The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1910-12-16

anu putting the cork In the Ink bottle
II guess l may rs we'll be getting
ready, Alzinn. Hlram's coming over
for me at b o'clock. and I've got to get
together the little things I've been max
ing for the folks nnd that reminds me
I've got something for you too" She
fuHbled through the Christmas cards
on the table and extended toward her
cousin gurgeously colorcd Christmas
greeting. with II Merry Christmas,
from Cousin Eliza" was written across
the bottom.
''Thank you. Eliza" snid Alzlna. with
a sudden choking In her throat. at Is
very good Of you TO think Of me-"
"Not ut all. Alzlna." returned the
widow graciously. II think Of you
very often. Now, see here. what I've
been making for tho folks. You see,
they'll expect mo 10 remember Them
seeing az I spend every Christmas with
them. bought this waist pattern for
Sarah. aud I mnde this muller for
Hiram. Neat. amt M Esther's been
wanting u china cup Of her own tn
drink from, and | got this down to the
store"
"lts real pretty" said AlZlna. scarce
ly seeing the gayly decorated cup
through the blurring mist before her
eyes. There was II homeslck feeling NJ
her heart nnd dread OF tho coming
lonely day, Mrs. Lnsbury had cared
enough To plan out gifts for these 9th
crs. For lonely AlzIna there was mott,
Ing save tho card. Ashamed Of the
jealousy TINT had burned briefly IN he,
heart, AlaInG praised the gifts her klns
woman Ind prepared. and then Just
before the Widows departure AlZinn
tucked In hnr hand u little purse con
tanning II Ave dollar bin.
"With love aud n merry Christmas.
Eliza" she snli heartily
THAT'S real thoughtful Of you. Al
zina," cried Mrs, Iasbury. quite NOV
cd by her cousins generosity. II most
wish YOU was coming nlong to EMO.
the Christi mas tree"
~ shnll have u Christmas tree VI
my own" snId Alzinn spiritedly
Mrs. Lasbury stared. "For the land
WHAT do you mcan?" she demanded.
Alzina pointed toward tho window
where the fcnthery plume OF the cedar
branches tapped the pnne. "Thuts
my Christmas tree" she smiled brave
~. when the birds come tomorrow
thry'll mud bits of suet and other
goodies. nnd little Chip. the squirrel
that lives In the hollow oak, will find
a handful Of nuts. Then THERE'S the
rcd mlttcns for Jimmie aud II jar Of
mlncrmcnt for old Mrs. Peterkin. Why.
wen hive quite n merry Christmas
here, after all. wish I'd thought
OF II before" Alzlnus cheeks grew
quite pink, nnd her grny eyes sparkled,
any lnnd, Alzinn, you're almost
pretty" she admitted grnclously
"They was asking down TO tho sewing
circle why you never encouraged Cny
company. There's plenty OF young
most Of them would like to marry you.
I thaugal young Fred plerson WINS
quite smlitrn when he walked home
from meeting. Well, you needn't look
10 mnd. Al"inn. Most girls would DO
glad To hn'c him looking NJ en-
"iicre IL Mr.. l'rebc,' remarked Al
zinn. turning from tho WINDOW WIN
hot. flushed checks. II hope you'll
have II lovely time, COUSIN Eil"h'
81 expect l shall" snId the widow
c"mpldrehtiy Sie bnhd''n herHeii III
n large clnnh ANA TIED II wooden Hhhwi
over her hehh' h''"h sup III '"'
postoliicr ANA see " my present ms
come from f.id'r'i'ir. DO you rehi'y
mean you're going TO hh'e a 'hrH,.
mas tree, hiZillh. ike you Shh An"
M Alzlnn nodded hsseht MrS' i."sDury
tucked her d"lp'e 'h'h III 'he i"'S W
her SHAWL hlh h"u"u 'o'h'S'''"'"s'''
wei, WISH y"" Joy OF H. .
When She whh "iohe "'"'," '"o.s"'
about the christmas Tree H',o ',n' ~
DrhVe'y P''n"'n =" VIZ" '"""'
presence ANA She ir'rd NOV 10 ,''hs'n.
Der TINT MI" WIS h'' h'",'o hno '""' "''
natural reS"r'" ma SMUT Nv, awa,
from the Few ir''nhS "hc might "h's
possessed lll'r' WIS no o,' =" ~
member her i''Is lohe'y CHRISTMAS eve
ANA M she must Try ana reihe''Der 'no
rev people hhe h'e"' "n' ,''h '''hn'
aim" In enrl ihhiib OF lhe r"h mt
tens nhd' wrapping ,n"h' I'D wh''o us
'ur pnp'r' p'a''h '"'," '" w" ''''N
phil onisih" ID" h""r' III" sr"l'n "ow"
cellnr Tor jar "f "ll'elh'h, hh" 'n"oe
II r"ndy To TAX" !" on NTH f''''"'h !"
the morning
When I'll" opened the P"n'ry "o"r ="
ma som" b''S OF snet io' Tue o'"" M.
met surprise there On w" orou"
shelves the conscience S'rickeh MIH
I'hhbury ma arranged Two niihco p'es
hhd goideh one OF p"nph"' "''u
was small roaHtcd chickeh anu
dish or cranberry sauce besiae' sew.
erui vegetables ready 10 DO "nr"'cu
up The not tehrS we''eu INTO hn'hn
eyes.
"Thht Just SHOWS tiht eVeryOouy
better hearted than think they arc
she murmured nH she CLOSED the door
on Cousin ElizaS mute put bupS'"h''n.
onering. I'm aShhmed OF nybeh
when l think now inuch I'm nis8'hs
or all the goodness just ny peihg NJ
narrow minded
Before she went 10 pea h'"ihh reha
the beautiful Story or inc hrSt ChriSt'
mas. ana although she hhd rehn u pe'
fore. II never he'h v" inuch 'ehoer
meaning Tor hcr M u ana inns """''
VerShry OF the blessed bir'hhhy'
she awe ks cheeriui nhh co",'h'eu'
and. while there was no ChriSthhh
greeting awaiting her from 'ie silent
rODtnH OF the house, Hlle resolved t1nf