Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1906-12-20

Ny' 6oiueu FlngietS covered her
mead, and large eyes which seemed
sometimes gray and wistful, but
oltenest just the tint of the violets,
lighted up round. chubby little face.
Tne scarlet lips were usually parted
IN friendly smile, disclosing row
or snow-white. baby teeth, and the
no. confessed to the slightest tilt. |
Mary Elizabeth, she had been christs
ened, but when only a! few months
old she had been pronounced by her
proud nurse simply angellc-just
the image Of wee little cherub,"
and since then all thought of the real
name seemed to have been forgotten;
thenceforth 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
ttiy, she was Irresistible. But woe to
the person who incurred her displeas-
ure. A frownf from her meant trou-
bic, and during the fve years of her
life her parents had grown to know
that when that little face puckered
storm was brewing. and that It would
be well to take Miss Cherub in hand
at once
This young lady was bubhling 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 w{uld surely get some
one into uble-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-
frontcd 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 or
her mouth: "Bobhy did it." At pres
ent, however, she was being awful
good, for Tomorrow tso~ld he
Christmas and she aad placed I.any
letters up the chimney of the ane.
big Fifth avenuel residence, askr q
Santa Clause for all sorts OF nice
presents, which she was sure not to
get unless she was an olsdier. little
girl.
Christmas morning. before any one
in the house but the servants was
awake, the two children were excited
ly 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 with %
hearty Merry Christmas" ." kissAt
each OF the children. and told them
that they could get dressed and COME
to the dining room.
Immediately on finishing breakfas
Mr.. Baldwin would unlock the III
brary door. where each year the tree
and stockings awaited them; q
course, the children would eat moth
Ing. At last every one was ready aItt
stationed just outside that enchanted
room. Impatiently jumping up ant
down, hardly daring to breathe, tn,
little ones urged father to hurry
When they burst into the brighti,
lighted room 1t was good to see the.
faces. Their shouts and screams q
delight and loud "Ohs!" and "Ahs!'
could be heard all over the house. "a.
each discovered his many gifts under
the brightly decorated tree.
When, an hour after, Cherub an(
Bobby were dragged off to church,
as they were pleased to express 1t
they left their hearts as well as doll
and woolly dogs IN the library a
home. Naturally they squirned an,
twisted through the whole service
and occasionally whispered to eacl
other in eager tones.
That afternoon they were allow6
to invite four Of their little friends Z
small party. They were all playsn
under the tree with the Christina
things, and as Mr.. and Mrs. Beldwil
had gone to walk Gladys propose
having a game of "I spy with tn
youngsters. AS she announced tn:
Cherub. who was always the leader
yelled. "Hurrah for Aunt Gladys
Now she can be it," and then whis
pered, just as audibly. mo. Rsb,
choose to get under the sofa; sto
pushing MEAS they were hiding
Coming, ready or not!' calle
Gladys, as she started OF on 4 hun
that proved fruitless. AS she rs
into the hall to continue the scare
she came face to face with the ma
to whom she had but recent1y bee
engaged. 1t was the first time ia
had seen him since the night. fhre
weeks before. when she had f8tnrno
ftc ring and rafraed fo 15xf<>~ ~ Al,