you are TO me! shall never
forget your kindness"
The old woman patted her cheek kindly,
and said:
Nonsense, child; am only too pleased
to see you able to get up. feared yeu
would be i'll. Come down, I. Is very cold,
and there is nice fire in the parl0r."
Dorothy looked very quaint and pretty, as
with timid step and down-dropped eyes, she
entered the handsome sitting-room holding
Ally's hand.