The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-25
THE EVENING STORY
When the Candles GIowed.
[By Cecflv AlIen.l


mitted to Chamber over his Immaculate
raiment.
These happy relations may not have
peen without some trace of guile, for
Cncie Brad represented to &he Norton
Claus.
But when it came to the Christmas
mondays, Davis declared that his model
sister shpped cog in common sense
and r1oted in Christmas sentiment
So he was not surprised to find her
one stormy December night, climbing a
shaky stepladder in search of certain
tree trimmings, placed on cupboard
shelves, to which youthful ambitions
could not aspire.
NO, Bradford, dear, you cannot get
them for me! I know what each box
contains. 1 put the candles in the long
green box that Jimmy'S imported sox
came in. Why, no, these are the flags
and banners. 1t must have been in that
old writing paper box. Here they are.
Give me hand, that's a good chap"
And then she dropped, angel-sleeves,
aust ana candles, straight into his big
brotherly arms.
"Oh, dear. there's the telephone ring
ing. You count these that are left over,
and see whether the new ones will fit
the old holders"
Away she fitted to hear who had won
the prizes at the card club that after
noon, and Bradford found himself oddly
absorbed In laying out neat rows of
the fresh box, rosy glow saluted his
vision. through a layer of paper lace.
His big fingers seemed to hide the
box as he lifted the paper coverings,
and then fitted the first candle into the
shining holder. The task fascinated
him, and soon he had exhausted the
first layer of candles. and as he started
to attack the second, a folded paper met
his view.
Curiously he unfoIded it and read the
following message, written in small,
but firm hand:
MAY these candles glow to make
glad the eyes of little children is the
wish of one whose arms are empty.
May they twinkle above a family hearth
where love joins many generations in
one beautiful circle is the prayer of one
And that whatsoever lights them may.
receive the full measure of Christmas
joy is the message from one who loves
the dear old festival, whate'er betide.'
Mrs. Norton fiuttered back into the
library.
"Of course. had to be polite, but
cards are such a bore before Christ
mas. oh. what a lovely box of pink
candles!"
yep? I thought they were rather
good myself" replied Bradford
mechanically, as he slipped a tiny
white square into his vest pocket.
Then with ostentatious carelessness
he picked up the cover of the candle
box and studied the address of the
manufacturer, while his sister chat
tered on of Christmas gifts and
Christmas plans.
IT wonder who packs these can
dies" he said musingly. ''Some one
with clean hands, for they are spot
less"
Little italian girls laughed his
sister. holding his overcoat, and pat
frame slipped into the comforting
garment.
italians, nothing murmured her
brother inelegantly to nobody in par
ticular, as he strobe up the street to
his club.
The next morning he appeared be-
fore the manufacturer of those par
ticular pink candles, and proffered
his business card.
ct am looking for a young woman
whose name and address my sister has
mislaid,' he explained glibly to the
politely curious maker of candles.
I'VE have no clue save a scrap of her
writing and the fact that she has
worked for you" He handed out half
the little Christmas message. torn
through the center so that the i'm
port of the sentences could not be
traced at first glance.
II could not say never see these
girls except when. pay them off.
Perhaps. my fOrew
He touched a bell and Bradford
Davis tactfully turned the con-
eraI. The forewoman came, heard
and frowned.
''Mebbe you are one of those detec-
tive fe1lers."
Bradford laughed.
mo, not so clever as that, or I
would not have to trouble you. This
is a case in which my sister is merely
interested in tracing an old friend"
Suspiciously the forewoman glanced !
over the bit of writing.
T npIx rI,a
writes like that. She comes from the |
Settlement
Great scorn invested the last sem
tence. The forewoman had home |
Of her own and a husband to gra- |
ciously support.
Perhaps you would give me her |
address. Then my sister could write |
to her"
the forewoman sharply. "Her name |
Is Marian Grant. She is a widow"
Both the candlemaker and his fore
woman saw the letter which came |
next morning for Mrs. Marian Grant, |
but neither ever learned its contents, |
Tor Mrs. Grant slipped it under her
girdle and went about her business as
usual. Nor did they know that Mrs.
James Norton read with. twitching
Ups, that night, a note from their
quiet employe:
MRS. Grant regrets that she cannot
accept Mrs. Norton's kind invitation to
DIN the Norton children for their tree
IN Christmas eve, as previous en-
sagement to help the factory girls at
he -. Settlement House prevents"
"Oh. dear, sociology. settlement
ads, factory work-and love. Why
III, why couldn't Bradford fall in love
With a real girl, not letter But
les such a dear, I almost wish she
had come"
Bradford Davis smiled grim1y when
he read the letter.
you're a brick, sis, but guess I'll
change my tack. And, mind you,
mean to know her."
Perhaps I might go to the Settle
nent party with some goodies" she
but Bradford shook his