Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-24
CHRISTMAS ANGELS

Marry turned the key In the door OF
+t.ff-tie scbOolhOuSe and trudged away
,E--rrb the snow. The early winter
.v-tf-Ir was coming down, the last
'..-,m No the pale, golden sunset mad
F.so folded away behind the hills. All
se,rt her lay the hushed fields; the
--,rfe trees stood sentinel aleng the
~-a3 the bright. brown tracery Of their
b-4rcbes etched sharply against the
c.ear-snlning OF the sky.
Tisre came sweet jangle or bells
down the road behind her, and hearty
voice cries out, "Ho, Merry! will you
ride with me?'
She Iat Phil Robinson tuck her and
bs- dinner basket Snugiy undar the fur
robes. while the pretty little horse shook
her bells imDatiently at the delay, and
then surang away down the white roaa
towards town.
off this weather holds out, " said Phil,
looking up at the frosty sky, well
have a coasting party next week, Nell
and I. headquarters at the Robinson
mansion. came this way on purpose
no ZEN YOU. I've been over TO ElmwOOd
10 ask the BarreJts. may come after
you, mayn't l?'
"Of course you may" said Merry,
with her eyes shinidg.
Gwen have all the big sleds in the
peighborhood and all the fun In the
world. Remember, Christmas night"
Merry nodded back over her shoulder
As she ran I'D the path past the laden
snOw-berry bushes, and the powdered
eyergreens. Topsy met her at the door
and drew her into the warm brightness
OF the sitting room. -..
ter warmed herself.
"Oh, Deacon YOuelPs horse has run
away with him, maybe, laughed Merry
Topsy giggled. The deacon's horse
was twenty-seven, and had been known
20 travel mile in forty minutes.
WELL" hazarded Merry again, "Miss
Parks has found her cat"
MOP blurted out TOpSy, "It's some
thing awful. Aunt johnson has come
back 70 Westfeld."
Merry gave,a faint groan. "Shades
Of the Egyptiansw she said, feebly.
81 caught a glimsse Of her." Topsy
continued. The wooden man came
early and has been tearing up and air
Ing all day, and this afternoon the bus
stopped there and tipped Aunt Johnson
out Of the gate. She had dolly with her
all smOthered in fur cloak; she's just
about as big as your umbrella"
poor thing," sighed Merry, shell
have 70 walk In straight lines and just
DO many steps minute. l know just
what her fate will be. And the coast
Ing party next week.
"Oh, whereof cried TOpsy, forgetting
I'll "a a15
over at PILLS. II l go, and Aunt
Johnson hears OF it, she'll never get
over TO-"
Ppm so glad Polly Robinson and
didn't quarrel" TopsY said, regarding
the FIRE thoughtfully. I'VE came very
near il this afternoon; and II we had OF
course 1 couldn't have gone"
The little house with the evergreens
and Snowberry bushes, and the tangle
Of vines over il, was in the shadow Of
the big house with the marble steps.
There was very little money In the lit
lie house, and a great deal in the big
one. Aunt johnson and her gold eye
glasses bad been Merry's especial dread
ever since her smallest childhood. The
handsome sriStocratic Old lady seemed
% have forgotten all youthful fun and
if0.ic; everything must be brought up
% my straight, my ariStocratic lines;
fun must be bottled up, and only allow
co TO escape in small and select quantl-
Ties, and on proper occasions.
Merry Quaked inwaIdly during Aunt
JohuSon's call the next day, and had
just begun 10 draw long breath Of re-
lief, when her aunt turned on the door
step.
81 hear Of party in the neiEhbor-
hood. Merry, a cOssting party. hope
you are not going 20 forget your digni-
~ aud young ladyhOOd so far as 10 at
tend it,
but everybody Is going, Aunt" an
'we5ed Merry, flushing little. zone !
can't be stylish and proper in West
field"
Zone can be a lady anywhere, Mer-
~, VII a sharp glance through the !
gold gISs&es.
81 thi- so too" answered Marion.
d1,itulIy 7ESeet, but with sparkle OF |
Mischief T. ser eye.
Aunt Johnson gave her another quick
glance before she turned away, be-
tween the clumps OF strawberries, but /
cropped lids told no tales; the race was
very demure; so she held her peace ana
went away.
Dolly, the little adopted daughter,
was grave, silent chils, with great,
solemn, brown eyes that saw great
many things, and were full OF great
many wondering thoughts. She was
nOl affected by Aunt JOhnson'S solemn
grandeur, bnt kissed her dutifully night
aud morning; she lived her little lie
! apart, and kept her child fancies to her
self.
It was Christmas eve. The great
CLOCK in the hall chimed out eleven SLOW
soft strokes. Dolly opened her eyes
owsily. The fire burned low IN the
A Nhe moonshine came In through
. ~ rsdow and Law along the carpet
! VI sratchedA ckeamly. She won