Perth Amboy evening news., 1904-12-24

kerchiefs she had purchased for her
self.
Il suppose it is foolish to send a wom-
an in her circumstances such a nice
one" she said. in a shame-faced way to
Florence. but women like-well, they
like pretty gifts on Christmas
Florence bent her sunny head and
kissed Miss Betty. TT is dear instead
of foolish. Why, Miss Betty, that is the
Christmas spirit, giving the best"
The day before Christmas was clear
and cold. There was no snow. but the
earth lay brown and bare in the grasp
of the frost king. Just as the shades of
evening were beginning to fall Miss
Betty emerged from the church where
she had been all the afternoon.
Come home to supper in an hour.
dear" she called back to Florence, who
stood in the doorway, her sunny head
outlined against a mass Of dusky ever
greens. Florence nodded a smiling as
sent, and Miss Betty hurried on. She
stopped for the mail and found a card
from the express office. Calling there
she received the, package from the for
+ list.
II am so glad / ordered the carna-
TONS" Miss Dane said to herself.
Florence will be delighted with them.
In the morning she shall take a few
over to Miss Bliss, who is sick. I know
Florence will be pleased with the cup
and saucer 1t seems almost Providen-
tial that / bought it, for she does love
pretty china. And I'm glad | have
that other handkerchief for our minis
ter's wife. Mrs. Perry is a real lady,
and she don't have any too many of the
pretty things women like"
Miss Betty was home by that time. In
a trice she had the stoves open and the
kettle on. AS she took the scarlet car
nations from the box and inhaled their
spicy fragrance, a gurgling laugh broke
from her lips.
What a Ounce you were, Betty Dane,
to go and buy yourself Christmas pres
ents! Why, l have given them all away
but the book, and I wish there were
some one to whom l could give that. |
have learned that the ~blessedness Of
.f
Christmas in is giving. not in getting"
She soon had the coffee and the water
for the oysters on The stove. AS she
brought a dish of salad from the pantry
she heard the door bell ring.
Miss Dane went forward and opened
the door. A mans voice asked:
as Miss Florence Nesbit in?"
Miss Nesbit will be here in a few
minutes. Will you walk in and wait
for herr"
Indeed I will, ma'am. I am the
child's uncle, and | have just come home
from a long stay abroad to find that my
poor sister lost all hermoney before her
death. The idea Of Florence teaching
school when I've more money than
Eth! Why, you are Betty Danel"
Miss Betty looked up into the bronzed
bearded face.
Eyes, Jack; I am Betty Daniel"
The man came step nearer. Betty,
l was a hot4headed fool in the old
days. You were right tofhrow me e
and not to answer my letter, but it hurt.
1t hurts yet, Betty, for I have never
ldveo any other woman"
The little spinster had grown very
pale. Should she speak? 1t cost her a
great effort to put aside her fatal shy
ness, but she did it.
81 never knew there was a letter,
Jack; 1t did not reach me. I have been
true to your memory all these years"
Florence came five minutes later. She
found Miss Betty in the arms of her
uncle, Jack Patterson. 1t took some
time to explain matters. The delight
of the girl almost equaled that of the
elderly lovers.
| 1t was while they were at supper that
Miss Betty looked up to say:
"Oh! l am so glad bought that booki
You don't understand, Jack, but I've a
Christmas present ready for you"
Mr.. Patterson's eyes twinkled.
THAT is fine. l am sorry, Betty, that
I have nothing to offer you, nothing but
love-"
Glad tears dimmed Miss Betty's
sight. Her hearts hunger was salts
fed. The perfect human gift-the i'm
age of the Gift that brought Christmas
to the world-was hers.-Washington
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