Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-12-23

time with us that have dreaded to
tell tho children they must expect
nothing this year. 1t seems pity to
dispel these little childish illusions
while their faith is SO sweet and
strong, but I must talk to them to-
night. II only Harry were with us
again! We could be happy together II
we are poor"
The poor woman was crying hyster-
ically now, and Miss Patience stroked
the work-worn hand in silent sympa-
thy.
Mary Robertson had always been so
proud and reserved. 1t must be sore
heart, indeed, that could induce her to
say so much.
Haven't we loved each other all
our lives, Mary?" asked Miss Patience,
softly. LET me play Santa Claus for
your little ones this once. have no
one Of my very own to make happy,
and my pleasure, think, will be great
err than theirs"
Mother love was stronger than pride,
and when Miss Patience came ont of an
uptown establishment late in the even
ing her purse and her heart were alike
light.
A turkey and cranberries, big
package of toys dear to the hearts OF
children, wit couple of new books
and a bunch of dollhouse flowers had
been sent to the little house on that
back street. A bundle of warm fan
nels had gone with a basket of fruit
to an invalid girl in poor tenement
IS Miss Patience fastened up her
wraps for the homeward walk some
thing very like happiness shone in her
face.
AS she entered the hall one Of the
little girls was scurrying upstairs, a
mysterious something hidden in the
folds of her dress.
Aunt Patience" called the child
over the balustrade, "Papa's brought
some one to dinner. He said if saw
you come home, l must tell you to
come right on in. They're in the back
parlor," and she was off to the nur-
sery.
Il wonder who it can be-" thought
Miss Patience, as she parted the por-
there's.
There were her brother and his wife.
the two older girls and, just rising
above the back of an easy chair, the
top of mans head.
Here she comes now" said Mr..
Fairlee; we were just speaking Of you,
Patience"
Miss Patience stopped suddenly in
the middle of the room. The face OF
the man who had risen, tall and erect,
by her brothers side was one she re-
membered very we'll. His hair was
turning gray-grayer than her own, yet
he looked as if time and fortune had
dealt kindly with him. AS he came to-
ward her with outstretched hand,
there was something in his face that
carried her back to that other Christ
mas time when he had told her he
loved her, and she had thought him the
handsomest lover in all the world.
Don't you know me?" he asked.
eagerly.
Yes, Robert she said, simply.
What this tall, bronzed stranger saw
was a fair, fresh face, for all it's five
and-thirty years, the color heightened
by the dark fur trimmings of her dress,
and the eyes full of a shy, sweet glad
ness at his coming that he had scarce
ly dared to hope he would ever see
again.
He quite forgot that any one was
looking; or, if he remembered, he did
not care, for he took the upturned face
between both his hands and tenderly
kissed one soft, pink cheek.
Then he said, with something OF the
old ROBUSTNESS: You needn't say a
word, Patty, for you walked right un.
der the mistletoe."
And Miss Patience, who had oni,
that very morning laid her lifes little
romance in its grave, what if she die
feel sudden dread of being laugh ed
at: Conscious as she was of the smile:
on the faces of her brother and hi!
wife, and that most mischievous O
nieces, Grace, looking at her in wide
eyed amazement-what did it matter
Had not all OF hope and happiness, ant
almost youth itself. come back to he
with this happy Christmas eve ant
her old love? 1t is not necessary t.
say that Brother Bob had company OF
his return to Oregon, and that Aun
Patience was no longer an old maid
but blushing bride.-New York Led
ger.