The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-27
BY NJ. j. PHILLIPS.

copyright, 1911, by Associated
Literary Press.)
The little Marcy"
John Burden smiled as he said it
to himself. Geraldine Marcy sue
eumbinG to the craze and buying
Christmas presents! He had sup
posed her almost as immune to such
frailties as himself: but there WAS no
question that she had succumbed.
Ahrahams' great store had Oh
quilted Burden. drawn him In and
tossed him about among the bewil-
dering aisies with thousands of
others like a chip In n whirlpool He
had come In search of his particular
brand of drawing pencil. Presently
no found himself drifting past tho
handkerchief counter where the cur
rent Of eager woman shoppers fairly
boiled.
There he had seen the familiar lit
tie taiiorrnade figure. and his heart
gave a throb of recognition. He had
passed close TO her~~-had almost
brushed her shoulder as he struggled
to free himself from the entangie-
ment OF women. She had Just com
pleted her purchase. 1t was a heart
shaped box of handkerchiefs, the
cover decorated with sprigs OF holly.
The clerk was handing her card
for the address, Christmas card
which would inevitably he recognized
Az coming from the store of tho
csnny Abrahams, since one corner
had been cut off.
Burden worked his way to the exit
and out into the crisp winter air.
Just fading into dusk. THE Little
Marcy" he repeated again. He could
not reconcile the Christmas frivoling
with her daily air at dinner among
the bahbiing. cherry actor-foik that
made up, with the exception OF Miss
Marcy and himself, their boarding
house circle.
She would sit there like a weary
princess engrossed in her own
thoughts. the piquant little face
masked by Indifference. Occasionally
the childish chickering's or equally
childish display of vanity Of the
summer-folk brought a flicker of
mischievous mirth to her eyes When
Burden surprised that look he Won
dered whether he really understood
the girl after all
Burden loitered in the streets for a
time before going home to dinner.
They were crowded with eager holt
day crowds, There was snow under
foot and an occasional fake was
floating down. He has never seen
20 many smiling faces In the city
before. He found himself smiling.
too. and feeling vaguely excited.
though he expected neither to buy
nor to receive any presents.
Every one was in high spirits at
dinner. The actor-foik had been
through matinee, and were soon to-
hurry back for the evening perform
Ance, but they babbled constantly of
the Christmas tree which was. to be
set up In the dining room after the
show" Even Miss Marcy had
light in her Indifferent eyes. and
delicate color In her cheeks. Burden
realized with start that when she
looked like that she was pretty.
He did not feel in the mood to go
= book. But in half an hour the
iandlady came knocking. She de-
manded his help to set up the tree.
decorate it. and arrange the various
presents. We'll surprise them poor
things" she said. with more kindli-
ness than grammar: they'll be all
tired out when they come In. and it's
quite a task to dress a tree"
So they set up the tree. decorated
1t with candles and gewgaws and
started to arrange the packages. The
sight OF familiar one attracted his
attention 1t was light, heart
shaped box. decorated with sprigs OF
holly. The card on ia card with
one corner Topped off--bore these
words: ITO Miss Geraldine Marcy,
with best wishes for merry Christ
mas"
Burden excused himself abruptly.
DOMINIC hat and coat he went out
into the street. So she had - buy
her own Christmas presents. No
friends to send her trinkets; no Joy
Gus looking forward to the holiday
season! In the glow Of pity for her
tonelinaae he quite forgot that he
Mas similarly situated, and that there
would be no present on the tree for
him.
He came to a resolution swiftly. 1t
Vas TO buy the little Marcy every
thing which . young man can with
propriety buy for q young woman
who II almost . total stranger and
whO pAOsd him on the stairs or en-
4 oantesoA him 1t dinner with the
rts6est ana most formal Of saiuta-
items.
SirsG tAsrs ~srs lowers. H. pur-