The Ordway new era., 1909-12-24

was necessary.
added: I'VE had
only been married a year. and on
II Christmas day he-he was killed in
u an accident Even after the lapse
4 Of seven years she could scarcely
NJ speak with calmness OF that dreadful
" catastrophe which had robbed her life
of all light and zest. "Since then"
n she went on. after a moments pause.
I'll have never kept Christmas at all:
e ] couldn't"
Miss Ancrum, the caller. sympa-
b thized. albeit she thought her hostess
& morbid and self-indulgent.
.'But still-the religious part O,
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.
Just before taking her leave she ven
tured. half umidly: II wonder II
could ask you to help me on Christ
mas day? We are giving a dinner and
" entertainment to number of the
very poorest In the East end. and 1t
h Is SO difficult to get adequate assist
II ance."
III" gasped Nina Dare. Il"
Yes. 1t is Just such as you that we
need. Perhaps you will think 1t over.
and let me know by Christmas eve
at latest. 1 should be deeply CRATE
d full .
She said good.by and went her
way. automatically leaving her host
ess to thresh out the proposition in
solitude.
Nina Dare found 1t difacult to re.
fuse the request. though at first she
felt inclined to do SO. She would
really ne doing nothing on Christmas
day. and helping to brighten. for one
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
'1she was really ashamed to refuse her
friends request than for any better
reas on, 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 evergreens; 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 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 = pang
Of the seven selfish years Of brooding
and useless solitude.
Soon she was waiting on the chill.
zen. talking to them, even laughing
tn Them. In helping others her own
.ef Aeemed to be soothed; and she
Ted herself an admirable assistant.
~ tie dinner there was an enter
oroent magic lantern, singing and
eam Mrs. Dare both played and
and became q huge favor
unaging pretty nursery ballads. to
1.-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
Il have never before thought Of help
ing to make others happy, whatever
III might feel myself. have been
N happy to-day: all my heart was in the
h work. have been selfish-very
selfish. have learned lesson this
4 Christmas which I 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 haze
y Christ's own PROMISE" she said, soft
u ly. .that whose ministers to his little
z ones shall reap his reward"
Il Mina's eyes filled with tears Of hap
Il pihess and her pretty face flushed as
\ she turned to {Dto her home All the
6tway through tho SNOWY. streets she
murmured joyfully 70 herself I'm
h3much as ye DO Il unto one Of the
\ }Ir3nsf " these ~ a.