Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-12
~ ~ No. kAxSS 49, 3 =
-
CHAPTER ~. e
The Little Nephew. ID

~ENNY shook her head. i got
seven Christmas present rela
tvcs and ten Christmas present
friends. and I've only Spcu,
Isl on EN- all she said. for ma.
;eriai. But I've made little things Tor
every one II EN- II don't seem IS II
that much had ought 10 hurt any one"
Jenny looked past her out the win
dow. somewhere beyond the snow.
-They's something else" she added
IT amt al present giving
Nonsense said Mary Chavah.
Take the present trading away from
Christmas and see how long it'd last.
7 was in the city once for Christmas.
II never forget it-ncver. I never see
folks work like the folks worked there.
The streets was BedIam. Tie stores
wss worse -What'Il I get him. I've
Just got 70 get something for her 1t
don't seem ~ II this j. nice enough
after what she gave me last year
can hear EN- yet. They spent money
wicked And I said To myself that
was glad from my head to my feet that
was done with Christmas and
been preaching 81 ever since. And I'm
pleased this town has had To- come 10
IT.
1t amt the way ! feel said Jenny.
She cot M and wandered 10 the win
Tow and hardly heard while Mary went
on with more Of the sort. 1t seems
kind Of like going back ON the way
things are Jenny said as she turned.
Then. a. she made ready To- 20. she
Jroke OF and smote her hands together
oh she said. 1t don't seem as II
could bear it not 10 have Christmas
rot this year
You mean your and Bruce's first
Christmas" said Mary. Mark my
words. he'll be glad 10 be rid Of the
fuss. Men always are. Come on out
the front door If you're going" said
Mary. You might rs We'll Use II when
its open
A Jenny passed the open parlor
door she looked in again at the bare
room.
Don't you like pictures:r she asked
abruptly.
= like EN- when like EN- Mary
answered. i didn't like 'em l had
VI here-I had shot stag and n fruit
piece and an eagle with child in its
claws I've loathed EN- for years. but
amt ever had the heart 10 throw
EN- out till now. They're over behind
the coal bin
Jenny thought -They's a picture
over 10 Mothers she said. that she
amt put up because she amt had the
money 70 frame IL. I guess III bring
& over after supper and see IL You
don't want IL up here. frame or no
frame" She looked at Mary and
laughed II ! bring it 10 you tonight"
she said. 1t amt a Christmas present
legal But II I want 10 call II
Christmas present inside OF me the
town can't help that"
What's the picture Mary asked.
T don't know who it represents.
said Jenny but its nice"
When Jenny had gone Mary Chavah
stood in the snow shaking the r-l- she
had left outside and looking a- -he
clean white town
1T looks like f. was waitiu. for
something she thought
\ door opened and shut. 4 child
shouted In the northeast q shining
HDdy had come sparkling above .he
rrees-CapeIla. Of the brightness q %
hundred Of our suns. being born iIt8
the twilight like little star
Mary closed the parl0r windows and
stood for q moment immersed in the
quiet and emptiness Of the clean
rooms
-,-I-s - Il-a - waiting FOR
gOnethiu-. too" she thought But 3.
,uzht 10 know it won't get IT," siie
idded whimsical'y-
Then she went back To- the warm
'COm and saw the letter on the shelf
She meant 10 Gp in mOmen; 10 the
table To- make IL safe there for the
hight 30. with the gray shawl st!l
,indinc her head and falling 10 her
Get she sat by the stove and read the
etter.
II