The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-12-11

-
- -
but the girls were bit timid The
boys, however, were real ehummy ant
asked Santa many embarrassing ques
tions about his trips.
All this he said slowly, pausing now
and then so that he could live it over
again. He looked up into Molly's face
for she had been very quiet, and there
he saw big tear drops rolling slowly
down her thin cheeks which now show
ed n delicate pink flush.
"Well, well, Molly" began her hus-
band.
Don't, George, know it is foolish
4 for me to cry, but l wish we could
have tree and children to fuss for.
Christmas comes and goes nov with
out much excitement and it makes me
feel as though I'm getting awfully
old"
molly, let's have tree and we viii
get ready for Christmas just as we
did long ago.
The next morning the happy couple
took a trip to the woods to choose a
tree, BY the twenty-second of De-
cember, all the things were finished.
George found Molly sitting before the
fire looking very sober.
"Molly, why do you look so blue?
This is the time for everyone to be
happy"
II know it, but, George, thing our
fun is over. All our planning is done
and we have no one else here to enjoy
it. No children's voices to sing the
lovely Christmas songs. Oh, | shall
miss it," she said sobbing.
eve still have three days in which
to find children. We are going to have
Christmas just as we want it. | feel
as though this will be the happiest."
The next night, they again were
cuddled in the big armchairs drawn
before the stove. Both of them were
deep in thought, wondering and hop
ing. Both of them started when the
telephone rang, breaking up their
thoughts. George answered and was
astonished when he heard a telegram
read to him. He hung up the receiver
with a slam and ran over to Molly.
threw his arms about her, picked her
UP and carried her around.
George, tell me about it, What
has happened?" a.f
Molly, can't talk, I'm 50 happy
knew we would find children but
now | mustn't keep you in suspense.
any longer. 1t was telegram like
this. Family coming to spend Christ
mas on the farm. Arrive on noon
train tomorrow. Henry
Now Molly took her turn in rejoic-
ing. She danced about the room. Her
face was pink and her eyes sparkled
like an overjoyed child's. 1--WE must
get the toys ready for the children,
she said, and Immediately went off to
make new dress for doll.
The next noon, George and Molly
were standing ON the station platform
trembling with excitement The by
ISLANDERS could tell that something UNI
usual was happening for the old PEG
pie. Finally the train came.
There they are! | see Jane and
Helen. Where is Henry" cried Molly
Here, Mother" answered her boy
and he picked her up and kissed her.
Didn't know me, did you?'
That afternoon, the big doors to the
living room were kept closed. The
children suspected nothing for they
were busy exploring the farm.
In the evening after they came
from church, the doors of the living !
room were opened; the children were
so happy that they danced about the
tree and cXcitedly grabbed one parcel
after another. In their excitement
they could not unite the packages so
their father and mother and grand
parents were called upon to help.
Helen came to her grandfather with
all of hers, but Junior was not so par
tial. After the children had seen all
their presents, and the others had eX-
changed theirs, Helen and, Junior sang
songs and spoke Christmas pieces.
After the candles were lighted, lit
tie Helen came tripping over to her
"Come dance around the
tree with me and my dolly, Grand
father"
'.No. no. Helen! I'm too old to dance
and romp," he answered.
George interrupted Molly those
are the same words you used the day
found you sleeping in the armchair
after reading old letters
well. well. that's So exclaimed
George. This Christmas has been cN-
actly as ! dreamed it,
Henry leaned over and whispered
to his wife, I'm glad we came, !
didn't know how much it would mean
10 them"