Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-26

clothing for the mother and the child
and some toys for the little one too.
1 wonder If they have any fuel"
Very likely not" said Joanna, wink
ing tears away from her honest eyes.
You can order a ton of coal and
some wood to be sent to Mrs. White.
Telephone now and tell them 1t must
be delivered tonight. l will pay extra
for that" Mrs. Vinton arose and went
to the door. please tell Patrick to
! have.the car at the door at 5 o'clock"
Yes, ma'am," said Joanna. looking
after her mistress departing form with
a queer expression in her eyes. When
she was alone she covered her homely
face with her hands and prayed softly.
From shop to shop Mrs. vinton drove
with her maid. and Joanna was sur
prised at the gifts selected by her usu-
ally practical mistress, but she did not
utter word of protest
The little one will like this. Joanna"
said Mrs. Vinton as she picked up a
/ beautiful doll that was richly dressed
and bore an extravagant price tag.
! Eyes, maam," said Joanna. and she
( glanced suspiciously at Mrs Vinton.
/ but that lady appeared to be engrossed
! in the selection of a dolls trunk and
some other expensive toys.
! There was clothing, too, for the little
one and its mother-handsome gar
ments, soft and warm furs. chosen
with rare taste. Joanna thought that
Mrs. Vtnton might have been buying
gifts for her own daughter instead of
the poor Mrs. White OF the tenements.
1t was not until after dinner that
they set forth to deliver the gifts. Mrs.
Vinton's eyes were sparkling az joan
ma had not seen them in years. and her
cheeks were quite pink. She looked
very beautiful and so much like lovely,
foolish Rosa mond, whom Joanna had
adored from babyhood. that the good
woman was agitated almost to betray-
al of her thoughts.
'She seems to have forgotten poor
Miss Rosamond." thought Joanna, rath-
er resentfully. and yet there was .
scared look in her face as the car sped
up the avenue and turned into one of
the side streets.
When they reached the address Of
Mrs. White, Joanna was surprised and
disconnected to find that Mrs vinton
wished to accompany her to the home
of the young widow. Patrick can re-
main with the car. / can carry half of
those parcels, Joanna" said Mrs. Vim.
ton firmly, and so Joanna gave in and
followed her mistress up the i'll lighted
stairs, looking badly frightened.
At last they knocked at the appoint.
ed door. and 1t was opened slowly by
little girl of three or four years.
Against the candle lighted back.
ground of the room the child's hair was
a fluff of gold.
'Muzzer's gone to Diet some COAL"
she announced, letting the visitors in.
side the>humble room.
Mrs. Vinton and Joanna each stoop-
ed and kissed the child and then look.
ed around at the bare floor, with its
strip of worn carpet and few cheap
| chairs. There were an iron bedstead
. and a plain deal table. with a few
dishes laid for n simple meal-a simple
: meal indeed-a loaf OF bread and a
I bottle of milk! There was rusty
little stove in one corner, and in this q
I fire of sticks was cracking
Santa Claus sented US some coal.
! Muzzer's gone to the cellar after some."
chatted the child. coming forward and
! placing a tiny hand on Mrs. Vintons
I fur muff. when l heard you knock
3 l sought 1t was Santa Claus. and II was
only her and you"
Mrs. ViDton bent down and kissed
3 the child tenderly. and while Joanna
{ OFT trembled she turned the charming
hn n,ht
led 1t closely What is your name,
darling" she asked In a voice Joanna
had never heard before.
MARY Vinton," said the child sweet.
r ly-"after grandmuzzer."
] Joanna Ott," said Mrs. Vinton. not
3 taking her eyes from the child's face.
3 "Will you please so and help Miss
3 Rosamond bring up the coal? You
I know her hands are not accustomed to
SUCH But Joanna OFT had disap.
/ peared.
When she was alone with little Mary
LIE Blanc. Mrs. yinton held the child
closely against her breast 1T is toe
good a thing to happen to me, q
Lord" she whispered brokenly. 81
was so hard hearted and proud And
yet tonight. when Joanna told me OF
these people, | thought Of Rosamond.
l did not know about this little one,
and chose the things that l would
have bought for Rosamond and her
child If she had one. and, o Lord. they
are both my own!"
When Rosamond lie Blanc followed
Joanna into the poor room It was to
be clasped in her mothers arms. Mary
Vinton looked over Rosamond's fair,
repentant head. and the golden curls
of little Mary and her eyes met tns
faithful ones OF Joanna OFT
Joanna, how can we ever thank
your she asked soIemnly.
by all coming home and having o
Christmas tree" said Joanna practical
] | LIZ, r,oddIr,rr hnr ho,d