Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1903-12-25
zens though. for fear they MIA, pu,

II 'hh' N' WcIt DuLy
ones for Frances. She sent a telegram
telling o. her safe arrival and found |
only time for the briefest notes tin |
after Christmas. on account of the
many places to 70 and the delightful
things to do. Aunt Caroline enjoyed
the company and the frolics to the
utmost and urged her niece to make
the old house as lively as possible.
The girls and boys she played with
years before flocked to see her, bring
ing friends with them, till Frances
declared this the incest visit she ever
had in her life.
You and | are the committee on
dolls for the poor children's Christmas
tree" said Horace, coming into the
parlor where Frances was putting up
holly for the great day. Imagine
waiting till three days before the
t~wenty-ffth before looking after dolls,
But it's not their fault. for Miss Gray
would have attended to it If her moth
er had not taken sick. Come. get your
sunbonnct and Wen make short work
of the infants"
I'm going to buy some candy and
fruit for the people at the hospital"
said Frances when the dolls were dis
posed of. Papa gave me come gold
pieces to spend and they are burning
holes in my pockets"
IA good idea. I'll 20 halves. for
feel like celebrating, too"
over and over again Frances wished
the folks at home could see her during
tho hnpnv hnIilnup ENnru Inttnr &
sured them that she was having q firo
time. but it is impossible to put the
spirit of good times on paper. The
Christmas tree for the Sunday school
of Third street church was n complete
success and then tho young people
trooped off to the mission to distribute
gifts and candy to the factory people
who could not attend the big church
up town"
Are you homesick, Fanny asked
Nellie Devon, with an arm around
Frances as the gay crowd sat waiting
for the clock to strike IL on Christmas
eve in Mrs. Towards old-fashioned
parlor. Il don't want to remind you
of home or MAKE you sad, but you
must have so many pleasant things to
do in the city that W. never heard
about"
II don't know what they are"
laughed Frances. 81 think | could give
the president information about The
Strenuous Life since I've been hero.
This Is the busiest and happiest holi-
day time | ever had. except that | want
all the folks at home to enjoy 1t, too"
"You must all come TO dinner to-
morrOw--nO, to-day" said Mrs How
ard as the young people started home.
at has been so many years since |
had such a flock around me that | must
make the most of 1t. | want Frances
to have a good time so she will want
to come every year"
Frances felt a touch Of self-rcproach
on Christmas morning when she re-
mcmbcrcd the neat little parcels abe
was to have opened on the evening be-
fore. She had fallen into the happy
sleep that visits the pure-hoartcd with
out a thought for the lovely time she
was having and a little prayer for her
family and friends. AS she smoOthed
out the note slipped through the beau
tiful ring. she smiled 10 read the ten
der mossarc-"My Dear DAUGHTER:
| nope lHI5 VIII De 'he h1pIleSI 'h'I8t-
mas OF your me 10 reward you Tor
EiVlnG up your own pressure I" 'ra'iy
! Aunt Caroline. Many happy return. Of
Tie day, sweetheart. Mother"
MIS- lip""'u I""hu ''il' On 'h''h'"
mas DAY lor u lohH Icl'er 70 h'r prom
or, IN "hich 8hc '"I"' you mus -
prepared 10 EI'r "S your niue Ffn"S'
'"r an sure Horace Devon mas per