Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-12-20

bright yellow in the gasllght, and lnsloe
tho slttlngroom where Madam WARNS
sat. a log fire blazed cheerily on 'he
hearth. The richness ana War'uu
seemed TO strike the waif anew al'e,
par,lne with her shabby partners anu
she stopped moment to press her race
caresslngly against the newelpost Oe'
fore entering the room'
Madam warlng looked up hall inpa'
uently as the gin entered
oWhat made you so longY she ash'
cd 81 was in a hurry for that meai'
cine"
al walked back "stammered Poppy
oBut gave you carfare" She eyeu
the girl sternly, Poppy flushed hotly'
and stood rubbing one foot against the
other as though debating. Then
queer half-shamed laugh escaped heF.
"wen you see, It was this way she
finally confessed, q was going do"p
Kearny al two-forty gait and as
turned into Market, | nearly TOOK
wheel off Dlck-he was dom biz on the
corner. lie amt seen me before IN
these toys, and didn't he stareY 'Hello'
Mrs. Hetty Green says he, and WINS
teled fer the Rat, Then | says here
Penny nearly broke down with mirth
at the recollection. PapersY says L
1n take a Hammer, sonny And
give him the nickel for IT, SO you see
| ius' had 10 walk home. But Is yer
head bad-lot me rub tive seen SUI
san do It," with one of her quick
changes from drolery to concern she
went to the old lady's side.
Madam Waring smiled at her in an
amused way. The child with her fund
of wit and inexhaustble good-humor
was a constant surprise to the old LADY
who had been prepared for any amount
Of depravity in the little walf.
an overlook It this time, but you
must ne prompt when | send you on an
errand. No, my head is better, but l
am worn out, as always am TINS tilile
Of year, getting ready for christmas
It's u nuisance" 80, AZ,
christmas a nuisance! why Mr.
Gray says" began Poppy her plue
eyes wide with startled surprise. WIN
quick self-reproach Madam Waring ih-
terrupted her
"oh, not Christmas itself-that IS
holy and good. But 1t is what people
have made of It that wears one out
the gifts that no one cares for, the dln-
ners and all-Im tired TO death OF IT,
what a pity it doesn't come on the
29th Of February. like leap-year sug-
gested Poppy with one Of her brilliant
Inspirations. Madam Waring laughed.
Indeed, the lonely woman had laughed
more since the waif had come into her
house than In many months before.
Somehow 1t had come about that
Poppy was more and more with her,
and the long DAYS had grown to seem
less dreary and lonely TO the ohlldless
widow, when she could see the sharp
little face and hear her untringly
cheerful laugh
LET me tell you, Poppy how for 80
long years | have spent Christmas.
Since my dear husband died | have had
no one nearer TO me than q few rela-
tves who | see only few times a
year. On Christmas we keep up de-
lightful family custom OF dining togeth-
en-. You saw my nephew the other
day."
1.-THE swift young gent with the noisy
socks?" asked Poppy. Madam Warlng
nodded appreclatiyely at the descrip-
ton.
well, he Is an example Of the rest
q spendthrift lot living beyond their
means and running into debt on the
strength OF my money. Young Bradley
Waring s never so bored as when he
Is In the bosom OF his family and COM
PEELED TO stop talking horsey slang His
mother always looks disappointed when
she finds me looking well-They can't
wait to step into my shoes. They spend
Christmas day reviling my church 10
my very face, when they know ii Is
the one comfort OF my old age-they are
so afraid that one penny OF my wealth
may be diverted from their expeotant
moneybags. | wish they had II now.
II has never brought me a moments
happiness" The woman had forgotten
the child now and went on talking TO
herself In the excited, querulous way OF
old age. Poppy with half-frightened
yet sympathetic eyes, sought TO calm
her.
"What makes you have 'em nj all?"
she asked, TO recall the angry old lady.
christmas is family day.-and ii is
hard TO break away from CUSTOM she
replied"
well, I'd break away from custom