Evening journal., 1919-02-05

prise lasned into her eyes.
you were thanking God for this p
She pointed 10 the tree.
"Oh, yes !" exclaimed Mary. "Oh
come and see all my wonderful pres
ents. III Just bet you didn't get any
thing so nice. Nobody could Look a
this. and this, and oh I Adele, look a
my Santa bird. You should hear hin
sing He Just swells up and then hl
fllls the room with music. ] guess n
name him Adele. May I? He looks Sc
soft and fluffy and beautiful, Just like
you. You won't mind n name hin
Adele, VIII your
No" replied Adele.
she was thinking OF her own tree
and all the gorgeous things that she
had not even taken the trouble 10 ex-
anime. Just then Mrs. Codington called
from below:
Adele Adele where are your"
Here | am, motherr
She ran to the stairs. "Please come
up moment. ] want to show you
something"
Mrs. Codngton came hastily up and
CAUGHT Adele in her arms, kissing her
fondly.
My dearest, You gave mamma an
awful fright. How in the world did
you wander up here7"
"Oh, just came. mother dear. Look,
mamma, this Is Mary and this Is her
papa and mamma and this is her tree,
10 isn't much like mine, is it7"
Kate and John arose, embarrassed as
Adele spoke. Mrs. COdngt0n. noticing
their embarrassment, spoke quickly:
81 hope you will pardon my little
girl for intrudlng. ! have never known
her TO do this before. Come, Adele, let
us CO."
but, mamma dear ! want Mary 10
see my tree. Can't she and her papa
and mamma come with us9 Now
please" as Mrs. Codlngion started 10
expostulate.
"why, OF course. n they would like
TO-"
Then TO Kate and Johns
Il am Mrs. James Codineton. Won't
you please slip on your things and so
with us2n
Kate and John were about 10 refuse
when Mary burst out with "Oh, pleaee;
and can't my birdie Adele go, too. lie
would be lonesome here II we left him.
Come, Daddie."
They al passed downstairs on their
way 10 the machine Mrs. C0dlngton
and Adele were rich In silks and furs.
The Others were shabby In their pow
erly. The little bird was oil puned up
in his cage.
They passed the undertaken coming
upstairs.
II little MarS's brown eyes had
onened WIDE when she saw her own
Christmas tree, they certainly were
opened 10 the limit when the Davis
family tlptoed Into the morning room
at the Godlneton home. Possibly John
and Kate were almost as amazed as was
Mary at The sight confronting them.
The wealth Of luxury, the warmth
OF the room, the seemingly priceless
furnishings. took them away TO The
vision OF things cOniured In the minds
OF those who Judge riches by pictures
they see, and books they read.
To Adele. her Santa corner looked
different. The reality OF what had been
given her In comparison 10 what Mary
had considered so wonderful awakened
sudden appreciation Of all that was
hers 10 enjoy.
EVEN Adeie's father and mother.
Standing Ia the background watching
seemed 10 sense the feelings OF the
others with gratlneation and pleasure.
Mary finally turned TO her father and
burst into tears.
"Oh, Daddle." she sobbed, Il thought
God was good 20 me but now ] think
he lust nearly forgot me and santa
must lust have run out Of almost every |
lhing when he reached my tree"
Adele watched her for moment |
then, going 10 Mary, she |
out her little plump arms around her |
neck and said softly:
Don't cry, Mary. Come, let's look |
n all the thines together"
Hand-in-hand they went 10 the tree, |
The big clock in the hall ehlmed ~
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Day.
Two hours later and what ohanse.
Nsny OF Adele's presents had found /
heir way 10 Mary's possession. John
md Kate had eaten the most wonderful
Inner Of their lives. Mary looked al
most as richly dressed as Adele. John
yas 10 start In on the New Year 70
work for james oodineton at monthly
Nase, so large that he scarcely could
grasp what II would mean Tor MIN. kate
shared his Joy. Mary and the little yell
low bird were singing a sons OF happi-
ness 10 them all.
Just as the Davlses were about 10
return. bundled and boxed to the eX-
IRENE, Mary threw her arms about
Adele and kissed her lovingly. Then.
she sank on her knee and said sweetly,
her eyes looking high into space:
"pear, good Lord, forgive me for say
Ing yo,i had forsotten mel You did
not You Just surprised me. Please
bless Adele and her mamma and papa
and my mamma and papa and my little
birdie and now ! am so happy, ! Just
can't say anything bus-'Thank you
Amen"
TIE Codlnstons watched the Dsvises
denart TO return 70 their shabby home
They watched from the window until
they turned the corner and disappeared.
Then James codlngton gathered Alice.
his wife, tenderly In his strong arms.
There wss a soft. far-away look In both
their eyes; peace and happiness In their
hearts.
Adele had returned TO her Santa cor
ner and was hummlng sweetly to her
self as she examined the remaining
presents with new interest and de-
Ilsht.
The Christmas chimes were ringing
,ut good tldlngs and their sweet ca
fence nIled the room with restful tones.
the whole world seemed bet
er. bigger and more wonderful. Christs
eaching seemed noticed In the shad-
,vs Of the fickering log that smold-
red In the fireplace: ut Is better TO
i've than TO receive"