The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-12-23
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IL morning.
"What now?" asked Bessie, smiling
|ver her fancy work.
"Why, nothing" replied Neva. "ex-
ept that she's taken il into her head
o spend Christmas with that queer,
|ld-fashoned aunt of hers up in the
ountry instead of here in town where
here's going to be so much fun. She
5 the oldest girl | ever knew. Fancy
pending week in that duh. poky
place, where the neighbors live half a
mile apart and with. that old couple
Ind their hired girl for company!
But there's no accounting for
astes. Joyce is lovely in most things,
pretty and stylish and always so pleas
ouch queer freaks it makes me almost
believe she does it for effect. And to
Think she'll miss the Christmas party
y Jeans! I know she's invited, for
Jean told me so.'
The two girls drifted off from the
fubject of Joyce into talk of fancy work
for Christmas presents and gay cos
fumes for the approaching party.
Meanwhile in Joyce's pretty home
pn the avenue Mrs. Baxter was holding
converse with her dark-eyed daugh-
Per. you're queer little girl" she
was saying, ITO prefer spending the
holidays up at Aunt Isabel's when all
\ he other girls are so excited about
Jeans party. It's to be nice affair, I
know, because Jeans mother has taken
counsel with me and there are to be
Several pretty novelties besides the
regular good time. If / were you, dear,
p'd give up the idea of going to the
Promised Land and stay at home"
But Joyce knew what she wanted,)
ind presently Mrs. Baxter, with low
Ing little pat on the shoulder, left her to
herself.
II believe the child intends to 60 up
Into the Promised Land as regular
Christmas fairy" she thought, smil-
ingly, as she descended the stairs. "All
those mysterious little bundles in her
room mean something"
But later in the day Joyce slipped
ner mothers wrap upon that lady's
shoulders, brought her hat and gloves
and made her go out with her for a lit
tie shopping. And on the way she re-
vealed her plans.
I've made up my mind that there
mall be Christmas tree in the Prom
lsed Land this year." she began. ~
wrote to Aunt Isabel some time ago and
asked some questions. She's written
pack that the young folks in the Prom
lsed Land have never had Christmas
Tree and IL want to go into it may
nave her big front room and Uncle Ben
VIII see about the tree. So I've been
buying and making these little things,
you know, to put on it and now I'm
liter candy to finish off with"
Mrs. Baxter looked affectionately at
ner daughter. you're good girl,
Joyce" she said, softly. "and mothers
proud of you" And then she opened
,er own purse and purchased some
.nolce gifts for Aunt Isabel and Uncle
sen. You can smuggle them onto the
rec without their knowing thing
loout it," she said. 81 declare, Joyce,
90 wish l was going to the Promised
and, tool"
But you can't. you know" laughed
'oyce; there's the Christmas dinner
0 be looked after and papa to take care
H. I'm the only one who can' be
pared. But won't it be nice? I'll write
'ou all about IL the very next day."
The Promised Land is the name given
0 narrow valley which runs up
'mong the hills which form a spur OF
ne Allegheny mountains. II is an iso-
ated region, "three miles from no
here" as some of its inhabitants say,
ut fruitful farms and comfortable
ONES are scattered along its length on
'.ner side. of the struggling road
mich forms its only street.
when Uncle Ben met Joyce at the
AIN down In the village he was some
nat amazed to see that there was n
INK which he was expected to carry
~ But he asked no questions AZ he |