Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-15
On Christmas Dau
by HnsAI.IE &. MENDEI..

. I was Christmas Day. The snow was fall
{ ing heavily in the streets. There was holt
= day cheer in the air. The Christmas bells
.trE out their message of rladncSS. The day
'cmcd made for happiness
Airline. who had invited twelve friends for
christmas dinner. stood AT the front window
hitnS for her party TO arrive. AS she
aitcd many sl,iphS flew by and happy
'iccS rang out but She or heard net,
she was lost in deep thought.
Airline had promised TO give Dudley Grant
r answer on Christmas Day, and, although
ne had had two months to weigh this vital
lbjc"t she had not vet come I, :. decision.
"dlcy was considered by all the first fani-
"s as the most eligible OF Arlnc's circle.
- was :: clean. eood-looking. prosperous,
ralthN y"un- man OF fine family. If Ar
ne had told any Of her friends that She
'"Slta'"d accepting this paragon they would
Nv" raised their hands in horror ana cried.
WHAT more does She WANT
She herself didn't know That w,s Tho
ouhlc. When he was not near she felt She
'vcd him, but when he WAS with her often
- hecam" dissatisfied. Deep in her heart
as !ittl" uncertainty.
once he had amcrily kicked her brothers
'haii tramp dog. This She could not forget.
Il" 'hcn again hc made sport or her set
'"incnt work and her Settlement friends
his Sh" could not forgive. But She surely
"rcd Il sr"a, deal for him, whether the feel
was l"N" or not-that was the question.
turning toward The library table sh, ten
"fiy t"H'd with the rich red roses that stood
tn" high Japanese vase. lie surely is
iouShttul,' She murmurcd.
\ JOYOUS confusion WAS heard, and The
cry DINNER party came bounding tlp the
ont stars.
We're starved" cried Harvey 1--WE col
co. one ny one as we came along--:ind
we brought our appctitcs with us"
That's good news laughed Airline viii,
PARKING eyes. for we have the biggest
Dose in g"oscdom for dinner and III. rest
me iamiH are going TO .Auntc's. Mo,hc,
'Ss We should leave nothing but the bones"
But where is Or. TruGc?" asked l:crnica
thtF removed their wraps lie is the
My missing"
DR. rrmGcr" exclaimed Dudley in SURPRISE
\rhns' why did YOU invite that man who
yes III the Sctilcmcut"'
hec""se he is a friend OF mine" answered
&c young woman simply. ''Ie just ,elc-
'ohtu however. that he would he unable ia
me /" our Christmas dinner as n, n ,d ~,
nerEcncv call y doctor nevc. can cau his
me ms ow II. YOU know
suppose not" asserted Dudley win :
r"i 81 ms shoulders, IF he spends half
- INN" With crying slum babies This
rude citlcs more for his settlement rroc,icn
an Tor an his millionaire patieuts put to-
'tilcf wager this hurry c;,Ir N.oS oni,
some little gutter creature"
Nfi'hv drew a long breath but said moth
ne Jolly crowd was soon seated about The
'a"iIIul!N decorated Christmas ,,hl. I'm
ne" ih"rIily on, but somehow for ArIinn
lcIr was little rift in the lute and mo
'rdS' only little gutter creature" KEN
"ShlhG through her mild
-" we n'ua!c OF the dinner. as the laughter
as al its height. the maid handed q main
Airline. rcmarking: ''''e
htF% litile boy outside. ma'am. lie
'Ns nell wait for an answer
h'Hh" "h'h@d the folded paper ana read:
MY Tiny was throm don by a automohre,
IN YOU com back with jimmy She cris for
GU ficaS com. I'm sorry on christmas 10
tx You. She is we're six.
respectfully Mrs IIuesins."
W ''""Ul IL moments hesitation Airline arose
d with little tromor in her voice said:
MY friend Tiny has been hurt she is cry
s for me You all viii forgive inc If 90
ont YOU? You can have gust as good :.
nae without me- and THY needs me-
The 2YcsU9. knowing hor interest in her