The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-12-20


~ u able her to abstain from
Fl q rubbing her eyes, and her
ES@S courage suffi Client to en-
aD!e her to refrain from patting her
hair.
That thing" she pointed at the
poor Christmas number, brought
Christmas before me-"
OF course; that was its reason for
existing"
And hate Christmas"
why not ignore it? Treat 1t with
hauteur. Cut it. so to speak,"
how can l, when there are pud-
dings to be made, presents to be
bought, cards rs he sent, rooms to be
decorated with holly that seems to
prefer decorating ones fingers, and
mistletoe that Invariably gets stepped
into the carpet?"
ANY more?"
oh. heaps; a great tree is to be
dressed"
Yes, doesn't it? And snapdragon.
to burn ones fingers in. Just as If
we liked burned raisins when we got
Still more?"
oh. the boys come home from
school; and we have a rompy dance.
and we go to church; and we sing
carols; and-O. dear. isn't that
enough?"
Ample" 1 replied.
Miss Kitty groaned again at the
very thought OF her future.
Yes remarked pensiyeIy.
there seems to be great deal OF it;
one might almost say a surfeit. But
cant sympathize, you know"
You can't" Miss Kitty raised her
shoulders from her cushion and looked
genuinely surprised. 81 should have
thought that you, IA"
Miss Tesseler swung her foot and
looked gloomy.
There is one way in which might
help you." 1 said, meditatively, after
we had sat and looked at the fire with
much interest for some moments.
Don't be silly. Mr.. Arlington. You
may tell me your idea," she added. at.
ter a pause.
Miss Kitty's eyes twnkled. and she
looked at me and waited for news
"A sorrow shared, you know, is
halVed, and at least 1 shall be able to
sympathize next Christmas"
You will come to stay with us?
Must l invite you?" She was positive.
ly dimpling now.
Il think a few judicious hints to
your brother Bob might spare you that
responsibility"
Miss Kitty narrowed her lids and
smiled at the fire.
Bob is dear boy" she remarked
to the blazing coal.
Perhaps people may have been right
about Miss Kitty.
We'll do the whole thing, mind"
oull have to beat eggs and stone
raisins."
Il shall probably be in a mood to
beat anything. and the raisins will
rare as martyrs at my hands"
You'll have to go to church."
"Of course"
Therell be an offertory."
No doubt shall be able to produce
a six-penny Bit" l remarked, stiff1y.
besides. added. 81 may get it re-
funded from the pudding"
And there are the crackers" sho
walled.
We must do that together" said.
She only rippled again.
Then there are the gifts" con-
tfnued. Il know what 1 shall give
you" e'''
oh. do tell me-" she exclaimed
leaning forward and putting her palms
together as she locked at me.
mustn't tell beforehand" nro.
tested.
OH" with chagrin and baft1ed Curl.
osity.
And what are you going to give
me?N I questioned
You have everything you WANT
she sighed.
Not everything" contradicted
Ihen looked at Miss Kitty and Miss
i\lttE looked at me: then she looked
away, and the corners of her Inns
curlcd upward a little
There are just one or two thinps
in this Christmas number which are
rather funny" she remarked irre,a-
vanity, taking it up and turning the
pages.
Not everything" l repeated fsnor.
ing her su5terfuge and taking the pa-
per from her.
lhcn she gave up irrelevance and
smiled into the fire again.
Surely you wouldn't be stfngv
when I've decided to sacrifice SO much
for Your sake?"
Would it be sacrifice" she asked
daringly
If l am to believe all you told me-
answered warily. Are You going 70
give me what l want. Miss Tesseler2,
She made another dive for the
Christmas number. I frustrated ber
HOW can l guess what Won want -,