The Delta independent., 1909-12-17

added: I'VE had
only been married 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;
couldn't"
Miss Ancrum. the caller. sympa-
thized. albeit she thought her hostess
morbid and self-indulgent.
But still-the religious part OF
Christmas day." she ventursd
Mrs Dare shook her head. We
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.
Just before taking her leave she ven.
tured. half timidly: II wonder II |
could ask you to help me on Christ
mas day. We are giving a dinner and
entertainment to a number OF the
very poorest in the East end. and II
10 SO dinacuit to get adequate assist
ance."
II" gasped. Nina Dare. -"
Yes. II Is Just such as you that we
need. Perhaps you will think II over.
and let me know by Christmas eve
at latest. I 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 II difiicult 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 one
day In the year lives generally graz
and sordid. would not be keeping
Christmas SO far as she was con.
cerned. Still. II was more because
she was really ashamed to refuse her
friends request than for any better
reason. that Mrs. Dare Mt 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. mistietoe.
and other cvergreens;' 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 300
poor little ones were being RECALLED.
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 a pang
of the seven selfish years OF brooding
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 wen. and became n huge favor.
itc, singing pretty nursery ballads. to
the delight OF the youngsters. and &C.
companying other singers. But when
Mt last the cniluren nieu out. CneerinR
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
] have never before thought OF help.
ing to make others happy. whatever
might feel myself. | have been
happy today; all my heart was In the
work. have been sel1sh-very
selfish. have learned lesson thi .
Christmas which hope may serve me,
not at Christmas time only, bu,
throughout the year
Miss Ancrum clasped the speakers
hand warmly In her own. I'VE haze
Christs own promise" she said. soft
ly, that whose ministers to his little
ones shall reap his reward
Minas eyes filled with tenrs of hap.
piness and hcr pretty face flushed as
she turned to go to her home. All the
way through the snowy streets shc
murmured joyful!y to herself: I'm.
asmuch as ye do II unto one Of the
least Of these"