The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1907-12-12
BY EMILY wANLAss.


ily from her chair and busting.
out OF the room, Eve never can.
have anything we want" She
stood poised in the doorway re-
garding her indulgent mother
with scorn and contempt. Here
papa promised us a dinner, a
sleighride and ever SO many other
things which everyone else has on
Christmas, but we've never can
have anything; it's just the same
old story all the time"
Good Mrs. Harper looked al
her daughter for a moment and
then said, coaxingly: Now, my
dear, Just listen to reason. You
know your fathers circumstances
as well as But reference to
their recent poverty only raised
Annals anger, and she swept dis
painfully up the stairs.
She entered her room and
threw herself upon the bed, say
ing over and over again to her
self that she knew just how il
would be all the time.
lust imagine what they will.
think when | send them invita-
tons to stay at home she said
aloud. mo, I'll not send a WORD
to any one of them. Papa has
disappointed me and they shall
share as | have
When she had finished this so
liloquy the door was opened and
little Eva, the pet and plaything
of the whole family, entered. She
approached the bed softly and
said in childish accents: Us you
sick, sister? Dinner is ready
Are you coming DOWN.
Dinner! The very word
brought new pangs to Annals
breast, and she pushed the child
away from the bed and through
the door.
Eva descended the stairs, sob
bing violently. Mrs. Harper took
: the child up and almost smooth
cred her with kisses.
Anna was so cross !" sobbeC
the child.
Anna isn't feeling well, dar.
ling" the mother said softly tc
the child.
Mr.. Harper stared blankly al
his wife. Isn't feeling well" he
repeated. anna not feeling well,
| How unusual"
With these words said, he hur.
ried up the stairs. He tapped
gently on Annals door, but nc
sound responded. Then ne
opened it and stepped softly tc
the bed Annals anger had given
vent to tears, and she lay with her
face buried in the pillows.
MY dear child, whatever is the
trouble? p he said hoarsely. per
haps / can help YOU"
She turned her eyes toward
him, but dropped them suddenly
when she saw the change-the
sad, wan face, the pitiful look in
the usually bright eyes-atl this
change since yesterday, when he
looked so bright and happy. She
could hardly realize it.
Cant we have the dinner,
papa?" she said, after surveying
him again.
Mr.. Harper sat down and
looked frankly but sorrowfully
into his daughters face. 1T
! grieves me very much, but ! am
afraid you cannot | have tried
to plan something all day, so !
could keep my promise, but fear
it is impossible"
He commenced pacing up and
down the room with his eyes bent
steadily toward the floor.
ooh, papa, and we had it all
planned. ! never can disappoint
them all, especially Jack"
81 will write TO each of them
myself and make all necessary
excuses, he replied.
Then, as if he must pour his
sorrow out to someone, he turned.
abruptly aud said in a voice so.
different from his usual mild one 3.
I"Child, today alone bank stocks
have fallen 10 per cent, and the
panic has not half reached its cli-|
max. 1t is not here alone, and
many young people, / fear, will
lose many anticipated Christmas
pleasures
Her fathers sorrow seemed toI
swallow her own, it was so much
keener, She placed her hand low
ingly o nhis shoulder and badc
him sit down.
CT