The Lamar register., 1902-12-24
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lin house and yard availed nothing
Then she buried her flushed face in her
trembling hands and cried heart-break-
ingly. But it was not the loss of the
scarf-no. far worse! 1t was the sus-
picion-transformed into conviction In
her quick decided mind-that her boy
and girl, the beings she loved and
lived for, were thieves. She could not
bear it.
1t was fearless. though saddened
fact that the twins saw when they re
turned. feeling little guilty at hay-
ing fitted away SO unceremoniously.
Now that their nutting fever had
cooled little they really felt 1t quite
a grave offense and their subdued lit
tie faces only served to deepen that
awful conviction.
ut was for that Panky." she said To
herself resentfully. She's too smart
to be trusted. l haven't seen all the
letters she's sent them, an i b'lieye
she's been putin 'em up to 1t. She
could sell it for lot of money. But
won't accuse them or even ask theSM
If kindness won't make them ashantW
an sorry, then nothin' will. and an
ownin' up that isn't free-will offer
ing isn't worth the breath it takes
III wait, an see-an' love them hard
er'n ever"
So she waited and loved and heaped
systematic benefits upon the little
brown heads so profusely that even
they, who had known her kindness so
well, were astounded. But somehow,
the spring had gone out of life at the
farm. jamie and Amos felt it, and be
gan to try to fit an explanation to it
They finally decided that something
was worrying Aunt Calisty-probably
money matters.
II wonder II It's" quavered jamie.
she don't smile nearly all the time. an
she don't tell stories-or anything
only do things for us!"
"P'r'aps she's gettin' poor. We've he'd
such heaps of things!"
yep. An we eat SO much. Couldn't
we eat little less-just little less of
everything?"
T-I'll try" gulped Amos, thinking
of buttered pancakes and honey.
So they did try, and succeeded-not
very, very well, but well enough TO
make Miss Calisty heartsick with re-
newed apprehension. She had begun
to family hope that something else
this indifference to food could but be
the result of guilty and struggling con-
sciences-nothing less.
The morning OF the day before
Christmas broke wild and stormy. with
q wind that rocked the sturdy old
house and lashed its roof with the elm
branches. Breakfast was progressing,
rather silently. when there came such
a crash outside that they were all uNN
and at the window before the echoey'
died away There lay the old sweeting
tree, still quivering.
MY dear old tree!" cried Miss Ca
listy.
Poor little chippy!" walled the
twins.
Mr.. Bonney's cat caught him just
before the first freeze. hated to tell
you." exclaimed Miss Calisty, turning
away with Quivering lips from the
sight that was to her tragedy.
Lets go and see how little Chip had
his winter bed made" proposed Janet.
"All right" said Amos. only too
glad, manlike, to escape the sight OF
tears which he could neither under
stand nor help to dry.
Miss Calisty stood and watched them
peering and poking about. Suddenly
Amos gave shout, and held up in
both hands a bright soft something.
Calisty sank into a chair. weak as
rag" she would have said. The twins
rushed in.
It's that dandy thing you showed us
the mishnery lady gave you, amt it?
See, it amt hurt hardly bit. How did
Chippy get it?"
Il s'pose it flew out of the window
cleanin' time-'twas windy day." re-
sponded Miss Calisty. in queer,
choked voice. as she held the scarf at
arms length. Suddenly she hid her
face in 1t and cried and cried and cried.
Then she hugged the twins-both at
once till they gasped.
Il b'lieve it's clearing Off" she cried.
"an' l b'lieve I'll take the stage an
ketch the train for the city. I'm kind
of behind on Christmas things. l
amt felt well O. late, an so kept put r
tin it off"
How were. the twins to know that
she had never been known to go far
ther than the village for christmas
things"
1T was the scarf thing that allied
Aunt Calisty. l don't believe 1t was
not havin' money at ALI"
Nor IT, replied Amos, with convic-
tion-and mournfully thinking of the
pancakes ne might have had.
But to his credit be it said he never
threw it up to Janet that the un-
called for fasting was of her propos-
ing. There was good stuff in Amos.
1t was late that evening when Calls
ty returned, so late that the twins
were asleep on the sitting room sofas,
so soundly asleep that the clink of late
supper dishes did not rouse them.
Christmas morning dawned radiant
ly. and they awoke betimes-but earl
Ter still had Miss Calisty been astir.
moving softly and swiftly in and out.
up and down.
They lay rubbing their eyes, wonder
ing why they were all dressed. then of
a sudden they saw wonder that swal-
lowed up all others-a big bough OF