The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1921-12-16

night, after all our work to make them
happy. !" Her voice broke.
"Cheer up, cousinl He doesn't know
about the tree yet. Maybe he. too, can
be induced to accept your Christmas
hospitality, since you are keeping open
house."
Vesta smiled wanly, as she replen-
ished the fire, tossing onto the Goals
handful of phosphorescent powder,
the colors of which flashed up Instant
| ly, Illuminating the tree with a Won
derful iridescent light. A long silence
| followed.
| High priestess of the sacred fire"
began Phil gently, "fairy godmother, or
whatever thou art, hear the crunch
Ing of heavy footsteps on your gravel
path. Shall intercept the gentleman,
and spare thy fathers wrath?"
ooh, do" begged she. "This Christ
mas of ours is getting rather interest
ing, isn't itY' she added with forced
laugh.
Told you so! One can expect any
thing now" he prophesied as he tip
toed to the door and swung it open.
II owe you an apology, for coming at
this hour, but you can understand my
anxiety, am sure" began the caller.
At the sound of the deep, manly
voice Vesta swayed like lily on tall,
slender stalk. There was blur before
her eyes, and the sound Of distant mu-
sic in her ears. 1t was the carolers,
of course, for she had always prided
/ herself that she was not one of the
fainting kind.
Sweetheart Vesta!" came a far
away voice. Beloved Open your
eyes. Look at me- he added compel
ingly.
"John!'' whispered she, unbelieving-
ly, "John!'' world of longing in the
name. Suddenly she remembered, and
drawing herself up proudly she led the
way to the spare room. II forgot I.
you came to get your babies. They
are in there" she commenced DULY
mot anticipating your arrival, we
trimmed a Christmas tree for them
THAT was just like you, Sweetheart
Vesta," he said tenderly, linking hel
arm in his, "but it happens they are
net my babies. They belong to my
brother Luke, who died in France
Their mother died when they were
born. was on my way with them tc
spend the holidays with their GRANDPA
Their and my sister Elsie in New
Haven"
"Oh !. !" Vesta's laugh rip
pied out like Christmas chime. "Of
/. They said their names were
Bulge and Teddy, that they were OF
their way to heaven to see grandps
and Aunt Elsie in new heaven ant
they talked about Daddy John" Blu
her voice was muffied on the shoulder
nearest her. Phil had discreetly with
drawn.
Their names are Helen and John,
he managed to say betimes, "and 6
funny little pair they are. They have
insisted on calling themselves Bulge
and Teddy. 1t is childish fancy
from which we have been unable t.
shake them"
There was not much sleep for Vests
that night. 1t was good morning" in
stead Of good night" she said to Johr
when they parted, with a merry Christ
mas in their hearts and on their faces
Vesta had decided to choose love, thi:
time, rather than duty, if she must
Long before she reached the little room
under the caves her bayberry candle
had burned itself out, but it's fragrance
filed the chamber with the promise o.
Joy.
In the morning when the colonel ant
Mrs. Drake came downstairs, they were
met with a vociferous, Merry IT'S
mus, ganpa. Merry 'Tismus, gamma =
whats that! What's that =
stormed the colonel as they Rugged hi:
legs and begged him to play ride 6
Cock Horse" "That / will, you young
rascals," he began, "but it seems tt
me It's time for my daughter to make
explanations. Ladies don't generally
acquire full-grown family ovel
night!'' he bantered.
With the exception of the most i'm
portant item Vesta omitted no detail
of the previous evenings experience.
BE still, you young rascals!" blus
j tered the colonel. II can't even hear
myself think" he said, pretending to
be very angry and pounding on the