Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-13


he querled as long cart laden with
door.
| Fifteen minutes later Uncle Peter
hobbled into the kitchen. his eyes
showing great cxpanscs OF white and
his mouth open IN amazed excitement.
! "Lawdy"' he hrcathcd heavily. "Yo'
kin never guess what's happened. 10.
1 Sic,
Aunt 10 looked up from the nuts she
/ was cracking
| Speak up. niggcr." she said calmly.
| "Mlassa Rogers done sent up IA Christ
muss tree aud u big lot Of wreaths 10
de doors and windows. DE iioris' mans
up deere now iixin' EN-. I'm all Of a
heap Josie: my stummick's weak
Aunt 10 pushed a brown pitcher full
! OF cider toward her excited spouse.
Take some OF dat cider. Peter. and
1 cam yo'sclf If what 20 say Is true
den Massa Roger done lose his haid.
| He's crazy. crazy MS a loon
Up in the drawing room the florist
and his assistant were working rapid
| ~. transforming the stif apartment
/ into a bower of grcenery with ropes of
evergreen and holly and with festoons
about the pictures and doors and
wreaths gay with holly In every win
| dow From room to room they went.
not forgetting the library and the big
| hall When the men had gone the
servants formed an awestricken group
in the dining room. which breathed the
atmosphcre of Christmas from chande-
licrs 10 roomy fireplace.
Pore Massa Roger. He's mad as
halter" was the general conclusion as
they went about their tasks
Roger Burdick scarcely recognized
himself rs be whirlcd in q taxicab
from one shop TO another. each time
emerging with an armful ~ packages
which he put in his cab to start afrcsh
in another direction.
Almost before he knew IL the grave
student the man who had forgotten
Christmas had caught the spirit OF the
Christmas crowd Of shoppers. He cx-
changed laughing glances with other
men who were as heavily laden as
himself He whistled cheerily as he
went 10 and fro.
Once he met Hodges. the curator OF
the museum. and that withered and
ancient gentleman was conveying two
eager girls and a boy through the toy
department of one of the shops
"My grandchildren. smiled Hodges.
and Burdick. who had never given
thought whether the curator was mar
ried or single or otherwise than
walking bundle Of useful information.
smiled back an,l gave n hearty Christ
mas greeting
IL was while he was puzZling his
brain over the choice of an apron for
Sukey. the hnuscinaid. that he heard a
low. rich note If laughter NJ his elbow.
lie turned and SAW Doris Allen.
stately and more beautiful than the
promise Of her early girlhood when
he had known her She had lived
abroad for many years with u married
sister and they had never met since
that fatefu Christmas day So many
years ago.
Roger Burdick.' Doris held out
little gloved hand. and II was imme-
diatcly lost in Rogers large grasp.
Isn't Christmas the very best season
Of all: II brings out old friends who
appear a. be buried the greater part OF
the year.
II am just beginning TO learn the
real blessings of Christmas said Rog.
or. suddenly feeling very young
What are you trying to bny-an
APRON" smiled Doris.
Roger nodded. For Sukey. my
housemaid Which do you like best.
Doris this fancy one with the pink
bows or the plain one:"
I'm sure Sukey would like the pink
bows" replied Doris seriously. rs
Uncle Peter still with you. and Aunt
Jof"
Yes You know my fathers serv-
ants remained with me. I'm doing
some Christmas shopping for them.
There isn't any one else to make
Christmas for" He said IL quite prac-
tically while he was paying the sales
woman for his purchases.
When he turned around the first
thing he SAW WAS the beautiful left
hand OF Doris resting On the counter.
She had removed the glove. and on
the little finger there shone lovely
sapphire ring. its sulc adornment.
Doris" he said softly under cover
OF the Christmas clamor about them
Doris. have YOU. ever regretted that
you were not kinder 10 me that Christ
mas day long ago
Her beautiful hazel eyes were lifted
TO his for brief instant and fell be-
meath the ardor OF his glance.
Roger I've been mighty sorry that
yon-that you We're not more persist.
cnt.' She admitted You know | was
willful girl and -
That's enough. darling whispered
Roger Come with me and help me
keep Christmas tomorrow
II will come to your Christmas tree"