Little Falls herald., 1900-12-14

out after dark, and he surely would ney
er tie able to secure permission to go for
tree.
"Hulda," said he sadly, II would never
be allowed to go" uulua did not seem
as much disappointed IS he had expected
she would. She kept right on smiling
was miserable one, for Azure could nevI
Hulda had left the kitchen warm aus
bright for him, with pan of corn to pep
and the pepper handy. yet he had heart
for nothing and went to bed early, to
dream of Hulda, with her blue eyes
walking down miles upon miles Of light,
ed Christmas trees. with the great star
shining at the end OF the avenue for
Azure knew what ought to be. lie lra.j
not looked at other peoples Christmas
trees through the windows for nothing.
Besides, he had done some reading. Otl
ers might not think it Of him, but it w;,>
the truth.
Three days and three nights passed.
and Hulda was not as sociablc as fl,
nlerly. She went around smiling an?
saying next to nothing, and she had no
con'idenccs to make to Azure about what
She had doHe. Moreover, she kept th;.
door of her bedroom closed fast. Azure
Wos too proud and too we'll Informed 1s
to Property rights to think Of trying tic
doorkhob, but he was quito sure the room
was locked against all intrusion.
Christmas was stately day. In the
morning his father read aloud to his
mother on subjects which Azure could
make nothing Of, and there were mum.
Der Of gentlemen at dinner-professors
from the college, men who had smali
hope Of Aure's scholastic achievements
and aftcrward there was discussion
Azure slipped into corner to look at the
Illustrated natural history which his fl-
ther had given him and to whirl about the
globe which his sister had presented t.,
him. most enlightehing globe, which,
endeavored to make stupid little Azure
acquainted with all Of the movements of
the earth and winds and tides. 1t was
certainly kind of his people to give him
these things, Azure thought. He wonder.
ed why be was not happier. Perhaps it
was because he vas naughty child.
Strange words foated to his ears from
that part of the room where the discus
sion was going on-''The Myth of Dion
ysius," ''The Nativity" ''Staurolatry.' -
'Justinius Martyr" and hundred more
peculiar names and phrases which meant
nothing at all to Azure, but which seemed
for some mysterious reason to affect him
disagreeahly, especially as the men were
cross with each other. He thought he
heard young Professor Babcock mention
ing his (Aure's> name couple of times,
but that could hardly have been possible
'h<a 10 <f,S
fat building were having Christmas
tree, aud soon as ever the dusk began to
come Azure could see the mother lighting
the tapers. From the way she shook
her head every now and then and seemed
to be calling out to some one he could moi
see it was evident that her children wer,
impatient to get in. Azure crept up int,
the window seat and darkened the pane
with the curtain 50 that he could see bet
ter. He hardly breathed while he waited
! for the mother to finish her work ani
! open the door. That would be the glori
! GUS moment when the door was opene,
and the children came rushing in. Bu
just as it was about to happen some on.
touched him on the arm He turned an
| prehensiveiy. Probably his father hat
come to forbid him even to look at
! Christmas tree.
But it proved not to be his father. I
was Hulda, and her eyes were shining
and she had holly in her white cap m,
holly in the bib Of her big ruf1led apron
With her black frock and golden braid
and bright blue eyes she made the sweet
est, kindest human picture Azure had eve
seen, and somehow all the ache Of hi
throat went away as if by magic. II
took her hand and slipped from the roon
with her. She tiptoed along the passag
as if she were approaching some mys
terry, and Azure did the same. They tir
toed through the dining room and throug
the kitchen and past the waiter who ha
come in to help for the day and wh
booked at them curiously and on to Hui
da's room.
The door stood open, and as they wer
along the little hallway that led to it
beautiful glow came out of it, and a m,
ment more the two stood before a sle1
der Christmas tree with a star highe.
among the branches and tapers burnin
everywhere in memery Of the Light (
the World and gay little festoons ,
glittering staff making the branches my
terious to the child's eyes. Hulda and Il