The Press., 1898-12-15

into her explanation. "Yes. sir. You see, the boys said I'd have to make up a roar if was going to sell papers, and I thought that was honest anyway"
 "Poor little kidp' he thought later, as he heard her cry ring out under his window as he sat in his comfortable room at the hotel "Poor little kid I wish could do something for her. She reminds me nf Jennie, somehow. Poor Jennie !'' And iD reveries of his dear, lost sight of sister he forgot all about Maggie. and thought no more of her until he heard her again the next morn ing-Christma morning.
 "Not a cheerful day for fellow who's got nothing but money to help him enjoy himself, and no on to share that with,'' he thought as he dressed slowly, drearily, for the day promised to be long and barren. ''1f l only had Jennie and her babies to help me out. By Jove!" and he quickened his move. ments vii b g look of sudden interest, ''I'll hunt up Little Borrioboola Cha and give her a jolly Christmas. She looks as though it wouldn't do her any harm, and I can play pretender, as
 
 is one of Jennie's children. Hastily completing his toilet, he dis posed of a hearty breakfast, his pulses Quickening as he thought of the pleas ure which lay before him, the pleasure of giving happiness to another, the one pleasure which neither the world. the flesh, nor the devil has the power to mar or spoil.
 Meanwhile the object of his thoughts had finished selling her papers the night before and gone slowly homeward, re- sisting the temptation to stay out in the brilliantly lighted streets because of her mothers well remembered re- quest to this effect, and after buying as much candy and fruit for Sweetie as was consistent with saving few pen nies to buy flower to go to the hos pital with her and the baby tomorrow afternoon and laying enough away to buy her stock the next day she had got straight into bed.
 When she awoke, it was broad day light, the shining light of Christmas day, which has never seemed quite like that of ordinary days since that first wondrous dawn nearly 1900 years ago, and she sprang up with. the sweet Christmas joy in her heart and face, in spite of her aching toes and lonely con- dition. | "Now for cup of coffee and 8 doughnut, she thought as she hurried ly fastened her garments, "and then for my papers.
 "WeIl, Little Borrioboola Cha, said the samo kindly voice which had greet ed her the day before. ''merry Christ. mas to you"
 "Same to you, sir," she answered shyly, glancing up at him with the eyes which reminded him SD forcibly of his sister. Paper, sir:''
 l "Well, yes. l suppose so," he re- sponded, reaching in his pocket for s bill. "How are you going to spend your Christmas?''
 "I'm going to the hospital to see mamma after I get through selling, '' said Maggie. who, with child's quick intuition, had divined that this was g man to be trusted. And I'm going tC take Sweetie with me
 "Who is Sweetie?'' was the next question, asked with sympathetic in. donation which somehow expressed all the kindly words he did not say about her mother. And Maggie, whose heart opened easily to any one who used the key of "Sweetie' .wherewith to unlock it, grew talkative at once.
 "Sweetie's my sister," she prattled. forgetting her wares in the joy of tell ing her love to some one. My baby sister. And she's been specially mine ever since mamma got sick and had to go to the hospital. Auntie and Uncle Stewart have got her now," she went on, not noticing the start the gentleman gave, "but I'm going to get her back te live with us just as soon as mamma car come home.''
 "Is Auntie Stewart your real aunt? queried her listener. a strange interes in his tone and manner. And what il your mamma s name?"
 "No. Auntie Stewart is an old frienC of mammals and papa's," answered Maggie, tucking her papers more tight ly under her arm, 'and mammals name is Jennie Brownell.
 "Jennie Brownell" gasped the mar at her side, grasping her arm so tightly that the tender flesh was b1 1uised. "Jen nie Brownell! And what was you papa's name?''
 "Papa s name was Arthur Brownell, said Maggie, wondering more and mor' at this mans odd behavior. "But he' been dead long, long time. and nam ma took care of us until she got sicl and was big enough"
 "You big enough" exclaimed he listener excitedly. "You big enough you poor baby! Why, how old are you?'
 "I'm just I3." said Maggie proudly land, indeed, sir, I'm big enough Why, I've taken care of us for nearly year now, and Sweetie would rathe stay with me than with Auntie Stewart give her such nice things to eat," sh finished innocently.
 "To say nothing of the love you evi dently lavish upon her, " murmured tn gentleman to himself. "Well, Littl Borrioboola Cha, what do you say to change? I think you must be my niece.
 "Oh, then you must be Uncle Jack, said Maggie, accepting this new an wonderful state of affairs with child innocent faith and belief in all thing wonderful and bright and good. "Yes you do look like mamma. She's take of you so much that feel quite knoy you" she added quaintly.
 You're not going to sell papers an mo1e," said her uncle, as they crosse the street to his hotel. "And now for merry Christmas. It won't be possibl to do anything about clothes today, with rueful look at Maggie's ga1 ments, "but we'll do something nic anyway. What hospital did you sa your mother was atf''
 "St. Lnke's," answered Maggie smiling as happily as though the grief of the morning had never troubled he1 "Are you going to see her toor''
 "Yes," said Uncle Jack, smilin down at the eager face, "we're goin there right away, but we'll stop an buy some flowers first.''
 And they set forth, only to find dis