The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-14

 "They was asking down to the sewing , circle why you never encouraged any company. There's plenty of young men would like to call on you. and most of them would like to marry you. I thought young Fred Pierson was quite smitten when he walked home from meeting. We'll, you needn't look so mad. Alzina. Most girls would be glad to have him looking at 'em."
 "Here is Mir. Bcebe." remarked AL gina, turning from the window with hot. flushed cheeks. 'I hope you'll ,, h1v6 lovely time. Cousin Eliza" "I expect I shall" said the widow complacently. She bundled herself in a large cloak and tied a wooden shawl over her head. 'T shall stop in the postoffice and see if my present has come from Elderville. Do you really mean you're going to have Christ mas tree. Alzina. like you said?" And as AIzina nodded assent Mrs. Lasbury tucked her double chin in the folds of her shawl and added condescendingly. "Well. I wish you jNy of It."
 When she was alone Alzina thought about the Christmas tree she had 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 init tens and. wrapping them in white tis- sue paper. placed them in the milk pail outside the door. She groped down cellar for jar of mincemeat and made it ready to take to old Mrs. Peterkin in the morning.
 Wher 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 8 golden one of pumpkin. There was a small roasted chicken and dish of cranberry sauce, besides sev- 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 I 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 anni- 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 that 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 like 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 reverently she touched the branches that bore the Christmas fruits. and then she united one of the packages and slowly opened 1t. Inside was dainty white apron with Christmas card, "To Alzina from Sarah Beebe." There was an- other present. from MT. Beebe and one from Esther and a real present from Cousin Eliza Lasbury-a knitted af- ghan. Then there was big box of candy from Fred Piersons mother, and. lastly, very tiny box hanging all alone a
 When Alzina opened it she found beautiful little turquoise ring, and in 1t was twisted 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 "I never had such B good time in my life,'' panted Mrs. Lasbury as they gathered about her. "When I told Mrs. Pierson abouf it she and fred wanted to join in, and so they did. If you'll give us some breakfast. Alzina, we'll take yo. back to Beebe's with us. Fred and his mother Il be there, and-where are you going2"
 eff you'll excuse me a moment" blushed Alzina. twisting the turquoise ring around her fnger-"I've got ap errand down to the gate"
 And all the Beebes and Cousin Eliza wlnked solemnly at each other.
 Although bosh iron and nickel are