The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-12-19

uttered mental prayer that there was
to be white Christmas.
"Huccum dat wagon a-stoppin' heah?"
he queried rs long cart laden with
Christmas trees stopped before the
door.
Fifteen minutes later Uncle Peter
hobbled into the kitchen. his eyes
showing great expenses Of white and
his mouth open in amazed excitement.
"Lawdy!" he breathed heavily. "Yo'
kin never guess what's happened. 10
sie!''
Aunt 10 looked up from the nuts she
was cracking.
Speak up. Niger" she said calmly.
"Massa Rogers done sent up Christ
muss tree and big lot Of wreaths TO
de doors and windows. De foris' mans
up dere now fxin' 'em. I'm all of a
heap. Josie: my stummick's weak"
Aunt 10 pushed brown pitcher full
Of cider toward her excited spouse.
Take some Of dat cider. Peter. and
cam yo'self. If what yo' say is true
den Massa Roger done lose his haid
h1C SidLy. crazy 40 u ioOus
Up In the drawing room the florist
and his assistant were working rapid
ly, Transforming the stiff apartment
into bower of greenery 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 |
atmosphere Of Christmas from chande- |
liers to roomy fireplace.
pore Massa Roger! He's mad as a |
halter" was the general conclusion as
they went about their tasks.
Roger Burdick scarcely recognized |
himself as he whired in taxicab |
from one shop to another. each time
emerging with an armful of packages
which he put in his cab to start afresh
in another direction.
Almost before he knew it the grave
student. the man who had forgotten
Christmas. had caught the spirit of the
Christmas crowd Of shoppers. He ex-
changed laughing glances with other
men who were as heavily laden as
himself. He whistled cheerily as he
went to and fro.
Once he met Hodges. the curator of
the museum. and that withered aud
ancient gentleman was conveying two
eager girls and 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 a
walking bundle of useful information.
smiled back and gave a hearty Christ
mas greeting.
1t was while he was puzzling his
brain over the choice of an apron for
Sukey. the housemaid. that he heard n
low. rick note Of laughter Mt his elbow.
He 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 married
sister. and they had never met since
that fateful Christmas day so many
years ago.
Roger Burdickr' Doris held out a
little gloved hand. and it was imme-
diately lost in Rogers large grasp
Isn't Christmas the very best season
Of all? 1t brings out old friends who
appear to be buried the greater part of
the year"
II am just beginning to learn the
real blessings of Christmas" said Rog.
err suddenly feeling very young.
"What are you trying to buy-an
apron?" smiled Doris.
Roger nodded For Sukey. my
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
JoY
Eyes. 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 1t quite prac-
hcally while he was paying the sales
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 a lovely |
ring. its sole adornment.
Doris" he said softly under cover
IF the Christmas clamor about them
Doris. have you ever regretted that
you were not kinder to me that Christ
mas day long ago."
Her beautiful hazel eyes were lifted
TO his for a brief instant and fell be-
meath the ardor Of his glance.
Roger. I've been mighty sorry that
you were not more persist
ent!' she admitted. You know l 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"
evaded Doris. Now my friends are
waiting for me, and must go!'' And
The vanished as quickly as she had APP
)eared.