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

dered what the moon was doing out
there by itself. 1t was looking down
az all the people. and it was Christmas
eve all over the world. She crept out
Into warm dusk OF the room and over
10 the window. Outside was dazzle OF
snow fields, glistening hillsides and val
Icy, moonshine and snowshine every
where. The old maple tree by her
window stood up straight and stiff and
sui against the sky. 1t was fast
asleep, too.
But what was 1t she saw away on the
opposite hill? Surely they were fairy
people, frolicking! They were coasting
down the hill, and climbing up again.
She would go aud see. There were
little fur-lined play boots by the bed
side; she knew where to pull down her
tur cloak. So she stole softly through
the hall, not feeling exactly sure that
her adopted mother would approve.
She went out across the porch and
through the garden. Down the steep
hillside she climbed and stumbled, till
she came at last into the wide, snow
covered meadows
When she paused to take breath, she
looked about her and across to the hill
where the fairies had been frolicking;
they had vanished, every one. She
was all alone. 1t began to seem very
/ still and solemn and lonesome out there
in the fields. She didn't know, but she
! thought she was just little bit afraid.
Away to the north great star burned.
She remembered that it was Christmas
eve; she wondered il the angels would
come that way, and If she should hear
them singing, if she waited. She was
| not quite sure which way she came; the
cold crept up under her cloak; the snow
/ got into her shoes; the star was so far
away, maybe the angels>had gone by,
Meantime, there was splendid fun in
the old square house among the cedars;
it was aglow from garrett to cellar; it
| OveriOwed with laughter and song.
IL was almost twelve O'clock. Merry
/ stole out alone into the white midnight,
| out through the gloom Of the cedarS,
/ through the orchard, TO the hill crest.
| The wide, strong silence huShed her.
| She thought of the Christmas song, and
the little child that came TO Bethlehem,
and Of the many, all over the world,
who waited for the Christmas shine and
splendOr.
There came a step behind her in the
snow. Phil stood by her side. The
/ clock in the church tower began tc
chime; she looked up at him, and walt
ed while the twelve slow strokes fell
across the valley, each one hushing il
to a deeper peace.
II have GENE for my Christmas gift,
he said softly; II want you, sweet
heart"
Merry held out both her hands to him
and whispered back with happy trem
BILE in her voice: Take me, Phil, an
every bit yours"
Suddenly she turned back toward th'
valley. LISTEN she said.
There came faint cry across TIT
fields, a chid's sobbing, pitiful cry.
What can it be?" she asked. lie
US 60 down and see."
Again and again came the soooins
voice across the snow. They followed
the sound. calling back, Out as the!
came nearer it was silent.
1T is afraid of US" said Phil. "Sing
Merry; then it will know.
So Merry sang, with the new Christ
mas gladness in her voice; the chile
called again, and in minute they hat
her in their arms.
"Why, it's Dollyw said Merry, hugg
idg her close. How came you out her
in the snow?"
81 saw the FAIRIES sliding down hill,
sobbed Dolly, with her ia hidden o.
NSTaHiysSd lor 't66S Christmas gta angels s' an
they didn't come. Thought though
-" she looked up into Merry'S face
and then about her, II heard one sing
ing somewhere, she said.
$50 yon did, Dolly, you did" sal
Phil, "a real Christmas angel, sent GU
TO fad you"