The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-04-04
what! did you tell him all about"

Miss Julia sits back in her chair
aghast
Yes; l told him, and he said: Ny
my. Joyce, you mustn't tell things like
that But he didn't tell me that till
was all done talking
~Oh, you horrid child! How dared
YOU to do such a thing? How
Overcome by her feelings, Miss Julia
sat in silence, but she did good deal OF
thinking.
The two girls sat in quiet for time
without speaking, and it was becoming
embarrassing to both when the entrance
OF maid with a card caused both to
rise. The older girl read the card, Mr..
Mercer"
Tell Mr. Mercer to come up here.
It's much warmer"--in an apologize
way-"and Joyce it's far past your
bedtime. Say goodnight and run
away"
Obeying her sister, Joyce just reaches
the doorway, when her path is blocked
by the form of a tall. good-looking
young fellow, who stands. Slightly sur
prised, with a bulky package in his
arms.
GOOD evening, Miss Julia. How are
you Joyce. You are not going as soon
as | come, are you? Why, | have
brought you your Christmas present.
But'-carelessIy-"you won't want TO
see it until tomorrow"
"Oh, yes; show me now please,
pleaded the little one. why, I'd most
forgotten to hang up my stocking"
NUh a +n
unite the package he has brought,
JoyCe's diminutiye figure squats on a
rug by the fire, and before any warm
ing words can come from her sister, the
little one has unbuttoned a tiny boot
and taken off one little black stocking.
Quite unabashed by the frown from
her sister she hops over to Mercer, and
with the bare foot hidden in her skirts
and asks:
wont you hang this on the mante
for me, please? Now don't put it too
near the middle. for las Christmas the
heat made the candy all soft and |
couldn't eat it.
Both Mercer and JOyce's sister laugh
at this remark, and with the aid of a
tack, the stocking is hung. The young
man takes from the package magnifi-
cent French doll.
Giving vent to an exclamation of sur
prise and delight, Joyce makes rush
Ior the prize, and, obtaining it, spends
several hurried moments IN admiration
and examination Then, remembering
about bed. She throws one little arm
around MERGERS neck; the other tightly
holds the doil. She gives him a hearty
kiss and, looking earnestly in his eyes,
eAcialms: ON, YOU are 50 good." and
turning TO her sister she says. Isn't
he, ,JulIa?"
With perceptible blush the sister
answers, Why yes he Is, indeed. But
you must run of to bed nov"
With Il happy smile Oh her little face
Joyce kisses both her sister and Mercer
good night and starts of to bed to
dream of little fat Santa Clause squeez-
ing through chimneys foot square to
ill whole rows OF Juvenile hosiery with
pounds Of chocolates.
But at the door she hesitates stops
and turns. Mr. Mercer" she SAYS, Il
hope you won't be angry, but | didn't
forget that fairy story YOU told me, and
! told Jnlia about it. Now, you're not
angry, are yOu?"
Mercer just about realizes what the
child has said. He is dazed. but he re-
plies with nervous. forced laugh:
Am | angry? Oh, no; not at all"
The little one is too young to notice
but the older girl does-that this is
said in "A sarcastic way kindly withal.
I'm SO glad" Joyce says, in a re-
lieved tone. 4 didn't think you would
l,a I I,,1;.
her. Cause you do, don't you?'
Miss Julia has not only had trouble to
retain her composure during this inter-
rogation, but felt she was in danger Of
fainting from embarrassment. How
ever, she controls herself long enough to
say:
Joyce, it's almost midnight; go over
TO your bed"
Without any further remarks save a
sweet Good night" the little one runs
off 10 bed.
The unexpected declaration that
Joyce had made regarding the secrets
each had thought buried in the child
had quite unnerved Julia.
Walking to the window, Julia hides
her face in the folds of a friendly cur
tain. The fire on the hearth had almost
died out Nothing came from the en-
bers save dull red glow The lamp
had not been lighted, and the room was
becoming enveloped in darkness. Julia
throws back the heavy curtains and the
rich, silyery light from a full, round
moon flows softly into the room.
And as the midnight hour draws near
er there comes floating to the window,
over the silent city's roofs. the sound of
Christmas chimes as soft and as pure
as the moons white rays.
"Cbristmas bells Won't you come
to the window? You can hear them
hatfnr. .