Danville intelligencer. [volume] (Danville, Pa.) 1859-1907, 1906-01-05

the sidewalk the footman threw open
the door. She stood for an instant, as
If thinking, and then, turning quickly,
she went back into the vestibule, where
the child was still standing.
"Will you come with me a minute?
Out of the crowd" she added hastily
as the girl faced her with surprised
eyes aud an unchldlike repelling look
on her thin face.
"Wil you step into the carriage?
Please do. | want you to tell me
something, and it is so very cold
The girl seated herself on the luxu-
rous cushions, the young lady fol-
lowed, and the inwardly disgusted
footman closed the door.
"Will you tell me your name and
where you livc?" the lady questioned
gently.
The child regarded her earnestly.
depends Oh who you are and what
you want. You amt Il charity worker
nor a slum visitor?"
The young lady smiled understand
ingly
my name is Margaret Stanhope, and
l live on Commonwealth avenue. You
you spoke Of Tommy"
The girls face softened.
"Yes; he's my brother. My name is
Maggie Taylor, and live on Burnham
street." adding with return of her
former manner, but it amt slum
street, and don't want no charity"
Miss Stanhope smiled radiantly.
II, \
names are the same. l need just what
you do not-charity. Tell me some.
thing about Tommy" She fingered
lovingly over the name. "Why did you
pray for a tree for him."
because he's sick. He's only twelve,
and he works in an office, and his boss
is away, and Tommy took sick after
he'd gone. Tommy feels sure that IL
he was here he'd send his wages to
him just the same, for he's good boss
and awfully kind to everybody, but the
other man-his pardner-is different"
Maggie" said Miss Stanhope ear
nestly, Il wish you'd help me to have
a happy Christmas. l am all alone in
the world without any one to care for
me, and want to do something for
some onc-for some one named Tom.
my, because-because six months ago
did wrong and cruel thing to some
one by that name. 1t would help make
my Christmas happy If you would let
me arrange tree for your Tommy.
VIII you?
The girl drew q long breath.
,f.. II. IL, -
fully.
"Not to YOU nor to Tommy" answer
ed Miss Stanhope joyUusly, but 1t will
be to me-"
"For Tommy's sake" murmured the
girl assentlngly.
For Toms sake" echoed Miss Stan.
hope tenderly.
The unbcnding footman was still
more disgusted when he was directed
TO make another round of the stores,
and his bearing was absolutely frigid
when he was required to carry most
unbecoming load of bundles up the
stairs to the little home on Burnham
street. That the indignity Of a good
sized tree was laid upon him also re-
quired the concentration Of all his
thoughts upon the generous wages
Miss Stanhope paid to enable him to
endure the present situation.
Il keep house for father and Tom.
my" whispered Maggie, leading the
way. "Tommy's in the kitchen. left
him there in the big chair cause it's
warmer. Wen take all these things in
bere"-opening the door of neat sit,
ting room-"and when we get the tree
fixed I'll push him In in the chair"
Surely never before was tree SO
quickly made to blossom and bring
forth fruit, and it was a true" tree,
, with gifts on every side. Z.
Maggie surveyed it with joyful pride,
her thin face losing its careMorn look