The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1908-12-17

you q discover that, retOrted Miss Nir
ginia. Her conscience was troubling
her, but she would not yield. She toss
ed key to her sister and then put
the drawer back.
faint in my drawer either" said
Mrs. Perkins. Il guess it must be in
that bag. You'd better hurry. Miss Al
elaide. She'll be home pretty soon"
Miss Adelaide pulled the bag out and
fitted the key. The four old ladies
peered eagerly down at her. Suddenly
she drew her hand back again.
Il can't" she said. "One of YOU
must do it."
Mrs. Perkins stopped down and pull
ed open the bag which seemed full Of
bits of silk and ribbon.
"Whcre'd she get 50 many?" she
asked. 1t looks as if were on the
track now, don't it? And see here"
She pulled from under the rags
three little packages carefully tied up
in bright colored bits of tissue paper.
She distributed them rapidly, passing
one to Miss Adelaide, who made no
effort to take it, but let it roll under
the bed. Mrs. Perkins dived after It
and came up flushed just as Mrs. Slo-
cum gave an exclamation of dfsmay.
WHAT'S the natter" asked Mrs.
Perkins impatieutly. Mrs. Slocum laid
something on the bed The others
crowded round; only Miss Adelaide
never moved. They saw red pin
cushion in the shape of a rude heart,
and on it in crooked letters the pins
formed the words, Deer Mis- Adlade
Merry ChriSmuS"
The silence made Miss Adelaide turn,
and she caught up the ugly cushion
with a little cry.
That's what it meant" she cried
That's her 'meechin' ways, She was
making US Christmas presents-us
who'd never done a thing for her. not
thing to make her lonely life less
lonely, not thing to make Christmas
happy time for her, and she feed
ing her poor starved life On the scraps
Of Kindness We flung her.
y tear rolled down and splashed Oh
the red cushion. Miss Virginia snatch
ed IT," cushion away.
''Thcrc, she cried. Make THINGS
better by spotting this
Miss adelaide left the room. and fle,
sister did not oppose her The rest
worked in silence until everything was
In order. Then they fled silently out
and shut the door.
That night Miss dslaide had sick
headache. Scraps came up at supper
time to bring her some toast. Her
thin little face looked sharply through
the gloom Of the room.
Here's your toast" she said. Its
dark in here. Shan't l get you q
Light
NO. no." answered Miss Adelaide
quickly. 1t seemed to her she could
not meet the chtld's eyes, Scraps stood
a moment, full Of sympathy.
I'm sorry you're sick, Miss AIDE
laide, she said awkwardly. Il guess
you'll feel better in the morning. won't
you?"
Yes" answered Miss Adelaide, bury
ing her face in the pillow. Run down
stairs and get your supper. Scraps. I
will be all cold"
Scraps obeyed, as she always did. anC
Miss Adelaide heard her shutting down
the stairs in her loose old shoes. Whcr
Miss Virginia came in she found hel
sister sitting up in bed, with flushed
excited face.
virginia" she cried, "how mucl
money have in my PURSE"
Three dollars and five cents" an
swered Miss Virginia.
Il am going to get Scraps pair o
shoes for Christmas" Miss Adelaid,
was frightened when she had said II
for 1t was understood between then
that Miss Virginia should say wba