The Washington times., 1894-12-23

In spite OF her shabby black dress, there was
an aristocratic air about the tall figure which
impressed one that she was lady born, and
in the face now worn with years Of sorrow
could be detected traces of what must once
have been a radiant beauty
1t was Christmas eve, and the street was
filled with persons hurrying to their various
homes after the last day of holiday shopping.
Heavily laden express carts were rafting
noisily over the cobble-stones, and groups of
small urchins were adding to the festive din
by footing Justify on their ear-spiitting Christ
mas horns.
But the pale woman at the window neither
saw nor heard all this confusion. Her
thoughts were in the far-away past, when
Christmas eve in the luxurious home of her
childhood used to be the gladdest time OF all
the year But now she glanced hastily
around the small bare room and shuddered
TO think of the terrible change. If only she
could have bought a lew triuing gifts Tor the
children But she had not seen able TO spare
a penny from her small earnings, and this
year dear, iaithial Tony must go uBrewarded
and six-year-old Kathie's strong confidence
in Santa Claus be shaken forever.
Just then the door was pushed open, and
her sad reyer was interrupted by the en-
trance of two children. Il tiny girl with a mass
OF golden hair framing very excited little
face, and a dark-eyed boy aUout two years
her senior.
Mamma, mamma. the fairy cried, rush
ing to her mother and throwing both arms
about her neck, TONY and me ave be-yu-
ti-ful plan, Just be-yu-ti-ful! Tony read about
it in book, and we want to do ito sing
carols tonight under peoples windows"
The mother drew a quick breath.
''And then when they open the door to
find US we II run away, just ike the children
in the story"
Ah. then her children had not yet thought
OF begging a; 'range doors and they wanted
TO follow out the beautiful old English Gus
tom simply for the fun and novelty
Aud mother. Tony was saying in his
grave way, perhaps they'll think it's an an
gel when haihie sings, she can make her
voice so SOFT
The mother smiled Her little daughters
truly wonderful voice was a great delight o
her. and she hoped some day TO have 1t care
fully trained.
Yes, she would give her consent to the
frolic. and ali through the scanty evening
meal the chiliren chatted like veritable mag
pies. Ihen, clad in their plain, warm wraps,
they set out after bidding their mother
merry goodbye.
crowded streets, past the rows OF brilliantly
lighted shops, gay with holly and eve-gre ms.
not making stop until they reached a " de
avenue. where the shops gave way to hand
some private houses.
Now, Ka he, Tony whispered by way Of
a signal. White Shepherds Watched Their
F!ocks. And moment later the childish
voices were ring NJ On the frosty air in clear,
sweet treble. Before they could run away,
as tie story had said was ne proper thing 10
he done. a group OF shiid-en appeared at one
Of the rirhly-cuTtained windows, and cal h
ing sight OF the little singers out in the snow,
beckoned TO them tn come in. Tony shook
hi head. and called ont gayly that they were
Christmas children and did. t mind the cold.
Then, clasping hands more tightly, they ran
on.
House after house was reused by the clear
little voices. and coins were offered, but Tony
always refused the money. saying that they
we're Christmas children. and that seemed 10
explain their situation perfectly, for no one
pressed them further.
Lets don I sing any mora after this one,'
Kathie said as they paused before large. i'm
posing house of somber brown stone, ''cause
I'm very tired.
''All right, Kit, so brace up for the last and
do your best. Let's sing 'Hark. the Herald
Angels
You begin it, you know" And Tony.
manager and choir master, gave the note,
ami KathIe began.
In the handsomely furnished library OF the
house before wnich' the children stood an old
man vas sitting alone before great open fire.
He knew that il was Christmas eve. but the
fact did not seem 10 make him particularly
happy. for his face vas drawn and haggard.
as though he were being tormented by his
own thoughts. Some one had wished him a
merry Christmas that evening, and the
Old man laughed bitterly.
Merry Christmas" he half muttered
''When have seen Christmas that was any
thing but a torment since" And his mind
went back to a Christmas eve just ten years
o. All. those were merr, Christine ases in
the old years when Katherine was a child
with lon. golden hairI What was it she sang
every time before she explored the myster-
ious stocking? Oh, yes. he remembered it
we'll
Hark, the herald angels singl
Was he dreaming, or was it really his darling's
voice that broke the stiffness OF the winter
night? He listened intentiy. Faintiy III AR
of the old anthem came To him. Then as his
ear grew accustomed 10 the voice he caught
each word distinctly. GLORY to the Newborn
King" The sound came from the street. and
the Old man rose from his armchair and
walked noiseiessly TO the window. Hiding
himself among the heavy folds OF the hang
ina,s. he Gazed eagerly out into the snowy
avenue.
Two tots of children were standing directly
in front Of the house. One. the smaller ofths
two, q girl with bright curls. as he saw V ne
friendly light OF the street amp. was siH-ing
with al her small might And such voieeI
1t made hin think o. the ''herald angels
about whom she sang, or, better still, of
katherine.
He waited until the carol was ended. and
then ra sing the sash called out in q persuasive
tone, Little ores, wall y.u come here, and
as the children hest ed h added Don't be
afraid / only want to speak to you mo-
ment." And little later Tony and his sister
Were standing before the old man in the
great wide hail.
II want to tell you how much have en-
joyed the anthem that you have been singing
out there in he cold and 10 ask you if you
won't come tomorrow and sing it for me
again. l used to have a little girl like you, y
touching Kathie's hair softly as he spoke,
''who sang it every Christmas Dav"
did she?" Kathie aske J. looking up at the
grim old man with a genuine interest in her
big blue eyes. why. that's lust what my
mamma used to do when she was a little girl,
ism t it, Tony"
Tony, vino. unlike his sister, disliked to
speak OF what he termed family = fairs" be-
fore strangers, simply nodded and was about
to say that they would be very glad 20 come
in the morning. wEen their host of i've min
utes, leaning eagerly forward. exclaimed in a
| hoarse voice: ''Iour mother, cnildren2 Who
is she? Who are you?'
Half frightened by the change that had
come over the old mans face. Tony an
| swered wonderingly, I'VE are mamma 5
children. kathie and Tony, aud mamma is
Mrs. Anthony Girvin." The suddenness OF
the discovery was too great to be borne