The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-03-23

to a plate for thee Uncle Tom. Re sharp.
lass. l think at | hear thee mothers step"
It'll spoil the puddin'."
Not il! Fetch it down and pick Z middle
out. and lay it on a big saucer for thee
Uncle Tom. and 90 1t when / bids thee.
What's in that jug. lamar
Its celery" said the girl. "Oh. do come
away. Granny-you'd be starved 10 death"
Starved, I'm "a warm as toast. Pick out
Z white inside bits. them lille tender pieces.
and lay them on T. plate by I cheese. He's
fond O. celery. IS Tom; and it's been = tirri-
bic long journey"
"oh. Granny. do come! III have to call
mother"
whist! whist! And keep how'd o. that
cheese. Is thar on'y mince pies? Aye. 1 see
some mince pies,'' And Granny's hands i'm
mediately took hold OF one and laid 1t in
her apron pocket. Then another. and an
, other. and another. with sly cunning
Elances toward the door.
Eth. Granny said lamar, you're sn
awful woman to do WITH
Granny took little notice OF such observa-
lions: but put a queenscake in her apron
and snatched up another piece Of cheese.
Now, Use gang to bed she said. "Gae
FIRST. lamar. and keep thee mother of my
tracks. She's that greedy she'll hev me put
'em all back again!"
Tamar led the way, carrying the blinking
little candle very carefully up the staircase.
| Granny's bedroom was over the kitchen. on
| account OF the warmth. Her bed was coy
, cred with a checked counterpane. which
looked rather like a draft board. She was
| chuckllng to herself and pulling out her
treasures There was a baby's wooden era
die. She laid her things In II. covering them
with paner. and then with a little blanket
! lamar undressed her and then felt that the
old body's hands were icy cold. 'Oh. Gran
ny. you are starved"
Nay. lass. not a Bit Mind tha' doesn't
let on to thee mother aboot these things.
Tell her that Use as warm as toast: and
that size needn't come to tnck me up. Aye.
tell her that. my lass. tell her that"
lamar fetched her grandmother n basin
OF hot Cruel. and then with 4 promise to
keep the visit to the dairy n profound Sc
cret. she went off to join the Others on the
flags. The singers were just coming through
the gates. 1t was bitterly cold. The wind
was moaning ard signing. as though there
might yet be n snowstorm: now and then
a few dead leaves whirled up into che air and
went rustling along the walls with a dry.
cracking noise. Yet nothing could be felt
but a few sharp drops Of cold water. which
came and went with the occasional gusts
OF wind. Tho singers drew near to the
warm lights OF the kitchen, and shook
thems elves. and began to stamp the ground.
"a merry Christmas TO you ALL" said
John.
Aye. John, and to you" said some one.
HOO x tONu DOuy Is ~ UlilIlil . Ell
Tell her to hap hersel cop In a shawl.
and COON and hear COS sing"
NAY. she's niyer done that. Jack. sin
Tom stopped writinS.'
Power thing. She'll niver see Tom on
this side of eternity. Fetch her DOT. lamar.
lass: it'll do her guide"
Nay" said lamar. very decidedly. Use
putten her to bed; and l shall hae none o.
We disturbin' he-."
And as lamar was the most important
being, on the question Of her grandmother.
TO one demurred-the organ began to play,
and the wesleyans to sing.
The kitchen was left deserted The warm
freight fiickered across the thick hearth
rug, and lit up all the bright things on the
wall. The big clock licked steadily on
amidst the glad voices Of the singers. The
cat buried itself more deeply into the rug.
end looked rather suspicioisly up at the
windows every time the wind brought a few
rain drops.
By and by the singers closed the organ
and were heard to retrace their steps. The
servant girl came rushing In for caps and
shawls, and the whole family followed their
friends into the lane. shouting merrily as
they went.
ly from the shadow OF a barn door, and en-
tered the garden. He stood for a moment
with a dazed look. as IL trying to recoliect
something. Then, very gently. he lifted the
latch. and went In.
Again he stood in silent perplexity. and
again reused himself. This time he walked
into the kitchen, and took his stand on the
hearthrug. A minute later he went 10 a
cupboard and pulled out a candlestick. as IL
he had not to look for II. He lit it By tho
IRE and then looked anxiously toward the
corner chair.
They have all gone" he said. half aloud
my mother is dead"
He gave a long. deep agh. ana went to
the window. He lifted the cushion from the
broad seat, and looked underneath. Tt Is
not there" he said. AS far back as I can
remember she put her apron there. before
she vent upstairs. I am too late: I have
been too slow In my love-"
Still hope dies slowly. and often takes
fresh breath when We have thought her
gone. He turned swiftly to the dresser door.
opened II, and looked In. Yes. there was
ono Of her caps. He knew the funny little
black net hood. set In with black beads.
and shiny black ribbon. Yes. and b knew