The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-12-20

and no one doubted hat she would
grow up to be a beautiful woman.
Silky, golden ringlets covered her
head, and large eyes which seemed
sometimes graz and wistful, but
oftenest just the tint of the ~violets,
lighted UP a round, chubby little face.
The scarlet lips were usually parted
in a friendly smile, disclosing a row
of snow-white, baby teeth, and the
nose confessed to the slightest tilt.
Mary Elizabeth, she had been christ
ened, but when only a few months
old she had been pronounced by her
proud nurse simply angelic-just
the image of a wee little cherub,"
and since then all thought of the real
name seemed to have been forgotten;
therceforth this fat, rosy little piece
of humanity was known as "Cherub,"
and only as "Cherub."
Everyone loved her, for she had
an amiable disposition, and when she
laughed and each cheek dimpled pref
tily. she was irresistible. But woe to
the person who incurred her displeas-
ure. 4 frown from her meant trou-
BILE, and during the five years of her
11iS iSI pa SACS Aao SIOWh " huO"
that when that little face puckered a
storm was brewing, and that it would
be we'll to take Miss Cherub in hand
at once.
This young lady was bUbbling over
with mischief, and generally when
they found her sitting alone with that
faraway, sanity expression, they
knew that way down beneath those
curls a plan OF action was being
formed which would surely get some
one into trouble-undoubtedly Bob
by. Her chief delight was found in
making this small brother her accom-
plice, leading him on to carry out her
campaigns and having him receive
the punishment. When she was con-
fronted with the charge, "Cherub,
you started that" she would raise
those wide, innocent eyes, look
straight at her accuser, and say with
the slightest droop to the corners Of
her mouth: Bobby did it." 1t pres
ent. however, she was being lawful
good" for tomorrow would be
Christmas and she had placed many
letters up the chimney Of the fine,
big Fifth avenue residence, asking
Santa Clause for ali sorts OF nice
presents, which she was sure not to
get unless she was an obedient little
girl.
Christmas morning, before any one
in the house but the servants was
awake, the two children were excited
~ whispering together about what
jolly cd Saint Nicholas had left for
each, COR sleep was far distant, and
nurses scolding and attempt at per-
suasi0n was of TO avail.
Near breakfast time Aunt Gladys
Dupont, their mothers pretty young
sister, just two years out Of board
ing school, who had lately arrived to
spend the holidays with the family,
came to the nursery and with a
hearty Merry C~nristmas." kissed
each OF the children, and dc them
that they could get dressed and come
to the dining room.
Immediately on finishing breakfast
MI. Baldwin would unlock the Ii
brary door, where each year the tree
and stockings awaited them; Of
course, the children would eat moth
ing. At last every one was ready and
stationed Just outside that enchanted
room. Impatiently jumping up and
down, hardly daring to breathe, the
little ones urged father to hurry.
When they burst into the brightly
lighted room it was good to see their
faces. Their shouts and screams of
delight and loud "Ohs," and "Ahs!'
could be heard all over the house, as
each discovered his many gifts under
the brightly decorated tree.
When, an hour after, Cherub and
Bobby were dragged off to church."
as they were pleased to express it,
they left their hearts as well as dolls
and woolly dogs in the library at
home. Naturally they squirmed and
twisted through the whole service,
and occasionally whispered to each
other N eager tones.
That afternoon they we're allowed
to invite four of their little friends to
a small party. They were all playing
under the tree with the Christmas
things, and as Mr.. and Mrs. Baldwin
had gone to walk Gladys proposed
having a game Of 81 spy" with the
youngsters. AS she announced this
Cherub, who was always the leader,
yelled, "Hurrah for Aunt Gladys.
Now she can be it," and then whis-
pered, just as audibly, mo, Bob,
choose to get under the sofa; stop
pushing MEAS they were hiding.
Coming, ready or not!" called
Gladys, as she started off on a hunt
that proved fruitless. AS she ran
into the hall to continue the search
she came face to face with the man
to whom she had but recently beer
engaged. 1t was the first time she
had seen him since the night, three
weeks before, when she had returned
the ring and refused to listen to the
explanation which would have cleared
the misunderstanding, II although
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