The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-12-08

II
diSSSo H. their lives, she
m oY<I was lonely and
-cNM desolate.
=: 9: =: g: 4; !; ::
was necessary,
added: I'VE had
only been married a year, and on
Christmas day he-he was killed In
an accident" Even after the lapse
Of seven years she could scarcely
speak with calmness Of that dreadful
catastrophe which had robbed her life
Of all light and zest. "Since then"
she went on, after a moments pause,
Il have never kept Christmas at all:
l couldn't"
Miss Ancrum, the caller, sympa-
thtzed. albeit she thought her hostess
morbid and self-indulgent.
But still-the religious part Of
Christmas day." she ventured.
Mrs. Dare shook her head. I'VE
had been to church in the morning."
she said, brokenly. NO Christmas
day has nothing but painful memories
for me"
Miss Ancrum spoke . few kindly
words. then passed on to other things.l
Just before taking her leave she ven.
tured. haH timidly: II wonder II Il
could ask you to help me on Christ
mas day? We are giving . dinner and
entertainment to q number Of the
very poorest In the East end. and It
Is 30 difficult to get adequate assist
ance."
4 ''I!" gasped Nina Dare. Ell.
Eyes, 1t is just such az you that "
need. Perhaps you win think It over,
and let me know by Christmas eve
at latest. should be deeply CRATE
full"
She said good-by and went her
way. automatically leaving her host
ess to thresh out the proposition in
solitude.
Nina Dare found it dificult to re-
fuse the request, though at first she
felt inclined to do SO. She would
really be doing nothing on Christmas
day, and helping to brighten, for ono
day in the year. lives generally gray
and sordid, would not be keeping
Christmas" SO far as she was con-
cerned. Still. 1t was more because
she was really ashamed to refuse her
/, friends request than for any better
reason. that Mrs. Dare at length wrote
and volunteered her services for
Christmas day.
A long, wide room, naturally bare
enough. but made bright with bunting
and profusion Of holly. mistletoe,
and other eyergreens: two long tables
spread bountifully with Christmas
fare; and all down the tables rows Of
pale. thin. but happy. and for once.
at least. clean faces-these were what
Nina Dare saw when she entered with
Miss Ancrum the hall where some 800
poor little ones were being regaled.
All were meanly dressed; some were
In actual rags; many were barefoot
ed; none boasted even decent shoes.
Mina's heart went out to the little
guests. and she thought with q pans
OF the seven selfish years Of broodins
and useless solitude.
Soon she was waiting on the chill.
dren. talking to them. even laughing
with them. In helping others her own
grief seemed to be soothed; and she
proved herself an admirable assistant
After the dinner there was an enter
tainment-magic lantern. singing and
playing. Mrs. Dare both played and
sang we'll. and became huge favor
lite. singing pretty nursery ballads. to
the delight of the youngsters, and &C
companying other singers. But when
at last the children filed out, cheering
and singing. and Miss Ancrum began
to thank her helpers, Nina Dare held
up her hand. Don't thank me-" she
said. you ought to rebuke me that
l have never before thought Of help
ing to make others happy, whatever
might feel myself. have been
happy to-day; all my heart was in the
work. have been selfish-yery
. selfish. l have learned a lesson this
Christmas which hope may serve me
not at Christmas time only. but
throughout the year."
Miss Ancrum clasped the speakers
hand warmly in her own. I'VE have
Christ's own PROMISE" she said. soft,
~. that whose ministers to his little
} ones shall reap his reward"
Mina's eyes filled with tears of hap
piness and her pretty face flushed as
she turned to go to her home. All the
way through the snowy streets she
, murmured joyfully to herself: In
asmuch as we do it unto one of the
!. least of these"