The Princeton union., 1921-12-15

"Why, it must be showing, after
ALL" she cried happily 'T'm so glad
for, as mumsey says, I never did like
"a green Christmas"
1T sure Is snowing," announced
Phil, opening the door and gazing into
the night. Vesta peered over his
shoulder to the bank Of clouds rolling
IN from the east with little spits and
furries Of snow. Just then the door
banged shut.
"What's that?" demanded the COL
onel from the head Of the stairs.
"1ust the wind, daddy. 1t blew the
door Shut" said Vesta soothingly, plac-
ing her lips on her fingers with an
admonishing "S-h-h-h-h. |" to
Phil.
"Guess it's the Christmas spirit try
ing to get in, Uncle Henry" said the
young lieutenant with wicked little
laugh. But the pajamaed figure hold
ing brass candlestick aloft had van
ished.
"1s that our g'anpa?" chorused two
little voices. "An' is dis heaven?" they
demanded.
"Guess you're on the right track. lit
tie ones," cheered Phil. "Now tell us
all abor- it," he encouraged as he and
Vesta led them toward the hearth
where tn were soon Nesting on the
pair of old rose cushions Vesta had
brought 'ut for the occasion.
Eyes, tell us about it, dears," she
urged gently, land we'll see."
1--WE fordetted to say Merry tismus
to God, an Aunt Elsie and g'anpa-"
said the little girl.
I'VE forfeited to say Merry 'Tfsmus
echoed her brother. Daddy
John said we'd soon be in heaven and
that we'd see God an Aunt Elsie and
~ganpa. You don't look bit like your
pictures" was the disappointed COM
ment.
"But lot nicer, you mean, brother"
corrected the little girl. Daddy John
has annuzer picture zat looks like you,
only Eat lady has dimply smiles all the
t1me," she ended, scrutiniZing Vesta
boldly.
Vesta laughed heartily and hugged
the little girl to her breast. The child
:snuggled contentedly.
"She's slightly mixed on her geog-
raphy' whispered Phil, land thinks
we are some persons else. Well get
down to facts after WHILE"
But the only information they could
CLEAN from the children was that their
mother was in heaven with the angels
and God. They were on their way
there with Daddy John on the train,
when there was big crash. When
they awoke Daddy John was gone. So
they just went to find him.
"Ve must have been on the same
train" said Phil, "but how those little
buffers ever managed to get here is
more than know. 1t was some hike,
even for my long legs"
''Oh, we didn't walk all the way, A
kind man let us ride. When we saw
the light in the window here, r knew
1--WE had come to heaven, so I just told
Ethe man to stop. And he did. 80
tyoure going to see g'anpa,' he said,
sand brother and just said. Yes
$50 here we isl" beamed the little
hoy, in childish enthusiasm.
''Now tell us what your names are"
"Budge and Toddy!" they chorused
>gravely.
, "Rlt your other name, your daddy's
nalne?"
Daddy John" they repeated firm
", nor could they be shaken in their
assertions
~An' we want to see God an Aunt
Elsie an g'anpa an Santa Claus. Dad
dy John said we would when we got
to heaven. Can we hang up our stock
ings?' asked the little girl.
"You surely can, dears," said Vesta,
heartily.
AN will we have 'Tismus tree?"
"An' a Santa Claus"
Festa glanced at her cousin helpless
,ly. She was now floundering in deep
waters.
"Sure!' he pledged in his deep bass
voice, "if you'll go to bed now and get
to sleep. You can listen for the rein
deers, and perhaps Santa Claus will fill
up your stockings and bring you q
Christmas tree"
"Phil !" calculated Vesta. 1T isn't
right to disappoint them."
He waved her aside. '"That's all
right, fairy godmother!"
''And will he bring our Daddy John?"
asked the little girl anxiously.
l1~@ I>Sl
tiously.
But this request was too much for
Vesta, who had already hurried away
toward the attic and certain copper
bound trunk, full Of small garments.
''Is that you, Vesta?" called her fa-
theirs querulous voice.
Yes, dad"
Aren't you in bed YETI" he NUT
tered
I'm going soon, dear,' she lied
blushingly, knowing full we'll that the
two hours ahead would be busy ones
Assisted by Phil she managed to get
two wobbly heads and two pair Of
small limp arms and legs into the
sleeping garments, for the sandman
had already claimed them.
II lit fire in the spare room, Phil {:
wen just carry them in there. Do be
quiet, for dad mustn't know until morn
ing" she whispered.
The old reprobate !" said
Phil under his breath.
Vesta glanced at him reproach-
fully as he lifted the chubby fiqure Of
the little girl in his arms. while she
carried the little boy. Shortly after
ward Bulge and Teddy were tucked