Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-12-20

kissed Miss Betty. 1T is dear in
stead of foolish. Why. Miss Betty,
that is the Ohristmss spirit, giving
the best
The day before Christmas was clear
and cold. Taere 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 ali the
afternoon.
Come home to supper IN az hour,
dear, she called back to Florence,
who stood IN tue door way, her suouy
head outlined against mass of dusky
evergreeAs Florence nodded srnil-
ing assent, aud MISS Betty hurried
on. Sre stopped for the mail aud
found carl from the express office.
Calling there she received tie pack.
age from the florist.
Jam % glad ordered the car
nations" 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.
/ know Florence will be pleased with
the cup and saucer. 1t seems almost
Providential that'I bought it, for she
does love pretty china. Aud I'm
glad / have that other handkerchief
for our ministers wife. Mrs. Perry
is real lady, and she don't have any
too many of the pretty things women
like. "
Miss Betty was home by that time.
In trice she had the stove open and
the kettle on. AS she took the scar.
let carnations from the box and in.
hailed their spicy fragrance, a gurg-
ling laugh broke from her lips.
'"What a Ounce you were, Betty
Dane, to go and buy yourself Christ
mas presents Why. l have given
them all away but the book, and i
wish there were some one to whom 1
could give that. have learned that
the blessedness Of Christmas is in Civ.
ing, not in getting.
/ She soon had the coffee and the
water for the oysters on the stove.
As she brought dish OF salad from
the pantry she heard the door bell
ring.
Miss Dane went forward and open.
ed the door. A mans voice asked ;
lis Miss Florence Nesbit in ?"
"Miss Nssbit will be here in few
minutes. Will you walk in and wait
for her p
Indeed / will, ma'am. i am The
child's uncle, and | have just come
home from long stay abroad to find
that my poor sister lost all her money
before her death. The idea Of Flor.
ence teaching school when I've more
money thsn-Eh 2 Why, you are
Betty Dane T.
Miss Betty looked up into the
bronzed bearded face.
Eyes, Jack; am Betty Dane :
The man, came step nearer. bet
ty | was hot headed fool in the old
days. You were right TO throw noe
over and not to answer my letter, but
it hurt. / hurts yet. Betty, for
have never loved any other woman.
The little spinster had grown very
pale. Should she speak 2 II cost
her great effort to put aside her
fatal shyness, but she did it.
II never knew there was letter,
Jack it did not reach me. i have
been true to your memory all these
years"
Florence came Eve minutes later
She found Miss Betty in the arms o
her uncle, Jack Patterson. II tool
some time to explain matters. The
delight of the girl almost equallec
that of the elderly lovers.
| 1t was while they were at supper
that Miss Betty looked up to cay:
"Ohl I am so glad / bought tina,
book You don't understand, Jack
but I've Christmas present read,
for you"
Mr.. Patterson's eyes twiukled.
"That lie fine. | am sorry, Betty
that have nothing TO offer you,Doth
ing but love"
Glad tears dimmed Miss Betty
sight. Her hearts hunger was salts
fed. The perfect human gift--th'
image Of the Gift that brought Cbrist
mas TO the world--was hers