The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-12-18

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bleak for them"
Thereupon George Mitchell talked at
some length, Interrupted now ana then
by Em!ly's delighted exclamations.
Then they eft the table and presently,
clOakcd and hated they sailed forth
into the world of dying snowtlakes to
mingle with the other Christmas shop
Ders.
One by op, the four "castaways"
wandered down 10 a Christmas morn
Ing breakfast. and they fingered over
the meal, pale and weary, for they
bad worked late the night before. II
was after 10 o'clock when Miss Deloss
gave the table over to Mary and invit.
ed the boarders up to the front porlor.
All unsuspecting, they entered the
room to pause i'm dumb surprise at the
sight that met their tired. homesick
eyes.
In the CRATE under the white marble
mantel n coal fire was glowing cheer
fully, and the pictures and chandeliers
were twined with evergreen and holly
In one corner Of the room was large.
spicily fragrant tree bright with tinSel
and gilt and laden with mysterious
packages, while larger bundles were
heaped on the floor underneath
Near the tree stood Mr. Mitchell.
beaming upon the four surprised ones
"Who says we can't have a Christ
mas tree" boastcd Miss Deloss. draw
ing the curtains and motiOning Mr.
Mitchell TO light the gas. "Mr. Web,
ster, will you and Miss Baker please
light the candles on the tree? Perhaps
Miss Finley and Mr.. Piper would help
Miss Finley leaned over and kissed
her suddenly, and Stephen Piper
wrung her hand and coughed violently.
Edith Baker hugged Emily and Miss
Finley, while Harry Webster capered
boyishly and cried "Bully!' Presently
he shook hands with Edith out of pure
exuberancc Of spirits and found a de-
licious sense Of embarrassment in it.
Never had castaways such Il Joyous
time Mr. Mitchell gave out the p"cS
rutS from the tree with funny !itilr
tpcechcS that fitted each one. lie sol
EMMY declared thai Santa Claus h:m
self was the givcr and that all gifts
must be accepted in TN" spirit In which
they wore given He eXH. ted II prom
lSe from cach one 10 tha' effect
II was a wonderful tree It produced
wonderful fruit and gave such lasting
happiness to 80 many people
There was II fur lined oyercoat for
Mr.. Piper. and some yellow gold pieces
for a honeymoon trip WAS the face
tiously wordcd tag upon it. Mr. Piper
blushcd guiltily and avoided Miss Fin
ley's eyes.
There was beautiful cidcrdown
bath robe for Miss Finley, pale blue
eXtravagant looking and luxurious.
She dropped tears on the blue silk
binding. In the pocket was packet
of crisp bank notcs-yellow backs,
THE price to Ohio when you are ready
to go" it said on the label.
Edith Baker had Il set Of Chnchilla
furs and Il big round gold piece, and
Harry Webster found n gold watch
that caused him to discard his old dol
lar one i'm immediate disgust. His
share OF money was more than Sufli-
cicnt TO take him home. Spend the
rest for honeymoon trip if you can
find the right girl to marry YOU, was
his message. When he read ii to Edith
Baker they both bluShed.
Finally Emily Deloss had surprise.
She innOcently opened little velvet
box and discovered a blazing solitaire
diamond ring. She did not read the
message that was inclosed there, but
George Mitchell read his answer In
her beautiful, blushing face, and so he
told them all.
That was the little intimate touch
that melted any strangenesa between
them. A warm. mellow glow of feel.
ing pervaded the little company when
mt last they sat down to the dinner
they had prepared amid much mcrri
ment during the morning. There were
laughter and fun ana such happiness
as not one of them had known for
long time. The sprig of miSt'ctor IN
der the chandelier paved the way for
something that stephen Piper wanted
to say.
Late in the afternoon they grew con
idential ms they drew close about the
fire in the parlor.
Emily won't he here next Ch"s'
mas" said George Mitchell tenoerll
please God. Wen have Christmas
tree I'm our own home In Boston. AMI
you are all invited 10 come
1--WE won't bc far away" said Harry
Webster quickly. 81 mean Browuvil'e
Is not far from Boston. and Edith here
well. she has q cousin I'm Browuvillc
and He stopped and blushed at the
ripple Of laughter that went around
while Edith's face became rose red. bri
her eyes were shining.
"I'm going home tomorrow. too. she
said softly. I'll be 50 glad to see that
old home kitchen shall fall down ana
embrace the floor"
There was little silence Miss Fin
lev was gazing drcamily into the lir"
Happiness had scf.rucd the sharp cnr
tours of her face aud disclosed whit
a 4 "A H. zlHt