The Globe-republican., 1898-12-22

herself, ana changed her mind aboue
going home.
II shall Just make . different ro1nd
Of calls from that had planned" she
decided.
The next bell that she rang was that
Of a plain. little house on a plain. mar
row street. The weary face of the
black-robed woman who opened the
door frightened when she saw who her
visitor was.
Il hope you will excuse me-" she
said. as she took up the work basket
beside her chair, but my mending has
been accommodating. and some Of It
must be done today"
Miss Patience assured her that she
would enjoy her call the more. know
ing that 1t was not an interruption, and
added, with a laugh:
II suppose every one almost is busy
excepting myself this afternoon, and
ought to be at home this minute put
ting the finishing touches on few lit
tie gifts. but I thought could do it to-
night. Are you quite ready for your
little ones?"
There are no gifts to prepare.
don't much mind telling you, Patty, We
have been friends so long. This year
I have had only my little income, and,
with Nellie's illness in the fall. there
was only enough left for the bare nee
essaries. While their father was alive
Christmas was always such a happy
time with us that have dreaded to
tell the children they must expect
nothing this year. 1t seems a pity to
dispel these little childish illusions
while their faith is so sweet and
strong, but I must talk to them to-
a:s:.. If only Harry were with us
again! We could be happy together il
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 sc
proud and reserved. 1t must be sort
heart. indeed, that could induce her te
say so much.
Haven't We loved each other al
our lives, Nary" asked Miss Patience
softly. LET me play Santa Claus FOL
your little ones this once. I have nc
one Of my very own to make happy,
and my pleasure, I think. will be great
er than theirs"
Mother love was stronger than pride
and when Miss Patience came out of az
uptown establishment late in the even.
ing her purse and her heart were alike
light.
A turkey and cranberries, 4 bis
package of toys dear to the hearts o:
children, with a couple of new book
and a bunch of dollhouse flowers had
been sent to the little house on that
back street. A bundle of warm nam
nels had gone with a basket of fruit
to an invalid girl in a poor tenement.
AS 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 brough,
| some one to dinner. He said if l saw
you come home, 1 must tell you to
come right on in. They're in the back
| parlor," and she was OF 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 a mans head.
Here she comes now" said Mr.
| Fairlee; I'VE 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, We,
he looked as if time and fortune had
dealt kindly with him. As he came to-
ward her with cutstretched 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.
Eyes, Robert" she said, simply.
| What this tall, bronzed stranger saw
was fair, fresh face, for all its i've
and-thirty years, the color heightened
by the dark fur trimmings of her dress,
and the eyes full of 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 die
not care, for he took the upturned face
between both his hands and tenderly
| kissed one soft. pink cheek