Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-12-22
A Christmas
Miracle
By LANNIE HAYNES MARTIN.


Copyright 1915. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
WOHN SPENCER always knew he
was not good enough for Ann
Al Preston, but John Spencer did
resent being told so often ant
oficiously by AIMS people that he was
not good enough for her. They only
augmented his determination to get
Ann. And so John just picked up his
bride and his lawbooks and carried
them off to the west.
The travel across from Virginia, the
opening of law office, the establish
ing of new home, even though very
simple one, made money evaporate
very rapidly. And, although no legal
business had as yet found its way to
Johns Office, he was always busy get
ting read up or Strengthened out or set
tied down. Ann was extremely lonely
and homesick. She cried good part
of the time when John wasn't there.
John was making such fight! But
just now they were having house
parties back at home, and peaches
were ripe. And here the land was as
hot and dry as a desert. The dust got
in her throat and, worse still, in her
eyes, First there came horrible, dis
figuring smoked glasses, then a green
eye shade, then a darkened room and
pain, constant pain, and then there
came a specialist. He pronounced it a
very serious case of eye trouble and
said she might lose her sight entirely
Her eyes were kept bandaged all the
time.
For three months she had been in a
darkened room. John Spencer read to
her. dressed her, fed her and cared
for her as if she were q baby. In
those three months his hair had turned
gray. Never had she spoken to him of
the ones back home. But as Christmas
time grew nearer and nearer she would
ask every day with such a pathetic
quaver in her voice, ANY letters.
John?'
1t was like sword stab in his heart.
He knew she was looking for a Christ
mas box, and he knew none would
come. He knew them all, especially
her uncle James. who had intended
making her his heiress before she had
disgraced the family by marrying
poor white trash" and her two proud,
cold. mercenary sisters. Her parents
had died when she was very young.
One day when Ann had asked her
little quavering question John Spencer
ground his teeth and said to himself,
''She's got to have that box" The next
day he was later than usual getting in
from town, and the next day after, al
though it was more than two weeks be-
fore Christmas, an expressman brought
a box and set it on the porch. Ann had
heard him drive up and set something
down and was ali excitement when
John arrived.
"Why. here's an express package"
he shouted out as he stepped upon the
porch Then he b. ought the box into
her room and began prying off the lid.
Mrs. Ann Preston Spencer" he said
as the boards creaked off. And it says
from Virginia" he continued.
"Oh, C''r' she cried in delight.
First b., took out an envelope and
read. 'To Ann with love. from Uncle
James. Inside is SO"
"Just what he always gave me at
Christmas!' cried Ann. "And wasn't
it dear of him?'' John did not reply.
he was unfolding a flimsy. gaudy.
tose colored silk negligee trimmed in
coarse, machine stitched lace. Here
is pink silk evening dress" he said,
land the card says From Cousin Har-
riet'"
"Oh. how perfectly lovely of herr
exclaimed Ann. DO let me feel it"
And then there were alleged hand
made and embroidered things marked
from Cousin Lucy and Aunt Juliet and
some really lovely table linen which
had her two sisters cards on it.
Ann was like different person. and
when the specialist came next time he
said there really was some hope for
tier eyes now.
A neighbor woman. Mrs. Green, took
care of her while John was away in
town, and when she came in the next
morning after the box arrived Ann
had her get out all the things.
The cards were al pinned ON them.
Didn't I ike +be tENe,y' Hhris+roes