Willmar tribune., 1900-12-26

dren's ward in the old hospital, and was 50
funny and lovely that the pale little crea-
lures stretched out their hands to her, and
laughed little with their hoarse pain
laden voices. She had emptied her pockets
of pennies to the beggars that beset her
homeward path, and at three o'clock in the
afternoon had busted every article in the
quaint room to fine polish.
Two great broad windows overlooked a
sloping hill and the roofs of many houses.
Beyond lay the great gray ocean. A side
window was shelved from top to sill, and
filled with potted plants that bloomed pro-
fusely and overran the ugly red clay that
inclosed them.
Across one corner stood the piano. It
was the only really new thing at hand, and
its polished surface took on shadows of the
ancient grandeur about it, as if in apology
for it's presence here. Opposite the flower
window was another recess filed with book
shelves, where goodly reading was to be had
between the shabby covers of many an old
treasure.
A few easy chairs and tables lay cozily
about; and the great brick fireplace with
it's brass andirons and high old mantel shelf
was the heart and core of the room
Estella laid the fine thin old cloth care
fully on the round, polished table, garnish-
ing it by pinning little sprigs of holly on its
satiny surface.
She placed Urania' chicken by the warm
hearthstone, and on a stool near by laid a
basket of rosy apples and pile of bread
much pride of manner she turned out a glass
&c 1lv ipto al ~
and fanked it by another dish of branded
peaches.
"That will surprise the girls" she said,
and laughed little as she showered Pencil
ope's lavish supply of candies in every con-
ceivable little receptacle she could find.
Estella looked queenly. Her black satin
gown was old, but she had drawn over the
patched waist fichu of soft yellow lace,
and fastened in its folds bunch of pretty
old velvet wall flowers Her hair had a
trick of curling itself into proper places,
and CLINT of its old auburn tint was in
it's white sheen. Her eyes were bright and
her cheeks rosy with expectancy.
Toward five o'clock the shadows grew
heavier. Day was almost gone. Estella
went to the window, looked out moment
on the sea- even the great deep is quiet
to-day" she said, "and there is no poor
lonesly Estella this Christmas"
She drew the curtains, put fresh log on
the blazing fire and hurried to answer a
timid little knock that came on her door.
As the gust of air rushed in she looked up
to see Penelope and Urania with hoods off
and hands extended, whilst they sang in
nasal tones the old street waits: "1 pray
you, merry gentlemen" Estella laughingly
whirled them into the room, saying: II am
dismayed.'
With many loving kisses, wishes TO,
"merry Christmas" and soft little words
they were divested of wraps and furs and
finally nestled down into easy chairs with
the restful spirit of the hour floating lightly
on their tired senses.
Penelope began knitting some soft, fluff,
white thing that grew and grew in ampli
tude; and Urania, after examining the prep
arations for supper with pleased anxiety
busted herself with toast-fork and apples
Estella wandered about the room idly fol
awhile, saying few, words, and now anc
again touching the cheek or hair of hel
old friends with the tips of her slight fin
gers. Then, finding her seat at the piano
she drifted off into the land of music ane
ecstasy, a golden-haired child, softly beck
oning the way.
Penelope and Urania kept quiet accom-
panment with needles and fork, and up tn,
chimney tiny flame spirits danced, Will,
the eheery logs sang tune all their own
As the last notes of "Chopin's Lament
fell on the air, great tear splashed dow1
Urania's soft cheek and fell into the snow,
heart of the last roasted apple.
''Time!" cried Penelope, though her owl
eyes were moist, and she drove her knittin,
needle straight through the unsuspectini
apple.
Estela sprang up and came laughing t,
the 6reside. Then up jumped the others
and, singing the excel Row." danced abou
the table as in their school days.
The flames shot pink light on the op
posite wall, and made the dancing figure
look like little girls. The old portraits o,
the wall took on a Disappearing air, and tn
| little fame spirits jeered; but the great log
sang soft sweet song, and the dear Chris
Child nestled close TO the old hearts tha
had found Him, and caressed the wrinklet
faces irto images of love and peace.
1