Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-07
The Argus Daily Short Story
Alzina's Three-By Ellen P. Bankhead.
Copyrighted 1919. by Associated Literary Press.

The red farmhouse was set IN
white expanse of snow. The dropping
elmS protected the roof with wide
spread arms clothed in ermine, and
where the crisp wind had blown away
the covering the limbs were darkly
sketched against the bright blue sky.
A thin spiral of smoke drifted up
from the big chimney and shimmered
away into nothingness.
Close to the south bow window grew
the sturdy graceful cedar that had
been planted when Miss AlZina was
born.
Alzina Tweed lived alone with her
third cousin, the Widow Lasbury, who
had no home of her own. Mrs. Las
bury was a very fat woman who ate
great deal and talked necessarily.
Sometimes AlZina would take her sew
ing up to the chilly seclusion of her
own bedroom in order to escape the
Standardization Of her cousins tongue.
The day before Christmas they sat
before the sitting room fire sewing in
dustriously. Alzina was knitting a
pair of red mittens for the boy who
brought the milk, while Mrs. Lasbury
was addressing Christmas cards with
a pen dipped in violet ink.
Suddenly the widow lifted her head
and looked critically at her younger
cousin. -Alzina was fair and slender,
and she. had passed her thirty fifth
year. but her skin was fresh and I'M
lined, and her gray eyes were clear
and innocent as a child's. She wore
plain gray dress, and her brown hair
was drawn smoothly back from her
low white forehead.
"AIzina," said Mrs. Iasbury ponder
ously, Il never thought you set much
store by Christmas"
The other looked up inquiringly. Il
don't know as 1 ever did, Eliza-not
since 1 was a little thing You see.
we had lots of trouble when L was
young. 1t seemed as if there was an
other empty chair every Christmas till
they were all gone. Since then it's
been lonesome season"
Mrs. Lasbury coughed deprecatingly.
Seeing as you don't set much store by
Christmas. knew you wouldn't mind
if l went over TO Mrs. Beebe'S to
spend the day. She was second cousin
to my husband. you know"
Very we'll" said Alzina quietly. and
her voice did not tremble, although
mist came into her gray eyes.
" 'Tisn't as if you made much of the
day. As 1 recollect. Christmas is like
most other days here" complained the
widow in self extenuation. over to
Beebe's they have Christmas tree and
n I-o,- M IA4s Of Hauhn
you d like to go along with me, though
you mightnt enjoy it, not knowing
anybody over there"
AIzina smiled ut the grudging invita-
ton, and dimple came into one cheek.
NO, thank you. Eliza. l may as well
spend the day as usual; You know we
live so far away from neighbors we
have got out Of the habit of participant
ing in their good times. | may walk
over to church in the morning l am
sorry you've had such dull holidays
here. If Id only known how you felt
we could have had a turkey and all
sorts of good things TO eat-only. Eliza,
if you'll remember, you've spent every
Christmas with Mrs. Beebe. I've al
ways been alone"
Il don't remember" remarked Mrs.
Lasbury vaguely, blotting the last card
and putting the cork in the ink bottle.
Il guess l may as well be getting
ready, Alzina Hiram's coming over
for me at o'clock. and I've got to get
together the little things I've been max
ing for the folkS-aud that reminds me
I've got something for Won too" She
fumbled through the Christmas cards
on the table and extended toward her
cousin a Gorgeously cOlored Christmas
greeting. with Merry Christmas,
from Cousin Eliza was written across
the bottom.
Thank you. Eliza" said Alzina, with
a sudden choking in her throat. ut is
very good of you to think Of me-"
Not at all. Alzina." returned the
widow graciously. II think of you
very often. Now, see here, what I've
been making for the folks. You see,
they'll expect me to remember them,
seeing as spend every Christmas with
them. I bought this waist pattern for
Sarah, and / made this mutfler for
Hiram. Neat. amt 1t? Esther's been
wanting n china cup of her own to
drink from, and 1 got this down to the
ste e"
ITS real pretty" said Alzina, scarce
" seeing the gayly decorated cup
through the blurring mist before her
eyes. There was n homesick feeling at
her heart and a dread of the coming
lonely day. Mrs. Lasbury had cared
enough to plan out gifts for these 9th
ers. For lonely Alzina there was moth
ing save the card. Ashamed Of the
jealousy that had burned briefly in her
heart, Alzina praised the gifts her kins-
woman had prepared, and then just
before the widows departure Alzina
tucked in her hand n little purse con-
tanning a five dollar bill.
"With love and Il merry Christmas,
Eliza" she said heartily.
That's real thoughtful of you. Al
zina.' cried Mrs. Lasbury, quite NOV
ed by her cousins generosity. II most