The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-14
ALZiNA'S
 TREE The r1omentous Part 1t Played at Christmas By ELLEN P. BANKHEAD Copyright. 1910. by American Press
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By ELLEN P. BANKHEAD
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
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 The rcd farmhouse was set in a white expanse of snow. The dropping elins protected the roof with wide spread arms clothed in ermine, and where the crisp wind had blown away the covering the limbs were darkly sAetched 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~r
 AlZina Tweed lived alone with her third cousin. the Widow Lasbury. who had no home of her own. Mrs. Las- bury was very fat woman who ate q 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 tintinnabulation 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, ana she had passed her thirty-fifth rear but her skin was fresh and un- unHd. and her gray eyes were clear sns. innocent as child's. She wore a plain gray dress. and her brown hair wa1 drawn smoothly back from ~her low white forehead.
 "Alzina." said sMrs Lasbury pouder- ouSiy, "I never thought you set much store by Christmas"
 The other looked up inquiringly. 'T don't know as I ever did. Eliza-not since. I was a little thing. You seq. we had lots of trouble when I 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. SSeeing as you don't set much store by Christmas: knew you wouldn't mind if 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 a mist came into her gray eyes.
 "'Tisn't as if you made much of the day. As recollect. Christmas is like most other daysshere." complained the widow in self extenuation. lover to Beebe's they have Christmas tree and a turkey and lots of going ons. Maybe you'd like to go along with me. though you mightn't enjoy 1t. not knowing anybody over there"
 Alzina smiled at the grudging invita- ton. and a dimple came into one cheek. 'sNo. thank you. Eliza. I may as we'll spend the day as usual; you know we live so far away from neighbors we have got out of the habit of participat- ing in their good times. I may walk over to church in the morning. I am Sorry you've had such dull holidays here. If I'd only known how you felt we could have had 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"
 '1 don't remember" remarked Mrs. Lasbury vaguely. plotting the last card and putting the cork In the ink bottle. 'I guess may as we'll be getting ready, AlZina. Hiram's coming over for me at 5 o'clock. and I've got to get together the little things I've been mak- ing for the folks-and that reminds me I've got something for you too" She fulnbled through the Christmas cards cousin a gorgeously colored Christmas greeting. "With a Merry Christmas. from Cousin Eliza," was written across the bottom.
 Thank you. Eliza" said Alzina, with sudden choking in her throat. 'It is very good of you to think of me-
 ''Not at all. Alzina," returned the widow graciously. "I 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 I made this muller for Hiram. Neat. ain't it? Esther's been wanting a china cup of her own to drink from. and got this down to the store"
 'sIt's real pretty" said Alzina, scarce ly seeing the gayly decorated Cup through the blurring mist before her eyes There was homesick feeling at her heart and a dread of the coming 2 lonely day. Mrs. Lasbury had cared enough to plan out gifts for these oth- CTS For lonely Alzina there was noth- 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 little purse con. taining five dollar bill.
 "With love and a merry Christmas, Eliza" she said heartily.
 That's real thoughtful of you, Al xfna.' cried Mrs. Lasbury. quite nov ed by her cousins generosity. "I most wish you was coming along to enjoy the Christmas tree"
 AT sfI:.ll have a Christmas tree of my own" said Alzina spiritedly.
 Mrs. I.asbury stared. "For the land: What do you mean?' she demanded.
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