The Ronan pioneer., 1917-06-08
ter, but she's only a girl. Boys can
get along without it,

Inc back II 1T takes all the year." she
said practically. What is your name?
Leon he said
Here is Il nice shop, Leon. See
they have cooked things to eat as well
as bread and butter" Jean spoke to
the proprietor of the delicatessen
shop, and at her order the man pro-
duced a large basket, which he pro-
ceeded to fill with the things that Jean
ordered, while Leon watched the pro-
ceeding with amazed eyes that grew
frightened when he saw roasted
chicken added to the precious con-
tents.
"Please, ma'am, It's beautiful, but
it's more than can pay for he whis-
pered at last.
"Oh, no, it isn't, You don't know
how we'll l pay my errand boys" was
Jeans encouraging answer
After that the boy watched her with
delighted eyes as oranges and nuts
were added to the basket and ut last
Jean said there was plenty. and she
paid for it from Il well filled purse.
1--WE must carry this together Leon"
she said. Can you manage one side
Of the basket?'
I'm sure | can.' he said eagerly.
Pm glad you bought the doll for
Cherry, Santa CLAUS might forget to
come to our house."
They passed into the crowd on the
sidewalk, and Leon guided Jean Lor.
M 1n.Is
corner and up the stairs of a dingy
tenement house.
This isn't a very nice place." he
whispered apologetically. I'VE lived
In nicer places before father went
away. But it's the best mother can
do, cause she doesn't get much for
the 'broidery work, and grandfather
didn't leave her any money. after all.
Here we are-the door in the corner.
We're going to have a better place
some day" he added as he opened the
shabby door that led into a bare little
bedroom that smelled sweet and clean,
whatever it might lack in furniture
and other appointments.
A door led into the next room,
kitchen. where woman sat at sew
ing machine stitching istlessly at
something that looked like dolrs
Dress A lovely little girl of two years
was curled up on shabby sofa near
the fire. The room was warm, but
beyond the fire and the scrupulous
cleanliness of the place there did not
seem to be any other comforts. There
was no hint Of the approaching Christ
mas day. Everything spoke of poverty.
THAT you. Leon?" asked the wom-
an without turning her head. "You
We're gone long time. dear Did you
get the bread and the milk?'
Leon FASTENED to her side.
Mother, dear" he cried excitedly,
II lost the dime, and"
"Leon!' cried the mother sharply.
ut was the last cent had in the
world" she added in quavering
voice.
Icons arms went around her neck.
"pQn't cry. dear" he whispered. 81
did lose the money, but | found a.
Christmas angel, a Christmas friend,
mean, and she's going to let me work
and pay her back for the good things.
See her!"
Slowly the mother turned a face.
stony with despair. the blood creeping
in shame to her cheek at the thought
of accepting charity. For an instant
her eyes closed and then opened, dark
and traaicaily beautiful to meet the
blue eyes OF Jean Loring.
Jean spoke first. and there was a
trace of bitterness mingled with the
surprise and pity of her tone.
MAUD, Maud. Is it really you?"
And the beautiful society girl who
had won Denton Kings heart away
from Jean Loring after all smiled wan
ly and promptly tainted away at jeans
feet
The Christmas bells were ringing out
midnight peal when Jean Loring in
taxicab drove up to the door of her
home. Alarmed servants We're hover
ing in the hail when she entered, and
they flew to do jeans bidding when
she entered with frail, sllabbily
gowned woman, who was nevertheless
u
dren.
"Are the rooms ready?" asked Jean,
who had telephoned in advance of her
coming
Yes, Miss I1oring. The nursery fire
is burning, and the blue room is
ready"
After the children had been put to
bed in the nursery. which was sacred
to jeans own childhood and had al
ways been preserved in it's original
state, Maud King faced Jean in the
luxurious warmth Of the blue room
Her eyes We're filled with tears, and
her thin hands trembled
"Jean, dear you would not let me
say word all this while" she said
firmly. "bnt now must tell you Of
things Denton was successful for
awhile. but he drank. and matters
wont from ho1 fO vnrSo ITa horrOv.