The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-18


"Mrs. Murray, the woman has sent thi!
That will do You will excuse her until
she RECEIVERS"
Mrs. Murray went back to her owr
room and fell into chair. If it had beer
consistent with the dignity of Mr.. Roberts
housekeeper to stagger, she certainly
would have staggered She kept repeating
to herself: "Did you evers" and 81 cant
believe it," She said afterward that you
might have knocked her down with q
straw, though that was figurative, ol
course.
This was the beginning of Marjorie's
visits to the great house on the hill. Hel
mother did not come again, but every day
the big sunbonnet went toiling up, and
then the CLINT of the golden hair would be
seen in the great rooms where no child had
ever strayed before. Not that she was bois.
ferrous, or laughing, or chililike in any
way. She would sit in Mrs. n urray'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 the
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 to do few weeks be-
fore. ,
Hewas in his study one morning when
he heard Mrs. Murray come into the ad.
joining room. The door was ajar, and,
softly as she spoke, her words came to him
distinctly.
"That was q present from my son last
Christmas" she said dear boy! He
never fails to send me something every
Christmas and every birthday"
Then came small voice, full of wistful
meaning:
"Mrs. Murray" it said, edo you like
Christmas9''
"Why, Marjorie!" was the shocked re-
ply. "Why, of course, do! Everybody
likes Christmas"
"I DON'T" said the small voice-such
desolate little voice it seemed. II had
rather leave Christmas out o. the year."
"Marjorie!'' No words Lould express
the horror and amazement IN Mrs. Muir
rays tone. ... .
sI would" The small voice had grown
thinner and higher in its painful intensity.
whats the use of Christmas that never
gets to some people at all? There was lit
tie lame Peter Franks, who lived in the
room opposite to ours and, oh, he wanted
a Christmas so much, Mrs. Murray! He
used to hang his stocking up every year,
every single year, and he always thought
there'd be something in 1t next morning,
but there never was anything-not a sim
gle thing-and now poor Peters dead,
and he never had Christmas in all his
life!"
"My dear! My dear!" ...
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 eye
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
tenpts to thank the master, who waved
off every such attempt with an air of lofty
patronage. Outside Of this family of serv-
ants he had never given any one 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 mufhed himself
In greatcoat and furs and drove away, and
IS soon us the carriage was half way down
the hill the servants relaxed from their
usual stiff propriety and began to enjoy
in their own way.
A telegram was handed to Mr.. Roberts
at the station as he was about to buy his
ticket. What little things sometimes
change the whole course Of a life! The in
formation thus received made the trip un-
necessary, and after lettering about the
city for awhile he returned home on foot
and entered his house quietly by side
door.
Sounds Of boisterous merriment came
from the servants quarters, and the own
Dr. Of the house frowned ominously. So
this was the way they took advantage Of
his absence9
He made his way to his study, unseen
BY any one, and shut himself ina lonely,
selfish, desolate old man. Even the fire,
which still burned in the CRATE, annoyed
him, and he withdrew behind screen
and threw himself into an easy chair. He
heard Mrs. Murray como in after awhile,
but she only moved about softly and de-
setting things in order, and he
did not speak. She was just passing into
the sitting room when she gave little cry
Of alarm, followed by the explanations:
Mercy me, child! How you frightened
mep'
"Mrs. Murray" said thin little voice
"a voice that Mr.. Roberts had heard be-
fore-"Pye come up here to stay all
nightp
The listener behind the screen heard
Mrs. Murray fall into a chair and again
she cried, "Mercy me!''
81 just had to come" the eager voice
went on. "Mother's very, very siok-and
she needs things, Mrs. Murray-and may
be Santa Claus might bring 'em if he knew
and how is he to know when he never
comes there9 But I knew If went to
some fine house he'd come and find me,
and so came here"
"Poor child! Poor childp'
Mrs. Murray had gathered the little
waif to her bosom and was rocking her
softly to and fro. The old gentleman be-
hind the screen could see that by the shad-
DIV on the floor. He could see, too, that
the housekeeper was furtively wiping her
ayes.
Presently she rallied and said cheerily:
"I'l tell you what Well do, Marjorie.
I'll go right down and see your mother,
and you shall go with me, and, who