The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-20

turn. The wind is cold, and lrs ou,t,
You know" "'o"e
60, "A cup of tea" repeated the Doctor
believe 1 would like 1t. Mrs. Raxter.
They entered the little sitting room
80 full Of friendly warmth, and Mrs
Baxter lighted the lamp. How fun The
room was OF packages Of all sizes and
ueseriptions. and gay little candy bags
them amazediy. What more?" erieG
ne. laughingly, and with tragic ges.
! lure What a Christmas fairy you
are. Mrs. Baxter"
Dorothy Baxter took off the velvet
nut aho stood beside him In her brown
uress. The lamp light fell very softly
upon the soft mass of her braided hair
revealing, too, the rosiness of her wind
Kissed cheek. They are for the mis-.
sion school," began she almost timidiy
cant bear to think of the poor ba.
b.es' stockings hanging empty on Christ.
mas morning. Eben"-her voice fni.
tered little. never did believe in
christmas; 1t was always a great cross
TO me never to be able to do my little
toward making this Christmas season a
happy one So now" she added slowly.
Il try to remember all the poor and
needy ones. and atone If l can for ali
those lost years. though 1t wasn't my
fault" i'
The Doctor looked down into the
s ,Hn, , flushed face, pityingly: 81 know
sincerely given. II would have been n
better man myself" continued he,
somewhat sadly, IF things had been
uiiferent, but there, you know some
thing Of my wife. as / know of your
n nus De mortuis nil nisi bonum
Mrs. Baxter; that is best, isn't it?"
Dolly IaXter'S eyes filled with sudden
tears, under the scrutinIzine vol ten.
der gaze. 'N'
Yes. 1t is. Doctor" assented she. with
gentle candor.
What is 1t makes you look so diff
aerenl querled the Doctor after short
eloquent silence
Perhaps it's this" She smoothed the
soft folds of the brown dress as she
answered Il laid aside my black one
to-day" ~
The Doctors face lighted up with one
VI OIL, ms rare smiles. "Eou did, did your"
was his answer. well. you look eight
years younger-prett!er." he whispered
under his breath. They had tea after
awhi!e In the quiet little room. full of
peace and generous Christmas cheer.
And as the Doctor sat there. with the
sweet face opposite he thought of many
things. or his silent. melancholy house.
~ lonely hours and of weary. spiritless
Gays. But bark, upon the frosty air
burst of melody rang forth, Glory
10 Eou IN the Highest. on earth peace
goodwill toward men,"
Its the choir practising. i'm the
church. their Christmas anthem for to-
morrow, smiled Mrs. Baxter Isn't II
peautifui? Let us go to the door ana
hear 1t better. OH" in n burst of en-
thusiasm, who could help loving
Christmas" The Doctor did not an.
swer, but he folded a shawl very carc-
ruby about the pretty shoulders. and
they went TO the door and listened.
GLORY to God In the highest, on earth
peace. goodwill toward men, Tho
clear, hue-like voices IN the old church
rose higher and higher. finally bursting
into very triumph OF victorious song.
Overhead the stars. those tlreless little
watchers of the night, sparked cheer
lily. the moon. rising over the house
tops in all her s!very glory. flooded the
bare old world with soft.est radiance
Il can almost fancy It's the angels
singing said Dolly Baxter In n sweet
and solemn tone, even as they did that
wonderful night so long ago. when they
brought their tidings of great joy.
Glory to God in the highest. on earth
peace, goodwill toward men, Wonder
ful blessed words. weren't they?"
Wonderful" was the answer AL
most Involuntary The Doctor drew
closer to the moved and tender face
Dolly began he. gently laying his
hand upon the soft brown hair. "don't
you remember what Grandma Collins
said to-day She said" he rcpeatnd
slowly. that the Lord would bless ms
both. Dolly, Dolly" cried he in n
strangely broken tone. the only bless
Ing in the world l crave this beautiful
Christmas Eve, Is your sweet and gr-I
clous self. Won't you come to me?
Wen dispense our charities together
and 90 about doing good for | love
you, dear. I knew 1t day when o
. saw you in Grandma Collins room I
must have loved you before, onl-Emy
eyes were holden"
Dorothy Baxter said not o word but
she creDt little closer tC the tall fIg
ure beside her, and in her brown dress
| she lifted up her glowing, trustful face
and answered him. And the Doctor. as
he walked up the Hill that glorious
Christmas eve, as the frosty gro,,r]
crackled beneath his firm tread, how
his soul rejoiced
When he gained the summit of The
nil. almost unconsc.ously he barred his
head. GLORY to God in the highest. on
earth peace, goodwill toward men" he
whispered softly. and as he entered his
gloomy home, he did not feel it's SOM
bre darkness. for again and again his
heart sang for JOY. It's Christmas hymn
SUSAN HUBBARD MARTIN.