The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13

 he whispered to her to say prayer. As she knelt Redlaw, with a great sob, kneeled down by her side and joined in fervently. And when she had done he thanked heaven and thanked her until lit- tie Milly would have cried desperately herself had she not feared to excite the sick man, which, of course, made her quiet.
 Then Redlaw hurried her to the Tet- terbys That large family had risen in spirits as bad as those had sent them to bed, grumbling and quarreing for the first time since the existence of Tetterby & Co.,, newsmen. But when Johhny cried, "FatherG Motnerl Here's Mrs. Will liam" MT. Tetterby gasped, My little woman, I must have nearly broken your heart with my goings onl' and Mrs. Tetterby in a whirlwind of laughing and crying, caught his head between her hands and held it there, while all the 1it- tie Tetterbys crowded around the won derful baby and fought for the honor of kissing it to celebrate Merry Christmas
 And while all the Tetterbys were swarming around her and hugging her. the student who had heard her voice,
  hand and cried:
 Dear kind nurse, best of beings, for giev mel forgive mel
 "Oh, dearl oh dearv' exclaimed Milly in delighted wonder. why, everybody seems to like me todayl Oh, dear! oh, dearl how happy and thankful I feel for all thisp'
 The guileless. simple way in which she said 1t and the tears that stood in her bright eyes, were as touching as they were delightful.
 As soon as the clamoring young let terbys would let her go she accompanied Redlaw back to the college. When they entered the keepers house Philip was sit ting before the fire with his eyes fixed on the ground, and his son was looking down at him. AS soon as they saw her a radiant change came into their faces.
 "Oh, deari they are pleased to me. like the rest" cried Milly, clapping her hands.
 Pleased to sec herI Pleasure was no word for It. Her husbands arms were around her, and he would have held her all winter. no doubt if old Philip could have spared her. But he couldn't. He had arms for her. too.
 How are you, father?' asked the de- lighted William, looking at the old man proudly. How are you? Are you pretty wel?"
 Strong and brave my boy" said the old man.
 What a wonderful man you are, fath- erl" said William. How are you? Arc you pretty hearty thoughT
 MT. William might never have left off batting the old gentleman's back and ask ing how he was, if Philip had not spied the chemist
 MT. Redlaw," said Philip, this Christi mas reminds me of one when you were student here yourself and you came in here with young lady-your sister-that you were very much attached to. re- member, though I'm S7. And I recolIect as I was stirring the fire that she might warm her pretty hands, she repeated out loud the words on the scroll of that pie ter of one of our founders: Lord, keep my memory greenl And she said that 1t was a good prayer, and that 1t was one she would make very earnestly If she was called away young. My brotherp says she, Lord, keep his memory green of me and do not let me be forgotten.
 Tears coursed down Redlaws faee Philip" said he, "Im a stricken man. You speak to me, my friend Of what I cannot follow. I have lost my memory of sorrow and trouble and with that I have lost all man would rememberi'
 He sank Into chair and hid his face. Mily. seeing him thus, kneeled quietly beside him and began to put some warm clothing on the boy, who sat there.
 T wish we had child of our own for you to love and cherish, Milly, dear" said her husband, softly. "Our little dead child that you built such hopes on and that never breathed the breath of life 1t has made you quiet like, Milly."
 T am very happy in the recollection of it, William" she answered q think of it every day"
 Redlaw raised his head and looked at her
 If I have been quiet since, William. continued she. T have been happy in d hundred ways Even when my little child was born and dead but a few days, the thought arose that if I tried to live a good life I should meet in heaven a bright creature that would call me moth CT"
 Redlaw fell on his knees with a loud cry.
 "Oh, Thou" he said, ''who through the teaching of pure love hast graciously re- stored me to the memory which was the memory of Christ upon tho cross, receive my thanks and bless herv'
 Some people have said since that Red law only thought what has been here set down. Others declare that he read 1t in the fire one winter night while he sat breeding. Others, again, say that the
 
 his gloomy thoughts.
 Be that as it may. This much is cer- tain As they sat that night in the great room which used to be, before the ten poor gentlemen commuted. the great din- ner hall; when all the Swidgers who could be gathered on such short notice and all the Tetterbys had eaten till they could eat no more, even though encouraged by tho repeated admonition that Christmas comes but once year; when they had of- fered thanks for good news about George; when the lights were out and only the fire gleamed on the ancient walls,-then suddenly the sedate face in the portrait with the peaked beard and the riff shone out clear and plain, and from under It's wreath of holly gleamed the words; Lord, keep my memory green"
 Next Sundays one-page classic will be "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dick