The Virginia enterprise., 1901-08-30
MISS maria LOUISE
A Christmas Story.

A Christmas Story.
The kitchen was all clean and tidy. and
already little Curly's stockings hung
from the mantel shelf, one on each side
Of the great cooking stove, and Curly
himself, wrapped in big woolen shawl,
lay all cuddled up in Miss Maria Louise's
arms, telling her for the hundredth time
that he was sure he: had been a very good
child indeed, and asking her anxiously if
she supposed Santa Claus knew it.
"Of course he knows it," said Miss
isn't no better hoy than my Curly Acker-
man in the hull country, an if he don't
leave some of his incest things in his
pack right here in this kitchen I'll have
u mighty pore opinion of him, tell YER"
Curly smiled happily and settled him
self more comfortably with little grunt
Of contentment. He lay so quiet that
Miss Maria Louise thought he slept.
On the other side of the stove sat Val
Ackerman, Curly's father. He was
thinking Of Christmas eve of two years
ago, and the memory was not pleasant
one, as shown by his set lips and drawn
brow. Miss Maria Louise glanced at
him furtively now and then. She knew
his thoughts. and longed to comfort him.
Ihe room was sc quiet that she was al
most startled when she heard Curly's
childish voice.
"Aunty," he said, as he stroked her
face with his warm, pink hand, "can
Sanity bring anythink, do you 'spose.".
Miss Maria Louise smiled and drew
the child closer to her as she answered
him: Most anythink, pet, I guess"
"Aunty Maria Louise" said Curly, sit
ting bolt upright in his eageness, 'do
ir1y ha hi.
this Christmas? Oh, l want one so," he
added, wistfully.
Miss Maria Louise flushed and looked
anxiouslly over at the child's father. He
heard the boys question and answered
him huskily.
you don't need no mamma, Curly,
when You have Aunt Maria Louise to
look after you. l guess an auntie is as
good as mamma, and she loves you as
well as any mamma could, an you must
love her as hard as ever you can, for
there isn't no one like her in the world, ,"
Miss Maria Louise bent over Curly to
wrap his shawl more closely about him,
his plump round cheek. He was too
sleepy, however, to inquire its source, and
was soon fast asleep, but once he stirred
uneasily and muttered in his dreams,
"Oh, wish me had muvver."
Miss Maria Louise carried him to his
room off the kitchen and tucked the COW
ers close about him. STOPPING, she kissed
him lightly, so as not to Eaken him, and
stole softly from the room.
She set quickly about her work, and
soon had Curly's striped stockings filed
from a basket she had brought from her
own home. Val watched her as she pro-
ceeded with her labor of love, but he did
not speak to her, and she was not offend
ed at his silence, but busted herself with
her own thoughts. They were pleasant
ones, for the most part, for they were of
years ago, when she was a child, and
found gingerbread men. in her stocking
on Christmas morning, just like the one
she was tucking into Curly's stocking
now; and Of later Christmas days, when
she and Val drove along the frozen roads
to church.
There" she said, at length. fastening
the bullying stockings to the mantelpiece,
fast in the mornin', Val, fer you an Cur
ly will breakfast with me. Bring him
over early, Val. cause I'm anxious ter
see what he'll do when he catches sight
Of the tree. L m goin' to trim it now, as
soon as l get home"
He helped her on with her shawl, and
together they stepped out into the night.
crisp and clear. The cold brought color
into Miss Maria Louise's usually pale
face, and some Of her soft brown hair
strayed from beneath the border of her
shawl and blew across her cheek. Val
saw it and smiled. She looked as she
did when she was a girl, and he slipped
her hand through his arm, as he used in
the old days.
The walk was silent one, but when
before he said goodnight.
maria Louise he said. because I
don't say much, don't think that Curly
and I amt grateful for all you've done
for us. We both of us thank you from
the bottom of our hearts. God knows
what we would have done without you'
''Sho." said Miss Maria Louise, trifle
unsteadily, lit isn't q question of graft
tude. What would lonely woman like
me do to keep her heart without having
someone ter love an look after like my
dear. little Curly? Val" she continued,
hurriedly, Il know that tonight you was
thinkin' of her. I don't want ter hurt
yer, an please don't be offended at my
askin' you-you amt bitter against her
was Curly's mother, yer know
II know she was: l wish I could for
get it. Maria, but I can't. I've tried ter
hate her for the part she played, but
can't. Yer see, l was some to blame
myself: wish I knew il she was alive
VA uNuus NOuANAA"SS lu1uh u DC udp-
pier if she was dead, an then again 1
think of her as she was. an I'd give my
soul fer sight of her.
He strove to control his voice, and she
turned her head that she might not see
the look Of pain in his face. "Good
night" he said. Then he took her face
in his hands and raised it so he could
look into her kind, clear eyes. "God
bless you, girl he said. III all women
We're like you this world would be a
better place, an there wouldn't be many
lonely little. children an heartsick men
this Christmas eve." '&,s.> s*SS5zg-55z
He turned and walked quickly down
the road, and Miss Maria Louise stood
at the gate and watched him. Then,
with bowed head, she walked wearily up
the path to the cottage. sss>- !, ID. as. !.
A woman rose from. the steps OF the
porch, where she had been sitting in the
shadow. and met her. S5& s.TEF7
Miss Maria Louise started back with !
cry-.Jessr' 2 d .s.,-ss5,,
Eyes, it's t. said the woman. eve