The Ordway new era., 1912-12-27

ness, lit up with the large, lustrous
brown eyes of her mother. The lips
of the sweet, sensitive mouth were
rich red, while winning smile and
gentle manner made her living SUM-
beam, casting her rays about her..
In the afternoon, when Mrs. Bell
mont called, the girls were ready. 1t
Margret was making plans for her
party; florists to be seen and caterers
and musicians to be engaged; and in
vitations to be sent out AS the par
ty was to be big affair the invita-
tons were to be sent out early. There
were visits to the dressmakcrs and
many things to see abodt. No debu-
tante was ever buster, or more eX-
cited over her coming out party than
was MargIet. 1t was to be on Christ
mas night.
Jean was as busy, but in different
way. There was poor little Joe, who
had been cripple all his life, whose
mother did laundry work, who need
ed a wheeling chair that he might
ret the fresh air and see some of the
dear old ladies that she knew and
loved, in the Old Ladies' Home, where
she had often gone with her mother.
were to be remembered with nice
warm slippers. Books for some that
enjoyed reading but could not buy
them. Not one of her class mates
were forgotten; the poor ones as well
as the rich were remembered. On
Christmas Eve. when their Sunday
school had their tree, not one child
there but got toys. dolls, or story
books, as best suited them, by the
kindness of Jean. Nor were the
children in the Orphans Home for
gotten by this busy girl. Each was
remembered in the way best suited to
their needs. The pale. wan faces OF
the patients in the Charity Hospital
lit up on the day before Christmas as
Jean passed from cot to cot with a
kindly greeting and left beautiful
tagging appetite of the sufferer.
So Christmas morning broke over
snow clad earth and as the sun rose
high in the heavens. could be heard
the merry jingle of sleigh bells as gay
parties were being carried to some
festive place. The keen, frosty air
making the checks glow and the eyes
sparkle of the passers by; the snow
glistcning in the sunlight.
A glorious Christmas day. Nor was
the day more bright and joyous than
was Jean Belmont, with the feeling
within that she had given bit of joy
to the lives of many that would 9TH
crwisc have been sad but for her un-
sclfshncss and kindly thoughts of
others.
The Belmont home was scene of
life and beauty as the florists had done
themselves credit in way of dccora-
| ton. Everything was in readiness for
the party and Margrct was nervous
as to whether it would go off all right
or not.
At last the long looked for hour had
come. The house was ablaze with
lights; the soft strains OF music float
ing out from behind the shelter OF
plants and dainty blossoms. as the
little guests assembled in the spacious
rooms. Margrct, assisted by her
mother and sister, received her guests
with all the dignity of one much old
ter. Mr.. Belmont looked on, with
pride and amusement as he watched
her.
So tile evening waned amid gay mu-
sic. merry laughter as the happy boys
Margret looked her best in her finn
sy, shimmering blue and gold. Her
eyes dilatcd with excitement: her
golden curls. fair lily like skin made
her indeed fairy like as she fitted here
and there among her guests. Jean
was her own sweet self in her dainty
white. with her brown eyes setting
off well by contrast. her clear. fair
skin and shimmering hair; admired by
all as she passed from one to anoth-
cr. seeing that each was enjoying
himself. Many times she refused to
dance on the plea that she was tired.
that she light find partners for some
less attractive girls.
The music has ceased and the tired
but happy guests are saying good
night. When the last carriage had
rolled away. Mrs. Belmont. kissing
their room. saying I'VE will talk
about it in the morning: this has been
a hard day on my little girls"
When in their room. jean said,
"Your party was grand and such a
success. Margrct." throwing her arms
around her. land you. looked just like
the fairy you wanted"
Eyes. ! know did. but you never
looked pretticr than tonight. and did
not have one thing new. And you
had all yorr dances taken before |
did"
"Oh. it jus, happened So" replied
Jean.
do you think my dress was pref
tier than any of the girls?" asked
Margret 81 told Madgc Clark was
going to have a blue dress and she
went right straight and got one. too.
But ! don't care, mine was the prct-
test. if do say it,"
"Nevcr mind" soothcd Jean, ''lct
us go to sleep now"
The next morning. Mr.. Belmont
and his wife we're seated at the break
fast table. when the twins entered.
As was their wont they kissed their
mother as they said. good morning."