The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1906-12-20

pE@ AdgIGl 1AEA AlAE S8s~Sf
and no one doubted that she would
grow up 10 be q beautiful woman
Silky. golden ringlets covered her
head, and large eyes which seemed
sometimes gray and wistful. but
oftenest Just the tint OF the violets.
lighted up round. chubby little face
The scarlet lips were usually parted
in friendly smile. disclosing q row
Of snow-white. baby teeth. and the
nose confessed 10 the slightest tilt
Mary Elizabeth, she had been christ
Fned, but when only a few months
old she had been pronounced b. her
proud nurse simply angelic-1ust
the image OF a wee little cherub.
and since then all thought OF the real
name seemed 10 have been forgotten;
| lhenceforth this fat. rosy little piece
| Of humanity was known as "Cherub.
and only as "Cherub."
Everyone loved her. for she had
| an amiabIe disposition. and when she
| laughed and each cheek dimpled pref
| lily, she was irresistible. But woe to
| he person who incurred her displeas-
ure. A frown from her meant trou-
| BILE, and during the five years OF her
| life her parents had grown TO know
| that when that little face puckered a
| storm was brewing. and that it would
| be well 10 take Miss Cherub in hand
at once
This young lady was bubbling over
with mischief, and generally when
| fhnxy found har aJnnn With nh a
| faraway, sanity expression. they
! knew that way down beneath those
| curtis a plan of action was being
| formed which would surely get some
one into trouble-undOubt 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." At pres
ent, however, she was being awful
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 all sorts of nice
! presents. which she was sure not to
| get unless she was an obedien. little
| girl.
Christmas morning, before any one
| in the house bpt the servants was
awake. the two children were excited
~ whispering together about what
| jolly old Saint Nicholas had left for
| each. for sleep was far distant, and
nurses scolding and attempt at per-
| suasion was of no 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 witk a
| hearty Merry Christmas" kissed
each of the children, and told them
! that they could get dressed and come
| to the dining room.
Immediately on finishing breakfast
| Mr.. Baldwin would unlock the H.
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 Obs" 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 of to church.
as they were pleased to express It
they left their hearts as we'll as dolls
and woolly dogs in the library al
home. Naturally they squirmed and
twisted through the whole service
and occasionally whispered to each
other in eager tones.
That afternoon they were allowed
to invite four of their little friends tc
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 Il 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: stol
pushing MEAS they were hiding.
Coming, ready or mott" called
Gladys, as she started off on a hum
that proved fruitless. AS she rar
into the hall to continue the search
she came face to face with the mar
TO whom she had but recently beer
engaged. 1t was the first time sh,
I 1t