Evening star., 1914-12-25

talk then. And l assure you we've got
q large subject
"The whole of Christmas" peeped
Mrs. Meeker.
why, Christmas is gone" said Paul
West.
"It amt gone so far but that Ase-
nath can yank it back again. replied
Mrs. Meeker. as she unlocked the door.
Paul West stayed. And between
plans and the exhibition of purchases
Asena til and he -tielved back into their
childhood, good deal of which they
had passed together. Paul West had
gone away years before to get his edu-
cation and take his place among men,
and Asenath had heard little about
him. She had, in fact, almost forgot
ten him, having more important af-
fairs on her mind-such as Carus Lind
ley. for instance. Several times that
evening she found herself look
ing at Paul with freshening interest
to see. so clear-headed, so helpful. and
he entered SO heartily into all their
schemes. He had some suggestions,
too, to offer that threw a new light on
the whole plan, and left Asenath Won
dering whether she could have carried
it out at all without him to help.
1t was two days later that Asenath
held her celebration, and 1t was one
which Westmore is not likely to for
get in many a day. She had worked
hard to bring it to perfection, yet never
had she been so happy. Paul West and
Mrs. Meeker helped her and they were
happy. too. Mrs. NIeeker said she never
had such good time In her whole
life. Paul West said nothing. But all
that he was feeling was seen in his
deep and grave eyes.
He took Asenath in his sleigh be-
hind his light-footed bay mare, and
together they drove from house to
house. leaving gifts for the poor and
the old and the sick and the sad. Very
substantial were the gifts for the poor,
very cheering the gifts for the old. and
FOR the sick and the sad were such
flowers as Westmore rarely saw. They
were not to be had in the village. so
Asenath had telephoned to New York
for them, and they came in profusion.
And in the evening there was a great
party for all the children, for Ase-
The party opened early and closed
early. and when the clock struck 8
and all the children came trooping out
from the gayly deched parlors there
was Asenath at a great table laden
with gifts. Every child got something.
There was big golden-haired doll for
lame Netty Parker and cleaning
pair of skates for Jack Williams and
a set of tools for clever Harry Baird
and a workbox all equipped for Elsie
Harris, who loved to sew. For the first
time in their lives the children got
their hearts desire.
1t was all over at last, the door
closed finally and Asenath, with the
eNhilaration of lights and company
still upon her. sank wearily into a
chair. I've had my Christmas after
all and it has paid" she sighed
Paul West said nothing. He simply
looked at her as she sat there with
her chin in her hand. Asenath knew
that he was looking and knew what
that look meant, but she dare not meet
it just yet. She was thinking that
while she had poured out her gifts in
every direction the greatest Of all gifts
had come to her--the gift of a good
mans love. And she was ready to re-
ceive it--auite ready. Her heartache
had gone and in ITS stead was splen-
did new JOY. She had meant only to
forget herself in loving work for 9TH
ers and God had surprised her.
In the dining room Mrs. Meeker be-
gan to sing softly:
blessed be the tie that binds
Then at last, smiling. Asenath lifted
her eyes and met the waiting ones of
her lover.
(THE END.)