The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-12-05

T. 4 ,llANHN 9lIIIj the city, d1ggull
SSA n IVA Ing the harsh out
IIEESA5 N1kN lines of the houle
IHGlS tops with o sot(
t1%S gray blankets
The ST, irttSol
YuletIde filled the Dir, and, since: yogs
could not help breathing 1t, the toyous
song OF Peace and goodwill" Hooded
the inner being as well. n
In the dormer window of an ntttd
chamber overlooking the city stood ias
little child. She was thin and pale
but even these rayagers OF beauty
could not rob her features OF thelE
loneliness. Great blue eyes and gold.
en- curls enhanced the fairy. like Sdelisssi
cacy Of her face, and though III clad
she possessed the bearing OF q prtn..,f
cess. Now and again she left her
post at the window and, opening the
door, listened as II expecting 20 hear
familiar footsteps ascending the
stairs
When 1t was almost dark and Lights 3
began to appear here and there over i
the housetops, like will-o' -the;wisps In
marshy bog, she drew a chair be-
meath the hook driven in the closet
door from which an exceedingly
shabby coat and weatherbe eaten hat
were suspended. BY this means she
was able to reach the garments and
was soon attired for the street: Runs
ming back to the window she scanned
the city and the heavens. Just above
the horizon cleaned single star ot
wondrous brilltancy, and the child ,EensS
raptured by its beauty, forgot that (
she intended to go out and remained. \
motionless watching the resplendents
glory Of heavens Jewel. The room
was flooded with soft shimmeringf
light, and the child gave a sob OF JOY !.
as she suddenly realized that the star
moved AS far as she could see the
same stlvery radiance flooded the sky
The great soul within that tiny body,
sang with happiness and she softly
whispered: ut is the star OF ,Bethle.
hem. must follow It, like the three8'
wise men!" ~ In
She hastened from the room and y
down the flights of steps to the street
The star moved on and on, unfalter
lngly, and the tiny figure trembled In &
avery limb as it followed the WON
drous light. TN
Beyond the boundary OF the city,
over frozen roads and frost-whtteneds
fields, the tireless lettle feet III pro-
tected by their worn shoes. hastened I
after the star. 3f4e Sss
at last she came TO a tiny house
nestled among a group of Ar trees.
From the windows came paths OF yel.
low light, whose warmth and cheeti;S
ness drew her on to the door
Shc did not pause to knock, but
lifted the latch and entered. The;
room was scantily furnished, but a.
glowing log fire bathed the homelys
surroundings with glorlf1ed beauty.
Seated in front OF the fireplace was
woman who bent lovingly over an
infant. Grouped about her were three
children, while the father of this hapi
by family stood somewhat back OF the \
mother hanging a branch Of ever
green above the mante.
AS the little stranger entered and {
hesltatet, tho children rushed forward
to greet her.
Come in. child" said the mother.
The tired little. girl moved eagerly
forward. Have found the king?s
she asked.
THE king?" questioned the proud
mother. Eyes. We think baby % o.
king" And she placed the soft !, pink
face of the infant close to that OF the
child, who reyerently kissed ttslj
cheek.
81 have brought him. a gift she.
Whispered, shyly, offering a little bead
purse. The mother stopped and Inns
printed warm kiss on the lips OF
the tiny gift bearer.
"He will love it, and would thank
you II he could. See, he reachesS tot
It now" The chubby fingers 1T
tracted by the brightly colored beads
tried their best to grasp the purse
"You have given him his hrstS
Christmas gift" said the father
( Draw near the t1re-you are coli g.
while get bowl OF bread and milk
The child removed her hat and
coat. seated herself on the hearth
stool and was soon enjoying the
simple fare. "
GLOW did you find us2ss the woman
asked.
T followed the starr she gl,I replied.
MN, =