Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-12-18
that little cough Of hers: IA little less

that little cough Of hers: IA little less
noise, young ladies, If you please
let us do 1t over again" cried Es-
tella. Come to my rooms on Christmas
night at 5 O'clock. Urania may send the
cooked chicken; you, Penelope, shall
send the nuts and candies, and 1 will
do the rest"
Professor Wensel did not become
richer in pocket through these old la
lecture, spiritual rewards always found
and enriched him, he must have been
In aftiuence after this night.
People wondered why Urania laughed
so much, one old boarder saying some
one must have left her fortune. An
other thought she must be on the look
out for q husband. after which astute
conjecture he gave extra attention to
his hair and clothes, and tied his scarf
with wondrous care.
Penelope worked with such zeal that
her employers We're surprised. One day
she hummed a little tune to herself, at
which the Junior partner remarked:
BY Jove, there's plenty of courage
and work in the old girl yet"
Estelia spent every spare moment in
making her two rooms beautifuland I'M
maculate. She had ceased to gs'umble
about the chimney place being draugh-
ty. 1t was no longer IAN unsatisfac
tory heater and quite out Of date. 1T
was now glorious, such perfect ven-
tilator and so cheerful.
On Christmas day she was prompt at
church. The anthem passed off capit-
ally. Everyone was pleased. She visited
the children's ward in the old hospital.
and was so funny and lovely that the
pale little creature stretched ont their
hands to her, and laughed a little With
their hoarse pain-laden voices. She had
emptied her pockets of pennies to the
beggars that beset her honeward path.
and at o'clock in the afternoon had
busted every article In the quaint room
to II fine polish.
Two great broad windows overlooked
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 profusely and ov-
er ran the ugly red clay that Enclosed,
them
Across one corner stood the piano. 1T
was the only really new thing at hand
and Its polished surface took on shad
ows of the ancient grandeur about it,
as If In apology for its presence here.
Opposite the flower window was am
other recess filled 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 fire
place with Its brass andirons and high
old mantel shelf was the heart and
core of the room.
Estella laid the fine thin old cloth
carefully on the round, polished table.
garnishing 1t by pinning little sprtgs
of holly on its satiny surface.
She placed Urania's chicken by the
warm hearthstone, and on a stool near
by laid a basket of rosy apples and
pile Of bread With the great toast-fork
on guard. With much pride of manner
she turned out a glass of crab-apple
| jelly into an old glass dish, and thanked
it by another dish of branded peaches.
THAT win surprise the GIRLS" she
said, and laughed little as she
showered Penelope's lavish supply of
candies in every conceivable little re-
ceptacle she could find.
Estelle looked queenly. Her black
satin gown was old. but she had drawn
over the patched waist a fichu of soft
yellow lace. and fastened In its folds
a bunch of pretty old velvet wall flow
ers. Her hair had trick of curling
itself into proper places, and a CLINT
of its old auburn tint was in Its white
1 sheen. Her eyes We're bright and her
/ cheeks rosy with expectancy.
Il Toward o'clock the shadows grew
/ heavier. Day was almost gone. Estella
4 Went to the window, looked out u mo-
! ment on the sea. Even the great deep
/ is quiet today" she said, and there is
no poor lonely l,stella this Christ
mas"
She drew the curtains put a fresh
J log on the blazing fire and hurried to
answer q tim!d 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
streets waits: Il pray you, merry
i gentenen.' Estella aushingly
whirled them into the room, saying: i
am dismayed.''
With many loving kisses. wishes for
merry Christmas and soft little
words, they We're Invested 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,
fluffy white thing that grew and grew
in amplitude; and Urania, after exam
lining the preparations for supper with
pleased anxiety, busted herself with
toast-fork and apples, Estella wandered
about the room idly for awhile, saying
IL few words, and now and again touch
ing the cheek or hair of her old friends
with the tips of her slight fingers. Then
finding her seat at the piano. she drift
ed off into the land of music and es-
tacy, golden-haired child, softly
beckoning the way.
Penelope and Urania kept quiet ac-
compartment with needles and fork
and up the chimney tiny flame spirits
danced, while the CHEEKY logs sang q