Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-08
q Literary Bureau.

~Oh. no. II ism I! You dont know
how well pay my erraRd boys" was
Jeans encouraging answer.
After that the boy watched her with
delighted eyes as oranges aud nuts
were added to the basket and at last
Jean said there was plenty. and she
paid for it from a we'll filed purse.
We must carry this together. Leon"
she said. Can you manage one side
of the basket"
I'm sure | can" he said eagerly.
I'm glad you bought the doll for
Cherry. Santa Claus might forget 10
come to our house"
They passed into the crowd on the
sidewalk. and Leon guided Jean Lor-
ing up another block and around a
corner and up the stairs of al din=y
tenement house.
This isn't n very nice place" he
whispered apoIogetically. We lived
in nicer places before father went
away. But it's the best mother cen
do, cause she doesn't get much for
the 'broidery work. and grandfather
didn't leave her any money. after all.
Here we are-the door in the corner.
. We're going to have a better place
some day" he added AS he opened tina
shabby door that led into bare little
bedroom that smelled sweet and clean,
whatever it might lack in furniture
and other appointments.
door led into the next room. Il
kitchen. where n woman sat at n sew
ing machine stitching listlessly at
something that looked like dolls
dress. A lovely little girl of two years
was curled up on n shabby sofa near
the fire. The room was warm. bat
beyond the fire and the scrupulouS
cleanliness of the place there did not
seem to be any other comforts. There
was no hint OF the approaching Christ.
mas day. Everything spoke OF poverty.
That you. Leon?" asked the WON
an without turning her head lyon
were gone a long time. dear. Did you
get the bread and the milk 2"
Leon FASTENED TO her side
Mother. dear" he cried excitedly.
II lost the dime. and
"Leon!" cried the mother sharply.
ut was the last cent had I'm tha
world" she added in quaverin:
voice.
Icons arms went around her neck.
DOn uedT, ne whispered. l
did lose the money. but | found a
Christmas angel. Christmas friend. I
mean, and she's going TO let me work
and pay her back for the good things
See herr"
Slowly the mother turned face
stony with despair, the blood creeping
in shame TO her check Mt the thought
of accepting charity. For an instant
her eyes closed and then opened. dark
and tragically beautiful. TO meet the
blue eyes OF Jean Loring.
Jean spoke first. and there was
trace OF bitterness mingled with the
surprise and pity OF her tone.
MAUD. Maud, Is ii really you?'
And the beautiful society girl who
had won Denton Kings heart away
from Jean Loring after all smiled wan
ly and promptly tainted away at Jeans
feet
The Christmas bells were ringing out
q midnight peal when Jean Loripg in
a taxicab drove up to the door OF her
home. Alarmed servants were hover.
ing in the hail when she entered. and
they few to do Jeans bidding when
she entered with frail. shabby
gowned woman, who was nevertheless
a lady, and two beautiful, sleepy chill.
dren.
"Are the rooms ready?" asked Jean
who had telephoned in advance OF her
coming.
Yes. Miss Loring. The nursery fire
is burning. and the blue room IL
ready"
After the children had been put 10
bed I'm the nursery. which was sacred
to jeans own childhood and had al.
ways been preserved in its original
state. Maud King faced Jean in tina
luxurious warmth OF the blue room.
Her eyes were filed with tears, and
her thin hands trembled
Jean. dear. you would not let me
say word all this while" she said
firmly. but now I must tell you Of
things Denton was successful for
awhile. but he drank, and matters
went from bad to worse. He borrow
ed from father without my knowledge.
and-well. father in at OF anger
changed his will and left everything ia
BENJAMIN and then before he could re
pent OF his injustice father was strick-
en- and died / had nothing and yog
know what my brother is-a spend.
thrift He gave me nothing. and be
has wasted his Inheritance. Denton
drank more than ever after that aud
IL killed him. I've tried 10 support tho
children. with the result you have wit
nessed"' She threw out her hand with
n despairing sob.
your home is here. Maud" whisper
ed Jean. taking her In her arms. 81
need a sister: ! need little loving
hands: I need your love and the love
OF your children. VIII you sta~ and
be my Christmas giftT
And Maud's lips on her OWE was
Jeans answer.