Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-12-15

vresenfiy. the whole rom was q pleas
ant buzz Of talk aAd iaugiaer
A for Robin Treat. she sat there Ike
q beautiful statne Of snow ever since
TIE parson had made his announce
ment concerning the delayed present
She wondered II It was for her. 1t
could not ,u that Aunt Hetty had ee-
eeived It, although the cid lady had
givea the minister Z package. BIT
that package would contain the knitted
dix mufIler Ter Mr.. Drake. Rebi.
shrureed her shoulders impatientiy.
OF course the delayed gift was beck
for one Of the children. She turned to
smile down at Aunt Hetty. who was
taking childlike pleasure In q lapful It
gifts from the tree.
Miss Robin Treat" read Parson
Drake. and Robins face grew paler as
she went up the aisle. No one noticed
her going save Aunt Hetty. VINO looked
anxiously at Robin as she came back
with a large box of books and two
pink tariatan bags OF candy.
Other names followed. and a greater
confusion of sound seemed to shut
Aunt Hetty and her niece from the
crowd.
you got two bags, Robin. Let me
see what you've got" whispered Aunt
Hetty.
Robin looked down In her lap. Sure
enough, there were two pink tar1atan
bags-one she had made that very dag
and the other. in the shape Of stock
ing, she recognized as the candy bags
used two years ago.
Her hands fell to sudden trembling.
Was 1t possible that this was the de-
layed present-the one she should have
received two years ago? II so, then
she had received Aunt Hetty's stock
ing that year and Aunt Hetty had re-
ceived the precious one, and in the
pain of her sprained ankle had tucked
it away and forgotten 1t until that very
day.
She lifted her eyes and met the burn
ing glance of Anthony Drake-he was
watching her. He had been waiting
two years for his answer. Her fingers
pulled out the drawstring that fasten-
ed the top of the stocking. and she saw
a handful OF withered popcorn and
stale candies.
There was something elsa small
Christmasy looking envelope with a
red seal and her name in a handwrit-
ing that brought hot bushes to her
cheeks.
Once more she glanced up shyly and
met Anthony's questioning eyes. Her
swiftly lowered head may have be-
trayed her secret, for he turned away
with glad smile.
Robin tore open the envelope and
drew out the little card with its few
penciled words. Her eyes filed with
tears. Who but shy Anthony Drake
would dream Of proposing marriage on
a Christmas card?
Aunt Hetty reached a wrinkled hand
over and squeezed Robins fingers.
you'll have to blame me. dearie." she
whispered penitently.
"It's all right now" assured Robin,
her glad eyes on Anthony, who was
speaking to the hushed assemblage.
He was thanking them Tor their
splendid gift of money for new roof
for the church. He thanked them In
dividually and collectively for the va
rious gifts he had received from them,
and then his eyes asked Robin ques-
ton and received IN answer.
II have to thank God for another
very beautiful gift" he said reverently.
1T came to me this evening quite un-
expectedly. and please God the gift
will go down the years with me, help
ing me to be better preacher. a bet
ter teacher and helper among you, my
people, and a better man. My gift
He paused and looked at Robin with
yearning eyes. and. responding to the
appeal. she laid her gifts in Aunt Het-
tvs lap and went quietly up to the
platform and placed her hand in her
lovers.
any gift is here" completed Anthony
Drake.
But Robin believed that God had Civ.
en- her the greater gift -