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

All u kouhtd NiduS
Vesta glanced at her cousin helpless
| ly. She was now fioundering 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
Christmas tree"
"Phil~ CALCULATED Vesta. sit isn't
right to disappoint Them"
He waved her aside. That's all
right, fairy godmotherr'
"And will he bring our Daddy John?"
asked the little girl anxiously.
"Who knows?" ventured Phil eau
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.
rs that you, Vesta" called her ia
theirs querulous voice.
| Eyes, dad"
"Aren't you in bed yetY he NUT
tered.
"Im going soon, dear" she lied
blushingly, knowing full we'll that the
two hours ahead would be busy ones.
Her father grunted, and she could
hear her mother expostulating. She
went into her room, removed her
shoes, and replaced them with a pair
of old, blue felt boudOir slippers, Tip
/ 10 ha tat, ho
managed to reach the big open room,
and dropped to her knees beside grand
mothers little copper-bound trunk.
There among the pile of garments she
found two little old-fashSoned night
] gowns they had always kept for Nora's
! children in the days.
/ A mouse scurried up the rafter in
front of her. and her heart went pit-a-
pat, for she had woman'S instructive
fear of these harmless creatures. Re
straining an exclamation she made
such a hurried exit from the attic that
her candle went out, and she stumbled
on the last step.
whats that?'' cried her father
angrily. II never knew you to make
so much noise. Anything shappened?''
mo, dad. heard mice in the attic,
and let Nebuchadnezzar upstairs"
Her cheeks flushed, for she was not
accustomed to prevaricating.
well, get to bed soon, for goodness
sake, or I'll get up and stay up" he
threatened.
"All right, dad" hastily assented
Vesta, entering her room and closing
the door with a resounding click. Two
minutes later she rejoined her waiting
guests, candle in one hand, shoes
in the other and pair of little night
robes thrown over her arm.
Assisted by Phil 81 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.
Il lit a fire in the spare room, Phil
We'll just carry them in there Do be
quiet, for dad mustn't now until morn
ing" she whispered
1.-THE old reprobate =. !" said
Phil under his breath.
Vesta glanced at him reproach-
fully as he lifted the chubby figure of
the little girl in his arms, while she
carried the little boy. Shortly after
ward Bulge and Teddy were tucked
away between warm blankets in the big
four-poster in. the spare room.
Back before the fireplace Vesta and
Phil gazed blankly at each other.
Didn't tell you so?" volunteered
the latter cheerfuliy Didn't / tell
you that you're the goddess of the
hearth? That the Christmas spirit
would come your way tonight? That
you were born to be the mother of
little children?" he Intercepted In
staccato tones.
But how are we to live up to our
premises?" she laughed, ignoring his
embarrassed by its shower OF bless
ings. I have no doubt that we are
entertaining angels unawares, but now
that you have succeeded in inducing
the Christmas spirit to tarry, why not
try your magic on Santa Claus and bid
him bring us tree?"
IT lose no time in accepting the COM
mission. Behold in me an ilnpromptu
Santa Claus. ready to do the bidding
of the vestal virgin. Now for some
druid to lead the way to a forest of
young balsams."
AT your service!" laughed Vesta
| gaily. 1T is but eight o'clock" she
| said, glancing at the old banjo clock
over the mantel. Il have an inspira-
ton. Comet" she commanded, snatch
ing her tam-o' -shanter and coat from
the halltree, at the same time handing
Phil his own coat and hat. Five min
utes later they were on their way
across lots to the balsG.n grove on the
hillside, armed with he sharpest ak
in the colonel's toolchest. Soon a
small but symmetrical tree was laid
low.
$50 far, so goodl" breathed Phil
cheerfully, shouldering the embyro
Christmas tree. 81 declare it's worth
a trip to France, with train off the
track, to have this experience But
how about a Santa Claus rig?"
Zone thing at time, Phil" gurgled
Vesta in SO girlish a voice that the
man was almost startled. 81 declare
/ this tarrying of the Christmas spirit
entertaining guests unawares, playing
vestal virgin and being druid all
in one night is rather exhilarating.
Maybe We'll have real Christmas yet.
Poor dad and mumsey! I'm wonder