The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-12-20

voice startled him. By his side stoo(
girl of about his own age: but oh, 81
much taller, who was gazing in at hi
picture with a delight that bubblet
into sweet childish laughter.
"See, Auntie,' she was saying
"See what a lovely window. Ant
what dear little pink wax doll lyins
in that wooden tub. 1t looks like +.
live baby-only not quite. | wonde
why it has that big yellow ring on it,
head. GA, l wish l might have it t.
play with. Couldn't you buy it fo
me, aunte dear? And look at tbos'
two queer old animals sticking in thei1
heads at the back. Isn't it funny
aunti.?'
She spoke in foreign tongue tba,
| Hansel knew to be "Amerikanisch,
| though he could not understand wha1
she said. He watched her as she
danced up and down on strong littlt
feet that could never be still-feet sc
unlike his own-and pr, ssed Der bright
face close to the wiE.!uw -nnne.
Meanwhile aunlic was looking at the
boy, and as she looked her face sad
dencd. Sometimes it seemed as though
the sorrows of the whole world were
laid on her heart.
IL never want to 60 away from this
window, auntie," exclaimed the child
1T is so beautiful Why, it is like
like the fairy tales you read to me at
bedtime, auntie."
Better still, childie. Think mo-
ment. This is the Christmas story
"Oh yes, l forgot" she answered
softly.
Sudde My she turned and her look
fell upon Hanscl Until then she had
not seen him. She did not know be
was there Now her bright face shad.
owed. The sight Of his mis-shapen
body and little sharp old face Jared
across her like a discordant note.
Take me away, auntic," she cried.
"Take me away. cannot bear it,"
Aun,ie did not speak. Perhaps she
had not heard ImpatientIy the child
pulled at her sleeve.
"Auntie dear, what makes his back
so queer? And his face? Why, he
looks hundred years old "
at is the cripple face, DEAR" an
swered auntie. The cripple face is
always like that, sharp and old and
full of longing"
"Docs he look hungrl?' asked the
child.
more than hungry, said auntle
speaking half to herself. "He looks
starved in every way; for food, for
warmth, for love, tor ,v"rytLing."
IL do not care about it any more
auntie," sobbcd the child. 81 shall
never care about anything any more.
My Christmas is spoilt. auntie."
"Or, hope not, little one. Why
should it be?' and auntie laid her arm
lovingly over the small shoulders.
Look at him!' cried the child
"Look at him! Christmas will never
he Christmas again, any more"
"Christmas is always Christmas,
said auntie. what if you should
give him yours"
"Oh auntie, do J ou think l might
have had 50 many Chrstmases
Nine of them, one for every year OF my
life. He looks as though he never had
one"
Bv this time Hansel had forgotten
them both. His chin was on the win
dow-sill again and he started when tho
lady spoke to him.
Little boy, will you not inside witt
us conc? Will you not a caLe oat?'
Hanscl started. She had sale
"cake.' Did she mean cake! Oh no
probably she would buy roll, as al
the pretty ldits did. No one evtl
really meant cake. But then no one
before had ever said cake. He pulled
at his cap.
Inside, gracious lady? Thank you
Thank you. have never been inside.
"Come thel.!' cried the child, push
ing open the door and dancing in be
fore them.
Auntie gave an order and in a min
ute more Hansel found himself seateC
at little round table, with a napkir
across his knees ard maid to wait or
him, as she waited on all the foul
o'clock-in-the-af people. Only
this was better, for it was evening, an(
the lights glittered, and he himself wa
inside instead of outside, and it wa
like dream come true.
When the maid set a little tray lie
fore him, the roll was so big and th'
coffee smclt SO good that he gulptt
down his disappointment and tried no
to let himself think:
IL knew it wouldn't be cake. What
ever they say, they always mean roll.
But the child with Il plate in he
hand was making careful selection
from under the wire screens.
(which kind would | like best if
had never had cake in all my life!
she was asking herself "Oh, | know
| should want them ALL
"You like cake?'' she asked, pop