The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-01-23
Her Christmas
ANCHOR His
A CHRISTMAS STORY
By Sally ChAmherlin
Copyright, 1904, by Sally ChamberliA

That's exactly who it was, but how
in time did you guessT'
"A sort of second sight we invalids
have, dear boy" answered his sister.
The moment you appeared around that
curtain sensation swept over me
which | always used to have when |
saw her standing across the aisle in
church with her unapproachable bear
ing and her calm, Madonna-like face.
| fairly worshiped her, Ned. Where
did you see herY
AT the Grand Central depot She
was helping crippled boy out of a
cab when his crutch fell under the
wheels. Maybe | wasn't Mr.. Johnny
on-the-Spotl My, but she is queen!
More than this he never said Of any
girl, for it was Susans greatest cross
that her stalwart brother, the apple Of
her eye, had been obliged to give up
his young life, social and athletic, to
bear the financial burden of her illness.
Ned Strong had held the record for
hammer throwing at his university and
had been candidate for the next years
football team when he had been forced
to put it all behind him and turn his at
tention to sterner realities, including
exorbitant bills presented by the spe-
cialists employed to relieve his sister.
For two years she had suffered with
an affection Of the knee which even the
most eminent surgeons had been un-
able to name. For some weeks now
she had been fastened in brace which
gave comparative relief and permitted
her to sit up in bed, and with the ces-
sation from suffering came renewed
eagerness to hear of the beautiful out
side world.
Eleanor doesn't seem to be going in
very strong for society,"" Ned contin-
ued, perching himself on the edge of
Susan's couch. when / was lunchino
with Billy Sanford yesterday he said
she had spent almost the entire sum-
mer going to and from New York with
children whom she was having treated
at the hospital for cripples on Forty
second street"
why, Ned. that's the hospital where
DR.. Gibbs is head surgeon. He was
telling me about those patient little
children only yesterday when he was
working on my knee"
"Sure enough. telephoned him this
morning and he says he has a new
contraption which he will try in week
or so that will simply discount the
brace you have on now"
II shall ask him if he knows Flea
nor"
Don't you worry. He isn't the kind
Of man who would let such a beauty
pass unnoticed - and uncultivated =
though understand she's spoken for.
Billy says Senator Elkus is the favored
sutton"
Hes too old for her," This in tone
of disappointment.
That's the way of the world, Sue.
The man that's got the money is the
only one who need come round. The
rest Of US poor devils can stand back
and adore silently. Think Of the Grip
Piles she could have treated on the SEN
ator's money! He flung back his
shoulders as if throwing off an ugly
thought, then he bent tenderly over the
invalid. "Oh, Sue, it Is splendid to see
you free from pain once more" and
with a rousing kiss, emblem of all his
devotion and self sacrifice, he strobe
away to his solitary dinner.
In one Of her wakefuI night watches
Susan lived back in the year which had
preceded her Illness. 1t came to her
like a revelation that in those days Ned
had not exactly stood back and adored
In silence. Eleanor Darlington had
shared all his college enthusiasm. and
though Susan, lively, golden haired lit
tie sister of big strapping brother,
had never entirely entered into these
interests, in the new light of under
standing vouchsafed invalids as a COM
pensation for physical deprivations she
saw why Eleanor Darlington had sud-
denly dropped out of her brothers life.
When DR.. Gibbs called the next
morning he was surprised at her ami
nation.
You want Christmas work to do?
Now, see here, you're not worrying
about bills and things"
She shook her head. Il just want
to make some one happy for Christmas.
Don't you think 1 could dress some
dolls for the hospital children"
Just the thing to make you forget
the occasional twinges in this knee
that Is, If you don't sit up too long at
a time. I'll speak to Miss Darlington,
who is chairman of our Christmas COM
mittee"
And he did not dream why the sud-
den, glad light came into Susan Strong's
eyes.
Two days later Eleanor Carrington's
carriage stopped before the humble
Strong cottage. She brought into the
sickroom a new and invigorating at
mosphere
my dear girl, have never heard Of
your Illness. We have lived almost
constantly In the country OF late, and
seldom see your brother. Why didn't
you let me know? | should have been
SO glad to come. And now you send
for me that you may help me in my
work. You make me feel $3.50 self
ish."
Her rich furs dropped from her shoui-
ders, and the tall, statuesque young
woman fell to her knees beside the lit
tie invalid with her delicate, pathetic
face, big, wistful eyes and short, curl
ing hair
'Oh, yc-. mustn't feel that way" said
the girl as she stroked the fur Win ser
wasted hand. Ned has taken such
good care of me, and well. just
need something to occupy my mind
Did you bring the dollsT
DOLLS? Dozens of themp said Miss
Darlington, with happy catch in her
voice. But you must let me cut out
the clothes. 1t is enough for you to
sew"
This was the beginning of happy
days for Susan Strong. Hardly an aft
frnoon passed without a call from
Eleanor, who wanted to see how the
gay ladies from Paris. Berlin, Switzer
land. Japan and Russia were coming
on. Sometimes she laid aside her
wraps and sewed with the invalid.
During these hours Susan learned
many things, not only Of the hospital
work, but of Eleanor's life at home
and In the social world. And, best Of
all. she learned that the rumors regard
ing the beautiful girls engagement to
Senator Elkus were without founda-
I ton
Only once did Susan, wise little girl
that she was, refer to Ned.
IF you happen to see Ned, don't tell
him about this. will you? don't want
him to know until all the dolls are fin
ished, and then we'll have a dress pa
rade. Maybe when he sees the work
has not hurt me, he-he will let me do