The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-01-17

<N ENS y" ing Oh lluth sii''>
(NfN% she heard, but OLD
81 ME- enough to remem-
nv Der. All day she
" played happily
with her dolls In the shabby 1urhisheu
room which was her mothers peu-
room. The door was locked, ana
Mrs. Holmes, the landlady, was under
instructions to look in from time 10
time to see what Eunice was doing
but since Eunice was never DONG
anything except playing with her
dolls the good woman's visits became
less and less frequent.
shes the most contented little
body in the world. ma'am," said the
old Scotch woman to Hilda Groves
Eunice's mother. Mrs. Groves was
also called Marian Fay. but that was
when she stood behind the footlights
and enraptured her audience with her
girlish charm and ingenue manner. by
day she was Hilda Groves, wife OF
John Groves, an unsuccessful writer.
and the charming ingenue was very
tired woman with disconnected
droop to her mouth.
I'm glad she's keeping out Of mis-
chief" answered Eunice's mother
.coldly.
Its a wonder" soliloquized Mrs.
Holmes, pausing in the act OF taking
a pair of sheets out of a closet and
looking at the closed door. its a
wonder that sort of parents has them
kind Of children"
The good woman disapproved OF
hrs Groves. whom she thought hard
ard unmaternal. AS for JoLn Groves,
Flnice's father, who worked all day
humping upon his typewriter in the
| tie half empty back :oom, two
stories up. whenever he met Eunice
he experienced a curious sense OF en-
barrassment and shame.
When her mother entered the room
Eunice would experience much the
same feeling Of embarrassment that
she occasioned her father. Though
she had never been told that moth
ers ought to love and caress their
children. Eunice wondered dimly at the
cold formality of her mothers kiss
and felt chilled and repressed.
One snowy night in late December
John Groves came slowly downstairs
and dismissed Mrs. Holmes. who was
making Eunice ready for bed.
congratulate me, daughter" nc
said. Il have an offer of position
on the staff of the Mauhattanite."
Eunice looked up vaguely.
How would you like to celebrate
the occasion with me, child?" inquired
her, father, addressing Eunice banter
ingly. because he did not quite know
what to say to her
"'Es," said Eunica. slipping bel
chubby hand into his own.
1.-The motion is carried" said John
Groves. 1--WE are to 60, then, to see
Mamma transformed into beneficen'
fairy. AS you are doubtless aware
she takes the part of the Fairy God
mother in the Christmas play now
running at the Hudsouian."
That was the first time John Groves
and Eunice had ever been out to
gesher, except for an occasional stroll
round the block to the newspaper
man or the corner grocery. tt
Groves the sensation was as aston
isfIng as 1t was unexpected. Here he
had been creating his dream men ant
women all his life, while there was
live child, his own, waiting to b.
discovered, and full OF the most amaz
ing touches of what he would have
called. in his jargon, human inter
est" But as for Ernice, she wai
In wonderland, and 1t far transcribed
doll-land. She had never imagined
anything so heavenly as the lights
the people. and then the mystery O
the tunnel-likc approach to the thea
ter. the gloomy aisla. and the wal
behind the row of little lamps thai
went up into the roof and disclosed
Mother!
"O-oh!" cried EuniceS leaping VI
out Of her chair. And nobody scolded
or even frowned, because this was Q
Christmas play and the spirit o.
Christmas was npon everyone.
There was her Mamma, all colors
and shining things, standing in the
fairy garden, while her god-childrer
grouped themselves around her. And
such a transformed Mother! How
happy they all were! She was laugh
ing as Eunice had never heard he1
laugh in Mrs. Holmes boardins
Louise, and she kissed the children
aad gave them the most wonderful
tcys.
DO you know who that old fellow
is. Eunice?" inquired her father, in
dicating Christmas character
~.That's Santa Claus"
eThanta Clauth." repeated Eunic<
happily.
Eyes. He's the spirit of Christmas
He gives everybody everything they
wan. on Christmas eve"
"Dces he live here?" asked Eunice
We'll. for the present, yes" hel
1athe; answered. Eunice was very