Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21

the little girls, and now I'm most sorry I
disappointed her"
That's just why I'm here" said Miss
Debby, gayly, and with double her usual
decision. mo, Nellys not fit to go out,
l can see, but you leave ner here with me,
an you Just get ready and take Susy and
go. Your mother'll think everything of it,
and I'll see to things here. Ironin'? Why,
twill DO me good. 1 feel little chilly, and
Nelly and L can have a grand time. Now
you go right off an get ready. and catch
the quarter-tO-nine train. l won't hear no
words about it."
So presently the pale hard-worked young
mother in her widows bonnet started Off
down the street. leading bright-faced little
Susy b5 the hand; and Miss Debby and her
favorite Nelly watched them go from the
window. The breakfast dishes were washed
and put away in such fashion that Nelly
thought 1t quite as good as dolls house
keeping: and then. while Miss Debby ironed
she sat in warm corner by the stove and
listened to stories and to Miss Debby's old
fashioned ballads, which. though sung in a
slightly cracked voice. were most delightful
to childish ears. What Christmas morn
ing it was! And after the small ironing was
done what pleasant things there seemed to
be to do! Miss Debby rummaged until she
found some little aprons cut for the chill
dren; and first she basted one for Nelly to
sew, and then she took the other herself
and they sat down together and sewed until
dinner time. The aprons were pink and
added to the gayety Of the occasion: and
they were ready at last to surprise Nelly's
mother by being put back in their place in
the same roll-all done even to the buttons
and buttonhoes, for Miss Debby found time
to finish Nelly's as well as her own. And
they had bread and milk for dinner, and
Miss Debby told stories of when she was a
little girl. Altogether there never was a
happier Christmas day, and the spirit of
Christmas. of peace and good will shone
bright In Miss Debbys face. Her quick eye
saw many chances to lend a helping hand
to the poor. defenseless household. When
NAli hpr aa ypa al +
ened and cheered by her visit, she found
the ironing and mending done; and day or
two later the pink aprons turned up all
ready to be put on. And Nelly's tiresome
cough, which sounded like the whooping
cough was quite stilled by some good old
fashioned dose which Miss Debby mixed
agreeably with molasses and put to simmer
n the stove. There seemed TO be no end to
the kind and thoughtful things Miss Debby
did that day in a neighbours house.
She had started for home at dusk. Just
before it was time for young Mrs. Prellec to
get back. and was walking along the street,
a little tired, but very happy.
"Why, it's only half-past o'clock now!'
she exclaimed. as she passed the watch
Mrs. Wallis a little WHILE and she quick
ened her steps.
Presently Miss Debby Gaines came to a
fine large house very different from the one
she had just left and took pains to straight
en- her little black bonnet as she went up
the long flight of handsome stone steps An
elderly man servant opened the door.
Il wish you a happy Christmasr' said
Miss Debby. "Can see Mrs. Wallis, do you
suppose Mr.. Johnson"
"Oh. yes'm," said Johnson, with feeling,
II was wis hing somebody'd come in, Miss
Gaines, now it's beginning to get dark. The
young ladies was here this morning. and
brought their presents, but they'd made n
promise to go cut into the country with
some young friends, so they aren't coming
10 dinner, and Mrs. Wallis has been alone
all day. She was pleased to have 'em go,
though"
BY this time Miss Debby had crossed the
wide hall to the library, where the lonely
old mistress of the house usually sat. She
hesitated a moment before she could speak.