The Ordway new era., 1912-12-27
The Christmas
Twins
Awarded First Prize in the New
Era's Story Competition


you may go, too. You know the
stores are showing many pretty things
now"
oh, mamma dear, may we?' came
in chorus from the two girls. THAT
will be such fun" As they crossed |
over to meet the tall, handsome wom-
an that had entered the room, they
drew her down on couch between
them to have one of their many chats.
Jean. laying her soft round cheek
against her mothers one arm about
her neck. siad, "Mumzie. may
choose my own Christmas this year,"
"Ycs. my dear" patting the pretty
head. what would you like"
ooh. lots of pretty things. but do
you think papa will mind!"
mo, indeed; papa will not mind
anything that will make his little girls
happy"
II. too. want to plan my Christmas.
"All right. | do wonder what it will
be- said Mrs. Belmont, pinching
Margrct's cheek.
81 will tell about NINE said Jean;
lit will take lots OF shopping"
Dear me. | am at loss to think"-|
"You need not think it is this: !
want to buy something for every one
! klloW tHdt SduuOt HdNS
Christmas because they are too poor.
| never could remember them all if
| did not. And you, mumzic, will
help me to pick out what would be
nice for each. won't you"
"Yes. indeed, / will" looking into
the bright. earnest face.
well. that is not what | want
said Margret. tossing her yellow curls.
LET us hear" said her mother.
smiling at her.
81 want a real party. with flowers.
music and dear of dress to wear"
Very WE'LL" said her mother. you
may each make your own plans and
will help in any way can. Shall
you go with me this afternoon?" she
asked as she arose to leave them.
ooh yes. If We may, we will be
ready" answered the girls.
After the door closed on Mrs. Bell
mont. Margrct turned to her sister
with: "Of all things to think of. you
wanting to have such Christmas.
Jean: I do not see the fun in wearing
yourself out and spending whole
heaps OF money just to buy things
for lot OF nobodics, when you know
You might have anything nice you
wanted for yourself. think you bet
ter help me plan for my party: we
will haye a perfectly laveay time. il
l-ou will. And my dress, : L wasn't it
to be the very prcttiest dress I ever
ing to have pretty baby blue with
this thin shimmery stuff all over it.
and blue stockings. and the dearest
blue slippers. with gold buckles on
them. And one of those pretty blue
things for my hair" she said, dancing
about the room in great glec at the
thought.
And Jean. If you would have n
pink dress just like mine with pink
stockings and slippers. and pink
thing for your hair. you know you
look so sweet in pink. We would be
Just like two fairies. Won't you?
That's dear"
ayes. will do all can to help you
be perfectly splendid" answered
Jean. And you will look lovely in
blue as you do in everything. with
your soft. white skin; pretty pink
cheeks. and great blue eyes. You
should have the trimming on your
dress to match the gold Of your curls.
Then you will look like fairy. all
gold. and blue. and white. But +
think ! can wear the -rctty, white
dress. mama got for me to wear to
dancing school. And l would rather
have the money to buy my Christmas
gifts. there are so many. | must now
tr" to make out my list
Mr.. Belmont belonged to the very
rich and lived in Philadelphia. the
city of homes. He was large manu-
facturcr: man above average height.
broad square shoulders; iron gray
hair. ShrrwI 1,1,,s, firm.
mouth. One look bespoke the man OF
business, with rather naughty bear
ing.
Mrs. Belmont was also tall. with
well rounded figure. large lustrous.
brown eyes, fringcd with long lashes
of the same shade, as were the well
archcd brows. She had wavy golden
hair: soft fair skin. bright sunny
disposition. ever ready to give pleas
urc to others. Her forty years had
touched her very lightly, as she look
ed much younger.
Their married life had been a very
happy one. Mr.. Belmont. perhaps
cold. and stern in business, was never |
so in his home. He was n most de-
voted husband and father. spending |
with his family. never happier than
when seated in his large chair in their |
elegant library. with one of his twin
daughters on each arm and his wife
close by for a honey evening.
They had been married some six
years when. one bright Christmas |
morning. two little mites of girls
were born. That had been the hap
picst Christmas of their married life:
giving to each the most precious of
Christmas gifts: 1t is needless to say
that each Yuletidc was looked forward
to by their happy parents with more
than ordinary pleasure. as each time