Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-12-20

noise, young ladies, II you please"
Jet us do It Owe again" cried Es-
tella. Come TO my rooms on Christmas
night at 8 o'clock. Urania may send the
cooked chicken: you, Penelope, shall
send the nuts and candies, and / will
do the rest"
Professor wenseI did not become
richer In pocket through these old la
dies, but X. as he said repeatedly in his
lecture, spiritual rewards always found
and enriched him, he u have been
In affluence after this night.
People wondered why Urania laughed
SO much. one old boarder saying some
one must have left her q fortune. An
other thought she must be on the look
out for a husband, after which astute
conjecture he gave extra attention to
his hair and clothes, and tied his scarf
with wondrous care.
Penelope worked with u zeal that
ner employers were surprised. One day.
she hummed q little tune to herself, at
which toe Junior partner remarked:
by Jove, there's plenty of courage
and work In the old girl yet"
Estella spent every PAL moment in
making her two rooms beautiful and i'm
maculate. She had ceased to grumble
abou the chimney place being draugh-
ty. 1t was no longer IAN unsatisfac-
tory heater and quite out Of date" 1t
was now glorious, such a 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
h children's ward In the old hospital,
and was so funny and lovely that the
pale little creature stretched out their
hands to her. and laughed a little with
their hoarse pain-laden voices. She had
pmntia6 her nnnkatq nf nannipC tn tho
beggars that beset her homeward path.
and at 3 o'clock In the afternoon had
busted every article in the quaint room
to n fine polish.
Two great broad windows overlooked
a sioping hill and the roofs of many
houses. Beyond lay the great gray
ocean. A side window was shelved
from top to sill, and filed with potted
plants that doomed profusely and ov-
err ran the ugly red clay that inclosed
them.
Across one corner stood the piano. 1t
vas the only really new thing at hand,
and Its polished surface took on shad-
ows of the ancient grandeur about 1t.
as IL in apology for it's presence here.
Opposite the flower window was an
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 it's brass andirons and high
old mantel shelf was the heart and
core OF the room.
Estella laid the fine thin Did cloth
carefully on the round, polished table,
garnishing 1t by pinning little sprigs
of holly on It's satiny surface.
She placed Urania's chicken by the
warm hearthstone, and on a stool near
by laid a basket of rosy apples and a
pile of bread with the great toast-fork
on guard. With much pride Of manner
she turned u a glass Of crab-apple
jelly into an old glass dish, and flanked
it by another dish of branded peaches
THAT will surprise the girls she
said, and laughed a 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 1chu Of soft
yellow lace, and fastened In It's folds
a bunch of pretty old velvet wall flow
ers. Her hair had a trick Of curling
itself into proper places, and a CLINT
Of its old auburn tint vas In it's white
sheen. Her eyes were bright and heI
cheeks rosy with expectancy.
Toward 5 o'clock the shadows grew
heavier. Day was almost gone. Estella
went to the window, looked out a mo-
ment On the sea. Even the great deer
is quiet today" she said, "and there is
no poor lonely Estella this Christ
mas"
She drew the curtains, put a fresh
log on the blazing fire and hurried tc
answer a timid 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 ole
streets waits: II pray you merry
gentlemen" Estella laughingly
whirled them into the room, saying: 81
am dismayed."
With many loving kisses, wishes fol
merry Christmas" and soft little
words, they were Invested Of wraps anc
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 hat grew and grew
in amplitude; and Urania. after exam
lining the preparations for supper with
pleased anxiety, busted herself with
toast-fork and apples, Fstella wandered
about the room idly for awhile, saying
a few words, and now and again touch
ing the cheek or hair Of her old friend.
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, q golden-haired child, softl.
reckoning the way.
Penelope and Urania kept a quiet &C,
compartment with needles and fork
and up the chimney tiny flame spirit!
danced, while the CHEEKY logs sang
tune all their own
AS the last notes of "Chopin's La
ment" fell on the air, a great tea
splashed down Urania's soft cheek anC
fell into the snowy hea Of the las
roasted apple.
"Time!" cried Penelope, though he
own eyes were moist and she drove he
knitting needle straight through TIL
unsuspecting apple.
Estella sprang UP and came laughing
to the fireside. Then up jumped the 9th
ers, and, singing the Keel Row.
danced about the table as in thei
school days.
The flames shot a pink light on tn
opposite wall, and made the dancing
figures look like little girls. The oil
portraits on the wall look on a disap
proving air, and the little flame spiri
jeered; but the great logs ang a sol
sweet song, and the dear Christ Chill
nestled close to the old hearts that ha
found him, and caressed the wrinkles
faces into images of love and peace.