The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-12-29
her with admiration; young and old

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greeted her smilingly, even portly bur-
gomasters murmured as they met her.
''God bless that sweet young creature!"
while the poor people exclaimed aloud,
''God bless the widow and her daughter
for their goodness and charity to usI"
These two were but simple working
people, yet all Nuremberg honored
them. Every n knew that Dame
Gudule Dachs, when left a widow with
her child to bring up and her husbands
debts to pay, had set about bravely to
perform the task. She had become the
most successful embroidererin the town,
her daughter had soo grown celebrated
for her taste in designing new patterns,
and now the widow owed nothing and
could hardly fill all the orders she re-
ceived from the richest ladies in the
land.
AS the people entered the church the
organs peal rose to the vaulted roof. and
Widow Gudule, kneeling at Christine's
side. heard her murmured prayer:
Sweet Saviour Jesus, protect him.
Bring him back to us hat l may tell
him 1 have not forgotten himy"
The motherssmiled sadly, for she had
had experience Of the world, and she
knew that with young people remem-
brance often fades. Every Christmas
eve Christine had said, Suppose he
should come tonight" and when her
mother tried to explain how unlikely it
was that the youth who for a single hour
had been their guest should ever think
of them again the girl only shook her
head and answered, He will come"
The widow was growing uneasy. for
her daughter was Is years old.
Suddenly, just as the priest turned
round to administer communion to the
faithful, a voice in the choir rose above
the organs strains, and Christine's face
was TRANSPORTED as she whispered, at
is he!"
Oh, that beautiful voice-powerful,
imprisoned, yet as sweet as if it came
straight from heaven!
"Glory to God in the highest and
peace On earth it sang, and Christine,
carried out of herself as she listened,
wept softly and wondered whether it
were not indeed an angels voice. With
a saddened look in her soft blue eyes,,
she followed her mother out of the
church, casting a wistful, timid glance
up the dark winding staircase which
led to the choir, and the widow, who
also had recognized the voice, hurried
her daughter away.
When they reached the street, the girl
looked about her in vain, for there was
no sign of the red cap and dark curls of
the young lutte player, no strange figure
was to be seen except a tall man wrapped
in a handsome cloak and wearing a gold
embroidered cap which glistened in the
moonlight. When the two women ar
rived at their home, this person stepped
quickly up, and with a bow said:
MERRY Christmas to you, Dame Gu
dule! Merry Christmas, Miss Christine!
viii you let the Florentine singer share
your supper once again?"
Il knew he would come, mother!"
cried Christine, and the widow, in spite
of her misgivings. almost against her
will, added:
HE is welcome as before"
They all entered the house, and when
the girl had lighted the candles on the
supper table Maso Napone gazed round
the room eagerly. 1t was unchanged,
and he V recognized the old chest on
which he, the poor orphan minstrel, had
laid his cloak and lutte on that night
eight years before. When Maso took off
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that the slender STRIPPING had become a
strong, handsome man, who looked at
her with smiling admiration. Her SIM
pie yet well fitting blue gown showed her
graceful figure to advantage. While she
filled his cup Maso said to her, Zone
might take you for an angel now"
Then he related how Master Krieg-
winckel had brought him up and taught
him and been a father to him. The old
mar was dead now, and Maso once more
Travelled about to earn his living by
singing. But he went as a great artist,
not a poor vagabond. Kings and princes
wrote asking him to come and sing to
them, just as the master had predicted.
He was rich and honored, and yet he
vas not happy, for he was alone.
Dame Gudule," he added after a
pause, ''you once gave me a mothers
kiss-will you now accept me as your
son? Will you let me ask Christine if
she remembers her promise?"
Il remember" murmured the girl,
while her mother smiled and nodded.
You promised not to forget me. and
to love me all your life" he said, taking
her hand. Il have always thought Of
you, and I love you, Christine, my little
Christmas rose! Sweetheart, will you
be my wife,"
81 knew you would come back" was
all her answer.
Then Maso put upon her finger a gold
ring set with precious stones, and said
gayly. as he kissed her lips:
"a queen gave me this ring, and I
kept it for you, my darling, that are
more precious than all the queens on
earthw-J. Colomb in Short Stories.
The Christmas Box.
The origin of the term christmas
box" as applied to donations Of Christ
mas spending money, is uncertain,
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