Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-18

tured TO suggest such thing to Miss Corad but she
had been strangely deaf to his hints indeed had hardly
heard what he said, and had all understood the
longing that his heart If she had known about
the glorious coasting certain hill if she had known
how many hours Arthur had stood watching the flying
seds with the wild hope that some generous boy might
time offer to give him just ride! But as i |
was she did not understand at all.
1t was qute-dark and all of the family were at home
and ready for supper except Arthur; and Mrs Norton
almost beginning TO feel anxious about him. Billy /
suggested that he had been kidnapped and held for
reward of five million dollars, but this suggestion did
not brighten Mrs. Norton much. She inclined /
believe with the twins that he the hill
watching the boys slide When last the simple sup
per was all prepared and she was just on the point of
sending Billy in search OF the missing one, great
trampng heard in the hail. and before any had
time wonder what it the door flung open3
and Arthur appeared in the doorway, with Judge Corad
Miss Corad, and couple of servants, all loaded with
bundles and baskets.
Mrs. Norton Billy and the twins stared in open
mouthed astonshnent, while Judge Corad, who had
shouted, A merry Chrstmas : when he opened the
door, advanced into the roon piled his packages
on the table and began explain that they were pres
ents from Arthur who had been working for him to /
money for week past. Mrs. Norton scarcely un
QerStOOQ WHAT he she $1,000 QufnD ana
did word. Tbs Judge iel silent. too. feel-
ing somehow that all raft awkward and lacking
IN the enthusiasm and JOY which he had expected.
Mrs Norton understood dimy that at last her
own home was receiving the bounty of the Christmas
spirit which sometimes prompts the rich give giftsI
1avishly the poor and she felt struggle between her
pride. which would have refused them and her mother
love, which told her that for the sake OF her children
she had no right do so. She began at last. in Al
rather lame fashion thank the judge and Miss Coradl
and their suggestion and with their assistance uni
pack the baskets and open the packages. There wera
many things there which Arthur and Miss Corad had
not purchased personally Tor there hams and two
turkeys coffee and tea and sugar. sack of -four apples
and oranges candy and and rasinS and all sorts
OF groceries and provsons then there were dresses
and shawls for Mrs Norton and the twins besides other
useful articles But there nothing purely ornamental
for Mrs Norton, there doll in the whole
great heap of presents for either of the twins Billy
and Arthur provided for, much the fash
ion with clothes-overcoats shoes mulers, neek-
ties, mttenS and books; but OF course, Arthur
knew. there sled.
Probably the twins were the most grateful and the
least dazed of all the family and they alone able
make the little cNcanatonS concerning the useful
ness of the gifts and the goodness OF the gvers Mrs.
Norton tried to say something too, but without very
mach success; and Billy and Arthur confined their
marks mainly each other.
perhaps fifteen minutes to end; and Miss Corad
and her father the point OF taking their de-
parure when the door opened again and Miss Simpson,
thinfeared and looking little bit grim, appeared In
her she held five packages the largest of which
was very evidently cheap boys sled
Here just few little things for your Christmas"
she said q This is for Arthur. and she stripped the
:, brown paper from the sled and put the floor
Ooh"
With cry of delight the little boy sprang forward
and clasped the sled in both
4" And this is for Billy.
1t only cheap ack-knifc but the glow Billy's
cheeks aested that in his the sewing girl had
known his hearts desire. 80
For the twins there two wonderful dolls dressed
by Miss Simpson herself from scraps of very fine goods
indeed: and for Mrs Norton there was brilliant pink
handkerchief and little, god-washed brooch which de-
lighted the eyes of Arthur and Billy
The judge and his daughter stood in wondering adj
riration at the reception accorded to Mss Simpsons
simple and inexpensive gifts; but they had the good
sense TO be envous.
How we'll you know what to give!" said Mis-,
Corad slipping about the girls waist You,
gifts are better than all of ours"
Then, all at once Miss Simpson began to cry and sh
was followed by Mrs Norton and she by Miss Corad ant
then they all began to laugh and laugh and to cry to
gether; and the twins and the boys and Judge Cora
laughed, too, though of them knew why And a
they laughed and their eyes with tears, tn
icy barrier that had stood throughout the evening be
tween the rich givers of gifts and the poor receivers
them was melted and Christmas JOY flooded all thei
hearts 5