The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-12-20

ABOUT the Christmas tree sne nau SO
bravely planned in Mrs. Lasbury's
presence, and she tried not to remem-
Der that she was all alone and that her
natural reserve had shut her away
from the few friends she might have
possessed. There was no one to re-
member her this lonely Christmas eve.
and SO she must try and remember the
few people she knew. She tied bright
dime in each thumb of the red nit
tens and, wrapping them In white It's
sue paper, placed them In the milk
pail outside the door. She CROPPED down
cellar for jar of mincemeat and made
It ready to take to old Mrs. Peterkin in
the morning
When she opened the pantry door to
find some bits Of suet for the birds she
met a surprise There on the broad
shelves the conscience stricken Mrs.
Lasbury had arranged two mince pies
and a golden one of pumpkin. There
was a small roasted chicken and a
dish of cranberry sauce, besides sew
eral vegetables ready to be warmed
up. The hot tears welled into Alzina's
eyes.
"That just shows that everybody is
better hearted than think they are
she murmured as she closed the door
on Cousin Eliza's mute, but substantial
offering. ''I'm ashamed of myself
when think how much I'm missing
of all the goodness just by being SO
narrow minded"
Before she went to bed Alzina read
the beautiful story of the first Christ
mas, and. although she had read it be-
fore, it never held so much tender
meaning for her as it did this ami
versary of the blessed birthday.
She awoke cheerful and contented,
and, while there was no Christmas
greeting awaiting her from the silent
rooms of the house. she resolved thar
when another year had rolled around
the Christmas season would find a
happy gathering under her own roof
the lame and the halt and the blind.
Aye, she would find them In the high
ways and byways. There would never
be another lonely Christmas.
When she opened the sitting room
door she saw the tree. After her first
start of amazement she stood silently
looking through the windows at the
beautiful sight Somebody had shaken
the snow from her cedar and dressed
the branches with, tinsel and strings of
popcorn. Somebody had tied oranges
and candy canes and popcorn balls to
the stems, while there were several
mysterious looking packages depending
from the lower branches.
Alzina tiptoed out of the door and
ike one in dream approached the
tree. Her slender feet made deep
tracks in the snow, and the morning
sunshine turned her brown hair into
maze Of gold. Almost reyerently she
touched the branches that bore the
Christmas fruits, and then she united
one Of the packages and slowly opened
1t. Inside was a dainty white apron
with a Christmas card, ITO .Alzina
from Sarah Beebe." There was an
other present from Mr.. Beebe and one
from Esther and real present from
Cousin Eliza Lasbury-a knitted at
CHAN. Then there was a big box of
candy from Fred Persons mother,
and. lastly, very tiny box hanging all
alone.
When Alzina opened it she found a
beautiful little turquoise ring, aud. in
it was twisted a, note from Fred Pier
son himself IF it's all right, Alzina.
wear this down to the gate" he had
written bashfully.
After she had wiped the tears from
her eyes Alzina Tweed saw that all
the friendly Beebes and Cousin Eliza
Lasbury were peering at her from ad-
jacent points of vantage. II never had
such a good time in my life painted
Mrs. Lasbury as they gathered about
her. when told Mrs. Pierson about
it she and Fred wanted to join in, and
50 they did. If you'll give us some
breakfast, Alzina. we'll take you back
to Beebe's with us. Fred and his
mother II be there, and-where, are you
going?"
"If you'll excuse me moment"
blushed Alzina, twisting the turquoise
ring around her finger-"I've got an
errand down to the gate"
And all the Beebes and Cousin Eliza
winked solemnly at each other.