Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-09

SSssssssza-SSS
! !: |: |.
:, 81 - 1TTY HAD BEEN
- & V& to the charity ball,
-Nlx%n m and the charity ball
MAMy was very fashiona-
(NaXsR - EEM BILE; there was no
,SS N3AvISoGW doubt about that.
W NN\NSeV Kitty had eaten a
NN IZ&&AS late supper, returned
,SNXSVSL&NE home, gone to bed
ENH and to sleep; there
EEn kNNNNISSSr was no doubt as to
MAUI WkS ~, that either. She rec
ML1 ! NMNS objected distinctly
WV aWN throwing one shoe
W. under the bed and
the other into a corner, saying good
night" to her own image in the looking
glass, twisting the figure of butterfly till
her fingers ached, before she discovered
that 1t was not the gas stopper, and then
laughing sleepily at all her mistakes. She
even remembered the first dream of her
sleep, which was something about charity
diamonds. chicken salad lancers and ice
cream waltzes.
No; there was no doubt that she had
gone through all this; yet there she was,
staring in at the window of the great ball
room. and the ball was but just commenc-
ing. Could she have gone to sleep on the
window sill in some mysterious manner?
No: she was outside, and standing in the
air, with somebody holding on to her hand!
'Oh, dear" thought Kitty, mournfully,
81 must have drunk some wine somehow.
How strange it is! 1 wonder how L came
here! But what a cold hand holds mine,
It's not papa's, for it makes me shiver. He
must be horrid. l won't look at him. So!''
There did not seem to be much need OF
the resolve, however, for the person who
held her hand did not move nor seem to
care whether she saw him or not, but quiz
city looked in with her. So, at last, like
most girls, Kitty's curiosity got the better
of her, and she cautiously glanced out or
the corners of her eyes.
Beside her she saw an old man. His
beard and hair were long and white and
dropped about his neck and shoulders like
falling snow. Upon his head was lightly
placed a crown, as of frostwork so deli
cate was it's texture. Robes, long and
dark, and cold to look at, fell in broad
folds from his shoulders. and were held to
his waist by girdle of twinkling stars.
He was gazing in at the brilliant assem-
blage with Il sad, melancholy expression
upon his face.
Kitty looked at his robes.
How very old-fashioned," she thought,
land aged, very aged"
Yes" murmured the old man; "old,
very DID,"
Kitty started. He read her thoughts. evil
IDENTIFY. She was sorry now she had thought
ii, he looked SO sad.
who are your asked Kitty, timidly;
''and why have you brought me here?'
Il am the Cold Night" said the old man,
slowly turning his eye toward her. His
eyes were sharp and piercing, yet full of
Kindness. And l have brought you here
that you might see how great your charity
is, for heard this was charity ball"
YES" SAID Kitty nervously
Il am friend of the poor" continued
the 1Jid Night; and L love to see charity. -
ne looked pack INTO the ballroom as ne
spoke GU see ali your trenus herer'
les, saiu nifty, Frightening up, and
gazing INSIDE win something oI proud
iook. Inere riurry HAN rIsnt before the
WINDOW now. she those beautiful soil
tal.e diamonds IN her ears. On, uear, now
prisnt tney look! L wisn L hau Them"
'Dut you had the hanusomest dress" said
the Cold NISnt, sadly.
"Oh, yes. exclaimed Kitty, quickly. 1T
was ot the richest SILK, ana cost several
hunured ooliars. Papa was So KIND
Anu was II bought TOR cnarityg' asked
the Cod NIgnt.
why NO., answered Kitty, in surprise.
FOR lie, OF course
but me DaIl for charity
Kitty began 10 be pewliuered by SO much
catechlsIns and she was much relieved
when ne led ner away.
Iney uescenued 10 the grand entrance
where he pointed out TWO uItle beggars, a
boy and a girl, who fiddied and sang and
eshed penny of the rcn people descending
from the carriages.
you passed lnem by tonight
Yes" said Kitty, but they are horrid
begga
The Cold Night was silent, and Kitty
was afraid she might have said something
wrong, SO she added: And common street
folders"
But the Cold Night said nothing
They both watched the little duo-Tosey
and libby, the Cold Night said-and drew
nearer to hear what they would say. Peo-
pie, rich with money and great in charity
carefully passed them by, for they were
ragged begSars, and fiddled and sang 1t
was cold, very cold, and Tosey played very,
quivering plant disappeared despairingly
! in the frosty air. The wheels of carriages
seemed to creak in sympathy as they
crushed down the snow Yes. il was cold
| indeed, yet they fiddled and sang untirfngIy
while the rich people alighted and passed
up the grand entrance, after glancing con-
temptuously at the poor little duo who
! fddled and sang the brilliant dresses
| disappeared in the distant doorway. bIt
finally stopped as the last Carriage drove
| away.
suppose we looks TOO AWFUL said
| Tosey wetting her lips and feeling va
cantly in the small pockets which God
Knows had not seen so much as a dime
| for many and many day.
Yes, said Tosey, but 1 does feel So
hungry, an / sang so loud and 1 tried SO
| hard. and
libby slightly sobbed end silently used \
| small piece of f~r shawl to wipe away q
| large tear.
Don't cry said Tosey TREMENDOUSLY,
lets move on, and perhaps We'll find a
/ little somethin Oh. If We only had a few
penniesv' -e"
Tosey took Tibby's hand and they started
| to move away.
| "Oh. Mr.. Cold Night" exclaimed Kitty
! sorrowfully. let me give them something
| poor little thingsr'
But they are .beggars," answered. the
| Cold Night. ->
| Kitty looked ashamed She could fea
| herself blush, even though she was cold
| and shiverinE. The Cold Night handed he,
a silver piece.
Yes" said he drop it. even IL it's
asted. See what they will do"
| Kitty took 1t quickly and dropped It be-
| fore them Right at Tihbv's foot fell IN,
roney. which she would have passed nm
noticed " Tosey had not exclaimed:
"oh, libby, there's a dime-' and picked
II Nv,
Tibbv clssped her hands in delight
danced up and down and then looked into
| his hand to be sure that II was really