Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-12-24
REPAIRED A WRONG.

Caleb, the driver, had been spcculating
upon the white haired stranger ON the scat
beside him ever since the stage left the
railway station He wanted n square look
into his eyes before vcnturirg "fcelcr. &"
but the big slouchcd Int prevented that.
Now, in sight Of town, ON the slope ahead
Of them, tho stranger thawcd and began
to question, loosing Calcb's tongue vol
ubly
And that's tho orphnnapc, " he contin-
uod, pointing to n slightly white building
in the midst of grove Of evergreen trees
ON the brow Of the slope ahead of them.
Joshua llnnson's money started 1t, but
they have hard work to keep it going. AL
ways hampercd for funds; unlucky from
the first start, 10 years ago They had Il
fire, then they were robbed of round
SUM
Robbed Who would rob Orphans"
interrupted the stranger
well, nobody expected 1t Of Dick when
he WAS trusted with the money Ho got
into wild company, and 1t went in some
kind Of speculation that was to double 1t.
Served sentence in state prison for it,
Too bad / suppose he's gone TO the dogs
since. Precious few ever get over that dis
grace. Pity. knew Dick from n hoy
He was awful good hearted"
Yes. Robbery of orphans was fine
proof of goodness, " returned the old gen
tleman, with cutting sarcasm.
well, he only meant to borrow the
money" said Caleb,
Poor excuse to cheat the fatherless "
persisted the other with severity.
"Ihcre's Miliccnt Roundaway on her
way to the orphanugo," pursued Caleb us
tho stage reached the level beyond the
slope "Shcs taught the children to sing
like nightingalcs for Christmas There's
to be tree in the church and big time.
Tho stranger seemed to regard the young
woman in u long fur trimmed garment
ahead of them with interest.
"She's done power for them first and
last, and they worship her" said Caleb,
Queer she don't get married, " he added
refectiycly us he touched up tine grnys, but
/ don't know IA man in Waverly good
enough for her "
With the Inst words the grays dashed
round the curve and brought up in fine
style before tho Waverly hotel. The loun-
gers watched the stranger climb down from
hfs perch. Caleb was ahead Of him, tum-
bling his big trunks of with an air OF
knowing the whole business, If he liked
to give it away" the porter told the Others.
The stranger was christened the Mys-
terry very shortly. He had meals sent to
his rooms. ~. II. Aftorforth" on the no.
tel register was as noncommittal rs his
pondcrous, strapped trunks. Always with
hat drawn down, ho took long, lonely
walks around the town and its outskirts
He might be harmless lunatic, IL was
conjectured, until he was seen to go in and
out of the orphannge several times, when
It got round that he was n rich, eccentric
relative OF one of he.children, who, if no
found NIL things on the square, was likely
to give them handsome Christmas dona-
ton. In fact, Mr.. Melladew, tho superin.
tendont, admitted that he had hopes new
friend had been raised up to them.
Tho church on the hill above Captain
Roundaway's place WAS tho center of at
traction on Christmas eve, Curious ru-
mors were afoat, although the tree COM
mitteo had been personiilcd caution, that
three ponderous trunks We're TO turn tell
tales, and that the Mystery was to have
not unlya finger but both arms sand shout
doris, up to his cars, in the festivities The
live oaks and pines right and left of the
church, girdled by Chinese lanterns, kept
up mysterious holdings and whisperings,
and those in position to peep through
tho tall windows upon tho dazzling sight
within sent thrilling bulletins from time
to time to their less fortunate neighborS.
The air was mild, as If it had been
filtered of frost for the occasion. The path
OF light from the church reached clear
down over the snow to Captain Round
awny's piazza. Ho stepped out of his door
into 1t: then his wife; then Aiilcont.
Others ahead, moro behind, hurrying, con-
yerging from all points, laughing, chat
toring, wondering what tho evening was
TO bring forth and all passing into tho
church until tho seats and aisles were full.
Once inside they found themselves in
bower u oycrgIcons, and, Of all things,
two Christmas trees, blazing away in
splendorl One, the usual sizo hung with
tho usual quota Of Wavcrly's Christmas
presents, was completely oycrshndowed by
rho other, which lowered roofward very
monarch of the woods, wearing its royal
honors not uncorsciouc, but with the AIR
of triumphant, tantalizing mystery,
Everybody, from Mr.. Merrirale, tho
minister, to dofurmod Billy Bowlinc, tho
uonnut wonder, was bowling and smiling
10 oyorybcdy else The orphans were in
tho front rows IN gala dress. There was
much oraning Of nocks and wondering