The Princeton union., 1921-12-15

that ails Uncle Henry. He needs to
! have it ironed out with little music.
Maybe carol or two will help him. y
"The Christ-child walks the earth to-
J might, you know, Phil, looking for
green wreaths in his memory, and he
touches the Intel Of every door that
has sprig Of green upon it," she end
ed reverently.
1T came upon the midnight clear !"
softly caroled the singers.
! A window overhead opened noise
slessly. That was all. Vesta clasped
| her hands gently The carolers drew
:nearer.
God rest ye merry gentlemen,
Let nothing We dismay;
For unto us King is born,
This glad. sweet Christmas day. .
The voices trailed away, then the
window above closed very softly.
Maybe the Christmas leaven is
working" suggested Phil grimly.
"Now for look at the kiddies. -
whispered Vesta, Ito see if all is we'll"
II want my Daddy John," whim-
ipered Bulge.
|: II want my Daddy John,' echoed
Toddy, rolling over the other sleeping
child
|: "Poor little kiddies !" murmured Ves-
TIA, tucking them in.
'.They'n forget all about it in the
morning when they see their tree. It's
the other fellow, the fond dad, who is
doing the worrying. Gee! In all our
excitement. I forgot to call up the lost
and found department at police head
:! quarters. Believe I ought to do it
yet."
: do be careful that you don't waken
dad and mumsey,' warned Vesta, but
Phil was already on the wire.
; "Why, yes, they're here now-at
Colonel brakes, boy and a girl,
sound asleep. Yes, we're up yet, but
they're all right. Oh, Of
course we have no objections if he can't
wait until morning. =" he rang
off.
"Well, the lost father is found,' he
shrugged ruefully. "You're destined
to be mother but for an hour. He
us on the way mere now
!: "Oh, the brute! !" cried Vesta. "He
wouldn't take them away from US to-
might, after all our work to make them
happy. :" Her voice broke
Cheer up, cousin! 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?''
"Oh, do," begged she. This Christ
! mas of ours is getting rather interest
ing, isn't it?" she added with a 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 a tall.
slender stalk. There was blur before
her eyes, and the sound of distant mu-
sic In her ears. It was the car0lers,
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 compell-
lngly.
"John! whispered she, unbelievng-
", John ~ a world of longing in the
name. Suddenly she remembered, and
drawing herself up proudly she led the
way to the spare room. II forgot !.
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 her
IN Ill., Ill. ~ 1nffi