Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1895-12-17


child To say that she Is too i'll to come
That will do. You will excuse her until
she RECEIVERS"
Mrs. Murray went back to her own
room and fell into a chair II IL had been
consistent with the dignity of MIR. Roberts
housekeCper to staggCr, she certainly
would have staggered. She kept repeating
TO herself: "Did you everi' and 81 can {
believe it," She said aftcrward that you
might have knocked her down with a
straw, though that was figuratiye, of
course.
This was the beginning Of Marjurie's
visits TO the great house on the hill Her
mother did not come again, but every day
the big sunhonnet went toiling up and
then the CLINT OF the golden hair would he
seen in the great rooms where no child had
ever strayed before. Not that shewas bois-
ferrous, or laughing, or chiidlke In any
way. she would sit in Mrs Murrav's room
for hours, with her hands folded on her
lap, watching the lady at her work and
sometimes talking softly, or she would
follow her from room TO room, gazing
with rapt delight at every beautiful object.
Mr.. Roberts knew that she was in tie
house, but he said nothing, He was con.
scious sometimes that the child stopped
near him and stood with her hands behind
her, regarding him with grave scrutiny,
but he did not drive her away, as he might
have been expected 10 do few weeks be-
fore.
He was In his study one morning when
he heard Mrs. Murray come into the adj
Joining room. The door was ajar, and,
softly as she spoke her words came 20 him
distinctly.
e..
Christmas" she said. Dear boy! He
never fails 10 send me something every
Christmas and every birthday"
Then came a small voice full Of wistful
meaning:
Mrs. Murray" 1t said, do you like
Christmas"
"Why. Mariorie!" was the shocked re-
ply. why, Of course, l dol Everybody
likes Christmasi'
Il don't" said the small voice-Such q
desolatc little voice it seemed. - had
rather leave Christmas out Of the year"
"MarJOrieN' No words could express
the horror and amazemcnt in Mrs. MGr-
rays tone.
81 would" The small voice had grown
thinner and higher in its painful intensity.
Whats the use Of u Christmas that never
gets Ia some people az all2 There was lit
tie lame Peter Franks who lived I'm tho
room opposite TO ours, and, oh, he wanted
a Christmas so much. Mrs Murray Ho
used To hang his stocking up every year,
every single year, and ne always thought
thCrcd be something in il next morning,
but there never was anythiug-not a sin.
gle thing-aud now poor Peters dead,
and he never had Christmas I'm all his
lifc"
my dear! Ny dcar!"
The old gentleman in the study heard
the exclamation, and he knew that the
voice that uttered it was full of tears. He
rose hastily and slipped out Of the study
and then ordered his carriage and went
driving
The day following was Christmas eve.
Carriers from town were busy all day
bringing in the presents that he had
bought for the servants, and there was
great happiness In the servants hall, with
much confusion and many awkward at
tempts to thank the master, who waved
of every such attempt with an air Of lofty
patronage. Outside Of this family Of Sery-
ants he had never given any one n present
in all his life. He had never contributed
to charities, public or private. He had
never helped the poor-indeed he had never
listened TO their appeals
He had important business in another
city which would keep him away oil
through Christmas week, he explained TO
Mrs Murray, and he must leave that even /
ing In the afternoon he muflled himself
in greatcoat and furs and drove away, and
as soon rs the carriage was half way down
the hill the servants relaxed from their /.
usual stiff propriety and began to enjoy .
thcmS selves i'm their own way
A telegram was handed 20 Mr.. Roberts .
at the station a. he was about To buy his 7.
ticket. What little things sometimes .
change the whole course Of q lifci The in 4
formation thus received made the trip un- /.
necessary, and after lettering about the
city for awhile ne returned home on foot
and entered his house quietly by side
door.
Sounds of bOisterOus morrimcnt came
from the servants quarters, ana the own
er Of the house frOWned OmiLOusly 80
this was the way they took advantage Of
his absencer
He made his way to his study, unseen
by any one and shut himself ina lonely, .
selfish. desolato old man. Even the fire.
which still burned In the CRATE annoyed /
him, and he withdrew behind screen |
and threw himself into ali easy chair He .
heard Mrs Murray come in after awhile, I
but she only moved about softly and de- |
corously, setting things in order, and he 7
did not speak She was just passing into .
the sitting room when she gave "a little cry |
Of alarm, followed by the exclamation:
Mercy me, child How you frightened .
met"
Mrs. Murray" said a thin little voice /
"a voice that Mr.. Roberts had heard be- /
fore-"Ive come up here TO stay all |
night
The listener behind the screen heard .
Mrs. Murray fall into chair and again /
she cried, MERCY me'
81 just had to comet the eager voice I
went on. Mothers very, very sick-and |
she needs things, Mrs. Murray-and may |
be Santa Claus might bring 'em II he knew |
and how Is he to know when he never /
comes thereS But l knew ~ l went to |
some fine house he'd come aud fino me,
and so l came here"
Poor child! Poor childl"
Mrs. Murray had gathered the little |
waif to her bosom and was rocking her |
softly 10 and fro The old gent lpman he /