Semi-weekly herald., 1908-12-28

| 10 e0uo = message nome on Christmas
Would she understand in that It'll
message their loneliness and desola
tion and see their hearts were break
ing for one glimpse Of her?
Her father looked around the nea
little room. This home with its heay,
nortsass would soon belong to som,
one else. 1t had been his home s,
long and around 1t clustered SO man,
tender memories. BY the aid of .
cane he walked to the bureau ant
took from It the picture of child
The plump cheeks with roguish dim
pies. the sparkling blue eyes seemed
to contain expression. This was his
little one who always met him with
face upturned ready to receive his
welcoming kiss. Had she forgotten
the many times he held her on his
knee and as he slowly rocked back
and forth they would watch the curls
Of smoke from his pipe and look into
the cheerful blaze Of the fire? He
would tell her stories OF Santa and
his reindeer and the many poor little
children he made SO happy each year.
He would explain to her the sacred.
ness In observing the day and tell
her again the sweet story OF the Child
who was born In Bethlehem and wrap
ped In swaddling clothes. His thoughts
were 80 far away and all was SO
quiet.
No words passed between husband
and wife. but their thoughts were the
same. Was she thinking OF them this
lonely Christmas eve? Did not some
little tender memory still dwell? Had
she forgotten the many times she had
laid her tired head on their bosoms
and as she listened to sweet lullaby
fallen asleep? Or had she forgotten
them entirely among her new found
wealthy, cultured and stylish friends.
The old couple resolved to erase the
long years Of desolation from their
memory on this. the last Christmas
eve. before they would be compelled
to give up their home. They would
bering 10 sweetly in her crib.
They deprived themselves of other
comforts and bought small Christ
mas tree. and with much patience
decorated It Just as they had done
SO many years ago. No fancy glitter.
ing ornaments, colored candles. or ex
pensive toys hung from Its branches,
but long strings of pure white pop
corn. 4 few pretty toys lit up with
soft light from white candles. There
was . large bag Of candy and nuts.
a box Of marsh-mallows. large bunch
Of raisins, q choice orange and large
mellow apple.
Two old people tip-toed about the
room casting admiring glances at the
tree. The town clock struck
out the hour of 10 for the d. q r. q.
was late. The clang OF bell min
gled with the shrill whistle Of an en-.
CINE.
A tall. dignified looking woman
quickly alighted from the train. Many
curious eyes gazed on her glittering
gems. her expensive travelling suit and
rich furs. Her stately figure seemed
10 command respect. She peered
through the dusk In the beautiful val
ley OF the Animas and she saw again
great cedar trees growing from the
rocky ridges of the mountain sides.
For awhile she seemed bewildered
Or lost In admiration. 1t took years
Of absence in e smoky, crowded city
10 make her appreciate the beauties
of her native land.
She was home again, a stranger In
The land of her birth, with no warm
hand clasp or smile of recognition.
How she would now gladly welcome
he plain. common people whom she
once snubbed, for she knew their
was sincere. She was home |
again where the very atmosphere
sesmso Hure.
With a wistful, tender look she saw
again the little cottage whose bright
light of welcome seemed to reach !
across the wide snow covered walk
like a reproach for all the years OF
absence and neglect. She had grown
tired Of the gaiety and deceit OF 80
ciety where one II Judged by his
wealth, position or clothes; she was
tired of the fashionable churches
whose religion was controlled by
wealth. She was tired OF the noise
and hustle Of a large city where peo-
ole passed back and forth. each look
ing after his own interest. She. who
had seen her own faults magnified In
others and had learned how her sell
oshness and pride looked to the out
side world.
As she stood and looked through
the window she heard her mothers
voice again. A soft. musical voice
unlike any other she had ever heard
What a kind mother she had been,
always ready to make excuses or over
look each fault or short coming. and
always ready to sympathize with her
in her childish troubles that seemed
80 big to her then. She saw her
father rock slowly back and forth and
watch the rings Of smoke curl above
from bis pipe. How many times ne
had taken her on his lap and softly
stroked her hair. No other hands
were so soothing and gentle.
As she watched her parents whose
heads had grown gray from anxiety
and worry, the almost forgotten scenes
of her childhood came back to her.
Those had been evenings OF real hap
piness and content. but she did not
realize 1t until now. when the hours