Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1910-12-21
turned back, there was only a sweet
content In the woman's face. She
led the way into the market.

gaily. give of those II must have
for the candies. Here's aGcandy stall,
now help me choose. Isn't it fun?'
Did you ever see such bewitching
candies?" 5iI %
They're probably half poison" he
teased her. @
"We have a pure food law now"
she retorted. "Besides," gaily, 81
don't believe anything could poison
the little Flannigans. Which would
you choose those bright ones, or
the animals and the candy canes %
"The animals" he responded
promptly. "But Pm out OF practice.
You might consult an authority, An
ME-"
Annie looked around. At the
edge of the stall stod three dirty
faced urchins with wide, devouring
eyes.
oh" Annie cried ecstatically, and
then TO three dirty boys a Christmas
miracle happened. 1t concerned a
| princess and a penny that each boy
found himself incredulously possess
ing. There was an astonished stare
and then speedy and clamorous de-
mand for the animals.
You hadn't forgotten" Annie de-
clared, lifting her joyous eyes to his,
I'VE must have the animals, too
five cents worth Of them"
i
bag, Annie looked thoughtfully at
the two pennies left in her hand.
These, ] think, must be for our
Christmas treat" she decided Cor
anges are more Christmasy, but they
cost five cents a piece, and apples
match the Christmas colors much
better. Yes, we must have apples
to match. And then we'll go home,
Will"
You ought to ride" he cried in
sudden conjunction 90, Annie,
why didn't we save car fare?"
She looked at him with indignant
reproach. "As if | would" she
cried, cas- if would miss step Of
i'll"
The apples purchased and stored
IN Wills pockets, they turned their
faces towards home. The crowds
were perceptibly thinner now, and
clock on 9 corner proclaimed it
nearly elcN They went on quietly,
the man anxious glances at his
c1,1
with smile.
Don't be worrying, dear boy, it's
a nice tired--just all nice and warm
and happy" she said Besides, we
are almost there now. | want to
stay up and hear the Christmas
| bells"
1t was not much farther in reality.
With a sigh Of relief he helped her
up the stairs, but when he felt for
his key, Annie gave sudden excla-
| nation.
20, Will, forgot to lock it! What
careless creature you have for a
WIFE! Wait a minute till l get
light"
She felt about In the dark for the
matches and lit the lamp. AS she
did so, her hand touched something,
and she glanced down at the table.
will she cried with little
culver in her voice, "look here,"
The table was covered with a strange
collection-a mince pie, dainty
needle work, some atrocious paper
flowers, glarng card or two, half
a dozen oranges.
See, Will, dear, they're from
everybody" she cried, Everybody in
the house! I'd know the things any
! where. O, Will, aren't they dear?
0 isn't it wonderful that it doesn't
make any difference where you are,
| Christmas is Christmas? Why, dear,
| never had a happier Christmas Eve
| in my life, if we did have only 4
| quarter. 1t was enough"
| ut wasn't the quarter, Annie, it
| was you. You'd have discovered 1t;
| have made it Christmas somehow If
| there hadn't been cent It'd
| been ashamed of these people, An
ME Of having you among them
Annie knelt beside his, chair, her
| eyes looking out to the midnight sky.
| The snow furry had passed an hour
| before, and the stars were shining.
"They clear ones eyes - the
Christmas stars" she said softly.
| |
How could we help keeping Christ
mas when we have each other?"
The man held her close. His face,
lifted to the uuiet skv chowad na,u