Connecticut western news., 1906-12-20

cake and plum pudding. She planned for turkey and for chicken pie, and aer husband eyed her in gloomy retro spection of the glad old times, growl ing out to her that she seemed to be preparing for an army, and she fash ed out that this wasn't the time to be stingy and perhaps there would be some poor to feeJi-there always had been so far.
 Then came the 24th day os Decem- bcr, heavy snowstorm and much embarrassment for the old couple, Each had secretly sent all the children presents and a letter. neither mention ing the other. and the lawyer had call ed on them and told them that 1t was time to drop the divorce business and make up or push it and have 1t over with. They almost drove him from the house. and he laughed as he went down the street.
 About noon John came in, gruff and shy, and put a great armful of holly on the white kitchen table. She looked at him till he explained
 May Carr give it to me They had loo much at the church. and she give me no chance to say l didn't want it. you know Nays way. She said the Christmas tree was the biggest the church ever had and there were more children needing things. She asked If you had anything pretty or useful you didn't want. and l said l would ask you"
 They had missed the church woeful- ly and had always helped out with ey- erything. They had always been cheer ful and charitable. This appeal touch ed them both.
 Mary rummaged about and sent an offering that rejoiced the hearts of those who were trimming the tree. John took it to the church, and every body shook hands with him and in the general gladness seemed to have for gotten that anything was wrong
 About i, while Mary was alone rest ing after putting up all the holly. a telegram came for John. She did not know where he was. and she suffered the usual agony of simple people un- accustomed to receiving telegrams. She dared not open it and imagined the death and burial of all her children and grandchildren. one after the other.
 While she was in this, frame of mind another message came. and the boy had scarcely gone when a third ar rived. Then she sent neighbor's boy for her husband and received him al- most fainting. He was as frightened as she. but the first read: Meet o'clock train tonight. Mary" The sec ond said: Meet 6 o'clock train tonight Paul." The third bade him meet the 6 o'clock train and was signed Eliza beth" While they stood staring at each other a boy brought another. This was different.
 Meet s o'clock train from west for little Christine. Alice died suddenly yesterday Mother. give her home till can get to you. Letter later" It was , then. They stood staring a mo- ment, and then Mary fell to piling wood on the fire and spoke briefly to John.
 Father, you'll have to hurry to get to that train" He went out to the barn and hitched the team to the double cut ter. When he came back he lifted down to their grandmother's arms her daughter Nary's three children. three of Paul's and one of Elizabeth's. They were all laughing and shouting and each was ticketed Merry Christmas. am a gift to grandpa and grandma"
 They were barely fed and warmed when John went to the later train and returned with the motheriess three year-old Christine in his arms She had been put in the conductors care and was sound asleep, with tears on her cheeks and her yellow curls tousled. on her grandfather's shoulder. Her grandmother reached up for her.
 John" she said, ''She is ours. We must keep things together for the chil orenI John, I'm awfully ashamed of how hard I've been. and ain't asham. ed to say so. Will you forgive meT' He stopped suddenly and kissed her as he put the child in her arms
 Ma" he said. I've been an old fool, and I'm the one to blame. I'll go and straighten things at church and If you'll have me for Christmas present all right" And she smiled happily up at him.