Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-12-20

such heaps of things
yep. An we eat so mucn Couldn't
we eat little less-just little less of
everything?"
'I-Ill try" gulped Amos. thinking
of buttered pancakes and honey.
So they did try, and succeeded-not
very very we'll, but well enough to
make Miss Calisty heartsick with re-
newed apprehension. She had begun
to family hope that something else
might have happened to the scarf-but
this Indifference to food could but be
the result of guilty and struggling con-
sciences-nothing less
Thanksgiving came, with pumpkin
pie and a host of accompanying good
things that tried the twins resolution
to the limit, but they adhered to it suf-
ficiently well to make Miss Calisty
nearly ill, and she was more than half
resolved to make an end of the sus-
pense, and bid them speak and let the
worst be known" But no. the confess
sion must be ''free-will offering" So
she kept her aching heart on the rack,
and the constrained days passed on.
The morning of the day before
Christmas broke wild and stormy, with
a wind that rocked the sturdy old
house and lashed its roof with the elm
branches. Breakfast was progressing,
rather silently. when there came such
crash outside that they were all up
and at the window before the echoes
died away. There lay the old sweeting
tree. still quivering.
MY dear old treeI' 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 poldng about. Suddenly
Amos gave a shout, and held up in
both hands a bright soft something.
Calisty sank into a chair, weak as
a 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 a windy day." re-
sponded Miss Calisty, in a queer,
choked voice, as she held the scarf at
arms length Suddenly she hid her
face in it and cried and cried and cried.
Then she Rugged the twins-both at
once till they gasped.
Il b'lieve it's clearing off," she cried,
"an | b'lieve I'll take the stage an
ketch the train for the city. I'm kind
of behind on Christmas things.
amt felt well o. late, an so kept put
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 it was
not havin' money at ALL"
Nor H. replied Amos. with convie-
tion-and mournfully thinking of the
pancakes he might have had.
But to his credit be it said he never
threw 1t 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
lv. and they awoke betimes-but earl
ier 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 a wonder that swal-
lowed up all others-a big bough of
the old sweeting tree, fastened up Sc
curely by the fireplace. bright with
streamers and candles, and laden with
gifts and under it-Panky!
She's come to stay" gasped Miss
Calisty, between hugs.
''Always?"
"Alwaysi" replied Miss Calisty. with
rapturous decision.
"Always!" echoed half-laughed,
half-sobbed, Panky-
And. neither Miss Calisty nor the
twins being people given to much
speaking, she never knew how she had
worried them until they voluntarily
half-starved themselves, and they new
er knew how much, how nearly every
thing that queer Christmas tree meant
to their dear Lady Bountiful.-Minnie
Ieona Upton. in American Messenger.