Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-01-08
A Happy New Year.

By Ruth <irschstein Aged u Years 202S
Maple Street Omaha. Red Side.
Tho Dom was full of Christmas. In the
corner still stood a beautiful little table
tree sparkling with ornaments. On the
table beneath the protecting branches Of
the little tree. were gifts. Across the
room was a broad fireplace where the
Pickering flames cast warm, coy light
over the whole room. Miss Puss lay be-
side the fire, evidently dreaming Of mice,
for every once in while she would awake
with an uneasy little start The furnishings
Of the room were entirely white, but they
CLEANED pink in the ftful light Of the
fire. Through the large bay window one
could look down into the garden, where
everything was covered with cleaning
snow.
Altogether II certainly was a lovely
view for the little sleeper on the snowy
bed The pale little face was beautiful in
its pathetic patience. Dagmar Earl was an
invalid When small, she had been a rosy,
happy little child. whose sunshiny little life
was never marred by a single cloud not
even one fluffy and light AS she passed
the age Of years she grew tired of her
play and would lie about the great house
with a terrible headache that no one could
relieve. Gradually she grew weaker and
whenever she walked, a slight limp that
grew worse was noticed. SO now, at the
age Of 10, she was compelled to stay in
her bed except on bright, summer days,
when the old pam seemed better, and al
lowed the little invalid to leave her bed,
with the aid OF her crutches.
The little clock on the dressing table
had Just chimed 10 when the door was
softly opened and beautiful lady In black
velvet stepped in She walked over to the
bed, her soft skirts making a gentle
swish. Her proud face grew tender as she
gazed earnestly into Dagmar's face. AS
she looked upon the figure in bed the violet
eyes opened and flashed a winning smile
into the mothers eyes Dagmars eyes
never could be described exactly. Fun, of
a soft, dreamy gaze one moment they
would be bright, winning and flashing the
next. Now in the dim light of the dying
fire her mother detected a strange look on
her child's face.
How do you feel, dear?' Mrs. Earl
asked, bending over her and taking a weak
little hand in her sim one.
Much better, mother. How long have
been sleeping? Two hours! And yet l am
sleepy. The pain is all gone, mother, dear,
and / want you to wake me so that | may
hear the bells and whistles that will sound
at ~ o'clock. l do so love TO hear them; II
seems as II they were all loyal subjects
After one old king Ia dead they all welcome
the new king without one little murmur
against the new ruler. Do you think that
could make up a story about the happy
New Year, mother? / think I could"
I'm sure you could dear, but you must
talk no more now. Go to sleep and l vii
waken you at u o'clock"
The clock licked on toward midnight
and as IL did so Degmar gradually grew
weaker. her breathing was slow and ir
regular and her face grew tranquil. Jus
as the minute hand OF the clock pointed e
p the city chimes began to ring merrily
and the whistles sounded through the
whole city. As her mother and father en-
tered the room Dagmar stilled them By
saying In an awed whisper, How beauti'
full! The new king has indeed found faith
full subjects
And the light OF the New Years moor
streamed across the still little figure
whose soul had gone to the land that IL
always a happy New Year