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

PvA-LRSYTAI 7 hcI IOIChSuN.
OVSf5SIZ "Pshawl Christ
HJAkx,S ~ mas is no better
Scs's = - than any other
day, Lucy" re-
turned the colonel testify, watching
the effect of his words through the
operhanging curtain of his bushy eye
brows.
''But it doesn't seem at all like
Christmas, Henry, If you don't make
presents" faltered his wife. 81 can't
make it seem right that Nora and the
children are not to be with US. Don't
you think we should let bygones be
bygones and telephone them to come
over?" she added timidly.
"Silence" Numbered her husband,
his face as white as his hair from the
pent-up wrath of his feelings. "Nora
made her bed, now let her lie in it.
She's no daughter of mine to marry
a good-for-nothing scamp Of an artist
without a penny to his name. AS to
the children, they're as dead to me as
those up on the hillside yonder''
From her corner by the fireplace
Vesta eyed her father nervously, as
she stroked the fur of Nebuchadnez-
Ear, Morals pet cat. How changed he
was, and what had brought it all
about? There was no real reason that
she could see, except her fathers
stubbornness. Don was not bad sort
and he had made Nora a good hus-
band, providing well for her and the
children. Then there was John Den
ton. 1t was just such night as this
that he had driven him from the
house.
The young man had made some
laughing remark about their differ
ences in politics to which the colonel
had taken exception. Hot of temper
and bitter of tongue, he had disposed
of the matter promptly. John had
asked Vesta to decide whether she
would be ruled by love or fear. She
was but twenty, and to her filial duty
was a fetish. There was no alterna'
tive, she told him. She had never
answered one of his letters, and in
time they had ceased to come. He
had forgotten, of course, and it was
as well for both, as her duty lay to
her parents, now entirely alone
Vesta's fingers trembled as she EN-.
broidered the last dainty forget-me.
not on the little pink flannel for No
ra's newest baby, the one they had
never seen.
The fire was getting low, and she
rose and poked the Goals until they
glowed with new life, then heaped the
andirons with hickory logs. In few
moments the faint odor of pungent
wood began to filter through the room,
and as it did so Vesta's courage rose.
1--WE must hang up our stockings to-
night, dears," she began softly. Lets
Just play we are little children again.
I'm sure Santa Claus is coming this
way. Let as be joyful together this
year, at least, for life is so uncertain,
you know. Won't you play I'm your
little girl this Christmas, DaddyT' she
ended pleadingly.
Don't be a fool, Vesta," retorted
her father sharply. IF you're ever
going to be woman you should show
some signs Of it at thirty. All this
talk about Christmas is nonsense.
nonsense, / tell you. / declare I'm
sick of people spending their last
cent to make show this time of the
year, and making a bid for presents in
exchange for their own"
But the joy of giving"
"Saw old Joe Bean today" he went
on, waving her remarks aside. And
what do you suppose he had the nerve
to say? Just this, I'm bringing you a
nice fat turkey tonight, colonel as
much as to say, Won't you have nv
present ready for me to take back
when callT The smart old codger ="
"What did you say, father? I hope
you didn't hurt his feelings. Joe is
well meaning, and loves to do for otl..
ers," excused Mrs. Drake
"You know the name of the place
that is paved with good intentions of
Just such fools !" snapped the colonel,
knocking the ashes from his pipe and
filling 1t with fresh tobacco. POUNDS
how l hate the word Christmas!'
1.-The Christ Child's birthday, dad
dy!" reproached Vesta boldly, heap
ing on more logs. 1.-THE Christmas
spirit never tarries where there is no
welcomer'
stop that drivel about Christmas -
commanded the colonel, sharply
banging his cane on the hearth, or
I'll leave the house this In
slant. Do you hear me?" He
ended with an impotent thump of his
faithful stick.
Vesta rose slowly, and bravely toss
ing back her head. crossed the room
and flung open the door.
"Glad to see you, Miss yesta, and a
merry Christmas" greeted old ice