The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-12-11
truth to the asso ION

Abruptly MllrdN arose an" calllh"
Fretchen prepared to take her
leave. On the threshold she
paused and beckoning to Gus
tav, whispered something in his
ear. eau Revior Antoinette, Gus
tav!" "Adieu, Madame, and may all
the saints bless you" And then, a.
an afterthought, Milady added, with
funny little laugh: "And merry
Christmas to YOU BOTH" And was
gone.
Part Two.
It was Christmas morning, nigh
ty calm and followed in the wake Of
the storm, and the great city, as if to
honor the birthday Of her Lord lay
smilingly serene in saeerdotal robes
Of white, flashing resplendently in the
glinting sunshine a wondrous breast
plate of natures j sels, prismatlc,
shimmering, ever changetui!
The jingle of sleigh bells in front
of "Ze Higgins Flats. Canal Row,
East Zide," brought Gustav eagerly
to the window. Milady alighted and
ran gaily up the stairs followed by
Gretchen and a man servant bearing
curious shaped packages. baskets,
boxes, wreaths Of crimson berried
holly and a beautiful fir tree. Much
to her delight, Antoinette still slept.
An hour later. opening her weary lids,
she sat up suddenly incredulous,
staring: "Mon Dieu!'' she cried,
"Ze blessed saints ees bien at work, +"
and as her happy eyes swept the
transformed room. Gustav clapped
his small hands and cried for joy.
A bright fire glowed in the
CRATE; warm rugs hid the
baroness Of the floor; bright
holly wreaths concealed the
broken panes, which had been care
fully stuffed to keep out the cold. And,
oh, wonderful, in the middle Of the
room a Christmas tree, literally groan-
ing from its weight Of gifts!
At Gustav's invitation the other in
mates of the Flat came trooping in,
and Miday's cheekc glowed and her
eyes sparkled at the eager, happy look
that lighted up the wan faces Of the
occupants Of "Ze Higgins Flats,
Canal Row, East Zide,' as their eyes
beheld the unusual scene.
Stepping to the tree, Gretchen un-
pinned therefrom a Mareoni Wire
less. bearing a foreign address, and
read aloud the following: "Received
of Antoinette Wand Two Hundred
Dollars to be applied to mortgage.
Blessings!
(Signed) F. Viaud.'
Antoinette Viaud sat up speechless
with wonderment, a light almost an
gelic, shining fro,n her eyes, while
Gretchen explained that, after leaving
her bedside the night before, Milady
had wired the amount to her father,
having obtained the address from
Gustav in that brief whispered con-
sultation, the little fellow pledging
himself to secrecy. She fur
ther stated that Milady would
henceforth assume the obligations of
Antoinette and Gustav until the lat
ter had become educated and fitted
to take mans place in the world.
While the gifts were being distribu-
ted and the bountiful dinner partak-
en- of by every member Of "Ze Hlg-
gins Flat, Canal Row. East Zide,'
which Gretchen and the man servant
had kindly prepared, Milady moved
among them with gracious mien and
kindly word for each discouraged soul.
At the conclusion Of the meal, she
donned her wraps to 60 and noting a
cloud pass over Antoinette's happy
face, inquired the reason.
"Ah, blessed Madame! So moocn
YOU ees done for me-for You l haf
no Chreesmas gif' to u.ing."
And Milady, pressing her hand
warmly, replied: "Antoinette, You
have brought to me a priceless gift;
summed up it is this: You have taught
me to renounce without bitterness.
You have given me- the opportunity
to know the JOY that comes through
service. You have revealed to me
the true meaning of the doctrine OF