The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-10-17

are our Christmas gifts 10 Elnora.
She'll no doubt need them more now
than she will then. and We can give
them Just as well. That's yours. and
this IL mine, or whichever way you
choose"
Wesley united a good brown umbrel-
In and shook out the folds OF long
brown nlncoat. Margaret dropped the
hat, arose and took the coat She tried
II on. felt II. cooed over II and matched
II with the umbrella.
did II look anything like rain to-
night" she inquired so anxiously that
Wesley laughed
"And this last bundleT' she said,
dropping back In her chair, the coat
still over her shoulders.
II couldn't buy this much stun for
any other woman and nothing for my
own" said Wesley. ITS Christmas
for you. too. Margaretr' He shook out
fold after fold Of soft gray satiny goods
that would look lovely against Marga.
rets pink checks and whitening hair.
"0h, you old darlingr' she exclaimed
uhu Soouluk lutO
At 4 o'clock next morning Elnora was
Smelling beans. At o she fed chickens
and pigs, swept two OF the rooms Of
the cabin, built a DIRE and put on the
kettle for breakfast. Then she climbed
the narrow stairs to the attic she had
occupied since very small child and
dressed In the hated shoes and brown
calico. plastered down her crisp curls,
ate what breakfast she could and. pin.
ming on her hat. started for town.
There Is no sense In your going for
an hour yet" said her mother.
II must try 10 discover some way TO
earn those books" replied Elnora. IL
am perfectly positive | shall not find
them lying along the road wrapped In
tissue paper and tagged with my
name"
She went toward the city a. on yes
terday. Her perplexity as to where
tuition and books were to come from
was worse. but she did not feel quite
so badly. She never again would have
TO face all OF II for the first time She
had been through Il once and was yet
living. There had been times yester.
day when she had prayed to be hid.
den or to drop dead. and neither had
happened. II guess the best way to
get an answer to prayer Is TO work for
IT," muttered Elnora grimly
In an Onabasha book store she ask.
ed the prices OF the list OF books that
she needed aud learned that SO would
not quite supply them. She anxiously
inquired for second hand books. but
was told that the only way to secure
them was from the last years fresh
men.
DO you wish these7' asked the clerk
hurriedly. for the store was rapidly
filling with school children wanting
anything from dictionary TO a pen.
Yes" gasped Elnora. ''oh. yesl But
cannot pay for them just now. Please
let me take them, and ! will pay for
them on Friday or return them rs per.
feet as they are. Please trust me for
them a few days"
The clerk looked at her doubtfully
and took her name.
"rl ask the proprietor" he said.
When he came back Elnora knew the
answer before he spoke
"I'm sorry" he said. but Mr.. Ham
doesn't recognize your name. You are
not a customer Of ours. and be feels
that he can't take the risk. You'll
have 10 bring the money"
Elnora clur1ped out Of the store, the
thump Of her heavy shoes beating as a
hammer on her brain. She tried two
other houses with the same result and
then In sick despair came into the
street What could she dor She was
too frightened to think.
There II stood In n bank window In
big black letters staring straight ut
her: