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

Johns picture, just as she had done
for ten Christmas ewes, and to make
the same wish. Five minutes later she
reappeared in the living room with a
bewildering array of rabbits, camels,
elephants and teddy bears.
"'Pon my word!" began her cousin,
staring at the apparition, "are you a
vestal virgin, druid, or fairy godmoth-
er?"
''Just a friend Of Santa Claus" she
laughed triumphantly. 81 made them
all myself from some of dads cid fan
mel shirts. aided and abetted by paper
patterns. Aren't these shoebutton eyes
scrumptious? I did so hope that dad
would relent and that Nora and the
Riddles would be here" she added
wistfully.
1t was nearly twelve o'clock when
they finished their decorations. To be
sure, the tree was not the magnificent
cataract of skates, sleds, and guns,
such as had tumbled before their vi
sion in years gone by, but in Phil's
own words, it was most creditable."
When it had received the last pat of
Vesta's hand, Phil went to the kitch-
en- with her and helped make fudge
in the form of chocolate rabbits. Ap-
pie bons, prepared for Morals chill
dren, already hung on the well-laden
branches Of the tree. Joe Beans tur-
key offering lay on the cold marble ia
BILE in the pantry, the huge fowl stuffed
and trussed, ready for the fire.
"Hark! Isn't that the carolers? ?"
asked Phil as sleigh bells sounded in
the distance.
"It surely isl" returned vesta hap
PLY. 81 hope dad won't mind"
"Pshawl 1t will do him good. His
soul has got warped bit, that is all
that ails Uncle Henry. He needs to
have it ironed out with little music.
Maybe carol or two will help him"
"The Christ-child walks the earth TO-
night, 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.
SIT came upon the midnight clear p
softly caroled the singers.
A window overhead opened noise
lessly. That was all. vesta clasped
her hands gently. The carolers drew
nearer.
God rest We merry gentlemen,
Let nothing we dismay;
For unto US a 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 a look at the kiddies."
whispered Vesta, ito see if all is we'll"
81 want my Daddy John,' whim-
pered Bulge.
ST want my Daddy john" echoed
Teddy, rolling over the other sleeping
child.
"Poor little kiddies" murnured Yes
ia, tucAing them in.
They'll 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. Geel In all our
excitement. forgot to call up the lost
and found department at police head
quarters. Believe ought to do 1t
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 q 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 a mother but for an hour He
is on the way here now"
"Oh, the brutew cried vesta. "He
wouldn't take them away from US to-