The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1909-01-21

3z>.=S& Il was wonder
DEER MIS- ADLADE ing how long
merry cHRIsMUs." 'twould be before
you'd discover that!' retorted Miss Vir-
ginia. Her conscience was troubling
her, but she would not yield. She toss
ed key to her sister and then put
the drawer back.
"'Tain't in my drawer either" said
Mrs. Perkins. Il guess It must be in
that bag. You'd better hurry, Miss Ad-
elaide. She'll be home pretty soon."
Miss Adelaide pulled the bag out and
fitted the key. The four old ladies
peered eagerly down at her. Suddenly
she drew her hand back again.
II can't" she said. Zone Of you
must do it,
Mrs. Perkins stopped down and pull
ed open the bag, which seemed full Of
bits of silk and ribbon.
'Where'd she get SO .manyT she
asked. ut looks as If we're on the
track now, don't it? And see here"
She pulled from under the rags
three little packages carefully tied up
in bright colored bits Of tissue paper.
She distributed them rapidly, passing
one to Miss Adelaide, who made no
effort to take 1t, but let it roll under
the bed. Mrs. Perkins dived after It
and came up flushed just as Mrs. Slo-
cum gave an exclamation of dismay.
whats the matter?' asked Mrs.
Perkins impatiently. Mrs. Slocum laid
something on the bed. The others
crowded round; only Miss Adelaide
never moved. They saw red pin
cushion in the shape Of rude heart,
and on it In crooked letters the pins
formed the words, Deer Mis- Adlade
Merry Chrismus.' So
The silence made Miss Adelaide turn,
and she caught up the ugly cushion
with a little cry.
That's what it meant" she cried.
That's her 'meechin' ways! She was
making us Christmas presents-us
| who'd never done thing for her, not
| thing to make her lonely life less
lonely. not thing to make Christmas
happy time for her. and she feed.
Ing her poor starved life on the scraps
of kindness we flung herr'
n tear rolled down and splashed on
| the red cushion. Miss Virginia snatch.
ed the cushion away.
''Therer'' she cried. make things
better by spotting thisr'
Miss Adelaide left the room, aud hel
sister did not oppose her The rest
worked in silence until everything was
in order. Then they filed silently out
and shut the door.
| That night Miss Adelaide had q sich
headache. Scraps came up at supper
time to bring her some toast Hcl
thin little face looked sharply through
tho gloom Of the room.
Here's your toast" she said. 'It'l
dark in here. Shan't get you {
light?'
mo, no." answered Miss Adelaid,
quickly. 1t seemed to her she coult
not meet the child's eyes. Scraps stoot
a moment, full of sympathy.
I'm sorry you're sick, Miss Ade
laide." she said awkwardly II gues
you'll feel better in the morning. won
your
Yes" answered Miss Adelaide, bury
ing her face in the pillow run down
stairs and get your supper, Scraps. I
will be all cold''
Scraps obeyed. as she always did, an,
Miss Adelaide heard her shuffling dow
the stairs in her loose old shoes. Whel
Miss Virginia came in she found he
sister sitting up in bed, with flushed
excited face.
Virginia." she cried, 'how mucl
money have in my purse?'
''Three dollars and five cents" an
swered Miss Virginia.
II am going to get Scraps a pair o
shoes for Christmas!'' Miss Adelaid
was frightened when she had said 4
for it was understood between ther
that Miss Virginia should say whu