Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-12-20

red berries cleaned while Phil with
his balsam and other packages looked
like an animated Christmas tree.
Here's a sprig Of mistletoe for you,
Miss vesta, and q Merry Christmas to
you," said old Sam, with sly glance
at Phil.
"Why, begin to feel like a little
girl again." cried Vesta happily, as
they trudged along through the snow
toward home. 81 never knew before
that the Christmas spirit could be so
nice. I declare I have little creepy
feelings of Joy all up and down my
spine this minute"
"Same here" agreed Phil. "But
you'd better 'douse the glIm,' Vesta,
in the language Of the immortal Vic
tor Hugo, or its chickering's will tell
tales to your august parents. Some
Christmas after all, eh?" he added as
he trcgei the tree up the steps Of the
front porch while Vesta held the door
open. All was quiet within, but they
took the precautioD to tiptoe nOiseless-
| ly, and a few seconds later the tree
was set on its pedestal in the corner
Of the living room.
isn't it prettily shaped, and how
dellciously spicy IL smells in this warm
ROOM Vesta bubbled as she shifted
the pungent air.
Guess Bulge and Toddy will think
so, too," Phil said proudly as he un-
wound yard after yard Of tinsel rope,
"Now, where's the menagerie?'
asked Phil dubiously. "We didn't
think of that, did WEI"
Obj exclaimed Vesta, a little
red flag flying into either cheek. "Wait
minute-they're in my room," she
explained, slipping off her shoes and
into the convenient felt slippers. In
her room she paused just long enough
to light her one bayberry candle before
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 - the apparltion. "are you a
yestal virgin, druid, or fairy godmo 9TH
er?'
"Just friend Of Santa Claus" she
laughed triumphantly. II made them
all myself from some of dads old 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
kid1ies would be here" she added
wistfull-.
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, 1t was "most creditable."
! When it had received the last pat Of
yesta'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 NOra's chill
dren. already hung on tine well-laden
branches Of the tree. Joe Beams tur-
key offering lay on the cold marble ta-
bic 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.
1T surely is" returned Vesta hap
PLY. ~ hope dad won't mind"
"Pshaw! 1t will do him good. His
soul has got warped bit, that is all
that ails Uncle Henry. He needs to
! have II irOned out with little music.
Mnybe carol or two will help him."
"The Christ-chld 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.
eft came upon the midnight clear !"
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 ye 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.
Nov for n look at the kiddies,"
whispered Eesta. "to see if all is we'll"
81 want my Daddy john" whlm-
pered Bulge.
"I want my Daddy JOHN echoed
4 Toddy, rolling over the other sleeping
child.
Poor little kiddics!" murmured YES
ta. tuCklng them in.
They'll forget all about it IN the
: ,,orniDr- whom they see their tree US