The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1904-12-24
The Christmas Eel
lowship Of Miss Nab
ISABEL GORDON CURTIS
(ReprTnted from Good Housekeeping by
PermiSsion)

share the hospitality OF her small
home. Never since she had been LEI
alone in the world-and that occurre'
when she was 17-had she known
lonely Christmas; there we're Away
some forsaken creatures ready to turl
gratefully to the shelter OF her home
All these festivities had brought Ger
tain heart warmth and happiness
which fingered for months, bit 1t hat
not meant fellowship or sympathy.
II believe want little BIZ o.
Christmas to myself this year." MISS
Nab whispered to herelf; tits sich
hard work, all the fixln's! do love
to see the old women an the starved
boys an girls fiji themselves up. What
they want. though, is the eatin'. They
don't know nothin' about fellowship.
When woman steps over the 40 line
an has been alone all her life. there's
a sort of longfn' for' fellowship-ain't
there. Maltie?"
The gray cat arched his back and
rubbed his plump body against Miss
MAIDS dress.
Its fine dinner" observed Miss
NAB in her solitary musing: "it's a
fine enough dinner to deserve fellow
ship" She rose and walked to the
front window. 81 might Jest as well
ont with what Is on nv MIND" SIZE
said. II know who want to invite as
we'll as can be: all that's troublin' me
Is the propriety OF It Now IL the
little thing hednt father. I'd take
ser In and keep her-longer'n Christ
ms. too"
She was watching six-year-cld
girl who lived in the big board 'ng
house across the street, which was
"thronged and lonesome" es Miss Nab
expressed It, Every afternoon about
five the child fingered on the steps
and watched eagerly till man turned
the corner-a tall, roundshouldered.
thin. sickly-looking man. AS soon IA
she caught sight OF him she darted
like a swallow down the street and
fairly threw herself into his arms. He
always slung his lunch box on his
wrist and lifted her to his breast
They did net seem to talk. The head
with its brown curls was laid content
eddy on his shoulder and occasionally
the father bent to rub his cheek
against the child's pale face. lie
climbed the steps with the little girl In
his aims and shut the door behind
him.
Its fellowship inside there" sh:
whispered; then she sat down to hel
lonely little tea table
At seven o'clock she put Matte Il
mis- bed down cellar; afterward sh,
dressed and started for prayer meet
ing. Two or three friends stopped t.
speak to her. They decided she was II
an absent mood for she did not seen
TO know what they were talking about
Miss Nab had only one thought in hei
mind, and 1t seemed to rhyme with
the hymn. 1t mingled with the short
discourse and prayer. It had only one
tenor: she was longing TO have tbs
minister settle monotonous question
for her. II seemed as If all the cen
gregation fingered to talk with him
after prayer meeting. That night once
or twice he held out welcoming
hand but she evaded It: she could not
seek his advice until she was alone
At last everybody was gone but her
self The young clergyman came for
ward genially.
81 wanted to speak to you just Q
minute, Mr.. Pierce. live alone. yor,
know. an I want to give some other
folks who are kind OF lonesome a bill
Of Christmas comfort an fellowship
an a good dinner"
ct know nothing more BETTING thu
spirit Of Christmas" said the clergy.
man, cordially; at ia following the
very teachings of our Master"
I'D like to tell you. though, who j
U.s." said Miss Nab. eagerly; "it's a lit
tie girl who lives across the street II
a great. noisy. desolate boardins
house. She'd have to bring her father
for he's all she has. They seem to b
terrible devoted to each other. reck
on he's a widower-though dom
know. I've never spoken a word I,
either OF 'em. thought you'd tell N
whether 'twould be proper or not?
"There can be no question Of tn
propriety. Miss Nab" he said earnes:
ny. 'Tn your Kindness Of heart yo
could make no mistake"
Miss Nab took his proffered har
warmly. Thank you," she said
''thank you SO much!"
Next day she watched for the littl
girl. who did not appear till about hall
past four. and then she came out [
hop nimbly up and down the fight G
stone steps. Miss Nab threw shaw
over her head and crossed the snow
street. She had gracious way wit
children which readily reached thei
hearts. The shyness Of the child dis
appeared while Miss Nab delivered
nervous invitation. You'll remem
ber," she said gently. what I war
you to do. Jest whisper to you
father when he picks you up at III
street corner that lonely old woma
who lives across the street wishes
DIT of Christmas fellowship. an II 20
and he haven't anything else planne
she invites you to come and dine wit
her tomorrow. I'll watch for you I
come back. an " Won wave your han
I'll know you'll come. You can r.
member" Z