The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-21

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"There's no accounting for girls, y
said Burton, a few days later. 'Here's
Helen gone and taken peep at her
watch all unbeknown to us, and now
instead of going into ecstacies over
it, she's willing it should be sent back
to the jewelers. and the money given
to the Baldwins. Such is lifeP'
THE circumstances are peculiar"
said Edith. "Mrs. Baldwin is our
old nurse, and if we can only help
her by denying ourselves, oughtn't
we to be willing to make the sacri-
fice?"
Il s'pose so," grudgingly admitted
Burton. "Count me in, of course"
tits a unanimous vote, is it?" asked
Mr.. Holbrook. 'sIf there is dissent
ing voice it must be heard now. Re-
grets will be of no avail next week"
"Helen's willingness to renounce
her watch has shamed me into an
assent" Burton privately confded to
Edith. "Helen's always so ready to
think of others, but she shall have
that watch after all, if my names
Burton Holbrook."
Flour, coal and other substantial
necessaries found their way to the
Baldwin's humble home as an ex-
preston of the kindly interest of the
young people whom Mrs. Baldwin
had nursed and tended in their
early years, and the Christmas sun
rose bright and clear upon the little
Baldwins, and their hearts were light
and gay in spite of their misfortunes.
While Grace and her small brothers
were holding an infant jubilee over
the simple gifts of their kind friends,
glad voices were resembling through
the Holbrook mansion in blithe
Christmas greetings.
"We've .such a raft of uncles and
aunts to remember us that there's no
danger of our suffering" said Burton,
as he enthusiastically examined his
presents.
THE very first time in all our lives,
however" said Edith, that we have
missed a gift from papa and NAM
ma"
"We haven't missed them now"
said Helen, "Only, to see them we
would have to go over to the Bald
wins and examine their cellar and
pantry"
"You always have our love and
good Wishes" said Mrs. Holbrook;
land never more than now when you
have denied yourselves that others
might be happy"
"Helen doesn't seem to have much
of anything" said Burton, suddenly.
Just my gift and Edith's. Evident
ly our uncles and aunts have gone
back on you sis"
Helen flushed but answered with
apparent good cheer, perhaps they
think I've grown too big for Christ
mas presents"
Gown up" said Burton. "Don't
you long, SO to speak, for the leeks
and onions of Egypt in the shape of
a certain lovely little watchs"
:"Don't tease your sister, Burton"
said Mrs. Holbrook.
"Of course Helen has something
from our aunts and uncles" inter-
posed Edith, "only they combined
and put their Christmas wishes all
into one bright royal gift;" and Edith
placed large paper parcel in Helen's
hands.
Interest now centered upon Helen's
movements as with laughing curiosity
che unfastened the package One
brown paper wrapper removed dis
closed another, and this still another,
and still another, until Helen said:
Il don't believe there's thing in
side. It's all joke!"
"Persevere, my child" said her
mother.
A moment more and small moroc-
CO case lay in Helen's hand.
Burton danced about Helen in the
highest spirits, quite unable to re-
strain his glee. Instead of looking
delighted. Helen became quite pale.
1T isn't fair" she said. II feel like
a perfect fraud"
"Boshw said Burton. "You are
just the queerest girl l thought you
would go wild over it. If you don't
want the watch, give it to me-"
accept the gift and freely enjoy
it, my DEAR" said Mrs. Holbrook, in
terpreting Alright the rapid changes
in Helen's expressive face.
"Iook inside" said Burton. and