Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-12-16
A Christmas
Miracle
By LANNIE HAYNES MARTIN.

Copyright. 1915 by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
vvOHN SPENCER always knew he
n was not good enough for Ann
AZ Preston. but John Spencer did
~ resent being told so often and
ofllciously 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
inc of Il new home. even though very
simple one made money evaporate
very rapidly. And although no legal
business had rs 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 homcsick. She cried a good part
Of the time when John wasn't there.
John was making such a fight. But
Just now they were having house
parties back NJ 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 n specialist. He pronounced IT n
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 i'm .
darkened room. John Spencer read e
her. dressed her. fed her and cared
for her as il she were a 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 pathetl,
quaver I'm her voice. ANY letters
Johny'
II was Ike Il 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 haC
disgraced the family by "marryin.
/ poor white trash" and her two proud
cold mercenary sisters Her parent,
had died when she was very young.
One day when Ann had asked he
little quavering question John Spence
ground his teeth and said to himself
"She's got to haze that box" The mex
day he was later than usual getting n
from town. and the next day after. al
though It was more than two weeks be
fore Christmas. an exprcssman brough
a box and set II on TIE porch. Ann ha'
heard him drive up and set something
| down and was ali excitement whel
John arrived.
"why. here's an express package!
he shouted out as hersteppcd upon tn
porch. Then he D. ought the box int
her room and began pryins or the lid
Mrs. Ann Preston Spencer" he sui'
as the boards creabed OF. And II say
from Virginia. ne continued
"Oh, OH she cried In delight
First he took out an envelope an
read. ITO Ann with love. from Uncl
James. Inside IS $50"
"Just what he always gaze me a
Christmasv' cried Ann. "And WASH
II dear OF himf" John did not reply
lie was unfolding a himsy. gauds
rose colored silk negligee trimmed q
coarse. machine stitched lace Her
f. "A pink SILK evening dress. he SAID
"and the card says From Cousin Hat
riet A"
"Oh. how perfectly lovely OF herl
exclaimed Ann DO let me feel H."
And then there were alleged hand
made and embroidered things marke
from Cousin Lucy and Aunt Juliet an
some really lovely table linen whic
had her two sisters cards on II.
Ann was like different person. an
when the specialist came next time h
said there really was some hope 70
her eyes now.
ncighbor woman. Mrs. Green. too
care Of her while John was away I
town. and when she came In the mex
morning after the box arrived An
had her Get out all the things.
The cards were all pinned on then